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.

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PattyGNY 07/28/2009

I had cardiac ablation on July 17th at StonyBrook Hospital. Robot assisted. Doctor is the greatest. My afib was persistent for over a year.

I am now in normal sinus rhythm and my prayers have been answered. I have my life back. Still on meds, but hopefully, they will be withdrawn as time passes. I have not felt this good for a long time. I think afib bothered me for a long time, then about a year ago, it went from occasional to persistent after a long period of intense stress.

Don't be afraid of ablation. It took around 6 hours, but I would do again. I went back to work Thursday and feel fine.

deleted_user 07/28/2009

So glad yours went well too, Patty! I had mine on the 24th and I'm feeling great already too... I think anyone who has ablation as a safe option should go for it, it helps you so much :)

deleted_user 07/28/2009

Good for you! I agree with you 100%! In my past posts you will see that I too also had a very successful ablation for my a-fib and a-flutter. I am off all meds now. I would not hesitate to do it again. Good Luck with continued NSR!!! Wishing you well, and wishing you enough...

deleted_user 08/09/2009

I've had afib for a long time and it recently went into persistent afib. I'm taking all kinds of pills: ace inhibit., CCB, beta blocker and statins. I was on Rythmal for awhile but it didn't help. I was considering ablation but in researching it I have come across some horror stories. Now I'm thinking it's not such a good idea and maybe I can live with afib. The doctor said that ablation has not shown to lengthen life. There is supposed to be a new drug out called Multaq that is better than anything so far in stopping afib. Has anyone heard of it?

jodelleknits 08/09/2009

I have no info on Multaq, but I, too, am a success story for ablation. I had my ablation in Feb. 09, and I am feeling better than I have for years. I can drink iced tea for the first time in years without fear of the stimulants setting me off into an afib episode. Ablation may not lengthen life span, but it sure improves the quality of life. The doctors tell us that afib doesn't shorten life span and is not a serious problem. It can seriously affect the quality of your life though!! I am so happy for the improvement in the quality of my life and for those of you who also had successful ablations.

deleted_user 08/09/2009

I agree with you 100% Jodelleknits!!! Since my ablation, my qualitity of life has improved soo much! It took me 2 years of research on ablation to finally decide to have one. The best decision I ever made.

deleted_user 08/09/2009

I have mine scheduled for Aug. 21st at the VA Hospital in Portland, OR. I am looking forward to this like an overdue Christmas present. I wish it was tomorrow. I told my Primary Care that if they didn't come up with a date for treatment, I was willing to go downtown, cuss out a cop, and get tazed ~~ just joking

deleted_user 08/09/2009

Hi Rotorhead!!

That was funny! Good Luck with your ablation. I pray that your outcome is as good as mine was. Wishing you well, and wishing you enough...

deleted_user 08/10/2009

Rotorhead.. back when my afib was crazy, my bf tossed around the idea of "tazing some sense into my heart" as well. New craze in a-fib self-medication?! (I hope not!)

deleted_user 10/29/2010

Don't be afraid, but be informed. Stay away from teaching hospitals: http://adventuresincardiology.com

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