Return of AF

I had my first pacemaker implanted in 2000 following a failed ablation for atypical atrial flutter - had a few events thereafter then was free of events for 8 years (taking 5mg Bisoprolol & Warfarin therapy daily).

2nd pacemaker implanted July 2008 and all went well until January 2010 when the pacing check was failing to pick up 'p' waves - nothing done other then monitor in 6 months (June 2010). Just two days before the check up AF returned - confirmed at the check up, again the 'p' waves were not being picked up. My pacemaker is programmed to shut down when I am in AF. The technicians seemed baffled for a solution and said they would contact the Cardiologist for advice and contact me further later that week - basically "Go home and don't worry". Despite prompting I have heard nothing from the hospital and remain in AF (day 8 - the longest stint). I think is either a pacemaker or lead fault as this was hinted at in January 2010.

Now becoming increasingly tired - obviously not impressed with my treatment thus far at the pacing clinic - anyone got any suggestions?

4 Comments

What a deal

by grandpageo7 - 2010-06-26 08:06:20

Call the office and ask for the office (or clinic) manager tell them what is up and ask why you have not been contacted. If someone was working for you and they did not respond to a customer's need you would probably fire them, so they are not paying you, you are paying them. I told my cardiologist that I felt very alone with this AFIB because I never got the same Dr when I called at night and had conflicting answers to my questions about what extra medicine they wanted me to take and if I needed to go to hospital. He said that all ground would be covered on my chart with an answer. So their would not be conflicting information. Good luck and take charge.

AF back

by keveri - 2010-06-27 02:06:33

of course you will be exhausted when in AF. the atrium does not strongly pump enough blood volume as it is quivering and therefore you feel tired and fatiqued all the time. it takes everything out of your being. you need to cardiovert to a normal sinus rthymn which is a strong regular heart beat .
start this process by calliny your cardiologist. he does not want you to develop a clot and cause a stroke. meds can convert your heart rate , and so can cardioversion. you may start thinging ablation. ' 'been there done it' i have not had any AF after ablation and pacer. i hope i live happily ever after. stress and fear will do you in and some meds do that too!, xanax, ambien and whole bunch of others can cause the reverse of what the pill is meant to do. over use of xanax can in some cases cause increase fear, panic and agressive behavior and depression. be careful with what drugs are ordered for you.. mds order ambien and other sleepers which cause insomnia and depression. it is a catch 22. deal with stress and fear by not dwelling on the negative and work toward the positive with healthy eating, drinking and a simple natural lifestyle. review all your meds with your pharacist and doctor to see if they are compatible., even tylenol is considered a blood thinner in some literature. did you know that cranberries and olive oil are natural blood thinners.
police everything you ake.. the inernet is the best souce for any questions,. xjan

atrial fib return

by anette - 2010-06-27 08:06:16

HI,
I DON'T KNOW YOUR PM ,
but unfortunately pm is helping only if you have bradicardia .When your heart is fluttering the PM is only "watching",but you can get safety high doses of drugs.
You have a lot of choises ,yet. Bisoprolol it's only a betablocker , but you can get rhytm control drugs after a cardioversion .Ask your doctor about it . At least on the first stage of the treatment. You can find several forums about atrial fib.and learned more... maybe after a while to try another ablation with one of the most experienced EP, LIKE THE BORDEAUX GROUP or dr NATALE..
ALL MY BEST FOR NOW.
Anita

Return of AF

by Dave Bishopstone - 2010-06-27 10:06:41

Thanks for your comments. Anita - my PM is an Altrua 50.

Kevereri - Hopefully on Warfarin the risk of stroke is reduced, though not entirely eliminated. Unfortunately many of the drugs routinely used to treat AF actually precipitate the condition in my case - Bosoprolol has been the only medication well tolerated. Nodal ablation will be the line of last resort.

Grandpageo7 - I intend to take charge since it is unacceptable to merely tell someone to go home and await further contact, which does not materialise is unprofessional in my view. I am not given to panic or anxiety in fact I have a stoic acceptance of the condition - I think it was a case of once I was out of the pacing clinic, I was forgotten about!

You know you're wired when...

You play MP3 files on your pacer.

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