Second Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation - My Experience

[MrsSinister1]

Thanks for posting the vid. BTW.

[MrsSinister1]

I just had my second ablation. I have stubborn A-fib / SVT. I like to surf, hike, etc. and found these conditions to be a challenge. I am also a health nut. (Zero alcohol, alkaline diet, etc.) I'm 39 years old now. I had my second one about 11 days ago. This morning I had a rate of 105 resting and A-fib for a sustained amount of time. I'm still on Rythmol and Verapamil, plus comadin. Considering a pacemaker. I know it would mean being pace-dependant, but not convinced a 3rd will work.

[criartoros]

Hi, I had this cathetor ablation done 4 months ago.No symptoms post surgery,Im 41.All the symptoms of breathlessness,severe fatigue, dizziness,paplatations were gone. Not one single palpatation. Then 6 weeks after the procedure, it came back with a bang. I was dissapointed, at one point I ended up in hospital with a high heart rate. Since the op my A fib is more persistant and aggressive. My cardiologist gave me 2 options, a second ablation or The Cox Maze procedure(90% success rate).

[vnlla434]

I am so glad you posted this video, I have had my second ablation in october and after two weeks it is back with. It seems to be more active than before, they put me on flecainide 100 mg 2 times as well as what the metoprolol and pradaxa. Monitor showed afib palps. Still having episodes. I am 46 female, I was a cardio teacher but cannot at this point, can't get thru it without episodes. I'm thinking just give me pacemaker and get on with my life. How about you, is that an option ?

[mumbleabout]

@vnlla434 - I'm sorry to hear about that. It can be such an emotional rollercoaster! I had short episodes for a bit, however, they finally went away! I am still on Flecanide, Metoprolol and of course Coumadin, but my Flec was cut in half and I haven't had any episodes again (yet). It appears that the second ablation took some time to really set in. I would say, give it some time. I would not really want to get a pacemaker. Keep me posted on your progress. I hope things get better 4 u.

[5353535353]

Our stories have some similarities. I'm 58 and have had afib for about 20 years. On meds for first 15, but had a cather ablation in 2007. The first procedure was a disaster and I was in bad shape for 2 months. Second procedure 6 months later kept me afib free for about a year and a half. Now scheduled for a 3rd ablation in November at Johns Hopkins. I am very active and pretty fit, as you seem to be, running 25 miles a week when I'm not having afib episodes. You have to fight the bastard.

[mfischer57]

I am waiting for my brother to finish his 3rd ablation. Do you think you will go in for another?

[mumbleabout]

@mfischer57 - it's hard to say at this point. Being in the hospital and putting your life on hold kinda wears you down after a while. I also wore a monitor and the doc said that he did not see AFIB in the three days that I had the monitor on. I have seen it occasionally (mostly in the beginning), but I see flutter at least every other night. I'll know for sure when they take me off the drugs.

[mumbleabout]

@mfischer57 - I think that the drugs are keeping me in sinus rhythm most of the time, which is much better than persistent AFIB, but I have a pretty strong feeling that once the drugs stop, things might go south again. If that happens, I will probably do a third ablation. I don't want to be on pills for the rest of my life. Please wish your brother good luck for me.

[cetbball]

I'm 18 and I'm having an ablation over this summer : ( I have tachycardia and an extra eletrical impulse in my heart. They said that abation will cure mine and keep me off beta blockers for the rest of my life so I have decided it's pretty much necessary. thanks for the video about it!

[mumbleabout]

@cetbball - Sorry about the tachycardia. I know that they told you that it would cure it, but don't get too bummed out if it doesn't. I believe it there is about a 66% chance that it will work the first time. I hope it does. If it doesn't work the first time, you have another 66 or so percent chance that it will work the second time. Those are pretty good odds! I feel the same was as you about the meds. Good luck and I really hope that it works for you the first time around!

[Mr9241959]

i wore the monitor also,they saw how bad mine was and still never put me on blood thinners until it was to late,i know u dont want to be on the blood thinners either but thats your best shot of preventing a stroke untill they can straighten you out.im on a thinner called prodaxa two a day and it automaticly sets you blood right you dont have to go and get your blood I N R checked like u do with cumatin all the time..good luck

[mumbleabout]

@Mr9241959 - Thanks for the tip about Prodaxa. I had heard about that stuff. I will definitely ask my doctors about that next time, and best of luck to you!

[Mr9241959]

i feel your pain i had a-fib for the last two and a half years the doctors tried many types of pills but none cured it.they did not put me on blood thiners because they said i was not a candidate for a stoke my heart was strong and healthy .november 2010 i had a stroke,igirl i work with had the ablation done and she said it worked great.i went to her DR. and had it done DR.Neil bernstien NYU in newyork city,done on 3/17/11 so far so good....espo426@aol.com

[mumbleabout]

@Mr9241959 - I'm sorry that you had the stroke. That is my biggest fear in all of this. Really glad to hear that your ablation worked. a-fib is no fun. I'm wearing a heart monitor this week to determine when and how often I'm in a-fib. Some a-fib is still better than persistent a-fib, and I'm staying as optimistic as I can. Best of luck and I hope that you remain a-fib free for life!