Heart Rhythm Conditions – Welcome to the group

I’ve had Afib since 2015. An ablation won’t work for me. I am having open heart surgery soon for tricuspid valve replacement and mitral valve repair. My Dr. will also be performing the maze procedure. This may eliminate the Afib…..maybe. Wondering if this might work for you, however, I guess they only perform it during open heart surgery. My sister in law had two ablations and she only has occasional episodes. Good luck!!

Next step is to resume Sotalol 40MG 2x daily. Side effects are low heart rate and a few things that are tolerable. Possible pacemaker. What is most challenging for me is maintaining my daily routine when in AFIB. I feel so awful and just want to sit and usually don't feel good the day after also.

What are your symptoms when in afib? Could you explain how you feel the day after or so.
I was diagnosed with Afib last March. Couldn't tolerate Eliquis, now on Xarelto. Had open heart surgery last July at Mayo Clinic, Rochesyet, MN, to remove obstruction due to HOCM (Hypertrophic obstuctive cardiomyopathy) and went into third bundle block right after/during surgery so needed ICD (Implantable Cardiac Device which is both a defibulator and a pacemaker), which I had put in 5 days later, also at Mayo's in Rochester after the septal myoectomy, pulmonary ablation.
I send transmissions to my Electrophysiologists here in my hometown when I'm feeling lousy and sometimes they see something and other times nothing. My Dr started me on Amiodarone for some short runs of SV. I'm not happy about being on Amiodarone but was afraid and just started taking it because my Dr said I needed it.
I'd also like comments on anyone taking Amiodarone or was taking it but put on something else due to long term toxicity effects on other organs. I read it is a reliable antirythmic medication for irregular heart rhythms and many Dr's use it as the "go to" med because it works on most everyone but long term, not so good being on the med. Other meds besides Amiodarone anyone has used?
Thanks to all who read this long post.🎃

Symptoms are: feel an irregular heartbeat, some shortness of breath, headaches at times. The next day I am tired.

Hi, I have been reading posts and comments here. About 6 months ago I had an implanted loop recorder which is now showing paroxysmal AFib. I am lightheaded most of the time, dizzy sometimes, tired, lots of palpitations, and feel like my heart is in a hurry to be off to some other event!
So far, I have Eliquis and 12.5 mg metoprolol. That's all for the heart.
I have bradycardia and tachycardia.
What do you think is next?
Wouldn't an ablation sooner rather than later be a good idea before more damage is done to my heart?
I see the electrophysiologist again in 3 months.
(I also have celiac disease, pernicious anemia, UCTD, small airways disease, and possibly a dysautonomia.)
I just started taking Hawthorne berries capsules from Vitacost because my sister and brother-in-law said that after 3 months of 2/day, their AFib went away!

My wife has been diagnosed with Bradycardia. I would like to get a feeling for roughly how urgent her care needs to be. In the last 2 weeks her heart rate has been in the 40’s when exercising with dizziness & fatigue. I read “she may need a pacemaker immediately but can wait 3 days”. Mayo says wait a week for an appointment after a video visit. What should we do - get immediate help locally, wait a ~week for an Mayo appointment or wait to see if the symptoms continue ? Thanks Rianders

Hi Rianders, that is a difficult decision and not something I'm qualified to answer. Did you already have a video consult with Mayo Clinic?

Hi, my name is lOvelyday4,
I got Afib in 2016 Now my Dr. tells me I need to probably get a pacemaker because my heart rate is staying too low. I get tired easily and out of breath easily. The thought scares me. I am 80 yrs old. I guess I am lucky I made it this far. I am on Eliquis. No other problems with the Afib. Is there anyone else new to a pacemaker?

Hi, Lovelyday4 (@lovelyday4). I have had Afib for 5 years, and it's asymptomatic, but I don't have a Pacemaker nor has it been suggested. However, I have two close friends with one. A brother-in-law had one installed 10 years ago, and it was replaced (updated) last year; he is very active in his mid-70s, traveling around the world, often with his wife and two bicycles they use to travel miles a day in foreign lands. The other friend had one installed three months ago after he experienced symptoms like you describe. Three weeks ago, he returned to our bowling team and shows every likelihood of being his old expert self, averaging 170 and enjoying every weekly match. He is just past 70. I'm 86 and bragging this week that I started out Tuesday with a 233 game! Martin

thank you , Predicable. That was nice info. I've talked to a few more people and they said the same that I would feel so much better afterward. I use to bowl too. Years ago. Good for you on your 233......