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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Paul60 08/05/2014

It has been four months since my ablation. Today I had my appointment with my EP. I told her a had a 3 hr. AFIB two weeks ago, and another one last night of 3-4 hours with the associated frequent urination. Those are the only episodes I have had after the first 30 days from the ablation. I do get PAC's daily but that frequency has decreased and the PAC runs usually lasts less than 15 minutes. She said that since the heart has healed from the ablation, we need to see what this new issue is. My EKG was normal (well my heart rate is slow, from exercising all my life).

Sooo, next week I'm getting an implanted heart monitor (Reveal LINQ) that talks thru the cell phone system). Medicare approved these in April, and I'm on Medicare as of this past Friday (8/1), I'll be 65 on Monday. This monitor is way cool, less than 2 inches long and a little more than 1/8 inch around. They put in in with a hypodermic in 3 minutes. I works for 3-4 years. http://www.medtronic.com/patients/fainting/device/our-insertable-cardiac-monitors/reveal-linq-icm/index.htm

I really hope I don't need another ablation.

tvanslooten 08/18/2014

@Paul - I'm just curious. Why did you go straight to the implantable monitor? Couldn't you have gone with an old fashioned 30-day monitor?

@Scottz - That's interesting that Omega 3 causes your afib episodes when there are so many articles that say just the opposite - a diet high in Omega 3's can prevent arrhythmias.

Travis

ScottZZ 08/19/2014

Travis,

It is interesting that you are asking the same question from Paul regarding the implanted monitor. The idea sound high tech and good but I would opt out and I will be happy with the old fashion monitor with wires. I guess I don't want something foreign in my body. You never know, it might start growing :-)

As far as omega 3 and afib, yes I hear you. I am baffled about it myself. I have spent lots of my own money to get to the bottom of it by going to different doctors and doing different things. But, I am still sensitive to omega 3 fatty acid. Now, I have to add greens to it too. Anything with deep green color elevates my heart rate after 7 to 8 hours (excluding cabbage which is NOT really green).

Any suggestion?

Scott

Paul60 08/19/2014

Travis:

I had an external event recorder after my ablation. I wore it for 30 days. I was a real pain. First, there's the wires and that big external box hanging off you. Second, you need to change the sticky pads every day, shortly you a tearing pieces of skin off your chest... not fun. Third, you need to upload the data once or twice a day, another 1/2 hour of my life down the tubes each day. Fourth, the external box is good for 1,7 maybe up to 30 days. Well, I might not have an event in that time slot. Fifth: and possibly most important, the damn thing was alarming 20-60 times a days, making me a nervous wreak.

I think the implant in much better. No fuss, good for 3-4 years and you don't feel like an invalid!

Hope I answered your question.

daisy0808 08/20/2014

I have the implant monitor too and I love it, as Paul says no fuss no muss and he is right about the 30 day monitor, it goes off all the time and you have to transmit after 3 set offs only to be told there is nothing to be alarmed about, I do not think they are very accurate myself, Went to my EP for check up last week and he was like a kid in a candy store with the data from the implant, really gives him the whole picture to help us make better decisions as far as treatment goes.

Paul60 08/21/2014

It has been one week since the Reveal LINQ monitor had been implanted. This morning I had the staples removed and the wound checked. The wound is fine. I suspected I had an AFIB episode Sunday/Monday, but I did not mark it electronically. I wanted to see want would happen. Sure enough, when I got to the EP's office, they already knew I had an episode of 7 hours Sunday/Monday. I guess this thing really works.

Seems like I'm having these short episodes about every two weeks. They are no where near as bad as they used to be, and as always, I self convert. So let's see how things go over the coming months. I think I can live with what I've got right now, we'll see what the EP says in a few months. I'd rather try drugs, if necessary, than another ablation.

daisy0808 08/21/2014

I am with you Paul on the drug thing and not another ablation, I had not gone on the Sotalol yet just waiting it out..........

Paul60 08/30/2014

Last night I had another AFIB episode. It ran about 4 hours and I had to pee 5 times. My BP was and heart were normal when I went to bed, and normal when I woke up. I got up to check my rate with the Oximeter, and it was bouncing around as is usual with AFIB, however, the rate only went up to 114, so the episode was not as severe as the one I had before the ablation. I electronically marked the episode with the little box that comes with the Reveal Implanted heart monitor.

That makes three episodes in August each about 12-13 days apart. Guess I'll be talking about drugs with my EP when I return from Italy. BAH!!!

yogacat 08/30/2014

So Sorry for the Disappointment. This is not the finale!

Paul60 08/30/2014

I went to the gym this morning, but I only could do 2/3 of my workout. I was too wiped out, lightheaded and dehydrated from last nights AFIB and peeing. I hate this. The ablation only lasted four months! Anyhow, now its nap time.

daisy0808 08/30/2014

Since your afib was not as severe is a blessing, try to just hang in there, I had several episodes the first months and only two since being off the Tikosyn, frustrating I know but better than I was before the ablation, have the new med and still have not taken it, still working on getting my thyroid straightened in hopes that will take care of things for me, if not I will take the new med eventually.

Do you notice lots of PACs in the time proceeding the afib episodes?

Paul60 08/31/2014

I still have some PAC's, but I don't think they increase proceeding an episode. However, I wasn't feeling 100% for a day or two before the episode, notice the ANXIETY thread. I'm hoping the anxiety brought this on, however, I don't think so. I seem to be on a two week cycle. Maybe my heart is still healing (its been nearly 5 months since my ablation, and for the three months after the first I was fine) ... I hope so. I feel better today, I slept well last night, and was resting the remainder of yesterday. . That dehydration really wipes me out.

ScottZZ 09/01/2014

Pual,

I am very sorry about your episodes. Hopefully they are just a part of the healing process after the ablation. I am not sure if you take any beta blocker or alike when you start having an episode. If you don't, I think, perhaps you should.

I take a low dose beta blocker (25 mg Atenolol) as soon as my heart rate gets elevated to mid 90s. Within 20 minutes, that brings it down to around 80.

You should definitely take a rate control PIP with you for your trip to Italy just in case. In general, I would think you want to stop the afib ASAP. I believe a beta blocker would do that. I am not in favor of taking drugs. But, sometimes they can be very helpful specially during vacations. Please talk to your EP or cardio doctor and get some sort of PIP before you go. I am sure if you have it you will NOT need it, Murphy's Law, remember? :-)

Please disregard what I am saying if you already have and/or take a PIP when and if you go to afib.

Have a nice Labor Day,
Scott

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