Guest guest Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 Albert FWIW -- When in doubt, ALWAYS look for a second opinion. Just a reminder -- when I had my first ablation at the Cleveland Clinic with Dr. Natale, I was warned that a percentage (and not an insignificant one at that) failed. That was true in my case. I came home, had a few instances of a-fib, went into NSR after six or eight weeks, and then had three glorious months of a life I remembered --and whammo, back in a-fib. There was no doubt about it when I went for my six months check up; in fact they had already scheduled a second ablation, they were so certain of failure. I had to wait another three months or so for the second procedure. The a-fib I experienced was so painful (especially the last 30 days) that I was gobbling six to eight viocodin a day. Had the second procedure, a few weeks or short a-fibs and a-flutters and then, finally NSR -- which I've been in for now, ten months, going on a year. You ought to seriously question the medical conditions you're experiencing. Lew At 08:02 PM 10/28/2004 -0400, you wrote: >I had a pulmonary vein ablation done on 8/13/04. Since then, I have been, >for the most part, in a-fib. I was brought back in on 8/20/04 for a >cardioversion that lasted for two days. On 9/23/04 I was brought in, >placed on Sotalol for 24 hours and had another cardioversion, which lasted >3 days. Since then I have pretty much been in a-fib with rare 18-24 hour >breaks back into normal sinus rhythm, taking 80 mg of Sotalol B.I.D. The >cardiologist, Dr. Bruce Hook of the New England Heart Institute in >Manchester, NH, has told me that it can take as long as two months to >revert to normal sinus rhythm. Since it's been two and a half months >yesterday, I though it was time to start asking questions. My hx is that I >had paroxysmal a-fib, controlled by drugs, for the last 12 years, but my >bouts with a-fib had been increasing, and I decided to have the ablation >while I was still healthy (I'm 62). Should I seek a second opinion, wait >it out, or call the Cleveland Clinic. I have been in constant a-fib since >the end of April 2004, my longest bout to date, and I'm tired of all this. >Any advise you could give would be appreciated. TIA > >Albert St. Germain, D.D.S. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 Albert, sorry to hear that you are still dealing with your AFib after having had a PVI done. As you probably know from reading all the posts, everyone's experience can be so different. I just wanted to give you some hope and tell you not to give up on this. My first ablation was done at the Cleveland Clinic by Dr. Natale in Feb. 04. I left the hospital on Flecanide and in NSR. It was short lived. One week later, I woke up in AFib again and it was 24/7 for over 8 weeks. I had 3 cardioversions which didn't work for long and on the advice of Dr. Natale, I was switched to sotalol. 3 days later, I converted back to NSR and then I would constantly go from NSR to AFib. I felt like I was right back where I had started. On May 12, Dr. Natale did a second PVI because I was not going to give up on my initial goal of being cured. It has now been 6 months and I am AFib free. Off sotalol, coumadin and feeling great. One thing I can tell you is that my dose of sotalol was 120 mg BID. You might ask your Dr. if he thought increasing your dosage might help. Waiting awhile longer might not be a bad idea either because I know some people who finally went back to NSR after 4 months. That's tough I know, because we want to be " fixed " after having these procedures. Also, a call to the Cleveland Clinic is wise in that if things don't work out for you, then you would be on the " list " . If you don't need to go there, then good. Sorry this is so long, but wanted you to know that I have been where you are and felt like maybe I had done the wrong thing. There are so many who have to have a second procedure and it has done the trick. It certainly is not a perfect science, but it has changed my life and I will be forever grateful to Dr. Natale and his staff for hanging in there with me. Hope this has helped a little. I believe that the 120mg's BID is standard post ablation for Dr. Natale so you might check into that with your Dr. Best wishes for continued NSR in the near future. Recent ablation I had a pulmonary vein ablation done on 8/13/04. Since then, I have been, for the most part, in a-fib. I was brought back in on 8/20/04 for a cardioversion that lasted for two days. On 9/23/04 I was brought in, placed on Sotalol for 24 hours and had another cardioversion, which lasted 3 days. Since then I have pretty much been in a-fib with rare 18-24 hour breaks back into normal sinus rhythm, taking 80 mg of Sotalol B.I.D. The cardiologist, Dr. Bruce Hook of the New England Heart Institute in Manchester, NH, has