What do his Drs. say? What is his HR?

My longest episode was my first, it lasted 23hrs. that I know of, it may have been longer.

My episodes now last 9-15 hrs. After a Metoprolol my rate stays in the high 90's- very low 100's. I stay kinda light headed and
drowsey.

How is he feeling? Has the dr. mentioned a cardioversion?

Mine started around January of 2011 and I'm still in afib. 22 months. petey

Thanks for the replies.
Yogacat, his doctors told him thst cardioversion is an option and he needs take 2 diltiazem each day. He also started Xarelto 20mg aday. He has had 2 cardioversions in the last 5 months. His BP is normal hist HR is about 80 beats per minute. He feels fine especially during the day. He really doesn't notice it unless laying down. It's just worrysome because we are so new to this.
Petey, what is your HR like? I've noticed on other posts that you take Pradaxa. Do you also take an arrythmia medication? Thanks so much for the feedback. Lisa

Since my first ER conversion (about 18 hours on a cardizem drip), I've had 2-3 short episodes - less than an hour, and I converted with a 60mg fast-acting diltiazem and .25mg clonazapam. I'm also on daily Multaq (400mg twice a day), 180mg diltiazem, and xarelto. You might want to ask the Dr. about a "pill in a pocket", which is what my 60mg diltiazem is.

Thank You Sautee, are you newly diagnosed?

Yes - end of July of this year.

My afib diagnosis was in August 2012 and my longest episode has been 7 days.

Since then I have had episodes that last from minutes till 3 days. Currently on 240 mg diltiazem ER daily (down from 360 mg) and aspirin.

opsyn

Lisa:

I take Bystolic (betablocker). My heart rate is 60 at night 70-85 during the day and I keep it below 130 when exercising. In other words, I am on rate control only.

petey

Petey I thought you were on Pradaxa?

My episodes last about 2 to 3 hours. I was told i can take an additional 40 to 80 mg Sotalol if I am in Afib and so far this has helped to stop my episodes after 2 1/2 hours.
Quite frankly I could not take it , if my episodes were any longer because my HR is extremely high (180plus) when in Afib. I am highly symptomatic with chest pain, breathing difficulties and near fainting.
I was diagnosed in 2009, had an ablation in October of 2011 which failed this past August. I'm back on Sotalol and intend to go for a second ablation next year. I did not have an episode since August 27

Yes, Pradaxa for anticoagulation (no rhythm drugs, I meant).

petey

Thank You to everyone for the information! It is all very appreciated. I hope everyone has a great weekend...Lisa

I was diagnosed in ER July 2010. I received both dilliazim and metoprolol.I was originally scheduled to be admitted but no bed was available. While waiting I converted to NSR and wa discharged. I was in ER 6 hrs. I had been in AF at least 12 hours before going to ER.
I was referred to a cardiologist.He convinced me I should be on Warfarin. I declined re:other meds
Episodes last between 9 - 22 hours before I self covert. My only symptoms are an awareness of an irregular HB and fatigue and a flash of lightheadedness when coming out of AF.
Recently the episodes are getting longer. My main concern is that I don't convert only own.
I was prescribed Propafenone 225mg as a PIP. After reading about the side effects etc I hesitate to try it. I think I will however if the episodes go over 24 hours.In AF my HR aside from the one visit to ER has been under 95 My normal HR is in the 45-55 range.
Wishing all NSR.
Annette

I was diagnosed with AF in 2005. My episodes would last for several hours and sometimes a couple of days. It became persistent in 2010 and even cardioversion did not convert me for more than a few seconds. I went on amioderone for a couple of months and it did convert me; although I would never take it again. After 2 ablations, it is paroxysmal again and haven't had any episodes for about 2 months now. I am currently on flecainide, atenolol and aspirin. Good luck to your husband. I was told that AF begets more AF and that over time it can become persitent. If he is considering ablation at all, it is best to do it before it becomes persistent.

Thanks so much RN52. We are hoping it doesn't become permanent. He has a scheduled ablation on the 11th of January. Hopefully that brings some relief. Lisa