Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
Hey guys. I just thought I'd poke my head in here and give everyone an update. I'm about 14 weeks out from my first ever ablation with Dr. Natale. During the 3-month blanking period I didn't have a single palpitation or afib episode. Now that I'm a few weeks past the blanking period I'm still 100% perfectly normal. I haven't had a single heart issue to speak of.
Prior to my ablation I was having afib episodes every week or two. Sometimes I'd get lucky and go 4 weeks.
You can read about my entire ablation recovery process here:
http://www.livingwithatrialfibrillation.com/1471/my-catheter-ablation-blanking-period/
I wish all my fellow afibbers the very best. And if you're on the fence about having an ablation, don't be! I strongly recommend one with one very important caveat...it's imperative you find the very best EP you can. Dr. Natale is literally the best in the world so if your insurance covers one by him or you can afford to pay for one out of pocket ($40,000), don't hesitate. Dr. Natale is nothing short of a miracle worker. Of course now that I said that I'll probably be in afib tomorrow...lol. But in all seriousness, the experience of your EP is the single greatest factor in determining your success rates.
Travis
Prior to my ablation I was having afib episodes every week or two. Sometimes I'd get lucky and go 4 weeks.
You can read about my entire ablation recovery process here:
http://www.livingwithatrialfibrillation.com/1471/my-catheter-ablation-blanking-period/
I wish all my fellow afibbers the very best. And if you're on the fence about having an ablation, don't be! I strongly recommend one with one very important caveat...it's imperative you find the very best EP you can. Dr. Natale is literally the best in the world so if your insurance covers one by him or you can afford to pay for one out of pocket ($40,000), don't hesitate. Dr. Natale is nothing short of a miracle worker. Of course now that I said that I'll probably be in afib tomorrow...lol. But in all seriousness, the experience of your EP is the single greatest factor in determining your success rates.
Travis
I did so well after my ablation that I didn't need to take any anti-arrhythmics during the blanking period - and I was only on Eliquis (anticoagulant) for 2 months after the ablation.
I wish you all the best with your ablation. I know you had an issue with your first attempt so I truly hope everything goes well for you this time around and that you'll be telling us how great you're doing after your ablation!
Hwkmn:
While I'm hoping I'm a "one and done case" I'm not holding my breath. Most need a second ablation. Granted, I might be one of the lucky ones where I go a year or two before that second one is needed but I'm sure I'll need a second one. Even with someone as great as Dr. Natale working on you, you have to go into these assuming you'll need two. If one does the trick, consider yourself lucky and enjoy it but just know that it's more likely you'll need a second procedure.
I know this might sound totally crazy but I'm just hoping to get 10 years of as much NSR as possible. I just want to be as normal and healthy as possible until my kids graduate from high school (my youngest will graduate in 10 years). Obviously I hope to buy more time than that but if I can get a solid 10 "good years" that would be good...and I fully expect to need two procedures to get me those 10 good years too.
After that, who knows what will happen. I'll deal with it then.
Travis
In ten years and beyond, there's a chance that AFib treatments improve....hopefully.
June
I think it was about a month or two ago, there was a discussion on stopafib...whatever the yahoo group is called. They were speaking of a guy who had one of Natale's original ablations, 15 years ago, and is still afib free. Your heart was touched by the master, so why not dream big? The afib is GONE GONE GONE! I know that is what I am hoping for!
Bill