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

hi to a fellow a-fibber. I'm 81 - have a-fib for around 4-5 yrs. doesn't bother me with symptoms. but of course with what can happen if not dealt with. one cardiologist treated me w. metoprolol for a long time - then he referred me to another dr in his office. i didn't know what an electrophysiologist was - but the dr was one. he basically shoved a consent form in front of my face. said to have an ablation soon. i stupidly signed. then went home and researched and asked the dr questions which he couldn't or didn't answer to my satisfaction. he was like Salesman Sam. i went to another cardiologist - he tried the shock. 1st time it only held for a few minutes. then he increased the power and did it a 2nd time - held for around 20 min. so he gave me Tikosyn and I went back to my room... dr said he needed to watch for 3 days after the Tikosyn. It didn't hold. So he sent me home w. amiodarone and continued the metoprolol succinate ER. i was already taking Xarelto so I have continued that - 25 mg. day and night. I read up on amiodarone, got scared, quit it. I'm now with a new cardiologist who is great. So far I've had an echocardiogram which showed HF reduced ejection fraction (was done in the hospital when I was there for something else. Then another echocardiogram showed a much greater ejection fraction. My new cardiologist actually LOOKS at results from the hospital. He wants to do another one in his office (it's been a year since the last one.) I told him I was almost pushed into an ablation by a Salesman Sam. New cardiologist smiled. He apparently isn't recommending an ablation for me at this time. This is a long message. Hope it helps that I shared.

@sonjafish1945 Hi and I thought I would mention if you put a @ symbol in front of the person's name it will be directed to them and they will get an email to let them know who you are talking to.
Have a Great Day
Dana

Do you have any stents? And do you still have to take meds?

I didn’t recognize most of the procedures you described except I’m being “encouraged” to have the ablation and I’m hesitant and cautious. I was on Motropolo, but was having AFib weekly.
Now I’m on Multaq and Verapamil, plus Eloquis and Berlanta. I have a few stents, ergo the last two meds. I’m getting very tired of all these pills that cost about $1000 per month - my copay!

I feel the same way about ablation but I have less problems with my heart. Very scary times.

Cost of medications is excessivel. The ablation has few and minimal complications. Mayo Clinic.Bleeding or infection at the site where your catheter was inserted.
Damage to your blood vessels where the catheter may have scraped as it traveled to your heart.
Puncture of your heart.
Damage to your heart valves.

These are very unusual when the procedure is done by an experienced high volume cardiologist. Your cardiologist at Mayo can give you his own personal complication rates. (best soource of information) Mayo tracks all their procedures and are very transparent and credible. Ask him/her. his advice. Those meds also have side effects.

I did contact the Drs office via message & they responded immediately. Added 25 mg Losartan to my meds & am doing better.

I am on Tikosyn ( dofetilide ) for two and half year. Have no side effects. You can see if your cardiologist can arrange for this because only a pfizer trained cardiologist can give it.

I am. I decided to go ahead with the ablation. The medications lower my quality of life with all the side effects. Ablation shave their risks for sure.

Yes. Go to EP. Can correct it w ablation