Three weeks after pm implant and still getting racing heart and afib at night

Allan (41) edinburgh,

I dont know what to do as almost every night when i try to go to sleep i am gettine bouts of afib and a racing heart

Should i be on beta blockers?
Or should i press my doctors for abalation?
Does abalation cure afib?
What are the pros and cons?
If anyone can help with some answers i would really appreciate some advice.
As when i had my pm checked up last week the technician was so layed back and said you are in afib less than 1% of the time but it certainly doesnt feel like that

maybe i am sufffering with some form of tachicardia

allan

4 Comments

Curing Afib.

by Stepford_Wife - 2007-10-28 01:10:56

Hi Allan.

I have Afib, and have had it for numerous years. I had 4 ablations, which did nothing for me. That doesn't mean ablations don't work.
For some people, they are a cure. I just wasn't one of the lucky ones.
Since my Afib is constant, ( 385 episodes recorded in 6 months, ) the top lead of my pacemaker was turned off. It has made it a lot more comfortable for me, I no longer feel it. I am on Coumadin, to prevent strokes, and many more heart meds, which together with the pacemaker, are doing their job.
I found a web site for you to check out, which will give you the pros and cons, and any other information you need to know about ablations.
I hope it's helpful. Take care now,

~ Dominique ~

stopafib.org/cured.cfm

Not A Cure For Afib

by peter - 2007-10-28 04:10:54

An ablation can cure afib if its a pulmonary vien ablation but you need a very experienced doctor to have any real chance of permanent success. I am wondering if you are thinking of an AV node ablation which is a straightforward and easily performed proceedure. This wont cure your Afib but it will stop the fast signals reaching your ventricles and weakening them. You will then be pacemaker dependant like me and replacing the pacemaker when the battery runs down is slightly more difficult. However your pulse felt at the wrist will be steady. If you would like to discuss this further you can contact me on bayhoecott@yahoo.co.uk

A question

by Suze - 2007-10-28 11:10:46

Sorry you are having these problems.
I had AFib and I know how scary it can be. I takeTambacor (Flecainide) to "slow down the heart" and have a pacemaker to make sure it doesn't go too slow. It's now been 16 months without any AFib episodes. Or any fluttering, either.

Are you taking any meds? What is the low setting on your pacemaker? 60 bpm is best for me. Higher than that, I felt my heart was racing when I lay down. . Everyone is different, I'm sure.

You need to get better answers. A laid-back technician still needs to answer your concerns!!

Hang in there and stay strong,
Suze

Me too Peter

by janetinak - 2007-10-28 11:10:57

I have had the same treatment as Peter as mentioned in his post. (It is nice to have another person with same treatment as I have had put a post into site.) I had the Atrial Node Ablation (had to be done twice- two months apart) & it left me in AFib with a block & 100% paced. I am on my 2nd pacer & all going well. When I had my ablation & 1st PM put in (2000) EP said cause of AFib was probably on (L) side of heart (probably pulm. vein)
but procedure was pretty new & had a high risk which neither he nor I wanted to try.So went with the abalation & feel great. hope this helps.

Janet

You know you're wired when...

You participate in the Pacer Olympics.

Member Quotes

I'm 35 and got my pacemaker a little over a year ago. It definitely is not a burden to me. In fact, I have more energy (which my husband enjoys), can do more things with my kids and have weight because of having the energy.