Should I consider ablation?

Only yesterday heard about the Bemer. I looked at the website and they do not give any real information on the science behind the device. Could you share a link to information? What is the cost? Smacks of a multi-level marketing enterprise. I would like more information.

Sounds impressive and I certainly agree with you regarding BIG Pharma. Thanks for the info.

@george2016, I too found no significant information at describing the science behind the Bemer devices. Presumably, the devices issue some sort of energy -- sound, light, pressure, electrical, magnetic, radiological, or something -- but there were not hints from Bemer on this.

Commenting about this Bemer resolution to this problem I don't mean to sound like a dummy but from what I understand one of the problems after afib it is that if they're afraid of blood clots which are formed in the circulation of the blood if that's the case then how is circulation going to cure it as a problem blood clots would still form and I just I wouldn't feel comfortable just relying on circulation I don't understand that at all. I think I'm going to talk to more of my doctors and get a consensus. I know what they think about it though evidently they most assuredly have more education on the subject than I do but I do thank you for your comments and I will think about it I mean that's the whole idea is to think about these things thanks again.

Morna has had two chances to give us a clear statement -- but has failed or refused to provide it -- on what kind of energy is generated by the Bemer device(s). That it "mimics the earth's electromagnetic field" is not to say that its signal is electromagnetic. Besides, does the earth really have an electromagnetic field? Who says so? And this idea that the signal is "woven into" the fabric of our astronauts underwear is ludicrous. Since neither Bemer (on its web site) or their "knowledgeable" reps will describe the energy they employ in their devices, I regard it as a scam -- much like the magnetic devices sold by bored housewives 20 years ago.

@predictable @jimana @nadine66 @johndl @martishka @1pepper2 and everyone following this thread.

Thank you for critical evaluation of the messages posted by @george2016 "Morna". This user has violated the Terms of Use and therefore can no longer post publicly on Mayo Clinic Connect until further notice.

Colleen Young
Community Director
Mayo Clinic Connect

My advice is don't take ablation lightly- it is becoming more common, when it works it is fabulous, but my husband has had nothing but very serious complications after ablation in a high volume center. When the risk was 1 in 100, he was the one. Had perforation of his heart, bleeding into pericardium with tamponade, pericardial tap (one complication) and also fevers, elevated white blood cell count, cough, resting pulse up to 100 with almost no exercise tolerance ( a different complication). It has been 8 weeks and he is finally starting to feel better, but has been a nightmare.

Hello Jimena,
I read the comments attached to your post and would like to weigh in with some thoughts. I had very similar experiences as you in regards to the meds prescribed for AF and SVT. Metoprolol was one that I didn't respond well to. My side effects from the cocktail of PX drugs included anxiety, cramping in my legs, lethargy, dizziness (standing or sitting)

I was diagnosed with a few rhythm problems including: SVT (pulse would go to 220BPM), atrial fib and atrial flutter. I found the meds more and more difficult to deal with so I chose the ablation path. I ended up having 5 ablations, with similar experiences described by @vermontrob. The first 4 attempted ablations failed for a variety of reasons. After each one I would go back on meds, regroup and then come back for another attempt. The reason I was so stubborn about this is because my life on meds was becoming a hardship. I tried many combinations of drugs to control rate and rhythm and they all had their own set of side effects. My fifth ablation was a PVA- pulmonary vein ablation and it was successful. I am off all rate and rhythm drugs and I feel great.

I chose the ablation path because of the extensive research I had done learning about AF and discussing it with my electrophysiologist. I had paroxysmal Afib-the kind that stops on its own after a few minutes, hours or days. There are two other kinds: persistent Afib which needs intervention to stop (medications or electric shock) and permanent Afib that cannot be corrected.

The nature of Afib is that over times it progresses and can become permanent. It is interesting to note that the Paroxysmal Afib has the most symptoms. My rate and rhythm were becoming more challenging to deal with using medication and I was becoming dependent on emergency room visits to get my heart into sinus. I was moving into persistent Afib. I knew that my failed ablations were an anomaly and that statistically I had a very good chance of having a successful ablation. I have a great deal of respect for my electrophysiologist and together we chose this course. I wish you luck and hope that you find a solution.

I have had afib for over a year took meds for it gone into afib several times had to stop working i am 59 a female i decided to have ablation surgery 3 wks ago 1 wk later went into afib plus got sick with lung infection from breathing tube still dont know if it helped yet been rough recovery dont think i would try again still on medications blood thinner beta blocker flecinie of some side effects see my doctor on fri see what happens next.

Thanks for sharing the seriousness of an ablation. Hope that your ablation strategy works out in the long run. More than one ablation may be necessary to solve your afib