told me that it can take as long as two months to revert to normal sinus rhythm. Since it's been two and a half months yesterday, I though it was time to start asking questions. My hx is that I had paroxysmal a-fib, controlled by drugs, for the last 12 years, but my bouts with a-fib had been increasing, and I decided to have the ablation while I was still healthy (I'm 62). Should I seek a second opinion, wait it out, or call the Cleveland Clinic. I have been in constant a-fib since the end of April 2004, my longest bout to date, and I'm tired of all this. Any advise you could give would be appreciated. TIA Albert St. Germain, D.D.S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 Dear and Albert: Thanks for sharing a rather detailed report. I am now going through the same agonizing post ablation experience, and would be grateful for some further information, and answers to a couple of questions. This note is of course directed to you and other members who have had similar experience. 1. What was the heart rate during those long weeks with almost constant Afib. Was the beta blocker you used effective in controlling the rate? 2. Why use antiarhythmic drugs (like flecainide or sotalol) if it turned out that they did not prevent Afib, and indeed after cardioconversion you and most people fell back to Afib. Seems to me that if fated to suffer almost or downright persistent Afib, it is better to control rate only. I am in the third week after ablation, and for the past 3-4 days almost in constant Afib. Notwithstanding 250 Mg of Flecainide and an appropriate dose of Concor (a beta blocker) my heart rate was 130-140. Today, we eliminated the Flecainide and I went on 25 mg of atenolol and I am at Afib but with rate reduced to about 100. Still feeling lousy and disappointed, Best Regards Joe Y. Re: Recent ablation Albert, sorry to hear that you are still dealing with your AFib after having had a PVI done. As you probably know from reading all the posts, everyone's experience can be so different. I just wanted to give you some hope and tell you not to give up on this. My first ablation was done at the Cleveland Clinic by Dr. Natale in Feb. 04. I left the hospital on Flecanide and in NSR. It was short lived. One week later, I woke up in AFib again and it was 24/7 for over 8 weeks. I had 3 cardioversions which didn't work for long and on the advice of Dr. Natale, I was switched to sotalol. 3 days later, I converted back to NSR and then I would constantly go from NSR to AFib. I felt like I was right back where I had started. On May 12, Dr. Natale did a second PVI because I was not going to give up on my initial goal of being cured. It has now been 6 months and I am AFib free. Off sotalol, coumadin and feeling great. One thing I can tell you is that my dose of sotalol was 120 mg BID. You might ask your Dr. if he thought increasing your dosage might help. Waiting awhile longer might not be a bad idea either because I know some people who finally went back to NSR after 4 months. That's tough I know, because we want to be " fixed " after having these procedures. Also, a call to the Cleveland Clinic is wise in that if things don't work out for you, then you would be on the " list " . If you don't need to go there, then good. Sorry this is so long, but wanted you to know that I have been where you are and felt like maybe I had done the wrong thing. There are so many who have to have a second procedure and it has done the trick. It certainly is not a perfect science, but it has changed my life and I will be forever grateful to Dr. Natale and his staff for hanging in there with me. Hope this has helped a little. I believe that the 120mg's BID is standard post ablation for Dr. Natale so you might check into that with your Dr. Best wishes for continued NSR in the near future. Recent ablation I had a pulmonary vein ablation done on 8/13/04. Since then, I have been, for the most part, in a-fib. I was brought back in on 8/20/04 for a cardioversion that lasted for two days. On 9/23/04 I was brought in, placed on Sotalol for 24 hours and had another cardioversion, which lasted 3 days. Since then I have pretty much been in a-fib with rare 18-24 hour breaks back into normal sinus rhythm, taking 80 mg of Sotalol B.I.D. The cardiologist, Dr. Bruce Hook of the New England Heart Institute in Manchester, NH, has told me that it can take as long as two months to revert to normal sinus rhythm. Since it's been two and a half months yesterday, I though it was time to start asking questions. My hx is that I had paroxysmal a-fib, controlled by drugs, for the last 12 years, but my bouts with a-fib had been increasing, and I decided to have the ablation while I was still healthy (I'm 62). Should I seek a second opinion, wait it out, or call the Cleveland Clinic. I have been in constant a-fib since the end of