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Hello, I am an 80 year old female with A-fib, I have had several cardioversions and one ablation, which works for a few years and/or a few days or months. I am getting prepared for a cryoablation next month, and I am having second thoughts about this procedure. My meds are 150 Flecainide bid, Metoprol 25 mg bid, Warfarin 5 mg, once daily, Memantine 10 mg once daily, Verapramil 3xdaily , Timilol once daily, Methocarbanol (I am not sure of all the spelling of all these miracle drugs.) My cardioligist said it was a "quality of life issue". What are the pros and cons of my situation? Thank you for any information that you can offer.
Replies to "Hello, I am an 80 year old female with A-fib, I have had several cardioversions and..."
My heart meds came from one EP, the Timilol was for my glaucoma and the Methocarbamol was for muscle cramps. Do you have any information about the cryoablation vs. the normal catheter ablation?
@charlottemaxine, both web sites I suggested provide information comparing cryoablation with customary ablation. Hopefully you'll find that cryoablation is unusually reliable with relatively low discomfort. However, the University of Iowa Hospital site said two or three cryoablation treatments may be needed to end A-fib altogether.
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Hi @charlottemaxine. I too have A-fib, but my symptoms are barely perceptible, and I have not had to consider cardioversion, ablation, or cryoablation. My A-fib treatment is limited to 2 medications -- Carvedilol, a beta blocker that also deals with A-fib and Warfarin to prevent clotting in my upper heart chambers. Another medication (a diuretic) is aimed at my hypertension. Still another (Lisinopril) at a kidney problem. My doctors -- an internist, a urologist, a nephrologist, and a cardiologist -- know about my status and, especially, about my medications and how they interact with each other and with me.
In contrast, it's interesting that you have been treated with two procedures to stabilize your heart rhythm with a third coming up. You are taking 7 medications for a wide range of conditions; dosages you mentioned seem to be modest rather than strong. What is the therapy that your cardiologist refers to as a path to "quality of life?" How many medical professionals have written your prescriptions for these 7 drugs? Do you think it possible to have a detailed conversation with them about your multiple therapies, especially getting answers to how they view your multifaceted treatment and how the various medications can have a positive affect on your special situation.?
As to your impending cryoablation, since I'm not a doctor, I can't give you any advice. Pros and cons of the procedure are fully dependent on 1) the symptoms you exhibit 2) the competence and experience of your cardiologist. I hope you can grill your doctor thoroughly for answers that satisfy your quandaries. For more professional information, you may check out these two web sites: http://bit.ly/2sj5JUl and http://bit.ly/2rRY2ri and search further for "cryoablation for atrial fibrillation". Let us know what you plan to do and how things go for you in the days and weeks ahead!