AFib questions

Posted by peggyd @peggyd, Mar 23, 2016

Good morning! I'm almost 66 years old, with infrequent AFib and on Eliquis. Sunday evening I had a spectacular nosebleed and went to the ER, where the attending physician inserted an epistaxis nasal pack (the kind with the inflatable balloon). I'm getting it removed tomorrow. What can I expect when it comes out--besides my own reaction of dancing gleefully around the office? Blood? Clots? Scabs? A genie? Thanks for your help!

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@grandmajan

I'm ok. Sorry to upset. I was looking for answers. If the pain returns I'll get help. I see the dr on Mon and will get more of my questions answered. I'm not sure that the Cardio-version is right for me. I used to drive mental health clients to appointments for shock therapy for bipolar and depression. Sounds similar. I will also start checking my mail everyday. Thank you for being concerned. Jan

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Yes this was my first Cardioversion -

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@audree

Did your cardiologist explain the cardioversion procedure? I was an emergency Afib patient on July 24, 2015 and was cared for by an emergency doctor. He had me on cardizem 360 and lasix 160 and coumadin. I was miserable with hugely swollen legs (plus 3) and still in Afib. That doctor told me to go through the scheduled hip replacement surgery in Afib and then get a cardioversion later. When I saw my own cardiologist one month later (August 27th) in a different hospital and city he told me no surgeon would perform on a patient in Afib and I’d have the cardioversion immediately (September 11, 2015.) It was successful, heart back in rhythm, and I then had surgery October 19, 2015. I was 86 years old then and did not flip back into Afib during the surgery. You may want to ask your cardiologist if you are a candidate for cardioversion. If not, why not? <br><br>I got off the coumadin after 10 months because it was not compatible with my food requirements and I now take Pradaxa since May 10, 2016. Pradaxa has an excellent antidote and I have seen no side effects from taking it except it costs much more than coumadin. Report is that they are backing off of coumadin now because it can take up to 72 hours to stop bleeding. Much too long for safety.

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Since the cardio version I have had daily ( nightly) annoying palpitations and ringing in my ears . Can anyone identify with this??? Thanks!

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@grandmajan

I had the cardioverson attempt, it didn't work. I will now be wearing a monitor. We are weaning me off of prednisone, that should take several weeks. I started on 40mg because I had polymyalgia rheumatica. I've been cautioned to be aware of the return of any symptoms I had before. I also have a leaky Mitral valve. Will that need to be dealt with before any further attempts to correct the AFib? I have found an Echocardiographic Dr, just need to get that arranged. Also looking at an Integrative medicine Dr. Your thoughts. I'm feeling much better. Have spurts of energy. Am more careful to not over due. Hopefully the monitor will give more clues as to what is going on. Thanks for your help.

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It is maddening that after a Cardioversion you can go get an ekg but not talk to doctor about your concerns !! I wish there were concierge electrophysiologists . I would love to just go to Mayo and say here I am - check me in and make this demon AFIB be a.thing of the past !!! Very disgusted right now and just want my life back❤️

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@audree

Did your cardiologist explain the cardioversion procedure? I was an emergency Afib patient on July 24, 2015 and was cared for by an emergency doctor. He had me on cardizem 360 and lasix 160 and coumadin. I was miserable with hugely swollen legs (plus 3) and still in Afib. That doctor told me to go through the scheduled hip replacement surgery in Afib and then get a cardioversion later. When I saw my own cardiologist one month later (August 27th) in a different hospital and city he told me no surgeon would perform on a patient in Afib and I’d have the cardioversion immediately (September 11, 2015.) It was successful, heart back in rhythm, and I then had surgery October 19, 2015. I was 86 years old then and did not flip back into Afib during the surgery. You may want to ask your cardiologist if you are a candidate for cardioversion. If not, why not? <br><br>I got off the coumadin after 10 months because it was not compatible with my food requirements and I now take Pradaxa since May 10, 2016. Pradaxa has an excellent antidote and I have seen no side effects from taking it except it costs much more than coumadin. Report is that they are backing off of coumadin now because it can take up to 72 hours to stop bleeding. Much too long for safety.

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Sadly today 9 days after Cardioversion - I am back in AFIB .