April 2004, my longest bout to date, and I'm tired of all this. Any advise you could give would be appreciated. TIA Albert St. Germain, D.D.S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 In response to your questions, and remember this is just my experience....When I was on flecainide and in constant AFib, my rate was in the 120's. When they switched me to sotalol which is a beta blocker, my rate dropped to 90's to 100's and I was much less symptomatic. I was still in AFib and it didn't prevent me from having it, but I was able to work at my job as a nurse though I was dragging. In some, rate control keeps them asymptomatic and in others it keeps the AFib from developing. For me, I just found that I could function while waiting for my second ablation. Flecainide works great for some, for me it didn't help at all. Since starting the atenolol and having your HR decrease do you feel less symptomatic? I know I always felt better even in AFib when my rate was lower. Sometimes it is just a matter of changing meds around to find the right combination that works. How long ago was your ablation? Hang in there, it still may work, Just don't give up hope that you will be done with this one day. Take care, Recent ablation I had a pulmonary vein ablation done on 8/13/04. Since then, I have been, for the most part, in a-fib. I was brought back in on 8/20/04 for a cardioversion that lasted for two days. On 9/23/04 I was brought in, placed on Sotalol for 24 hours and had another cardioversion, which lasted 3 days. Since then I have pretty much been in a-fib with rare 18-24 hour breaks back into normal sinus rhythm, taking 80 mg of Sotalol B.I.D. The cardiologist, Dr. Bruce Hook of the New England Heart Institute in Manchester, NH, has told me that it can take as long as two months to revert to normal sinus rhythm. Since it's been two and a half months yesterday, I though it was time to start asking questions. My hx is that I had paroxysmal a-fib, controlled by drugs, for the last 12 years, but my bouts with a-fib had been increasing, and I decided to have the ablation while I was still healthy (I'm 62). Should I seek a second opinion, wait it out, or call the Cleveland Clinic. I have been in constant a-fib since the end of April 2004, my longest bout to date, and I'm tired of all this. Any advise you could give would be appreciated. TIA Albert St. Germain, D.D.S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 Sorry, I just reread your message and you said that you were in your 3rd week after ablation. Please don't feel disappointed yet...it is way too early. Some time to heal might be just what you need. Recent ablation I had a pulmonary vein ablation done on 8/13/04. Since then, I have been, for the most part, in a-fib. I was brought back in on 8/20/04 for a cardioversion that lasted for two days. On 9/23/04 I was brought in, placed on Sotalol for 24 hours and had another cardioversion, which lasted 3 days. Since then I have pretty much been in a-fib with rare 18-24 hour breaks back into normal sinus rhythm, taking 80 mg of Sotalol B.I.D. The cardiologist, Dr. Bruce Hook of the New England Heart Institute in Manchester, NH, has told me that it can take as long as two months to revert to normal sinus rhythm. Since it's been two and a half months yesterday, I though it was time to start asking questions. My hx is that I had paroxysmal a-fib, controlled by drugs, for the last 12 years, but my bouts with a-fib had been increasing, and I decided to have the ablation while I was still healthy (I'm 62). Should I seek a second opinion, wait it out, or call the Cleveland Clinic. I have been in constant a-fib since the end of April 2004, my longest bout to date, and I'm tired of all this. Any advise you could give would be appreciated. TIA Albert St. Germain, D.D.S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 (snip)... and I'm tired of all this. Any advise you could give would be appreciated. TIA > > Albert St. Germain, D.D.S. > Tired, rightfully so. Having had two ablations and two cardioversions with dubious results since August I feel for you. I now have a pacemaker and am back and forth on how I feel about it. Would I have started the road to ablations had I known where it would end up, I don't know and I ask that question frequently but I cannot turn back time. What started with high optimism ended elsewhere. As I read of those who have had success with the procedure I am envious. Wanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 wanda i'm not too dissimilar from yourself, after 2 pva's , but 120mg of sotalol is keeping me largely afib free I was getting exasperated with the beta blockers, but my ep has just told me he's considering giving me a 3rd ablation, as he's so pleased with my performance. however, do tell me about your pacemaker progress, unless you've