i think i amnin denial. i have never had afib more than 2 days and mostly 2-3 hours

Posted , 7 users are following.

with occasional afib, my dr. still says ablation is the answer. i cant wrap my head around that. any ideas?

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • Posted

    I'm the same my dr just gave me meds however my afib only lasts about an hour
    • Posted

      i went for a

      checkup may 10 and he said i was in afib at 95. i usually run 55 with meds, but this is the first time inwas in afib and didnt know it. usually it is very pronounced. i feel it in my neck.

    • Posted

      It's a horrible feeling mines all in the chest and I get eptopic beats most days have ordered some magnesium taurate to help with them fingers crossed
  • Posted

    I was told that ablation is a last resort if u cannot tolerate the (negative) side affects if the rhythm meds

    I had my ablation 2 months ago an waiting for the 3-month date to hit before I will know if it was successful.

    • Posted

      by tolerating the meds does that mean if they r keeping u out of afib? how do i know without a monitor all the time? i dont seem to have any side affects like sob, diZzyness. i am on sotalol, eliquis, and aldactone.
    • Posted

      have u had any episodes after the ablation? did u have to take off work or take it easy till the 3 months is up?
    • Posted

      By 'tolerating' the meds, I mean whether you are having any negative side affects like metalic taste, indigestion, heartburn, dizziness.  I would suggest you talk to your doc about changing from eliquis to pradaxa, since the pradaxa has a refersal factor (in case you need emergency surgery or are in a auto accident), and eliquis does not.

      I am on a rythym drug called propafane, which is the one I would like to get off of -- but will only be able to if my surgery was successful.  I have been told that I will have to be on the blood thinner (pradaxa) for the rest of my life because: (1) I am a female, (2) over 65, and (3) I get absolutely no symptoms from A-fib so I can never tell whether I am in it out not.

      And if you are in it, the possiblity of a stroke is great - therefore, the blood thinner is necessary to prevent stroke.

       

    • Posted

      Yes, unfortunately, I am still in a-fib even after the ablation.  and it actually seems to be getting worse, unfortunately; i.e, more episodes lasting longer.

      I have a fitbit HR (heart rate) watch that measures my pulse and I take it randomly (since as mentioned before, I don't get any symptoms).  My pulse can go from my normal (59) to 130-135.  It's discouraging, but the doc told me not to worry about it until I have the holter test done on 6/24., which will be 3 months since  surgery.  

      That will tell the true story.  The original holter worn for 24 hrs. showed I was in a-fib 57% of the time.  All EKG's were normal as were all the other tests they put me thru -- it was only when I wore the holter (like a portable EKG) that the a-fib was discovered.  (reasons for the test was that I had fainted a couple of times for no reason at all - always thought it was from low blood pressure..)

      I am retired, but I took it easy after surgery for about a month.  Doc told me I could resume all normal activity after 2 months, which I did.I actually felt exactly the same after surgery as I did before.

      Hope this helps a little....

    • Posted

      it has helped me so much. i feel deep down my meds r working, but my daughter( who worked in cardiac surgery for a long time) encourages me to get the ablation and so does my doctor. they

      both say, it will eventually get worse and while i am still healthy get it done now insted of later. like i said, i have only been diagnosed late february. i really have no other medical problems other than 74 lbs overweight , female,69, and mild hypertension. my thyroid, heart, ok. cholesterol is 160. thank you again and ii pray for a goid outcome at your 3 month checkup. carol

    • Posted

      I was also told that the a-fib would eventually get worse and to have it done while I was still healthy.  Female and over 65 put you at a greater risk for stroke.

      If you are apprenhisive about the operation itself, don't be.  Find a doctor and hospital that specialize in them and do a lot of them.  I was very stressed about the operation itself -- it turned out the most stressful part of it was the time leading up to it -- not the operation itself.  

      Good luck.  Pls. keep us all posted.

  • Posted

    Once again this is a case of what is best for you, like Suzanne I was told ablation was only done if they couldn't control the AF with meds. when you are only getting it intermittently they call it PAF which is what I have.

    Try not to worry that will only make it worse, easy to say I know, try some breathing exercises to relax you.

    L.

  • Posted

    It does seem a bit drastic at your stage of afib, but of course, he maybe thinking that if it's treated earlier, the success rate might be higher.

    Linda is absolutely right about breathing exercises, these do help enormously.

  • Posted

    A successful ablation may not guarantee complete cure. That was what I learnt about my ablation for WPW syndrome. Not certain whether it applies to AF.

    When I was informed I have AF after my WPW ablation I decided a heart pacer is more practical.

    My cardiologist can monitor that my pacer works at optimum level. And I need it to be efficient and effective because the Holter recorded that my heart flatlined three times.

    My personal view is that a pacer provides continuous monitoring and is better investment because it should last for eight years.

    • Posted

      thank you for your input. all comments and feedback are important, especially knowing i am not alone in this. peace of mind w your pacer is as valuable as anything else u could do. my appointment for discussion is the 16th. i will keep in touch.

      thank you

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