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.
It has been 4 months since the ablation and at this point I'm not so glad I did it. My episodes have actually INCREASED. Before the ablation, on the average I was in Afib 1-2 times a week. Now it is pretty much everyday. What is it about the ablation that would make the Afib more frequent after 4 months? I plan on asking my Doc that on July 9th. He made it clear that if the ablation didn't work that the Afib wouldn't be worse. Well, the Afib is less intense, which was the reason for the ablation, but is quite often now. If I was told that this was a possibility, I would not have done it. I am not better off from before the ablation, but I am better off from the three month of the ablation. Things have improved form all of the PACS and PVCS I started getting after the surgery, thank God. I hope to never have to go through that again. The episodes I am having are not nearly as long as that first month of recovery. Could be 10 minutes, 20 minutes, or up to 4hrs. I am still sensitive to my heart beats, I can feel everything that is going on. So, that part is still there. I know when I go in, out, etc. Even though I know I'm having the Afib, I bought a monitor to show my doctor who may not believe me even though I've had this for 10 years and I might know what I'm talking about. Anyway, I showed the print out readings to my brother who is a Paramedic, and he said Afib. I was also at my family doctor to get sleep meds to help me rest because of my NEW problems, and I went into an episode while I was there and she said Afib. Not much my EP can say now. I'm heading to the beach next week with the people that I love the most and my guitar, and theres no way I could have done that the first three months after the ablation, so I guess I can at least be thankful for that. Best wishes for everyone.
Now, for your concerns... there is nothing logically to cause more afib episodes from ablation... other than inflammation. It would seem that if this ablation wasn't enough, a touch up will work. The stats are in your favor. I don't think the doctor will say the ablation caused the increase.
I guess when it is "you", you wonder if there is some other factor unique to only you, but others are more objective. I know it's hard to wait and see, but I think that is the answer.
petey
Saw an encouraging entry on one of the Stopafib.org entries yesterday...a young lady had an ablation from Dr. Natale, who I believe is considered to be THE man these days. She had aflutter for several months after and was worried...but it passed and now she is wonderfully in afib after two years (sorry I am old and cannot remember the entry number, but maybe someone else here saw the entry?)...so all of us that chose the ablation route have hope that although this might take a year or more, hopefully all the bad stuff will pass and we CAN return to our normal lives! GO AWAY STRESS! So ez to say, so hard to make it happen!
Bill
Ummm....".she is wonderfully NOT in afib after two years!" Geez Bill, check these posts for content and spelling before you post them!
Glad you seem to have had a recent turnaround, and things are looking better for you! Wonderful news!
Bill