written about it already, as that's my obvious next step but one regards > > (snip)... and I'm tired of all this. Any advise you could give would > be appreciated. TIA > > > > Albert St. Germain, D.D.S. > > > Tired, rightfully so. > > Having had two ablations and two cardioversions with dubious results > since August I feel for you. I now have a pacemaker and am back and > forth on how I feel about it. Would I have started the road to > ablations had I known where it would end up, I don't know and I ask > that question frequently but I cannot turn back time. What started > with high optimism ended elsewhere. As I read of those who have had > success with the procedure I am envious. > > Wanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 In a message dated 10/28/04 10:42:07 PM Eastern Daylight Time, drsaint@... writes: > I have been in constant a-fib since the end of April 2004, my longest bout > to date, and I'm tired of all this. Any advise you could give would be > appreciated. TIA > > Albert St. Germain, D.D.S. > Albert, It took me three months to find NSR. It was three months of very mild AF every other day to every other week and then it was gone. I remember the AF felt different than before the PVA. You might be a candidate for the touch up ablation. It is needed more often than not, and has a very high success rate. Check with you EP. If the CC is in the cards, I'd go for it. Rich O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 : Thanks for your quick reply, and pardon my tardy reply. At HR of about 100 or a bit more, I am still " symptomatic " , as you call it. That is, I still feel fairly lousy. I agree that we may have to find a way to reduce the rate to about 80-90 in order to permit me to function even with a little dragging. As it is, after 48 hours of AFib with rate control to HR of 100, I felt that mild pain in the chest and returned to NSR. The nagging feeling and questions persists. Will be beast strike again? Is that all due to the heart being in the process of healing and one of these days the sun will shine, or is it possible that the disturbances are new and have resulted from some non-uniformity of the linear scissions performed during the ablation. In the latter case, the only cure seems to lie in having a second corrective ablation. Thinking positively (to the extent possible; you cannot altogether dismiss the other thoughts - I have been a professor and a researcher for many years), Best Regards Joe Re: Recent ablation In response to your questions, and remember this is just my experience....When I was on flecainide and in constant AFib, my rate was in the 120's. When they switched me to sotalol which is a beta blocker, my rate dropped to 90's to 100's and I was much less symptomatic. I was still in AFib and it didn't prevent me from having it, but I was able to work at my job as a nurse though I was dragging. In some, rate control keeps them asymptomatic and in others it keeps the AFib from developing. For me, I just found that I could function while waiting for my second ablation. Flecainide works great for some, for me it didn't help at all. Since starting the atenolol and having your HR decrease do you feel less symptomatic? I know I always felt better even in AFib when my rate was lower. Sometimes it is just a matter of changing meds around to find the right combination that works. How long ago was your ablation? Hang in there, it still may work, Just don't give up hope that you will be done with this one day. Take care, Recent ablation I had a pulmonary vein ablation done on 8/13/04. Since then, I have been, for the most part, in a-fib. I was brought back in on 8/20/04 for a cardioversion that lasted for two days. On 9/23/04 I was brought in, placed on Sotalol for 24 hours and had another cardioversion, which lasted 3 days. Since then I have pretty much been in a-fib with rare 18-24 hour breaks back into normal sinus rhythm, taking 80 mg of Sotalol B.I.D. The cardiologist, Dr. Bruce Hook of the New England Heart Institute in Manchester, NH, has told me that it can take as long as two months to revert to normal sinus rhythm. Since it's been two and a half months yesterday, I though it was time to start asking questions. My hx is that I had paroxysmal a-fib, controlled by drugs, for the last 12 years, but my bouts with a-fib had been increasing, and I decided to have the ablation while I was still healthy (I'm 62). Should I seek a second opinion, wait it out, or call the Cleveland Clinic. I have been in constant a-fib since the end of April 2004, my longest bout to date, and I'm tired of all this. Any advise you could give would be appreciated. TIA Albert St. Germain, D.D.S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 Hi, well I can tell you that even after over 6 months I still wait for the " beast " to come back. I dealt