Ablation for Afib

Yes, don't you just hate it when the only reason for your A-fib is "being old." And then the line "but A-fib isn't going to kill you." Well, guess what, it isn't improving my life much! I can't drink more than one cup of 1/2 caf, no alcohol, no tonic water, no chocolate, no "excessive" exercise, lose weight, no heavy meals, no extra salt, no bad sleep habits, take a crap-load of meds, no "stress" as if walking on eggshells waiting for the next episode to pop up isn't stressful! I absolutely hate this condition and I am doing everything I can to get an ablation with the hope that it will arrest this demon before I go crazy.

Yes, very helpful here. Yes, 70s are considered old. ( I can’t wrap my head around this though.) I now have learned it’s never just “fixed” - over and done.

I have not heard of AV node ablation, so:
“Anyone who has AV node ablation needs a pacemaker for life to help the heart beat correctly. It's placed under the skin by the collarbone. You might have this device placed several weeks before AV node ablation to make sure it works well. But some people receive the pacemaker the day of the ablation.”

Please keep us updated. Wishing you well.

When my EP suggested an AV node ablation, I researched it. As you say, it requires that you have a pacemaker, which I do. In order for the heart to beat, the pacemaker takes over after an AV node ablation. In my simplistic reasoning, I equate it to turning off the electricity in a house and having the generator control the electricity. I don't want to do that. I can't help but wonder if his reasoning is because I am "old", and this is a quick fix. In addition, I have other medical issues (CLL, CKD, etc) which might be part of his reasoning. I also read that AV node ablation does not stop AFib; in fact, many people go into chronic AFib without the accompanying side effects because the heart is beating normally (due to the pacemaker). Another concern I have is that AFib is causing some atrial enlargement and diastolic dysfunction. If I have chronic AFib, what about those concerns. I am hoping for a PFA. I have tried to get a second opinion with a doctor highly recommended in his group. However, they will not let me make an appointment with a different doctor in the same group! So, I am looking at a different medical team. If only I could prevent this AFib - but while doing everything recommended, it keeps coming back! It helps to hear from others with this condition.

Yes, don't you just hate it when the only reason for your A-fib is "being old." And then the line "but A-fib isn't going to kill you." Well, guess what, it isn't improving my life much! I can't drink more than one cup of 1/2 caf, no alcohol, no tonic water, no chocolate, no "excessive" exercise, lose weight, no heavy meals, no extra salt, no bad sleep habits, take a crap-load of meds, no "stress" as if walking on eggshells waiting for the next episode to pop up isn't stressful! I absolutely hate this condition and I am doing everything I can to get an ablation with the hope that it will arrest this demon before I go crazy.

The only concerns I have are if they will think I need to try an anti-arrhythmic drug first. I don't want to try any more drugs. My second concern is that I want a pulse field ablation since they are less likely to harm surrounding tissue and they are done in less time than the radiofrequency ablation. Lastly, I am 79 and I am concerned that they will think I am too old to be concerned about this condition ruining my quality of life. It seems lately that everything boils down to "you're old so you just have to expect these things!"

I really congratulate you on your choices. I don't have as much difficulty getting to good docs but I would fly to anywhere about now to get my A-fib treated with PFA. I am hoping to see my cardiologist today to see what he plans for me after the "episode" this weekend. I am now questioning just what I am doing that triggers this! I would just like a "WHY" for this problem. I absolutely don't eat or drink anything that is supposed to be harmful but I did recently have a tonic with lime (no alcohol) as a substitute libation when we went to lunch with friends. Now I am reading that some people are sensitive to the quinine in the tonic! Can there be anything else that is "forbidden" to take away the pleasure in life at this age? LOL Good luck and thank you for the feedback. It helps not to feel alone in this journey.

You pretty much mirror my feelings about Afib. I got the same talk from my cardiologist and primary care provider. When they told me that a lot of people live with Afib I just told them that I am not a lot of people. I like to fix things when they are broken not just cover them up and hope they don't get worse. You are the patient and this is your body. I went around my cardiologist and PC and contacted a hospital that does the pulse field ablation and set up everything on my own. PFA was successful and now the stress level is back where it should be.

Pls let us know if you learn of any “triggers” to avoid.

As far as I can tell, I don't know what causes the out-breaks. I don't have sleep apnea, but getting a good night's sleep is supposed to be important--but then that is when I have had three outbreaks in one month. I drink 1/2 caf coffee and no alcohol, I exercise every day and faithfully take all the meds and supplements. I try to eat a reasonable diet. I think dehydration at some point might be my issue but if I drink a lot of fluid during the evening, then I am up half the night going to the bathroom! I feel like it is a crap shoot! My doc says that "super controllers" like me are the kind that are most bothered by A-fib. The ones who are relaxed and more sedentary don't seem that upset about it! From all I have read, the sooner the problem is addressed, the better the chances of living a more normal existence. And that is what I want! Sorry I can't offer a better answer but thank you for your support.