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.
Scheduled for June 26. Same EP, same hospital. He says that because the Flecainide is working so well that it's likely I just need a few touchups. Doing RF this time instead of cryo.
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My Best to you
Charlene
Good luck and best wishes for this time around.
Annette
I wish you lots of luck on your 2nd ablation. But, please consider the following too: A few days after my ablation in 12/2013, I went into a bad afib/flutter. In the ER, the cardio doctor cardioversioned me and put me on Sotalol. My EP agreed with the treatment too. 4 months later, when I got together with my EP for a check up, he told me I should continue to take the Sotalol otherwise I will go back to afib. He said I CAN have another ablation for a touch up to make everything right. He also added that I can stop Sotalol if I want to see what happens.
Well, a week later after my appt with the EP, I stopped taking the Sotalol and nothing happened, I stayed in NSR. That was in Apr/2014. My EP was pleased with the outcome and my willingness to try anything, LOL.
Just may be, if you stop the Flec, you will be okay too. You or your EP don't know unless you at least try it. If it works, you don't have to go through another ablation. To me, that is a big deal since I don't want to get radiated again. Ablation procedure is okay by itself. It is pretty routine now. EPs know what they are doing and have a lot of experience.
I thought I should share my story with you since you are exactly at the same point as I was in Apr/2014.
I wish you lots of luck in whatever you decide. Go ahead Dude, make my day :-)
Scott
Scott, if I wasn't extremely symptomatic, I wouldn't even consider a second ablation. For me, the flecainide works well, but if I miss a dose by just a few hours, my symptoms come back with a vengeance. For me it's been a wonder drug, but I'd eventually like to get off meds all together. I'm a young guy who's otherwise pretty healthy (and losing weight and addressing other health issues as well since dx'ed with afib), so getting off all meds is a definite possibility for me.
The worst part about an ablation (at least for me) was the per-surgical ummm....shaving...which really only damaged my dignity. That and the removal of the urinary catheter afterwards :P But if that's the worst thing I ever have to deal with, I'll be doing pretty good.
The first ablation was cryo, I'm told this one will be RF, so it will be interesting to see how recovery goes for both procedures. If RF is anything like cryo was, it should be a breeze.
Okay, I see you have done your homework and you already know without the Flec, hell breaks loose. Yeap, hopefully the touch up will do it this time. Good luck.
The nurses prepared me after they put me out, but no catheter (hospital policy). But, after the ablation, they administered the catheter twice since I had to lay on my back for over 30 hours due to bleeding in the groin. I can tell you that pulling it out was nothing compare to inserting it. They would NOT leave it in (hospital policy). So, there was a BIG incentive to try to go without a catheter, LOL.
Also, I really don't think Cryo or RF makes any difference. My EP used both for my ablation. I just had some chest pain which went away after taking some Ibuprofen for a couple days.
Again, hope everything goes well for you.
Scott
This will be a breeze! If your EP thinks that the chances are good then your chances ARE good! Ill be rooting for you!!
Take care,
atp