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.
Greetings All,
Been away for a couple of weeks, and lots of entries to read...
Briefly, my quick story:
1.) AFIB started in 30 JAN
2.) Took meds, didn't control it,
3.) RF Ablation 2 JUN at DUKE Medical Center (Top 10 Heart Centers in the Country)
4.) 6 weeks after ablation #1 , went totally off meds,
5.) 2 weeks, 2 days later AFIB returned with a vengeance!
Update:
1.) Was in AFIB continuously for 4 weeks (didn't get in due to scheduling mix-up),
2.) Went in for a electro-cardio-version-ing,
3.) And a Tikosyn reload (2 weeks ago this coming WED)
4.) After reload, they had a CRYO ablation cancellation,
5.) Thus created a time-slot for last WED to have a CRYO-ablation
My Dr performed both CRYO and RF (400 sites) ablation techniques. He basically said that "everything that could be done, has been done" for you. If this doesn't work, then I'll stay on the pills for a while.
The recovery went better the 2nd time around than the first time. I talked to them about it, and they gave me some intravenous Tylenol. Worked great! I was on my back for 6 hours after the procedure with little or no back pain. Puncture sites seem to be healing as expected.
Last FRI I had a little AFIB, Ditto SAT. Not sure if it's related to CRYO or not, but Dr told me before I left the hospital not to worry about short-term AFIB (AFIB shorter than 3 days duration).
Misc rant: One of the things that I can't figure out is.... is the folks who have AFIB seldom and are overly worried about it. I don't understand it because I don't have it. When my AFIB comes on, it usually does not go away. And the fear... instead of fear, I get angry. I can ask 'Why' a hundred times, but there is still no answer. Dizziness, light headed, cognitive ability decline are there when I get AFIB. I have never blacked-out though....
I took a poll while in the hospital: "Would you have the procedure if you responded well to the meds?" Interestingly, out of 6 people (DR, NURSE, Pharm, etc.) 3 would say on the meds, and 3 would take the risk of having the ablation if there was a small chance of being cured.
Regarding entry through the wrist, my Dr discussed it. He indicated that it would be used 'only in special cases, where a specific catheter would be used.' In my case, they tried 7 times to get a Atrial-Line into my right arm veins with no success. While on the table, I saw the catheter. I don't think it would fit in my arm!
If you want to see the cryo ablation process, go to the MEDTRONICS website... They make the device and have a good video.
So for me, the last week-and-a-half have been a blur. Electro-cardio-versioning, tikosyn load, and ablation recently.
Finally, many of you know that I am medicine-resistant (refuse to take it even when in high-risk). After this last 1.5 weeks, I have a new-found respect for meds (as long as they work for you w/o too many side affects). If I have to take meds going forward, then I'll do it. The experience of constant AFIB for 4 weeks has re-shaped my views. Simply put, I can't survive in constant AFIB.
Thanks and hopefully didn't PO too may people.
Robert
Been away for a couple of weeks, and lots of entries to read...
Briefly, my quick story:
1.) AFIB started in 30 JAN
2.) Took meds, didn't control it,
3.) RF Ablation 2 JUN at DUKE Medical Center (Top 10 Heart Centers in the Country)
4.) 6 weeks after ablation #1 , went totally off meds,
5.) 2 weeks, 2 days later AFIB returned with a vengeance!
Update:
1.) Was in AFIB continuously for 4 weeks (didn't get in due to scheduling mix-up),
2.) Went in for a electro-cardio-version-ing,
3.) And a Tikosyn reload (2 weeks ago this coming WED)
4.) After reload, they had a CRYO ablation cancellation,
5.) Thus created a time-slot for last WED to have a CRYO-ablation
My Dr performed both CRYO and RF (400 sites) ablation techniques. He basically said that "everything that could be done, has been done" for you. If this doesn't work, then I'll stay on the pills for a while.
The recovery went better the 2nd time around than the first time. I talked to them about it, and they gave me some intravenous Tylenol. Worked great! I was on my back for 6 hours after the procedure with little or no back pain. Puncture sites seem to be healing as expected.
Last FRI I had a little AFIB, Ditto SAT. Not sure if it's related to CRYO or not, but Dr told me before I left the hospital not to worry about short-term AFIB (AFIB shorter than 3 days duration).
Misc rant: One of the things that I can't figure out is.... is the folks who have AFIB seldom and are overly worried about it. I don't understand it because I don't have it. When my AFIB comes on, it usually does not go away. And the fear... instead of fear, I get angry. I can ask 'Why' a hundred times, but there is still no answer. Dizziness, light headed, cognitive ability decline are there when I get AFIB. I have never blacked-out though....
I took a poll while in the hospital: "Would you have the procedure if you responded well to the meds?" Interestingly, out of 6 people (DR, NURSE, Pharm, etc.) 3 would say on the meds, and 3 would take the risk of having the ablation if there was a small chance of being cured.
