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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Heart, Blood & Circulation
/ Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

Gave Heart Every Chance

MarkJames696
MarkJames696
I gave my heart every chance, after beating the hell out of me for the past 10 years, to kind of reset itself before I had someone else do it. Even though the intensity and rate has decreased, the frequency has increased. Everything I read tells me AFIB will not go away and could possibly turn into permanent or chronic AFIB for people like me and remodel my heart. So after years of being scared off by the horror stories I've read on the internet, I've decided to take the bull by the horns and be the one in charge of this. Not my heart. I am scheduled for a RF Pulmonary Vein Ablation on Feb. 25. Short recap: AFIB started off after taking banned supplement. Went chronic for a short bit after taking PREDNISONE. Reset on its own and nothing for a year. Started working swing shift 5 years ago and everything went down hill. My doctor sounds so sure he can cure it because of the way that I have it(PAROXYSMAL) 3 to 7 times a month, and because of new machine(STEREOTAXIS) and techniques, I'm putting my heart in his hands. lol Dr. Mark Krebs-Miami Valley Hospital- Dayton, Ohio.
Steveinnsr
Steveinnsr
Your story sounds very much like mine Mark. I waited almost 17 years to take take a more aggressive treatment approach, my Afib started in my late 30s. Like you, I got fed up and wanted to take some semblance of control. My Afib was paroxysmal as well but I had advanced to being out of rhythm about 70% of the time. I felt I was headed toward enlargement of my atrium and a scenario that lowered my success rate with ablation. In June of last year I had a RF Pulmanary Vein isolation ablation. This week marked 6 months of normal sinus rhythm for me and hopefully it'll continue this way for some time.

There are quite a few others here that have elected for an ablation so If you have any questions please ask.
MarkJames696
MarkJames696
17 years and 70% of the time, I sometimes feel like a whimp when so many other people have it worse. What you wrote is my fear, that it will get to a point where it won't be so easy to deal with. I don't do well on meds. My doctor sounds so confident. He doesn't pratice at the big dog places, Cleveland, Mayo, and it was fairly quick to get the ablation, some people would see that as a negative, but everyone I've spoken to who knows of him, talks great things. It's funny, because when I scheduled the procedure 14 days ago, I haven't had an episode. It's almost like I scared my heart.
McHale
McHale
Hey Mark,
I hear you and trying to get a pair myself to do it.
Approaching 4 years now and a recent TIA 5 months ago and still scared is the right word.....
I have AFIB every 7-10 days now a little more frequent than before.
Flecanaide is controlling it for now........don't want it to get persistent.
MarkJames696
MarkJames696
I still have 2 weeks left so we'll see just how big mine our. The first time I did an EPS study with a possible SVT abation, which I don't have, I read some bad stories on the internet and cancelled. The episodes got worse, so I rescheduled. Cardioconverted and sent home with a prescription for Rythmol. I don't do well on meds. So fast forward to now. I tried Flecanaide and had bad episodes first two weeks so pitched those. Every 7 to 10 days was my original schedule. Then it went to 2 to 3 days. Best I've had it is twice a month. My biggest problem with the episodes is when I'm in it, I can't function.
McHale
McHale
My biggest problem with the episodes is when I'm in it, I can't function. "
There you go my friend this is every reason to go for it!

