After 8 months heart is still in A-Fib. Cardiologist gave me 3 options

Posted by cturner01 @cturner01, Dec 18, 2020

Yesterday I had consult with my cardiologist about what to do next . Shocking hasn’t budged my heart. They calling it chronic. He says I have 3 options
1. Do nothing - continue on Eliquis &’Cardezim
2. They can give me a high powered drug (forgot the name & try shocking again) side effects are pretty rough
3. Set up consult with an electrophisiologist for consult about ablation
I’m not sure what I need to do, but I had him set me up with the consult electrophysiologist for 1/6.

Anyone else going through this?

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sherrielacey | @sherrielacey | Jun 30 8:59am

In reply to @sherrielacey "Mike, I want a ablation, everyone that I know that had one said it worked great..." + (show)

Mike and I am sick of the awful meds that they have me on. I pray I can get off these meds.

mikeneverwired | @mikeneverwired | Jun 30 9:04am

Well, I'd consider finding a new doc. An ablation is pretty routine these days and your doc should be able to help you get it scheduled... Be sure to go with a hospital and doc that have a lot of experience doing these ablations... you will be happier. Good luck!

doclarrea | @doclarrea | Jul 1 4:44pm

In reply to @sherrielacey "Mike, I want a ablation, everyone that I know that had one said it worked great..." + (show)

What’s the reason for the delay? Also, is it difficult to get approval for a ablation?

doclarrea | @doclarrea | Jul 1 4:48pm

I would like to get a ablation, but I don’t know if Medicare covers it. I am also a Veteran and could check with them. Any veterans out there that could help?

sherrielacey | @sherrielacey | Jul 1 6:52pm

In reply to @doclarrea "What’s the reason for the delay? Also, is it difficult to get approval for a ablation?" + (show)

My Dr. he is as slow as a turtle. He likes to just keep putting me on pills that I don't want to be on.

sbranen | @sbranen | Jul 2 10:15am

In reply to @doclarrea "I would like to get a ablation, but I don’t know if Medicare covers it. I..." + (show)

Medicare covers ablations. I’ve had 4 of them..

sbranen | @sbranen | Jul 2 10:18am

Get the ablation as early as you can.

lb80 | @lb80 | Jul 3 4:31pm

In reply to @doclarrea "I would like to get a ablation, but I don’t know if Medicare covers it. I..." + (show)

1) If you were a veteran and assigned to Vietnam for one year or more, The VA will insure you under the "Boots On The Ground" program which started in 2023.

2) Ablation isn't nirvana. My ablation in 2022 was unsuccessful. The EP seemed more interested in lining her pockets by insisting on doing an ablation on me rather than on my well-being. Since then, Metoprolol is working fine for me.

cghader | @cghader | Jul 3 5:10pm

Two years after my ablation the afib problem is gone. My concern was the danger of taking the Xarelto anti clotting medication. Stopping the blood from a cut is annoying but easy, however something like a brain bleed or other internal bleed can be fatal. Early ablation procedure had low rate of success, however improved methods and instruments offer much greater success rate.

jrhamp | @jrhamp | Jul 6 9:05am

In reply to @sonjafish1945 "Yes, I’m in the same boat. My cardiologist changed my meds again; now on Multaq and..." + (show)

On issues of health, always obtain a 2nd or even 3rd opinion. This may depend on your insurance and finances. I remind people sometimes, medicine is a money-making proposition and the dispensing of drugs even though marginally helpful indirectly afford the physician income. Health care is mostly about money. If you can afford it, go to the best there is!

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