Regarding entry through the wrist, my Dr discussed it. He indicated that it would be used 'only in special cases, where a specific catheter would be used.' In my case, they tried 7 times to get a Atrial-Line into my right arm veins with no success. While on the table, I saw the catheter. I don't think it would fit in my arm!
If you want to see the cryo ablation process, go to the MEDTRONICS website... They make the device and have a good video.
So for me, the last week-and-a-half have been a blur. Electro-cardio-versioning, tikosyn load, and ablation recently.
Finally, many of you know that I am medicine-resistant (refuse to take it even when in high-risk). After this last 1.5 weeks, I have a new-found respect for meds (as long as they work for you w/o too many side affects). If I have to take meds going forward, then I'll do it. The experience of constant AFIB for 4 weeks has re-shaped my views. Simply put, I can't survive in constant AFIB.
Thanks and hopefully didn't PO too may people.
Robert
I'm sure you know you will have afib attacks for awhile, as long as the first 3 months. But if they hit 400 spots with RF and cold, it would seem you will be completely cured or drastically improved. You are paroxsymal, not persistent. How about your atria? Are they enlarged? How old are you? Did they score your fibrosis level? Any other medical issues? Any sleep apnea?
Good luck. I hope this one works for you.
How long did your procedure take? Is 400 sites higher than the norm?
1.) Oddly my EP DR, pharmD advised _against_ it,
2.) Dr's chief nurse and charge nurse said _go_for_it,
3.) My normal Cardiologist (yes, have it) and her nurse (no) were split on it.
Yes, I am very symptomatic. I can tell when it hits and usually estimate my HR.
My first ablation, the DR hit 2800 sites. Procedure lasted about 6 hours. Painful recovery w/o the intravenous Tylenol. If you have a procedure, you should ask your anesthesia doctor to push it right before you leave the OR.
My 2nd ablation lasted less than 4 hours. The CRYO is relatively short due to the procedure itself (look for a video and you'll understand). Once in position, it takes 4 minutes for freezing each of the 4 veins. Other time was spent hitting the 400 sites. These were just a touch-up since he'd hit 2800 the first go round.
Yes AFIB is possible for the next 3 months.
I have no other health issues. That's why many believed that if the ablation could fix it, then go for it. Other than a little sinus spray, up until 30 JAN 2011, I have taken no medicines.
My Atria is 'normal'. I understand if AFIB continues, it could make it abnormal. Paroxysmal or persistent, I'm not sure. The only thing I do know is that 'once it starts it's likely to not end.'
My sleep study shows I do not have sleep apnea.
The risks associated with the procedure, for me, were off-set by the chance of being 'cured'.
Interestingly about the 'success' of the first ablation. Prior to it, my AFIB was not controlled by meds. After it, my AFIB was 'mostly' controlled by meds. If not completely cured this time around, I hope to get to the 'pill in the pocket'; however, this is usually for people who have 2-4 episodes per year, not as frequent as once a month. My definition of 'success' before was to, after the procedure, to be totally off meds and no AFIB for a year. I have since re-defined success....
On a side note, I was extremely fortunate while in the hospital being electro-cardio-verted. I probably had ~3 hours with the EP Dr, 2 with his head-nurse, 2 with the PharmD, 2 with others on his staff. I understand the EP Dr only does rounds twice a year. We developed a nice relationship... he was impressed that I had researched the Medtronic CRYO-Catheter, watched the video, and described it to him. He commented that 'likely others on his staff hadn't seen it and thus didn't know how it works...'
Again, to have a procedure is really personal. My wife wasn't sure if I should go for round 2, but she's seen a better recovery than the first one. Being in constant AFIB for 4 weeks has re-shaped my views. The best case would be to be completely AFIB and thus med free in 3 months; the likely case would be to still be on some low dosage of meds; and worst case would be uncontrolled AFIB or some post-surgical event.
We'll have to wait and see my progress...
CRYO vs. RF ablation techniques, that's another whole thread. I learned alot from talking with my DR. Note that everyone is not a candidate for CRYO. Additionally, many doctors don't do it because it's something new they have to learn. Some argue it takes longer (which my DR doesn't believe)...Once you repeat the process 10 or 100 times, you get better than the first time. Finally there is a new LASER treatment on the horizon...
Robert
Right now I am doing well with flecainide. I have paroxsymal a fib that was becoming more frequent. I was having 4-6 hour episodes 2 to 3 times a week.
I am hoping the flecainide works for a few years and by then the procedure will be even better. Maybe I can hold out for the laser treatment.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
I'm glad to know that they cryo may be a shorter procedure. I too asked about going through the wrist, and was told that it is not for this procedure, just yet.
I have about 2 episodes a week and some can last as long as 24 hours, most about 12 hours. I do not see a difference sotolol makes (other than minor side effects) but the doctor claims that it keeps me from being in permanent AF. I have too many episodes to live with it and I don't want to be on these medicines the rest of my life.
Let me know how you are doing. I hope the second times a charm.
Take care, Joan