Don,

I have been on tikosyn (some off, mostly on) for since JAN 2011. I tolerate it well. Also my DR says that it is one of the most effective, has less side affects, and is not too stressful on internal organs that keeps you in NSR.

I've had 3 ablations and they have mostly been successful. (But it depends on how you measure success.)

Robert

I was on Tikosyn before my ablation and tolerated it well with only a few breakthroughs. I am having many episodes again and i think I will opt to go back on the Tikosyn as it gave me no side effects that I am aware of. It is just the cost that is so frustrating. Sotolol makes me so tired.

Good luck!

I would get another opinion. My EP said not to worry until I'm in afib 30 percent of the time. I take bystolic for high blood pressure, and a baby aspirin once a day. That's it. I have metaprolol on hand for when I go into afib to slow my heart down... But it won't get you out of afib.. I convert on my own in a few hours.

I think the medical community is far off base with ablation. Rather than scar the heart, the research needs to go into what causes afib.They don't even know!

Personally, I would avoid an ablation unless absolutely necessary. They're not as benign as the doctors would have you believe. It's not an "easy fix," many times requires multiple ablutions, and comes with some possible serious side effects. Google the words afib, ablation and brain damage.

Thanks for your posts.

I agree about how little is really known about afib and treatments. My episodes always arise from my gut. Usually starts a bloat and when the bloat subsides so does my afib.
I have proven to myself that certain foods cause afib episodes for me like chocolate, HFCS, corn syrup, any veggie known to cause gas.

Thus week I am having daily episodes and today I realized it could all be stress. Tomorrow, 6/20, I am having cataract surgery and I am anxious to say the least.

I believe my afib was caused by prescribed benzo use that started about tweve years ago. It was low dose and "as needed" and I was told using klonopin like that would do no harm. I stopped taking klonopin a year ago and I am still going through withdrawal/recovery which is very difficult.
Anyone else here develope afib after benzo use?

Dons said, "My episodes always arise from my gut." I think you may have answered your own question on some causes. We can do , or eliminate the bad things that may provoke AF. It would seem to me that when you have done all you can for this condition and have reached an end of success, then would the conversation even begin on ablation. I remain a skeptic for no other reason than we dont have any studies for long term ramifications or solid figures on our exposure to radiation 50 times the limit with ablation.

Dons – my EP said to come back if I’m in a-fib 50% of the time (otherwise I’ll see him next February). I hit 16% this month and honestly, I’m not looking forward to when it hits 50%. I’ve already had two failed ablations so it looks like it’s just going to be more drugs. Yuck.
Carpe diem,
atp