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Should I consider ablation?
jimana
79-year old male Caucasian
Excellent health and regular exercise with history of hypothyroidism. No history of cardiovascular problems. Vegetarian for 16 years, with excellent diet high in fruits and vegetables. No history of hypertension or cardiovascular issues until Feb 21, 16. Life-long boundless energy, almost never tired even after intense physical activity. Post-prandial glucose levels usually at mid- to upper 90s. Former runner with asymptomatic Bradycardia for 45 years. Resting heart rate has been from upper 20s to lower 40s, but immediately responsive on demand.
Feb 21, 16 - Sudden onset of A-fib after a meal. Ambulance to ER, Cardizem brought it under control.
Mar 3, 16 – Echo-cardiogram and treadmill, went into A-fib at end of treadmill but controlled with Valsalva.
- Echo normal (64% EF) and treadmill normal. Heart structurally and functionally normal.
Mar 25, 16 – A-fib. Controlled with Valsalva. Blood, EKG, X-rays normal.
April 25, 16 – A-fib for 10 minutes but controlled with Valsalva.
April 27, 16 – A-fib immediately following a meal while driving. Paramedics called. Pulse in 220 range. Administered Adenosine twice to stop heart. Paddles used three times before sinus rhythm and transport to ER. Blood, EDK and X-rays normal.
April 28, 16 – Next day cardiologist recommended pacemaker and antiarrhythmic.
April 29, 16 – Pacemaker implant and began 50MG Flecainide b.i.d.
May 3, 16 – ER with irregular pulse and BP 228/95. Clonidine and Ativan administered in ER.
May 4, 16 – Flecainide increased to 100MG b.i.d., and metoprolol 25MG b.i.d. begun.
NOW – Feel fine upon arising but within one hour after taking Flecainide and Metoprolol feel weak, dizzy, shortness of breath for two hours. Anxiety high during episodes. Otherwise can walk several miles on treadmill with no problem and BP goes down significantly with exercise. Can’t stand these chemicals and side effects. Looking for alternatives. Should I consider ablation?
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Hi @crashnam,
I moved your discussion and combined it with this existing discussion on ablations as I thought it would be beneficial for you to be introduced to some other members who have discussed much related to your concerns about ablation.
If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole discussion and can join in, meet, and participate with other members talking about their or their loved ones' experiences.
Here's some information about "Cryoablation for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation" that Mentor @predictable posted in this discussion:
– https://www.massgeneral.org/heartcenter/services/procedure.aspx
I'm confident that @charlottemaxine @lalton @martishka @twptrustrek @jhoffmanj @irishblueileen @billmichalski @success101 @nadine66 will also join in to share their thoughts.
Larry, please let us know what you plan to do and how things go for you in the days and weeks ahead.
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1 ReactionI have had 5 cardio versions and as they got more frequent decided on ablation as I had no other issues it lasted 6mos in rythm and afib came back we did a second ablation to clean up and I've been in ryrhym for 5yrs with no other controler I do have extra pvc s for the last year and am on a loop monitor which shows good rhythm. Pvc's are a bother but do not hamper me except emotionally. I am 76 and just lost my wife but am still cranking along. As precaution I'm on pradaxa. Loveza. Altace. Qunol. Amlodipine. Regards to all
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2 ReactionsOh, @twptrustrek -- I am very sorry to hear you've just lost your wife. I truly hope friends and family are surrounding you and holding you up at this time.
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1 ReactionI am new to this and really don't understand what everybody is feeling. I have had this for a very long time (years) but just recently it has surfaced and I have had this pounding in my chest, A-fib beating all of the time, tightness, coughing, hard breathing at times. tired, weak, blurred vision and a slight soreness in the center of the chest. I went to Urgent care about 2 months ago and they told me to go to the hospital and that they would call for an ambulance for me. I drove myself home, showered and my sister took me to the hospital, where I spent 5 days in there on medications. I have been out and on meds for 8 weeks now, with a doctors appointment coming up shortly. Does everybody feel this bad all of the time? There has to be a way to fix this problem so that nobody has to feel this way for the rest of their lives. I am 73 and very active and this has put a stop to my life style very fast. Taking Xarelto and a-fib control pill. It has not stoppped.
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1 ReactionWelcome to Connect, @kasandphyl. I can imagine that your anxiety is high, and so glad you've joined this group. You are not alone in the symptoms you're experiencing. I'm confident that @jimana @crashnam @nadine66 @vermontrob and others will share their experiences with you. You may also want to check out this discussion, where @bjanderson @frande @lawsonsa @karenatmayo have discussd afib and medications that have helped them:
– https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/side-efects/
@kasandphhyl, have the medications helped? Are you considering ablation to control the afib?
I have had two ablation and no afib since 2013 and no controller Its worked for meI'm 76Good luckRek
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Has anyone experienced this procedure – AV node ablation
Hi @1943,
Here’s some information from Mayo Clinic about AV (atrioventricular) node ablation:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/av-node-ablation/pyc-20384978
You may also notice that I moved your message to this discussion as I thought it would be beneficial for you to connect with members who’ve discussed ablations for various cardiac conditions.
If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole discussion and can join in, meet, and participate with other members talking about their or their loved ones' experiences.
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1 ReactionI am 71 And at 69 had my first a fib event. Similar to you, I had hospital visits, doctor visits, are took medication and then the decision was made to have an ablation. Had a wonderful doctor and the ablation was performed. I was placed on a blood thinner and in six months only had one episode after the ablation. Did not like the effects of the blood thinner. My doctor implanted a link device in
my chest which monitors electronically if I am in a fib. It has been eight months and I’ve had no recurrence of a fib and I am no longer taking the blood thinner. Feeling great. Find a doctor you really trust and after all This input, discuss this with him and see what they say. Good luck. Period
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2 ReactionsI felt awful for six weeks after my first afib experience which hit me like a Mack truck at 9:30 at night resulting in ambulance to ER (on 3/8). I had back to back tachycardia with more ER visits until I got a prescription for Diltiazem (for blood pressure but it keeps heart rate down too). My biggest initial problem was because I was over hydrating. The docs said drink a lot of fluids, so I did, and wound up in the hospital with low sodium. My sodium level was 127 when it's supposed to be 136. They got my sodium level up to 132 and sent me home. On one of these forums I was advised to drink low sodium V-8 juice to help balance my electrolytes. The docs said to get Gatorade, but it has too much sugar for me (I'm pre-diabetic). There are electrolyte tablets you can get too though. Look at your sodium levels on the blood tests they give you when you go in. If they are low, that might be a clue to why you feel so awful.
I feel fine now although I get tired more easily than I did before these afib incidents started. I am on Eliquis and Diltiazem. No ablations yet and hopefully I never have to have one, but my understanding is that afib is progressive. There is no going back apparently to the good health I had before all this started, but I am functioning OK. I am 65. I got an echocardiagram and chemical stress test and the docs said my heart is perfect. I don't know why all this started but suspect breathing problems (asthma) or my nightly glass of wine. I hardly ever drink wine now and am breathing better lately, but it's too late.
I hope you get to feeling better soon.