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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.
Replies to "Hello Jimena, I read the comments attached to your post and would like to weigh in..."
Hello vermontrob,
I think I should qualify that statement of "5 ablations". I had 4 attempted ablations- since they weren't able to complete the procedure (for a variety of reasons) they are not actually "ablations" - more of a mapping of the heart. These 4 were the simpler kind, they made a small incision in my groin and snaked up to the heart and I was awake, sedated but awake!. In two of these attempts they were unable to find the origin of the rogue electrical impulse that was setting off my heart rate and in turn heart rhythm. Because of this the assumption was that the rogue signal(s) were originating in one of my pulmonary veins and it was recommended that I have a PVA (pulmonary vein ablation) I think that this is becoming the gold standard to cure aFIb. I would caution not to compare each experience that we read about at this site as the norm, but instead, as a little bit of information to investigate and question. I was born with a heart rate problem. As a child, when I was playing hard my heart rate would shoot up. I struggled with this throughout university, particularly in stressful situations (where I was presenting ) I was diagnosed in my mid 20's with the electrical rate problem which was treated with drug therapy. And I had my first ablation in my late 40's (I am 66). In my 50's I developed AF, which is not uncommon at that age. My problem was that my heart rate problem was exacerbating the heart rhythm problem. I was becoming a regular guest at emergency and when I entered was often greeted by a nurse or knew exactly what to do for me- a slow verapamil drip, a little ativan, and no one threatening to "paddle" me! The symptoms, with all kinds of drug cocktails were becoming unbearable and life limiting- I sail and it was difficult to take off to remote areas under those conditions. I would like to caution that my experience was complicated and yes, emotionally difficult to deal with when procedures kept failing. But , as I mentioned before, I have great respect for my electrophysiologist who has been my doctor for over 20 years. We came to this decision after many conversations and questions on my and my husband's part. I am delighted that I did!
I wish your husband luck and hope that he finds a solution soon.
best,
martishka
Thanks martishka for sharing details of your journey. I appreciate your advice "I would caution not to compare each experience that we read about at this site as the norm, but instead, as a little bit of information to investigate and question."
Spot on! This is exactly what Connect is meant to do. One should always question and get information specific to their situation.
Thank you for the feedback, Colleen!
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Five ablations- WOW. My husband is stable right now on Tikosyn, metoprolol and blood thinners at 3 months post ablation. He will be taken off tikosyn at 6 months to see if afib comes back, which he would hate. But another ablation? I can't picture it, this experience was a nightmare. Fourteen days in the hospital, both of us frightened that his active and healthy life would be ruined.
Anyway, I can see that lots of people here have arrythmias that impact their lives more that my husband's afib did, so make your choices just don't think for a minute that it is a minor procedure.