3 ablation so over 2 years for atrial flutter

Posted , 4 users are following.

Newbie here.  I had mitral valve repair surgery in 1999 and am currently 51 years old.  Flutter began 3 years ago.  3 ablations with two different docs.  Taking metaprolol and amnio (amnio only for 4 months), and my doc says to try another ablation at a center, and if that fails, to adapt to the flutter.  I have no faith in another procedure.  I am thinking of going off amnio now and just make appropriate life changes.  Any thoughts or similar stories?  Thanks in advance.

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Posted

    Mike incase you havnt seen it, Heres My Story click on the link

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/atrial-fibrillation-455839

    you say you have had 3 ablation already..Wow....This just shows the short lived benefits of an ablation Does Not out way the huge Risks involved

    • Posted

      I read your posts previously.  I did not realize the significant possible complications.  I will speak with my EP and hopefully switch to a different medication.  However, I can't imagine the medications working.  
  • Posted

    Hey Mike the dentist, I've had two ablations with limited success about 4 years ago. I'm now on Flecanaide and it helps somewhat. I have been doing some research lately on the stomach, vagus nerve connection to PVC's and A Fib/Flutter. Here's my theory and how I'm dealing with it. Back 4 years ago when I was in the hospital for this a nurse practitioner said something to me I've never forgotten.  "90% of heart surgery patients eventually end up with some type of heart arrhythmia". This is astounding. I had a repaired ventrical septal defect 53 years ago. I've wondered why is this happening to all these people? I believe its a disrupted vagus nerve either from scar tissue and/or stomach issues as most of us with previous heart surgery have scars in this area from drainage tubes or the zipper scar or both. This pressure from the scar tissue pushes against the vagus nerve at times from movement, gas, irritated stomach etc. I also believe that this irritated vagus nerve affects our digestive process and vise versa with certain foods aggravating the vagus nerve setting it off. Now I also think that you don't have to have had heart surgery for this vagus nerve problem. I believe just stomach issues alone can trigger the nerve. Those that have had previous heart surgery just have a double whammy of it setting it off even easier. I can actually feel food trigger it, certain pressure in the area, certain movements even a shower that is too hot.  Acidic, spicy, greasy foods are big no no for me as well as any alcohol. All of these things can aggravate the stomach then the vagus nerve.  Recently I read an acticle about this very issue.  It suggested trying to make yourself gag.  While I thought that was hilarious until I tried it. My god it worked.  It so far seems to stop the PVC's in their track. But I haven't tried it for A Fib yet. My long term goal this year is to find a specialist who knows everything about the vagus nerve. I will not do another ablation or new meds. I truly believe now that if I can get the scar tissue released from the area of those scars and incorporate something to calm the poor old irritated vagus nerve I'll be on the right track. Right now I'm flying by the seat of my pants on this through watching what I'm eating, cooler showers, stopping certain posture/moverment that makes the nerve cranky. It's all definitely helping.  Long term goal, come off the medication. I've always said right from day one that there is a connection to the stomach/vagus nerve. My cardiologists know about this connection but want nothing to do with it. It's a shame. Research should be going in this direction.  In the meantime I'm determined to get the proper help I need and I'm gonna persevere til I do.
    • Posted

      Interesting theory.  First, I will research Flecanaide with my EP.  

      Mine seems to be triggered by exercise and stress.  

      Are there any scientific articles related to the vagus nerve and flutter/fibrillation?

      Also, you mentioned that you will not do another ablation or new meds.  That sounds great, but if the flutter gets bad, it may be another story.  Thanks in advance for your response.

       

    • Posted

      Not sure if this info will be moderated so will try and message you anyway but just in case useful to others there is a booklet by Steven Rochlitz on Hiatal Hernia Syndrome and vagus nerve imbalance. 
  • Posted

    Magnesium deficiency is a known cause of PVC's and PAC's. The best forms of magnesium are magnesium taurate, magnesium citrate, magnesium glycinate, magnesium malate, magnesium oratate, and magnesium oil. 

    Emis Moderator comment: I have removed product/company names as we do not allow repeated posting of these in the forums. I've also removed the quote from another forum site. If users wish to exchange these details please use the Private Message service.

    http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398331-private-messages

    • Posted

      I will have my magnesium tested.  I will speak to my EP about it.

      Thanks for the info.

      Good luck.

      Mike

    • Posted

      just thought i would let you know,

      i got a letter from my cardiologist a few ago telling me that my echocardiogram was good with no other information fro him, but i was not happy with that so i requested the full results, & after 8 years of suffering AF i have now just found out what the main cause is,

      i have a mildly Dilated LA [40mm], which i have also now just learned is one of the main cause AF, i also have RV Trivial Tricuspid Regurgitation, Mitral Valve Regurgitation Trivial.

      some other figures i dont understand are:

      Left Ventrical

      EDD 45mm [34-56mm]

      IVS 9mm [<12mm] pw="" 9mm=""><12mm]

      peridical effusion no

      arctic valve

      sinus of valsalva 36mm [22-36mm]

      peak gradient 7 mm hg

      no regurgitation.

      i hope this may help you & others  peridical="" effusion="" no="" arctic="" valve="" sinus="" of="" valsalva="" 36mm="" [22-36mm]="" peak="" gradient="" 7="" mm="" hg="" no="" regurgitation.="" i="" hope="" this="" may="" help="" you="">

      peridical effusion no

      arctic valve

      sinus of valsalva 36mm [22-36mm]

      peak gradient 7 mm hg

      no regurgitation.

      i hope this may help you & others >

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