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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shannonrebec 08/16/2011

Hi! I've never posted with this group before, but I am now looking for some advice. My husband was diagnosed with afib around the age of 30, he is now 36. Every time he goes to the hospital people comment on how young he is to have this condition, which makes him feel just great! He is going to the cardiologist today to talk about getting the ablation surgery.

He only has about one episode a year where he has to go to the hospital, so I don't even know if he would qualify as being a good candidate for this procedure. He just wants to come off the medication. He has always taken flecanide (sp?) and every time he has an episode they up his dose. He says he always feels like crap. He has gone to several doctors for different symptoms thinking something else is going on. None of the doctors have found anything wrong with him, so he is chalking it up to this medication. He believes once he has ablation and gets off the medication he will feel much better.

I just want to hear from some of you who have been there. I know everyone's situation is different, but any advice/suggestions can help him with his decision. Thanks for listening!

deleted_user 08/16/2011

I have been to three doctors and was told three different things. One ablation,one drugs and one just asprin, which is what I am doing.my brother had two abaltions and it really hurt his quality of life. If he only had one episode it may have been caused by a trigger he can void too much caffine. There is no turning back from an ablation.

svenska 08/17/2011

On the other hand, I had an ablation in 2007 and it totally changed my life for the better. I carefully chose an EP, did lots of research. I think it's really important if you do decide to have it done to choose a doctor carefully. I have not had any episodes (maybe once in a great while a little fluttery feeling for a couple of seconds). I had gotten to the point where I wanted the ablation because I was tired of living on the edge, never knowing when I was going to have an episode/ER visit...very disconcerting. So, in my case, it worked out fine. I realize everyone is different but then on the other hand "nothing ventured, nothing gained" either! It took several months after the ablation for my heart to "settle down" which is normal. I also started out taking flecainide, but was slowly taken off of it. I hope this helps a little....whatever you decide I wish you the best of luck!

deleted_user 08/17/2011

I had to go off of Flecinide. It made me feel really bad. Now I take Metoprolol and feel wonderful. If he chooses ablation do it now because it gets worse and now I have afib all of the time but fortunately I don't feel it. Now its too late for an ablation. I'll be on meds for the rest of my life. But I'm 71. If I were 30 I sure would give ablation a try. The new cryoablation is supposed to be even better. They simply freeze the heart tissue rather than burning it and the results are so much better with no after effects. I would check it out. Good luck.

deleted_user 08/17/2011

I had an ablation, and it has helped immensely. I could not take the drugs--I tried so many and they all made me feel worse than the actual condition. Plus, being in afib is exhausting. You have to get an ablation early on in the progression of your disease or it won't be effective, so go before it is really bad. Also, the KEY to an ablation is the skill of the surgeon. DO NOT go to any old EP at your local cardiologist office. You should go to a major teaching hospital, like NYU or Boston, or whatever major city you are near. They should be performing tons and tons of the procedure to be considered skilled.

deleted_user 08/17/2011

Unlike your husband I was in constant afib and could only be in sinus with Multaq. I had an ablation (took two) and was able to come off all meds and I feel very good. Two other posts comment on finding a trigger, if you are lucky this could work and I heard of a number of people who were lucky with this approach and with the right meds live and, live a normal life. The other post talks about finding a experienced doctor. THIS IS A MUST! and ask lot's of questions regarding their success rate..my definition is after an ablation the patient is off all meds. Also inquire about % of complications this is a serious procedure and can cause lifelong problems. Not to scare you but cautious, I am a firm believer in ablations. Good luck and let us know how it all goes.

thorncrown4 08/17/2011

Hi,
I know how your husband feels. I was 36 when I was first diagnosed with it, and yeah, it just makes you feel great when people tell you how young you are to have that condition. I read some of the posts and I didn't realize that if you don't get the ablation early in your disease that it won't be effective. I'm going to have to talk to my EP about this. What a bummer. I hope your husband finds a good EP and has great success with his ablation (if he decides to go forward with it). If he has success, please let me know which EP he went to!

NYNM 08/18/2011

I am very in favor of ablation. Especially if you are young and active.

I had an ablation in Nov. 2009 and am still good (tho I occasionally have brief period of arrthymia). My EP even said that he thinks the ablation worked will and the occasional blip returns to normal because of the ablation.

He also is in favor of cardioversion, less intense, may work in husband's case. Ask about it.

Although the procedure was intense (8 hrs in my case) it was really fine, and I felt pretty good and back to work in 3 days.

shannonrebec 08/18/2011

Thanks everyone for your advice. You have given us a lot to think about and consider. He went to an ear, nose, and throat doc yesterday for some symptoms that have been bothering him for quite some time now. Turns out he may have another entirely different condition that he may need surgery for, so we're waiting to find that out. If he does, the ablation will be pushed back. We don't want to wait too long, but these medical bills are getting a little out of control. Does it ever end?!

deleted_user 08/18/2011

Hi Shannon, I'm 48 and recently diagnosed with afib. My only advice is to not be afraid to look around for or switch Doctors if your husband's not totally comfortable with his current one. I've only been diagnosed 6 months and just saw my 3rd cardiologist yesterday and scheduled a cardioversion. Boy am I glad I did'nt settle The consultation with him was great and a stark contrast from the first 2,
You can look up my current doc. by googling Florida Heart Group Orlando then searching for Dr. George Monir under 'our staff". The guy is great and I have complete faith (not my strong point).
Good luck to you both.
Michael

tomorrowsdream 08/18/2011

I'm going to see my cardiologist today. I'm wondering why they haven't tried medical conversion with your husband before ablation. I thought that was one of the last steps. Young people do have this condition, but I posted the other night where I'm tired of feeling crappy on drugs, and if this cardioversion doesn't work, and they don't feel I'm a candidate for ablation, I'm through with feeling crappy. Sometimes the treatment is worse then the results. I wish your hubby much luck. He seems like an excellent candidate for ablation to me.

deleted_user 08/18/2011

i kno how ur husband feels well im only 26 and just got diagnosed with afib i have had it for two years i have been on many meds that made me feel bad now im going for my first ablation soon its scary but good luck

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