Whatever works, don't break it! Or fix it. That said, neither drugs nor ablation seem to be the final 'fix' for atrial fibrillation, not in quite a number of cases. It's not readily apparent to me what the numbers are, but if you google the question about AF's progressive nature, and ask google for the apparent success of ablations over cases over time, a great many require novel approaches or to be re-ablated after a few years. I don't know that this is necessarily a bad thing since ablation, and drugs, don't offer to 'fix' the electrophysiology of a wonky heart. Instead, they offer management. Ablation doesn't stop the AV node re-entrant circuits; it just blocks those impulses from entering the endothelium of the atrium and causing the ectopic/mistimed beats. If my heart could be returned to its non-ablated state, it would immediately resume fibrillating. That problem hasn't changed. And the empirical evidence suggests strongly that the process of electrical disorder continues, which is why so many ablatees require a second or a third ablation in time. Similarly, the drug doses seem to rise, or eventually they don't work any longer and another drug is substituted.
The previous poster has done well (no hard feelings.. 🙂 ), and it should encourage us that a great many also go long spells with just a pill. Great to see, personally. But, I know of several people who have had several ablations until one finally provided the relief they sought. Thankfully, one has not had repeat AF for over four years, while another is an unfortunate mess and finally had to have a pacemaker installed. She practically lived in an ER this past year.
I hope I don't come across as pessimistic. I am free of AF seven months now, and my heart seems to be steady, even when climbing a long flight of steps oceanside nearby. Over 250 of them with a pitch near 1/3. The previous poster is doing swimmingly, and good for that person. Optimism is what I prescribe, and aggressive pursuit of competent care. Don't take it lying down!!