Aa
Arythmia
I have had afib for the past 1-1/2 years. I have gone through Adriodone and multaq. My cardiologist said I need to talk to someone about cardiac ablation. I am in continuous afib and in good health other than afib. My stress test turned out good with no blockage and no heart enlargement at all.I get dizzy once in a while and feel weak sometimes. I am 56 years old. What are the chances that an ablation would be successful? I feel I can't play racquetball, run, cycle or play tennis anymore because the strenuousness of the activity isn't helping my heart since it is beating in odd ways now and not efficiently.
Thanks you.
Pete Nicholls
Thanks you.
Pete Nicholls
Best Answer
Hey Pete i read your post also...we are the same age and i have the same diagnosis among other things but.....i am a huge advocate of ablations and had mine done over 3 years ago now and have never been happier. The majority of everything was handled thru the procedure. The main thing is that you need to ask the doc if you are in the 70% or above range for success and if they say yes i would go for it personally. I would also probably abstain from strenuous activity until this thing gets settled because i am one who does not tempt fate in life and you don't want anything to set off a "bad" episode. I would definately look into the options myself. You may end up completely med free in the end...
Ksig
I have seen an EP, twice, two different ones. It turned out both times they were outside of my insurance so I couldn't stay with them. One of them was going to do an ablation but when I found out they weren't in my network I had to start all over. My current cardiologist, the second one I've had because of insurance issues, wanted to go through all the tests and meds the first one tried. Finally now after another 4 months he agrees with the first one I need to look at ablation. Oh and by the way I have been cardioconverted 4 times. They all lasted about 1 week. The only thing that has really put me back in rhythum is the amiodrone. But it has such bad bad side effects on so many other parts of your body I didn't want to stay on it much longer than the year I was taking it.
So now I'm heading to Cleveland clinic, I hope. They still have to evaluate me to see if I'm a canidate. They are covered under my insurance also. You are right this afib stuff changes your life and wears you down. Being single hasn't helped either. No one to talk to when I'm anxious and no one to bounce thoughts off of when I'm afraid.
Thanks for the words of encouragement.
Pete
I have seen an EP, twice, two different ones. It turned out both times they were outside of my insurance so I couldn't stay with them. One of them was going to do an ablation but when I found out they weren't in my network I had to start all over. My current cardiologist, the second one I've had because of insurance issues, wanted to go through all the tests and meds the first one tried. Finally now after another 4 months he agrees with the first one I need to look at ablation. Oh and by the way I have been cardioconverted 4 times. They all lasted about 1 week. The only thing that has really put me back in rhythum is the amiodrone. But it has such bad bad side effects on so many other parts of your body I didn't want to stay on it much longer than the year I was taking it.
So now I'm heading to Cleveland clinic, I hope. They still have to evaluate me to see if I'm a canidate. They are covered under my insurance also. You are right this afib stuff changes your life and wears you down. Being single hasn't helped either. No one to talk to when I'm anxious and no one to bounce thoughts off of when I'm afraid.
Thanks for the words of encouragement.
Pete
Hi, Pete
I started with my AFib adventure a few years younger than you are now and currently I am in my early 60s. My assumption is that you have not seen an EP yet, correct? I, personally would try the cardioversion first since you are continuous AFib. It is done under a mild sedation and can bring you back to normal sinus rhythm (NSR) It is a temporary "cure" and can give you some relief as you make a decision about an ablation. Having a NSR is such a calming feeling and everything is right with the world. I had to have more than one ablation to ward off AFib. I am glad I had every procedure. Not one regret. AFib can really wear you out.
After the ablations, I was able to return back to regular activities: going to the gym, sailing, etc. Good luck to you as you go to the Cleveland Clinic.
ksig
I started with my AFib adventure a few years younger than you are now and currently I am in my early 60s. My assumption is that you have not seen an EP yet, correct? I, personally would try the cardioversion first since you are continuous AFib. It is done under a mild sedation and can bring you back to normal sinus rhythm (NSR) It is a temporary "cure" and can give you some relief as you make a decision about an ablation. Having a NSR is such a calming feeling and everything is right with the world. I had to have more than one ablation to ward off AFib. I am glad I had every procedure. Not one regret. AFib can really wear you out.
After the ablations, I was able to return back to regular activities: going to the gym, sailing, etc. Good luck to you as you go to the Cleveland Clinic.
ksig
Hey Cindy, I am in contact with Cleveland Clinic now. My cardiologist said they are the best in the country at doing ablations. Sinc I'm only about 6 hours away I figured I'd go there.
It is hard to deal with a little, being a divorced guy and not having a spouse to bounce things off of is tough. My kids are supportive of course but it's not like being able to talk to someone in the middle of the night when fears are exaggerated.
I am off all meds except for cumadin. I do have to take it do to the chance of stroke.
Glad to hear you are off all the meds. I am looking forward to the possibility of being able to play racquetball, tennis, and cylce again. It ***** having just walking as my big workout.
It is hard to deal with a little, being a divorced guy and not having a spouse to bounce things off of is tough. My kids are supportive of course but it's not like being able to talk to someone in the middle of the night when fears are exaggerated.
I am off all meds except for cumadin. I do have to take it do to the chance of stroke.
Glad to hear you are off all the meds. I am looking forward to the possibility of being able to play racquetball, tennis, and cylce again. It ***** having just walking as my big workout.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Your doctor, one that does ablation surgery would be the one best able to estimate the chances of a success... that specialist is usually called an electro-physiologist, abbreviated EP.
Has an electrocardioversion been tried? I have had some success with that for a temporary cure for my AFib. That procedure is much less intrusive than is an ablation and I believe is usually tried before one goes for an ablation.
None of the procedures are 100% effective. I have gotten about one and a half years of relief following electrocardioversions. I have never had an ablation, and my cardiologist and consulting EP do not support the idea of me getting one. I am in permanent AFib but the symptoms are troublesome only if I try to engage in high output physical activities. At age 71 it may be time for me to just walk for exercise.
Has an electrocardioversion been tried? I have had some success with that for a temporary cure for my AFib. That procedure is much less intrusive than is an ablation and I believe is usually tried before one goes for an ablation.
None of the procedures are 100% effective. I have gotten about one and a half years of relief following electrocardioversions. I have never had an ablation, and my cardiologist and consulting EP do not support the idea of me getting one. I am in permanent AFib but the symptoms are troublesome only if I try to engage in high output physical activities. At age 71 it may be time for me to just walk for exercise.
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