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I was diagnosed with SVT 18 months ago and had an ablation which unfortunately I was in that percentage that didn’t take care of it. I was like you stressing about it, wondering when the next episode would be prior to the ablation. After the ablation I just thought that was it and I was good. 4 months later occasional episodes started but I wasn’t anxious about them. My cardiologist felt that since the episodes were very sporadic medication wasn’t needed as I could stop them immediately with valsalva maneuver and I chose not to under go another ablation. 6 months later he decided I should take Metoprolol and Flecainide and yet nothing had changed. Reluctantly I started them but 10 days in had to stop Flecainide due to severe acid reflux symptoms. Still on the Metoprolol which I want to get off of. I found this forum accidentally after the ablation and it really helped with being anxious about the diagnosis as numerous people had stated they had SVT for many years and don’t let it take over their lives and haven’t had treatment for it. In the past 7 months I have had 3 episodes which last less than 1 minute and as I said can stop them with valsalva maneuver. You may be one of the people an ablation stops the episodes. if you are considering it I wouldn’t hesitate as it was a relatively easy procedure.
Replies to "I was diagnosed with SVT 18 months ago and had an ablation which unfortunately I was..."
@slw7252 I have commented on this before; the SVT "missed beats" are/were driving me crazy at night. I had taken Flecainide before for A-fib (then I didn't have SVT) but stopped it when I decided on an ablation for my A-fib vs medication. Now that the ablation as "given me" SVT instead of A-fib arrhythymia, I decided to take a very small dose of Flecainide at night just to see if it would at least minimize some of the sensations. I am moderately optimistic at this point; after 3 days of taking 1/2 a 50mg tablet at night, I have had a dramatic decrease in the extra beats and the flutter sensation they cause. I don't know if the smaller dose would work for you but the literature states that Flecainide is used to treat SVT, so I don't think I am too far off the mark when I decided to try it. If I can resolve some of my problem with this small dose, I could be happy-- even taking the drug I didn't want in the first place. Good luck. Let us know what the cardiologist says, but don't assume the ablation will "cure" you like I thought it would for me.
@slw7252
I had SVT for 40 Years. It happened sporatically, and increased as the years went by and finally went to the Doctor in my 40th year because I had no life left, always having an episode. Everyone told me it was nerves or imaginary. Now I have life after the SVT ablation. Sooo much better. So far no SVT at all. Keeping my fingers crossed, the valsalva maneuver does not work for me at all. Hoping you have a wonderful life as you continue to cope. Maybe a secondary SVT ablation is in the cards for you.
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@slw7252
Thank you so much. My anxiety level has already decreased finding this forum. I wish the doctors would make these suggestions instead of ending it with a diagnosis. I am not a fan of these meds and their side effects. I found a modified valsalva maneuver on last night that I will try next time it happens. Wish I had it before the episode I had last night. Called my roommate home from a party🙃Again, thank you.