Cardioversions are part of the process. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. In my case, I was in afib all the time starting in June of 2008. I was also in heart failure. I was put on numerous medications and cardioverted electrically several times over a period of a year. The cardioversions only gave me relief for about 3 or 4 days each time. I eventually had an ablation two years ago. I was afib free for over a year except for an episode of afib in Sept 2010. I was immediately cardioverted and was put on Tikosyn. Afib free since then. My doctors were conservative and exhausted all methods until ablation was the right thing to do for me. I think various steps have to be taken to justify an ablation to the insurance companies; that is my guess. There were many times I just wanted to give up, but so glad my doctors did the right thing for me. I have normal heart rate, blood pressure and my heart has healed nicely. I take altace, tikosyn and a full strength aspirin daily and feel normal again. My EP told me the ablation for someone in my condition had a 50% chance of working, but we were successful. They are getting better all the time. Your doctors should be advising you of all the options going forward. Hang in there.

Thank you Patty. I can think along those lines-that it is a process. I'm a process thinker anyway.

Where insurances are concerned there does seem to be a process before they will cover ablation. Some people do have success with cardioversion. There is no way to predict so you just have to try it and see how long it lasts. I have only heard of cardioversion failing to restore normal rhythm rarely. It usually works, the big question mark is how long it will last. Hope you have long lsting success. Best wishes

I had cardioversion 2 weeks ago and it lasted all of 3 days. I'm going to try it once more after being on amiodarone (well that's the plan anyway, but I'm scared of the drug). I wish you better luck then I had.

I'm scheduled for the cardioversion next week, July 8. My Dr and i talked about all the possible outcomes and alternatives. He will not put me on amiodarone bcause of the side effects but will probably try some other drugs after the cardioversion to 'hold it', he said. Even if it lasts a year i would be happy with that for now.

I had electrical cardioversion about 3 months ago, no AFib since. I am on Metoprolol 25mg, twice a day.
I am glad I did it, it's a simple and painless procedure.

Ecofr, thank you so much for you reply. it gives me hope.

Hi ecofr,
I am glad the cardioversion has worked for you. That is great. However, I am just curious why you are still taking Metoprolol. Is it for high blood pressure or to slow down your heart rate in the case the A Fib comes back again? Doesn't it make you tired and out of energy? Just curious. Thanks.
Scott

Hi ScottZZ,
I take Metoprolol to slow down the heart rate. My BP changes a lot, but it is typically low.
Do you have experience with Metoprolol?

Hi Ecofr,
Yes, I used to take Metoprolol to control the heart rate when I get my A Fib. But, it did not work for me. I still got my A Fibs with vengence (very scary). But, Metoprolol caused my normal blood pressure to drop way too low (95/56), which made me feel like fainting, very tired, and out of energy. So, I stopped taking Meteprolol on regular basis. Instead, another cardialogist gave me Propranolol, which I was taking when my A Fib would start. The effect of Propranolol is about only 2 hours. I would take another pill if the A Fib still continued after 2 hours. But, usually, my A Fib went away within 2 to 3 hours. I never had to take 2 pills.

So, if you feel tired and out of energy, discuss this with your doctor. May be you do not have to take Metoprolol. May be he/she can give you something like Propranolol to take if and when your A Fib shows up.

A problem that I see is that some healthy people are on rate-control drugs on an on-going basis after they get an A Fib (I did). However, it seems to me, most of the time those drugs do NOT work when an A Fib episode shows up. The big problem is that the side effect of those drugs makes life miserable for a healthy person with A Fib.

I think, for healthy people with A Fib, and normal blood pressure, may be taking a rate control drug when the A Fib starts would be more effective with less side effect. Just my opinion based on my own experience.

I know when I took rate control drugs for my A Fib, I was feeling bad all the time and it was not because of my A Fib, but the side effect of the drugs.

Shantima,
Wish you lots of luck and success on your cardioversion. I hope it works for you. Let us know.
Scott

Thank you so much Scott. 3 more days and I have my fingers crossed. I'll let you know how it goes.

I had my last cardioversion in February, this time due to flutter. Previously I had been in afib since heart valve replacement August 2010. It's an easy process and this time I have been arrythmia free since Feb 2011. I do take Multaq. My cardio wants me on it for at least a year. I feel great and hopefully it will work long term for you. I hope all goes well and it is successful.

Thank you Katyreck. I'm so happy you're still a fib free. I hope i can join you in this.

Well had my cardioversion today. Lasted all of 3 seconds. All i have to show for it is a small burn and some sore muscles. The Dr. will change my meds in a week or so and maybe try again. I'm so bummed. I am just about at the end of my rope with these symptoms. The procedure itself was not bad. i could tolerate it again.

Hi Shantima,
I am so sorry that the cardioversion did not appear to work for you and get rid of your A Fib. However, I am glad the procedure was not too bad for you. Here is what I have to offer:

- Please concentrate on what you are eating (or not eating, which you need). If your problem is caused by food, I do NOT think anything can help you except you eliminate the cause for your A Fib. Change your diet. Keep track of what you are eating and the intensity of your A Fib.

- Recently, I found out that the local Arizona grown Kale gives me A Fib within one hour or so. However, the California Kale brings on the A Fib in 8 hours or so. So, I am staying away from the kale in my diet.

Also, I have noticed if I eat a good portion of "watermelone", I get A Fib in 2 hours or so. As A result, I eat little watermelone every day and not a lot (1/4 of a big one).

Also, I know taking 1000 mg of vitamin C gives me A Fib. So, I take a total of 500 mg per day in divided doses of vitamin C.

Yes, I know keeping track of what to eat and not to eat is a pain. But, it beats taking drugs and having A Fib.

I think "kale and watermelone" brings on the A Fib in me because of the amount minerals (potassium?) that they have. They make my electrolytes out of balance. So, I don't eat them. Vitamin C, I am not sure of. May be it draws too much water out of my body and throw off my electrolytes.

All the above might be different for you and other people. The reason I mentioned it is to bring your attention to other causes of A Fib in other people like myself.

Your A Fib might be caused by something you are eating, yes, that simple. Or may be not. But, you have to make an effort to see if it is caused by your diet or not. Otherwise, you never know and you will be jumping from doctor to doctor and changing drugs in the hope to find relief.

For me, a simple diet consisted of eggs, non-oily fish, bread, and lentils. Certain white rice or brown rice also caused A Fib in me. I am okay with them now.

By the way, doctors do NOT know why kale or watermelone gives me A Fib. When I ask them, they just look at me!

I wish you good luck for your A Fib.
Scott