with it for over 3 years and many people much longer than that. More time will tell you if you need a second procedure. I do know that the heart needs some time to heal and can be very irritable after an ablation. You might wake up one day and find that it is gone. Most of us have dealt with this for a long time, and we want a quick fix....It is called patience, which is hard I know....25 mg of atenolol is low, maybe you could increase that with your Dr's approval...it might make you feel better. A good AFib friend of mine was cured after his first procedure and he hung in there with me when I had to have it done again. I have been a nurse for 27 years and the one thing I can say is that we don't know anything for sure. Just keep the faith, give it some more time and if it turns out that you have to have it done again....your odds are even better the second time around. I would take the medicine that makes me feel the best, and if it doesn't go away, then have it done again......It will be worth it in the end....just don't give up...Keep in touch.......... Recent ablation I had a pulmonary vein ablation done on 8/13/04. Since then, I have been, for the most part, in a-fib. I was brought back in on 8/20/04 for a cardioversion that lasted for two days. On 9/23/04 I was brought in, placed on Sotalol for 24 hours and had another cardioversion, which lasted 3 days. Since then I have pretty much been in a-fib with rare 18-24 hour breaks back into normal sinus rhythm, taking 80 mg of Sotalol B.I.D. The cardiologist, Dr. Bruce Hook of the New England Heart Institute in Manchester, NH, has told me that it can take as long as two months to revert to normal sinus rhythm. Since it's been two and a half months yesterday, I though it was time to start asking questions. My hx is that I had paroxysmal a-fib, controlled by drugs, for the last 12 years, but my bouts with a-fib had been increasing, and I decided to have the ablation while I was still healthy (I'm 62). Should I seek a second opinion, wait it out, or call the Cleveland Clinic. I have been in constant a-fib since the end of April 2004, my longest bout to date, and I'm tired of all this. Any advise you could give would be appreciated. TIA Albert St. Germain, D.D.S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 Hi, Thanks for your note. You should be promoted from a nurse to a doctor. Just a couple of notes. I take 25 mg of atenolol twice a day. Happily, I have been in NSR close to 48 hours, so the mood barometer is rising. At the same time, there are those skipped and premature beats which detract from the good feeling. Some doctors do not ascribe any significance to those erratic beats and suggest ignoring them. Others (including members of our group) regard them as attempts by the " beast " to come in. What do you think? Also, from what you have gathered, is it worth while taking Magnesium? Can it hurt things? Regards Joe Re: Recent ablation Hi, well I can tell you that even after over 6 months I still wait for the " beast " to come back. I dealt with it for over 3 years and many people much longer than that. More time will tell you if you need a second procedure. I do know that the heart needs some time to heal and can be very irritable after an ablation. You might wake up one day and find that it is gone. Most of us have dealt with this for a long time, and we want a quick fix....It is called patience, which is hard I know....25 mg of atenolol is low, maybe you could increase that with your Dr's approval...it might make you feel better. A good AFib friend of mine was cured after his first procedure and he hung in there with me when I had to have it done again. I have been a nurse for 27 years and the one thing I can say is that we don't know anything for sure. Just keep the faith, give it some more time and if it turns out that you have to have it done again....your odds are even better the second time around. I would take the medicine that makes me feel the best, and if it doesn't go away, then have it done again......It will be worth it in the end....just don't give up...Keep in touch.......... Recent ablation I had a pulmonary vein ablation done on 8/13/04. Since then, I have been, for the most part, in a-fib. I was brought back in on 8/20/04 for a cardioversion that lasted for two days. On 9/23/04 I was brought in, placed on Sotalol for 24 hours and had another cardioversion, which lasted 3 days. Since then I have pretty much been in a-fib with rare 18-24 hour breaks back into normal sinus rhythm, taking 80 mg of Sotalol B.I.D. The cardiologist, Dr. Bruce Hook of the New England Heart Institute in Manchester, NH, has told me that it can take as long as two months to revert to normal sinus rhythm. Since it's been two and a half months yesterday, I though it was time to start asking questions. My hx is that I had