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@grandmajan

I'm ok. Sorry to upset. I was looking for answers. If the pain returns I'll get help. I see the dr on Mon and will get more of my questions answered. I'm not sure that the Cardio-version is right for me. I used to drive mental health clients to appointments for shock therapy for bipolar and depression. Sounds similar. I will also start checking my mail everyday. Thank you for being concerned. Jan

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Unfortunately today I am back in AFIB after 9 days . Very disappointed .
Anyone have similar story ? Did you try again ? Help!

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@grandmajan

I'm ok. Sorry to upset. I was looking for answers. If the pain returns I'll get help. I see the dr on Mon and will get more of my questions answered. I'm not sure that the Cardio-version is right for me. I used to drive mental health clients to appointments for shock therapy for bipolar and depression. Sounds similar. I will also start checking my mail everyday. Thank you for being concerned. Jan

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I'm so sorry to hear that the cardioversion wasn't a longer term solution for you @2880. I'm tagging @grandmajan @predictable @murryone @twptrustrek and @martishka on this message so that they can share their experiences with you - whether it worked or if they would try again.

Should you wish to get a second opinion, please call Mayo Clinic http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

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Hello @2880, <br>I am not familiar with your symptoms- just that the cardioconversion didn't work. I had aFIb for many years and found a permanent fix with a PVA (pulmonary vein ablation) I never had a cardio conversion even though I was offered it in emergency. I felt more comfortable with an IV of meds and I always went into sinus rhythm. <br>What I do know about aFib is that it can progress into a permanent rhythm, so it is wise to try and take care of it while you can. Every situation is different and it would be determined by your electrophysiologist whether or not you are a candidate for the procedure. If you want more info about PVA let me know. <br>Good luck, I hope that you find a solution. <br>martishka

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@grandmajan

Well, no. Not after the Cardioversion attempts. I asked before hand if the reset would fix the pains. He said they were probably another issue and he could look for a cause after the cardioversion and a stress test. Very odd, since the attempt to reset my heart I have not had any (angina like) pains. Possibly anxiety.  I'm not having any luck with the Dr that has me on Prednisone. No response from her yet. <br> I would hope for a treatment like you are on,  with the least amount of surgical intervention and very controlled use of pills. Yet willing to work with me and  give me guidance.<br>I think that it might be helpful to find a Dr. that is not a surgeon?  <br>

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Hi 2880: I had a cardioversion 8-13-16. So that's been 4 weeks. When they did mine, my heart would go to sinus rhythm and then right back to AFib. So they increased the numbers and hit me again. They tried 6 times at ever increasing jewels. It didn't work.  One theory is, I was on 15mg Prednisone and have a leaky mitral valve, so the procedure was probably not going to work. <br>Since then, I have cut my prednisone dose to 2.5 (with Dr's ok).   I'm still taking Metoprolol Tartrate 25mg , and xarelto 15mgs. I  am feeling better almost every day. Have also lost 8 lbs.Today started wearing a heart monitor so we can figure out the cause of the fuzzy head I get and shortness of breath. Both are worse in the A M. and not every day. <br>I still need to transfer to an electrophisiologist in my medical group. <br>Hope this info will help someone.  <br><br><br><br>

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Thank you for your great reply ! This am I fell back into AFIB unfortunately- 9 days only AFIB free.
Don't know what next step will be but I would do it again as it was very easy and non invasive.
I wish there was an easy answer for all of us !

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@martishka

Hello @2880, <br>I am not familiar with your symptoms- just that the cardioconversion didn't work. I had aFIb for many years and found a permanent fix with a PVA (pulmonary vein ablation) I never had a cardio conversion even though I was offered it in emergency. I felt more comfortable with an IV of meds and I always went into sinus rhythm. <br>What I do know about aFib is that it can progress into a permanent rhythm, so it is wise to try and take care of it while you can. Every situation is different and it would be determined by your electrophysiologist whether or not you are a candidate for the procedure. If you want more info about PVA let me know. <br>Good luck, I hope that you find a solution. <br>martishka

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When you wrote of iv of meds - can you explain please ? Did that work or was it similar to conversion - a bandaid? I am looking for the least invasive procedure but also one that will work ! Thanks for responding, Didi<br><br>

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