Mark,
When I go into AFIB I'm mildly symptomatic so it's why I probably haven't had an ablation. I wish my aFIB knocked me flat on my back and I would've had an ablation years ago.
MarkJames696
MarkJames696
To Steve, I'm happy your ablation went well and hope that it holds for a very long time. I will be asking my EP if he will be isolating the veins, which to my understanding, is the best. Surely he would be. I went for my pre testing today, a CT scan of my Pulmanary Veins for mapping, and that dye that they use sure did suck. I felt like I was on fire for a moment. I'm now on my 15th day of no episodes since I scheduled the ablation.
MarkJames696
MarkJames696
So much for thinking I was magically cured, since it was 15 days since last episode.I kicked into AFIB at 10:30 p.m. I had a steady rythum I clocked around 50 beats in 15 seconds. And as always, I'm crashed on the bed. No matter what happens on the 25th, at least I can say I took control after all these years.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Mark I am right with you on this I can't function when in A-Fib. I have am ablation scheduled for march 13th. I'll be doing the pretesting CT scan and blood work too. I am coming in right behind you on this. I've been diagnosed over 2 years ago and have had many episodes in that time. They have been getting longer I am on flecainide and still had an event last week. I also don't do well with the meds. I am paroxysmal too. I am hoping this ablation will improve the quaility of my life.I had to quit working because of this. I could not work in construction with A-fib it's too dangerous. So I am in solidarity with MarkJames I pray your ablation will be successful.
tcaepayguy
tcaepayguy
Mark,
I believe you are making the right decision...it is funny to me how differently people view this affliction. You were saying you think it takes guts to have the surgery..for me, I felt like a wuss cuz I could NOT live with the afib. First episode in July 2012, 2nd in October, and by December I was at Hopkins signing up for the laser balloon ablation study. I kept thinking "All these people fight this so bravely for years, some for DECADES, and I can't take it for 6 months." One month past the operation, and so far so good. I think you will be very happy you made this decision. Hopefully some day soon they will have the knockout blow for this (good news about that EGK "jacket" they are developing..saw that yesterday on the post here.). Best of luck to you, and let us know how the operation goes. NSR to all of us, the brave and the not so brave!

Bill
MarkJames696
MarkJames696
Wow, bro, I felt like I was reading myself. When all this started, I had to quit the fire department in 2002, part time. Every time they would hook me up to a monitor, no one could ever catch it. I was diagnosed a little over 2 years ago. Flecanaide actually increased the episodes when i tried it and I sure did sleep alot. Very lethargic. Sotalol was worse. I was not on them very long. I use Lopressor as a pill in the pocket. When I take it helps drop the rate from about 200 bpm. Otherwise, that has always been my biggest complaint: I can't funtion. I sure hope it works for you and will let you know how mine goes so you will know what to expect.
tcaepayguy
tcaepayguy
Mark,
Yes, that was the other reason I opted for the ablation...the drugs were KILLING me..constantly tired and dizzy. I still have to take them for another 2 months, but praying that once the 3 month mark passes (end of March, beginning of April) that I will be off them and can get back to a "normal" life. Looking forward to your post op email in a few weeks.

Bill
MarkJames696
MarkJames696
You know, Bill, I never thought of it that way. Im sure you will be in NSR a very long time. Did you have the Balloon Ablation?
tcaepayguy
tcaepayguy
Mark,
Yes sir I did. Hopkins has a study going on with the laser balloon ablation, so there will be a bunch of extra check ups to see how I am doing. Are you going for the same one? Seems like there are many options out there now. Cannot recommend the laser balloon option until I am in NSR for a bit longer...but my EP said he thinks that because of the camera inside the heart, he thinks the chances of success are as high as 90%. I was more than happy to take those odds!
Bill
montos
montos
Good Luck Mark.
I'm 41 myself and have been dealing with this for 3 and a half years. 2009, 2010, 2011 it was 2 episodes a year. Then last year it was 3 big ones but quite a few times I would go into afib for a minute or two. Now its been 2 episodes in 2013 already and countless times I've gone in to afib for a minute or two.
As well the PACs are becoming constant and unbearable. I was hoping to get a few more years out of it and let the technology get better but I'm close to throwing in the towel and booking an ablation as well.
Much like you I can't function in afib and so the constant fear of going into afib is severely hurting my quality of life.

I wish you all the best and years of normal rhythm.
MarkJames696
MarkJames696
Thats how mine started. A few times the first year. The episodes were very bad and I remember one time I was laid out in the middle of the aisle way at the grocery store. I spent a long time being told it was anxiety or in my head because they could never catch it. At times I've had bouts with PVCs and PACs. It was worse when I drink beer, which I quit 4 years ago. COq10 helped with those but I had a hard time sleeping so I had to quit taking it. I think my EP is doing the classic ablation with new techniques including a machine called Stereotaxis. I will be bringing up the laser balloon procedure and as to wether he will be isolating. 90% is pretty impressive, Bill. Hang in there Montos.