paroxysmal a-fib, controlled by drugs, for the last 12 years, but my bouts with a-fib had been increasing, and I decided to have the ablation while I was still healthy (I'm 62). Should I seek a second opinion, wait it out, or call the Cleveland Clinic. I have been in constant a-fib since the end of April 2004, my longest bout to date, and I'm tired of all this. Any advise you could give would be appreciated. TIA Albert St. Germain, D.D.S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 Hi, Three ablations later and I am feeling rather well. I have managed to dodge the risks and currently take only 50 mg of flecainide if necessary. This I do only when I feel those extra beats and it seems to chase them away. I would have to include myself as one of those " others that regard them as attempts by the " beast " to come in. " My third ablation was much more aggressive than the first two PVA's and meant to isolate all four pulmonary veins and then some. Now the " beast " can knock but there is no one there to let him in. I also know that it could just be a matter of time before the AF reappears or maybe it's gone for good. One thing for sure is that I will be right back on the table should the " beast " come back to haunt me again. Being Canadian I have had to wait approximately one year between procedures. Patience was required for both the wait and the results. Each time my EP did not want to see me for at least 3 months and I now understand why. My visits to this board always helped me find answers and people sharing their insight just as they are now. Regards, Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 Hi Joe, first of all congratulations on your 48 hrs. of NSR. Hopefully, by now it is even longer. I can remember the times when I was glad just to get an hour of feeling OK. I still get premature beats every once in awhile and I know that many people find them to be a precursor to AFib. My feeling on it is to ignore them....if it happens, worrying about it won't change a thing but make you more anxious about it. I also know that many people take Magnesium and find it to be helpful. I'm for whatever works. I don't take it and never have, just because I didn't want to take any more pills than I had to. My goal has always been a cure, not to have medication sometimes control things. On the other hand, it can't hurt as long as you don't overdo it. So in a nutshell, glad that your spirits are better, ignore those premature beats, take the magnesium if you want to and stay positive!!!! Recent ablation I had a pulmonary vein ablation done on 8/13/04. Since then, I have been, for the most part, in a-fib. I was brought back in on 8/20/04 for a cardioversion that lasted for two days. On 9/23/04 I was brought in, placed on Sotalol for 24 hours and had another cardioversion, which lasted 3 days. Since then I have pretty much been in a-fib with rare 18-24 hour breaks back into normal sinus rhythm, taking 80 mg of Sotalol B.I.D. The cardiologist, Dr. Bruce Hook of the New England Heart Institute in Manchester, NH, has told me that it can take as long as two months to revert to normal sinus rhythm. Since it's been two and a half months yesterday, I though it was time to start asking questions. My hx is that I had paroxysmal a-fib, controlled by drugs, for the last 12 years, but my bouts with a-fib had been increasing, and I decided to have the ablation while I was still healthy (I'm 62). Should I seek a second opinion, wait it out, or call the Cleveland Clinic. I have been in constant a-fib since the end of April 2004, my longest bout to date, and I'm tired of all this. Any advise you could give would be appreciated. TIA Albert St. Germain, D.D.S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 Bill you sound at about where I'm at have had 2 PVA since january of this year the ep is pleased that I am now afib free when I take 120mg of sotalol per day and he is prepared to do a 3rd ablation along the lines you describe very pleased to see that you're almost 'out of the woods' regards UK > > Hi, > > Three ablations later and I am feeling rather well. I have managed to > dodge the risks and currently take only 50 mg of flecainide if > necessary. This I do only when I feel those extra beats and it seems > to chase them away. I would have to include myself as one of > those " others that regard them as attempts by the " beast " to come > in. " My third ablation was much more aggressive than the first two > PVA's and meant to isolate all four pulmonary veins and then some. > Now the " beast " can knock but there is no one there to let him in. > > I also know that it could just be a matter of time before the AF > reappears or maybe it's gone for good. One thing for sure is that I > will be right back on the table should the " beast " come back to haunt > me again. > > Being Canadian