IN AF

went to pacemaker clinic told i am now in AF put me on Aspril, betabloker and warfarin they said if this dosnt work they would have to put me asleep and shock me. anybody else had this done really worried have had pacemaker for 3 years and am only 44

3 Comments

AF solutions

by mrag - 2009-09-28 11:09:24

After I had a by-pass and and ICD implant, I was in A-fib for a while (2-3 months?). One time, while still recovering from the by-pass, the did a "conversion" where they knock you out, zap you and that's supposed to 'cure you' (takes about 3 minutes I think-it's really quick, simple and easy). The A-fib came back although I really can't say it bothered me-I was more concerned about the operation. My EP wanted to do an ablation. I saw a second EP and he said why bother, the coumadin (warfarin) and some other drugs would probably control it and there is no guarantee the a-fib would not return.

At some point my a-fib stopped. Obviously that's MY situation, you might be in a whole different boat, but in some cases, it seems you might be able to "wait it out (with the drugs)" or do the "conversion" (again, pretty simple) or do an ablation. What symptoms are you having with the a-fib? Good luck.

Me too

by Angelie - 2009-09-28 12:09:45

I developed atrial flutter during my 4th ablation and was shocked back into a more normal rhythm while still on the table. Unfortunately my atrial flutter returned and we tried first to adjust my pacer settings, but that didn't help either.
After being in continuous high rate atrial flutter with variable block, I had another DC Cardioversion to shock me back into sinus paced rhythm.
It was really no big deal. My cardiologist had anesthesiologists put me to sleep with Propophyl. It's a wonderous drug that looks like milk. The anesthesiologist walked up to the ICU room with this syringe full of milky stuff, injected me and I was out immediately. I didn't feel anything, and was awake within 15 minutes with NO ill effects what so ever, and ate a hamburger and fries immediately afterwards.
The cardioversion went smoothly, but as my local cardiologist feared, it did not stick. I woke up a day later back in atrial flutter. I eventually had to have another ablation, this time to stop the flutter.
I haven't had atrial flutter or any other fast rhythms since that ablation. Now I'm the opposite and am 100% atrial paced due to variable blocks and a junctional rhythm.

Hope your cardioversion is successful. Believe me, it's a piece of cake. There are risks, as with anything else, but they're rare. I know how atrial flutter feels and it's awful.


Hang in there,
Angelie

Me Three

by janetinak - 2009-09-29 12:09:49

I had/have persistent AFib & did about 5 cardioversions & put out with the milk stuff & altho it didn't work for me was really easy. I know several people that it works for (some need repeats) so I sure hope it helps & it works for you. I ended up with an AV node ablation 'cause couldn't take the SOB & no energy after 2 yrs straight. Lots of folks running around with Afib & either meds or zapping (like my medical terminology?) help them.

Let us know how good you feel when your better,

Janet

You know you're wired when...

You play MP3 files on your pacer.

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