Carey

Carey,  who is dr. Natalie.  I’m also,from New England. Just wondering who did your successful oblation

Carey been away for quite some time, had two ablations that held for a long time but developed extra beats after Covid. Any way just had my third ablation last Friday and my numbers are up above where they were previously. Resting heart rate was in the 70,s with the extra beats, now I woke up this morning at mid eighties? Walking around the golf course today I was in the 90’s and 100’s? Is this normal?

After going without any AFIB since my first event 7/17/19,  yesterday 8/7/20, I was just about to tee off on the first hole my local golf course, when I felt "something" .  I knew within a couple of minutes that my heart was in AFIB because my pulse was very erratic and high.  Had to leave the course to see if I could potentially settle down.  After about an hour, I went to the ER (which in our town is a huge COVID risk just to walk in) and fortunately was converted with an IV of metoprolol.  

Can I just assume my regular golf activities again? or do I need to relax for a few days?  I currently take Losartan 50 mg for BP but that is it.  The EP that I went to last year for my echo cardiogram (which was normal) had referred me back to my regular  doctor for BP medication prI escription.  

I have had a bit of work related stress lately and been drinking a lot of decaf coffee (which I guess is still very dehydrating) and I am, admittedly a Type A personality that has trouble relaxing.  Always on the go.  What next?  Do I go back to the EP ?  

I walk 45 minutes daily up hills etc with my dog and play golf about 4 times/week.  I want to keep up my activity but I am wondering if I need to rest for awhile after this recent AFIB?  Of course, I was hoping I would never get it again. 

The ER doc prescribed 12.5 mg metoprolol until I see my regular doctor due to the ER visit.  I feel fine today, except I notice the metoprolol is making me a bit tired.  

I am thinking that my BP meds were not lowering my diastolic enough.  It was really never under 80-85.

Any thoughts?  I am bummed that this event happened out of the blue and all I can think of as a trigger is that I had been running from one thing to the next for a couple of days.  I seriously need to learn how to meditate or something !

Hi Carey,

I would value your opinion on this for me:  

So, after much research (mostly from this Forum and attending the Stop Afib Conference in October)    I cautiously & "courageously"  had my ablation for afib/aflutter on January 13, 2021.  The EP  was in Seattle at Virginia Mason Hospital  (MD, FACC, FHRS   -  Section Head, Cardiology and Medical Director, Electrophysiology & Medical Director, Regional Clinicians)   He's been there since 1986 and is considered to be one Seattle's Best.   I was confident in his experience and his team.  The procedure went "great"  (CRYO for the afib & RF for the flutter)  I was very careful with the groin incision and it healed perfectly. 

 So far, in the past 30 days, I have been afib-free and been getting lots of rest so that my heart can heal (was told it takes 2 months)  Here is my question:   I was not taking any rhythm control meds prior to the ablation (I was only taking losartan, metoprolol (12.5) and Eliquis.    The morning after the procedure I was visited by the EP and the PA to discuss my not wanting to take any rhythm control drugs after the ablation.  My thinking was that I had not taken any beforehand, and my whole point of having an ablation was to do it early so as to avoid taking rhythm control meds.  The EP and I came to an agreement that I would take Amiodarone for one month only (he had wanted to prescribe 2 months)  post ablation.  (he prescribed 400 mg for the first 7 days and then 200 mg for the next 24 days)   After reading up on Amiodarone, when I got home, I decided to take the first week dose as prescribed, but then I cut the 200 mg pills in half and have taken only 100 mg for the past month)     

Now that time is up (of taking the 100 mg for 24 days) and I can discontinue or continue on for the next month with the 100 mg dose by cutting those 200's in half, as I've been doing.   I am just trying to avoid many of the dreadful, horrific side effects I have read about from the use of this drug. 

Thanks for reading!

sous

Hi Carey, I need to learn how to get back on board. Can u help me please? 

Just to let everyone know my hospital Deborah Heart and Lung in Browns Mills, NJ is like St Judes and Shriners in Philly. They will take insurance but if you don’t have It  they still take you they do not turn anyone away! Look it up my nurse and Doctor verified that today, so if anyone is in need and doesn’t have great or no coverage look them up! It’s a wonderful place!

Just had my second ablation yesterday to fix atrial flutter. Dr said it went well so we will see. Definitely feeling it today but I’m sure better tomorrow. Thanks for all your help in the past, you’re a great resource and give me great info that I can follow up on. Again thx.

Carey- you are a great advocate- masses of excellent information.  Thank you so much.  Kind regards     Ed (UK)

Always receive excellent advice, and guidance from Carey.  A safe pair of hands.  

Carey- A massive thank you for your quick, knowledgeable, responses to my general questions, and those answers given to me on a confidential basis. Afib. treatments are many, and complex.  You are a massive asset to StopAfib.   Kind regards. Ed.

Dear Carey.  Thank you for reading my "blog" , and for your advice for me to change location to "general topic".  I have done so.  Curious, having seen my over view......do you think I have been set on a reasonable course/plan.  I know you have amassed a lot of information re A-Fib.  I do feel very vulnerable about my A Fib. - just seems to take ages to make any progress.  Received a letter asking me to attend Cardiac clinic on 1st July. -for ECG, and update with a CCU nurse specialist.     Ed. 

I tried to reply to you about the Watchman post but your inbox is full and can't receive messages.

Thanks for all the info. I just got an EKG and my heart rates have been around 90-100 even when resting. Took your advice to contact the EP and went this morning, waiting for a call back but definitely in afib, flutter. You’ve been really helpful and have eased some anxiety for me. Thx

Hey Carey I’m in New England also. Had my first ablation in August of 09. Second in January of 2010 (had gone into flutter) and the last in January of 2016.

its been increasing in frequency and duration again. I go to cardiologist next month(Dr. Set Mcclennen at Brigham and woman’s. Not crazy about another ablation. I hate being on the blood thinners. I saw in a post that you have the watchman? What is that, if you don’t mind. This is my first forum so not to sure clear as to procedures!

hi carey, thanks for your reply mate, its so frustrating having this thing with us and not knowing where its guna go.  iv read that some folk stay paroxysmal for 20/30 years but others are in permanent within 3 years.!!  I'm only just managing in the paroxysmal state (mentally anyway) and the thought of persistent/ permanent afib terrifies me. I know I should man up and think myself lucky that I have afib and not a terminal illness like some poor souls get and I am really. but I just cant help worrying.

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