Sorry about the news Ray. I don't think the cheek quivering is a sign of Afib. Ask your doctor if he thinks cardioversion will work. Is it electrical cardioversion or will you be put on medicine? Mine was with medicine when I was in the hospital and now it's managed with medicine. While I was recovering from myocarditis, they put me on aspirin and Metoprolol. I was switched to betapace a year later and have been on it ever since (10 years now!). I was able to stop to aspirin 18 months or two years after the initial infection, and I'm still carefully monitored for clots. I've also been on Digoxin for about 9 months now, after I began having more Afib episodes.
The only issues I've had is the digoxin covers up the symptoms of my low blood sugar and the beta blockers make my asthma worse. However, in my case, the benefits outweigh the risks and I do okay on other asthma/allergy medicines.
I have no idea if this helped or not, but that's just my cardioversion experience. I know mine is probably different from most of yours, since it was caused by myocarditis

I've had 5 cardioversions and none of them lasted longer than a week. To me its a waste of time. I hae aFib all the time and don't feel it either so I take meds (Metoprolol, Diltiazem, Lasex, etc.) I've been on them for 3 years and feel pretty good. I take Warfarin and go once a month for a blood test. It took me a year to get over the initial fear and now its like I don't even have it. I also have a CPAP for sleep apnea. Its made a huge difference.

Hello
I think I would start with meds first to see if they help the Afib., instead of doing a cardioversion, unless you have other risk factors. And I would consult with a EP.
Good Luck it is a hard decision to make.
Mek3

My cardioversion is working and I was in afib all the time. I had the cardio version about 6 weeks ago. I am an avid hiker. lift weights. and do spin bike for training. I hike/snowshoe once a week for 4-8 hours.

My guess is that I was in afib for about 2 years before it was discovered. I am otherwise very fit - no other issues.

My understanding of the protocol (from lots of reading) is that they will try 2 cardioversions at least and then move onto ablation. Two ablations give you a 75-85% success rate. Cardioversion is about a 15% success rate (hope I am one of the lucky ones).

I know people who have had success with cardioversions, ablation and none of the above. I think its partly a function of how long you were in the afib before treatment.

Its an easy procedure, if that makes a difference.

As you can see from all these comments, this is a disease that is different in everyone, treated differently with every dr, reactions to procedures and meds, all different too. It is very frustrating that there are no clear answers.

My best suggestion to you would be to find a cardio dr that you are comfortable with and also have an good EP dr, as he is the one who should be doing any procedures with you.

I have had afib for 3 years, no other medical issues. Last year I had a mini stroke, very scary. I have never had a cardioversion, but I did have an ablation in March. The first 6 weeks felt like there was no changes, still lots of episodes and the usual 12 - 14 hrs long, but now they coming very seldom. He said that it takes about 6 months to know if it is successful, but I would do it again to not have this.

The best thing about this site is how much information you can gather and find out what is best for you. Also you can go the the drs with more information and better questions. Take care, Joan

Twinsisters is right, this disease is so different to everyone. I agree find yourself a good cardiologist and a EP doctor. When I was diagnosed with afib I had it for about 2 months before converting chemically. But I was walking around for about a month in afib and didnt even know it...I was very tired, shortness of breath, just felt horrible.I had my first appt with an EP doctor for cardioversion, but when I saw him I had converted back to normal sinus rhythm. Stay positive and best wishes to you!!

thanks , i am going back to my intense cardio and lifting xcersise from june .
i guess i was in afib for many years and dint know .
i am now on meds to get my inr close to 2 to 3.
also they have put me on vitamin d, magnsium 250 gm 2 tablets a day .
i had a cut yesterday while cutting mango , i guess now that i know it i am prone to getting cuts .
this is going to be story of my life , but i am getting over my initial shock and awe thing .

Hey Ray,

You are going to be all right! As you see things are different for everyone...I was very symptomatic in A-fib or A-flutter, in other words, my heart rate was generally between 150 and 210 and would not go to NSR without the electric cardioversion (re-boot)...if my rate was under 130 I could go as long a ten days without getting too tired and clamoring for a reboot, but most of the time (13 total in 9 months) I was over 145 bpm and could not tolerate it longer than 3 days...

The relief after a cardioversion was for me a big deal, but never lasted longer than a month...I still needed 8 more after my first ablation, but only one since my second PVI ablation...

If you don't feel rough I would stick with the meds, but the cardioversion is no big deal to have...hang in there...