I hate afib

Going to see my electrophysiologist tomorrow for the first time since my last ablation (my fifth) on Jan 25. I was in sinus rythmn when I left but based on my last PM check 2 months later I went back into afib after 2 weeks. I have had a PM for 17 years and I am 100% dependant. I have had cronic afib for 3 of the last 5 years. After my fourth ablation I was in sinus rythmn for 20 months. My cardiologist want to put me on sotalol or amiordirone. I'm pretty sure the eletric guy will want to do another ablation. I don't want either. Does any one know of any other options. Perhaps something that the PM can do?
I live pretty comfortably in afib 100%. (It drove me crazy when I would go in and out) but I know that is not a good long term option. Other than that I am 62 year old male in reasonalbly good health. Any ideas.

10 Comments

Not many choices

by IAN MC - 2012-05-24 04:05:18

Hi dsgatti .. as far as I know, the only treatments for afib are i) anti-arrythmia drugs ii) cardioversion or iii) ablation . Doctors have lots of drugs to choose from and there may be one that is perfect for you ; it's a case of trial and error

Cardioversion or ablation work first time on some people and give a permanent cure ; or you may need several goes , with periods of remission of varying lengths between , before you get a permanent cure. If you are one of the unlucky ones these electrical procedures may just give you afib-free periods of time followed by relapses (or not have any effect whatsoever on your condition.)

I don't think your PM can do anything magical ( but I'll be delighted if anyone tells you that I'm wrong )..having a PM though does allow the Dr to try drugs that he wouldn't otherwise be able to use because of the drops in HR which they may cause.

Best of luck

Ian

A-Fib

by mike thurston - 2012-05-24 04:05:20

I'm feelin' you Gatti. I went through the same thing for years after my heart attack. Eventually tried a minimally invasive Maze procedure that turned into a 13 hr. crack my chest open maze. Was not a good thing. After a few months with no improvement and in constant a-fib that was causing my EF to drop to 15% I gave in and had the total AV Node Ablation with a pm/icd implanted.I don't like the ICD part but love not be aware of the a-fib even though it is still there. Hope things improve for you, have a great Memorial Day Holiday.
Mike T.

PS

by IAN MC - 2012-05-24 05:05:25

Hi again .. on the subject of PM's doing magical things I remember someone sent a post ( ebfox I think ) saying that his PM was used to shock him out of afib i.e . it virtually gave him a cardio version. Maybe he will comment

Ian

A-Fib

by Roys - 2012-05-24 08:05:11

Yes, my PM has EnRhythm Pacing System with PMOP ( Post-Mode Switch Overdrive Pacing ) Pacing Designed to manage early recurrence of an atrial tachyarrhythmia. It has three specialized pacing algorithms. My EP said it will work with 30% of AF. It has worked for me, but i also take mineral supplements
Cheers Roy

A-Fib

by Roys - 2012-05-24 08:05:34

Yes, my PM has EnRhythm Pacing System with PMOP ( Post-Mode Switch Overdrive Pacing ) Pacing Designed to manage early recurrence of an atrial tachyarrhythmia. It has three specialized pacing algorithms. My EP said it will work with 30% of AF. It has worked for me, but i also take mineral supplements
Cheers Roy

I double hate Afib

by Jax - 2012-05-24 11:05:42

I have chronic Afib. It comes and goes and I hate it. I've been all over the Internet and there are some people who swear that they are cured. Some do this Maze procedure others due different kinds of ablation and when you have afib all the time some do cardioconversion. I would like to try and control my afib with diet and supplements.

I know that there are drugs as well. It's trial and error finding one that works for you without having terrible side effects, but that may be a practical way to go.

I try doing some relaxation exercises as stress brings afib on for me and relaxing couldn't hurt.

I understand that there is a pm out there that corrects some afib in people but EP didn't even mention that to me and my pm was put in 5 wks ago. I assume that eventually they will find a better way to control it.


Why not?

by golden_snitch - 2012-05-25 02:05:34

Hey!

Why is living with it not a good long-term option? After all, as long as you stay on a blood thinning medication, there is not much that can happen. AF is a benign arrhythmia. I have often heard my EP professor say that only symptomatic AF should be treated. If you are not symptomatic, and if the risk of developing blood cuts has been minimized with blood thinners, I'd just go on without meds, if I were you. There is so much research on AF; who knows, after having lived with it for a couple of years, there might be some fancy new treatment options, and then you can still decide to undergo some kind of procedure or try a new drug.

Best wishes
Inga

Thanks for the Comments

by dsgatti - 2012-05-25 09:05:05

It should get real interesting around 2pm today when I see the doctor. Your comments will help me ask better questions. I will post and let you know what is decided.
Thanks Again

afib, pm, and bloodthinners

by fiddlingranny - 2012-05-30 01:05:45

Hi - I'm new here, with 12-day-old dual chamber pm. Am on telephone monitor, which reports much afib, flutter, pvcs, etc. I am reluctant to take Coumadin or Amiodarone, which were recommended before getting pm for brady-tachy syndrome. I am very reluctant to take the anti-arrhythmics or the thinner (had a shot of the latter in the ER, and ended up with big leg hematoma).

Thanks for any help for a new 77-year-old anxiety-prone victim of all this heart-related perseverations.
Fiddlingranny

Julie

by juliemartin - 2012-06-01 10:06:06

hi everyone I havent been on for a while but interested to read comments.I had ablation and was good for a whilevery little af . Had PM installed for hart stopping and then AF seemed to increase.(coincidence?)
Flecanaide usually works well but this time it did not. (300mg). I had to have a cardioversion. Now I am going back in for another ablation so will let you alll know how that goes.
One thing at night sometimes especially after exercise my heart beats quite fast 89 per minute at rest and makes it difficult to sleep. This goes on all night. Has anyone else had this? Is it normal?

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