I have had to wait approximately one year between > procedures. Patience was required for both the wait and the results. > Each time my EP did not want to see me for at least 3 months and I > now understand why. > > My visits to this board always helped me find answers and people > sharing their insight just as they are now. > > Regards, > > Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 3, 2004 Report Share Posted November 3, 2004 High : Fourth day in NSR. I don't worry about those premature or skipped bits. It is something different. When I get up or walk up the stairs, I often feel the heart wobbling (a quick check of the pulse suggest a quicky arrhythmic jump), and I sense as if the beast is about to charge again. I sit down, and things go back to normal. At night though, I woke several time aware of these episodes. All of this seems to suggest as if there were a fight going on within the heart between messengers of the beast and the guardian, to good guys. You can almost feel it. So far the guardians seem to be winning, and I master as much as possible a positive outlook as I root and pray for them, but there is no denying that fear of the beast persists. Best Regards Joe Re: Recent ablation Hi Joe, first of all congratulations on your 48 hrs. of NSR. Hopefully, by now it is even longer. I can remember the times when I was glad just to get an hour of feeling OK. I still get premature beats every once in awhile and I know that many people find them to be a precursor to AFib. My feeling on it is to ignore them....if it happens, worrying about it won't change a thing but make you more anxious about it. I also know that many people take Magnesium and find it to be helpful. I'm for whatever works. I don't take it and never have, just because I didn't want to take any more pills than I had to. My goal has always been a cure, not to have medication sometimes control things. On the other hand, it can't hurt as long as you don't overdo it. So in a nutshell, glad that your spirits are better, ignore those premature beats, take the magnesium if you want to and stay positive!!!! Recent ablation I had a pulmonary vein ablation done on 8/13/04. Since then, I have been, for the most part, in a-fib. I was brought back in on 8/20/04 for a cardioversion that lasted for two days. On 9/23/04 I was brought in, placed on Sotalol for 24 hours and had another cardioversion, which lasted 3 days. Since then I have pretty much been in a-fib with rare 18-24 hour breaks back into normal sinus rhythm, taking 80 mg of Sotalol B.I.D. The cardiologist, Dr. Bruce Hook of the New England Heart Institute in Manchester, NH, has told me that it can take as long as two months to revert to normal sinus rhythm. Since it's been two and a half months yesterday, I though it was time to start asking questions. My hx is that I had paroxysmal a-fib, controlled by drugs, for the last 12 years, but my bouts with a-fib had been increasing, and I decided to have the ablation while I was still healthy (I'm 62). Should I seek a second opinion, wait it out, or call the Cleveland Clinic. I have been in constant a-fib since the end of April 2004, my longest bout to date, and I'm tired of all this. Any advise you could give would be appreciated. TIA Albert St. Germain, D.D.S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2004 Report Share Posted November 4, 2004 Everything you are feeling is normal post ablation. Hang in there and I'm sure things will just get better. 4 days is great!! There is a fight going on....lets root for the good guys.......... Recent ablation I had a pulmonary vein ablation done on 8/13/04. Since then, I have been, for the most part, in a-fib. I was brought back in on 8/20/04 for a cardioversion that lasted for two days. On 9/23/04 I was brought in, placed on Sotalol for 24 hours and had another cardioversion, which lasted 3 days. Since then I have pretty much been in a-fib with rare 18-24 hour breaks back into normal sinus rhythm, taking 80 mg of Sotalol B.I.D. The cardiologist, Dr. Bruce Hook of the New England Heart Institute in Manchester, NH, has told me that it can take as long as two months to revert to normal sinus rhythm. Since it's been two and a half months yesterday, I though it was time to start asking questions. My hx is that I had paroxysmal a-fib, controlled by drugs, for the last 12 years, but my bouts with a-fib had been increasing, and I decided to have the ablation while I was still healthy (I'm 62). Should I seek a second opinion, wait it out, or call the Cleveland Clinic. I have been in constant a-fib since the end of April 2004, my longest bout to date, and I'm tired of all this. Any advise you could give would be appreciated. TIA Albert St. Germain, D.D.S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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