Thanks for the uodate and encouragement!

That's great news!
It's been 16 months since my ablation. The first 9 months were fairly rocky. But then I started to gradually improve. About 4 months ago, I cut my BP medication (Norvasc) in half and that seemed to reduce my AFIB burden even more. Four month ago my AFIB burden was 10.8, I wouldn't be surprised if when they read my monitor next (in two months), the burden is single digits. I didn't think it would take so long for my heart to heal (maybe because I was 65 at the time), but it seems to be working. NSR for all!

Hopefully I match your success in three years. I got a call today from the EP reminding me of my upcoming three month post ablation September appointment. He got the results of my 30 day monitor that I wore starting 6 weeks after the ablation and said there were no arrythmias on it so he was pleased. Ive also really felt more energy the past few weeks. Ive been off rythmol for 6 weeks but I would think that would have cleared out of my system a few days after I stopped taking it, so thats probably not the reason. Im hoping to get off the metoprolol when I see the EP in Sept.

Are you off all your Afib related meds now ?

I just take Metoprolol 25mg twice a day.

Hey Paul, I'm thinking about having the Cryoablation. I know it's not as effective as RF but with my esophagas pressing on my atrium it seem the less risky of the two. You said it did not work for you but it did help. What do you mean by that? Could you explain more?

Thanks, Mike

Hi Keeponpumping:

Let me clarify. First, I don't think there is much difference in effectiveness between RF and Cryo. I do think the Cryo may be a bit safer, especially given your situation. My situation may be unique (well everyone's situation is unique). I was 64 when I had my ablation and had had AFIB for at least 40 years, and had had a stroke (which is what finally drove me to the ablation). Two weeks after the ablation I had a major gum/tooth infection. I had over 600 events in the first 30 days after the ablation. A few months after the ablation, my thyroid went hyper. In the first 9 or so months after the ablation, I continued to have several events a week, although they were nowhere as severe as prior to the procedure. Now 16 months after the procedure my heart seems to have finally calmed down. I have a minor event every few weeks, but I barely feel it any more. I would call this a major success. The only drugs I take are Eliquis and 1/2 the minimum dose of Norvasc. Since I have a history of AFIB, stroke, DVT, and pulmonary embolisms, its Eliquis for life for me.

ecofr, So good to know this!!!! I am very happy for you!

That is wonderul news ecofr! Great to hear of your success!! Thanks for sharing! Take care, Carrie

Thanks for sharing! Glad it's going well! Prayers for nsr forever!

Paul,
Just curious.... My Cardiologist hasn't given me the okay to go to the Dentist yet. He wants me to wait until I get the okay from my EP that my Ablation worked. My dentist scared me with even having my teeth cleaned can cause an infection with your heart. How did you get an infection ? I'm on Eliqius too, were you taken off Eliquis when you went to the dentist?
Thanks,
Sally

Sally:
I got the infection in a periodontal pocket. The pocket had been there for many years without incident. Shortly after my ablation, I started wearing an oral appliance for sleep apnea. I got the oral appliance from an ENT (so my insurance would pay for it). I only wore it for a little over two weeks when I got the infection. My dentist said that the appliance stopped saliva from flushing out the pocket when I wore it at night, thus the infection. Lucky the infection was under controlled with antibiotics, but it did make my heart go nuts. My EP said they couldn't pull the tooth or do periodontal work for 60? or 90? days after the ablation because of the threat to my heart. During this period I was on Coumadin. When I was able to get the periodontal work done, I had to get my Coumadin INR down under 2.0.
1 1/2 years later that pocket started up again. The periodontist said it got inflamed from a cleaning. However, this time it calmed down on its own.
Now I'm on Eliquis. This must be interrupted for any dental work that would cause significant bleeding (extraction or perio). Cleanings and fillings are ok for me (no stopping Eliquis) since it has been 18 months since my ablation.
The short answer is yes dental stuff (even cleanings) can effect your heart, follow the doctors advice.

Paul,

Thanks, that's good information. I also have Sleep Apnea and I'm using a CPAP. I was considering looking into the dental appliance, but I think I'll keep my CPAP for now. I'll take my Doctor's advice and wait to go to the Dentist. He is concerned because I also have Mitral Valve Disease (2 Leaky Valves), Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency and Cardiomyopathy. I think this has additional risks with going to the Dentist along with having A-Fib, if I got an infection. Plus, I'm still in my blanking period from my Ablation.

Too much going on with my heart ....His exact words to me when I asked him if I could go to the dentist were " Let's not push it". Meaning, lets get your heart well first! I had no idea that your teeth were a direct line to your heart if you got an infection !!
Sally

"My dentist said that the appliance stopped saliva from flushing out the pocket when I wore it at night, thus the infection."

What kind of dental appliance did you have? While appliances do restrict saliva to some degree, soaking every day with cleaning tablets and gels that adjust ph solve the problem. Mine covers minimal areas of the teeth.

If infections are a worry, just know that cpaps are known for causing sinus infections and sometimes ear infections. Also, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, respiratory infections.
Inadequate cleaning of the equipment is a concern.

Let's face it, foreign objects have a downside.

petey

I have had a fib since I was 18-20 years old. I have had 3 ablations...the best one was the second one that lasted 5 years. The third one was awful and I suffered alot...my doctor told me that I should consider another surgery only two months later because it was such an obvious fail. Its very frustrating. Hospitalized for 2 days recently - hr was over 190. I have seen about 5 different doctors and the last one told me that atrial fibrillation can come from other places other than the pulmonary vein...I feel optimistic once again. The best thing I ever got was the alivecor. Never give up. : )

Petey:
You can imagine how far back in the drawer this thing went, given all the problems it caused me. But I was able to dig it out. It is a "Thornton Adjustable Positioner" from Airway Labs. Here's the web site with a description.

http://www.airwaylabs.com/what-is-tap.php