Hi Ray. I would be reluctant to go on anti-arrhythmics (Rhythmol) especially since you are not symptomatic (dont feel anything at all) but understand that taking anti arrhythmic after cardioversion is a pretty common protocol. I currently take anti arrhythmic (Flecainide) and have been on Rhythmol but only because I have uncomfortable symptoms while in Afib. I have never been cardioverted but there are many people on this site that have. I wish you good luck Ray.

80 ablations total? That's only 80 more than I've done. :-)

That would be a monthly number that would indicate experience.

petey

My EP has done over 5,000 ablations in his career with at least 2,000 of them being AF ablations. Even going in with a doctor who is extremely experienced with many procedures, complications can happen. I believe the best advice I ever saw on this site is for an individual to weigh the risks of procedures carefully with how symptomatic you are. If your quality of life has a chance to significantly improve with a procedure, it is worth entertaining the idea.

I would do a LOT of reading about ablation before you take the plunge. It seems to me that many doctors are too quick to push it, and many seem to create false expectations as to the outcome.

Hang out here, talk to people.. read the archives. Learn about the risks vs. benefits. Find out if people are happy with their results.

When I had my first full blown afib event, my doctor handed me what seemed to be a comic book (I thought it was simplistic, and frankly, insulting to my intelligence) touting ablation as "a permanent cure" (really? Apparently the author hasn't spent any time here reading about multiple procedures and afib that has returned years, months and in some cases, days after the procedure) and that it's "minimally invasive." (burning scars on the heart doesn't seem very "minimally invasive" to me).

As you can tell, I'm not a fan of ablation. It makes me wonder if some doctors see it as another car payment for their Porsche.

And again... my disclaimer.... this is my opinion.. I am in no way putting down anybody's decision to have an ablation procedure. I just say, "proceed with caution" and make sure you've really looked into it.

thanks
since i have never been cardio verted , he wants to try that on me i told him no on ablation since i feel fine and dont have any thing that bothers me

i am even scared of cardioversion .

ray

Ray, I have never had a cardioversion. I was lucky to have converted back to NSR before they cardioverted me. . However I do know several patients that have had it done and they tell me it wasnt too bad, didnt feel anything during cardioversion. And they are several people here that also have had it done. Hopefully they can share their experience.

80 ablations...hmm I think I would find someone with a bit more ablations under his belt.....

Good luck, try not to worry, not good for us afibbers. Stay positive!

Best wishes

Cheryl

Hi Ray, I have had 5 cardioverions so far. The cardioversions are not a big deal. They give you a shot and out you out for 5 minutes or so. If it is sucessful they make you stay for an hour or so. You may get a little sunburn when they put the paddles and feel tired the next day.

The last one I had in April left me really tired the next day. My nurse said it's like running a marathon. I was beteeen 150 ang 160 beats per minute. By the ay your inr needs to be in range or they will bump you if you're not between 2 and3. Hope that helps

Ray: The cardioversion has less juice than what you see on TV. It is also timed. You will be fine. Who is the Dr that did 80 ablations? -Petey

From my experience I would not be afraid of cardioversion. The only issue is the length of time before you need to do it again.

I had a cardioversion in October of 2011. It was not a terrible experience. They hooked me up with wires and defibrillator pads and then knocked me out for a few minutes. When I came to, the afib was gone and I actually felt great...until the next event about a month later.

During the procedure, your EP will use equipment that calculates when the electric "shock" should be applied to return your heart to its normal rhythm. In my case, it took just one jolt.

As far as ablation is concerned, you should definitely get all the facts. While it may be right for some people, it is not the answer for everyone. Ask questions, weigh the benefits and risks.

Best of luck!

Barry Manilow had a cardio conversion hours before one of his show!

"I can't remember one time where I've been on the stage and I felt that. But I do remember one time that I was scheduled to do a show with the Boston Pops for July 4th, and I got up that morning and I felt it kick in," he recalled. "So I went about 11 in the morning to this hospital and they said, 'Yes, Mr. Manilow, you're in A-fib, you're out of rhythm and we have to stop it,' which is the paddles, you know, 'Clear!' Bang! You know, they have to stop it somehow."

"And I did the show that night, and nobody was the wiser," he added. "I take my medication, and it calms down, and I go on with my life."

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-500165_162-20123017/barry-manilow-i-have-a-fib-heart-condition/

And btw.. he has also had three ablations. Can't somebody find a cure?

Barry Manilow came up once before... I believe I posted something funny... petey

I have had a cardioversion back in the day when I had atrial fib and it was no big deal. It did not last though so was very expensive for the five days of normal rhythm!

I want to put out the name of my doctor since I have had such good luck. Dr. Roger Winkle of Palo Alto performed my ablations, two in sequence, the second being much more aggressive, and I have had a wonderful result. At the time which was over three years ago, he had performed 800 procedures. It was very space age but did the job beautifully and I am so happy.

The most important factor is a highly skilled and experienced surgeon with a A+++ rating and statistics. I had to travel to Palo Alto, but it was totally worth it.

Catinsb: Were you symptomatic? are you off anticoagulants and rhythm/rate control? Thanks. petey

Hey Petey,

What do you mean by asymptomatic? I had been in and out of atrial fib for about 8 yrs, starting down the road of my father before me and no matter how hard I tried to manage the different triggers, it slowly increased in frequency until I was in chronic afib. I was, of course, taking Coumadin, and had an arsenal of other drugs, Digoxin, Flecainide, Altenolol. Still, I was unhappy, spacey, fatigued, just not at all perceptive, and felt unwell.

So, my doctor said I would be a good candidate for ablation, but not to go with a doctor in my hometown as they were not experienced enough, so we researched. My brother attended Stanford and we checked that out but found that the best practice, from their research, was that of Dr. Roger Winkle in Palo Alto. I had the first ablation in 2008, but it was not successful although it lessened the symptoms. He had told me that might be the case so I returned 4 months later for a second ablation which was entirely successful. I later heard that Dr. Rob Patrawalla in the same practice is also excellent.

At first I was on Sotalol while my heart calmed down but then weaned in a few months after the ablation and now have no symptoms and take no medicine. I am so happy to be free and able to do all the things I could before. It killed my dad after greatly diminishing his quality of life for years. Not all strokes can be controlled by blood thinners, and I was determined not to go down the more conservative medications route. But they didn't have arthroscopic ablations when my dad was first diagnosed. I have the same heart configurations that he did, but my arteries are clear, as were his, so that is good.

One thing, if people wait too long for the ablations, the atrial fibrillation stretches out the heart chamber and that makes the results more questionable. If one's heart is good and not enlarged or stretched out, it is best not to wait until things worsen.

Anyway, I will repeat, the most important thing is to find a very, very excellent surgeon who is very experienced. Our insurance paid for it and it has saved the quality of my life and maybe my life in general. Yay for modern medicine!