Atrial fibrillation

@insnan thank you very much, I'm still considering,

Had 5 cardioversions over a few years. None of which worked. I came out of anesthesia during one, trust me, you don't want to do it without anesthesia.
Had an ablation after #4, which also didn't work, seeing Dr to schedule another ablation soon. At this point frustrating, but from what I understand, not unusual for trying to tame AFib. Good luck!

Yes, I had a TEE last Feb 24th before my Cardioversion. I was awake for the start but asleep during the actual scope. This 12/8 I will have another TEE to rule out blood clots before my Pulse Field Ablasion. I have full confidence in my EP and his crew. Looking forward to being a miracle and my Afib put to sleep! The Sotalol, Jardiance, Eloquis, and 2 diuretic meds have been a real struggle. Following blanking period goal is to get off of all but Eloquis and have my life back. I am 78 years young and not ready to toss in the towel. You can do this too. That TEE will okay.

I've had two T E Es, was awake for both of them. And at least 10 cardioversions, put under with propofol. Never any problems. Always grateful. Best of luck.

I had one cardioversion and you aren't out that long; the meds they use now are extremely safe and fast. My friend had a cardioversion without anesthesia but she didn't say if it was awful. I just had an A-fib ablation and the procedure requires general anesthesia and it was not at all a problem except for a dry mouth and a slight rawness of the throat for about 12 hours. As for the cardioversion, my cardiologist required 4 weeks of Eliquis before he would schedule it to be certain blood clots would not be an issue. I begged, but no exceptions. I feel he was looking out for my best interests. Don't be afraid. Give yourself some relief! I hated every minute in A-fib and hope that I am as "cured" as you can get right now!

@sjm46

Just something to consider if you are over 70:

If they use the lighter, fast-acting anesthesia for cardioversion, like what they use for colonoscopies, it might not be a problem.

But if it's for ablation, they must use general anesthesia (GA), and that tends to cause cognitive problems for older people. As one doctor told me: "After general anesthesia, the heart kinda resets. But with old people, it never resets to the same level."

I had GA twice in less than a month a year ago. The cognitive decline afterward was quite noticeable and very disturbing -- particularly given that my defining characteristic is insatiable curiosity, and I'm a voracious reader. Or was. I haven't been able to focus enough to read a whole book since, I constantly misplaced things and had no clue where they were, and I've just felt DULL since.

Recently, a year later, my memory and thinking ability are much better, and I'm reading again, but only a little at a time. Audiobooks are helpful, and maybe the Brain HQ and Luminosity "brain games" I've been doing -- or trying to do -- have helped, too.

@sjm46

Just something to consider if you are over 70:

If they use the lighter, fast-acting anesthesia for cardioversion, like what they use for colonoscopies, it might not be a problem.

But if it's for ablation, they must use general anesthesia (GA), and that tends to cause cognitive problems for older people. As one doctor told me: "After general anesthesia, the heart kinda resets. But with old people, it never resets to the same level."

I had GA twice in less than a month a year ago. The cognitive decline afterward was quite noticeable and very disturbing -- particularly given that my defining characteristic is insatiable curiosity, and I'm a voracious reader. Or was. I haven't been able to focus enough to read a whole book since, I constantly misplaced things and had no clue where they were, and I've just felt DULL since.

Recently, a year later, my memory and thinking ability are much better, and I'm reading again, but only a little at a time. Audiobooks are helpful, and maybe the Brain HQ and Luminosity "brain games" I've been doing -- or trying to do -- have helped, too.