steffke0104
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Hi there! After reading some of your posts about dental work, I figured I would pose a question to you:
I have PAF and had RF and cryoablation (afib/flutter) on January 13, 2021. The EP is the best in the Northwest. He said it went very well with no complications or surprises Even though I am relatively new to afib, I opted for this ablation after only having about 5 afib episodes that were 4 hours long. I did not want to go on rhythm control drugs if at all possible. I did have to take Amiodarone for one month post ablation as that is what the EP prescribes for his patients. (he wanted me to take it for 2 months, but I negotiated down to 1 month)
That being said, 7 weeks post ablation, I now am confronted by what I have self diagnosed as an infected old root canal (probably from 40 years ago!) I have had 5 dental implants, crowns & bridges, so am very familiar with dental/surgical procedures. Going to see surgeon tomorrow to confirm the diagnosis and then schedule an extraction and probably another implant in 6 months following extraction.
Do you stop your Eliquis at all for dental procedures?
Do you take antibiotics with dental work?
Do you allow the dentist to use novocaine with epinephrine? I am afraid that it will set off my afib and since I had the recent procedure and have been in NSR and feeling good..... I really am apprehensive! I know that the epinephrine helps to stop the bleeding better and lasts longer for the surgery.... but it has always made my heart beat fast which i do not enjoy. Now it might prove to be a disaster!
I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks so much.
Karem
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Hi (apologies for not getting back to thank you soon- laptop lost modem?). Much appreciate you reading and replying to my questions. Seems straight forward when I read about Afib. -but it can have very unique effects on individuals. Nothing is simple, and takes an age to get right. Speak soon. Thank you once again. Ed.
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Hello,
I read your posts and appreciate your knowledge on the forum. I am an anesthesiologist in Michigan and I saw you are local and had a concern and thought you would be a good resource for help. I had an ablation for paroxysmal afib on june 6 this year after very few short episodes of afib treated with pill in the pocket approach, started in October, year prior. Likely sleep apnea related and since wear cpap. Ablation was done in Austin with Natlale, and had done great post op on flecanide, metoprolol and elequis. I don't like taking meds and thus why I had considered ablation immediately. I was doing well and thought I would be off meds but developed a tachycardia post ablation. Usually, 86-95 but up to 100 heart rate. Looks mostly sinus but I get concerned there could be a slow flutter so I am staying on elequis and metoprolol which doesn't do alot. Natale group gets my event recordings which are all sinus tachy when I send them but they are poor communicators. Do you know if this would require another ablation, or any advice on what I should expect? I had a rate of 70's prior and don't like this feeling as I am conscious of my changes in rate always. I feel ok, but tire more easily. Sorry to bother you but thought I'd see your thoughts if you have any advice. Thanks!
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Hi, no problem. My history was 13 years of persistent paroxysmal afib. So Natale's ablation gave me back a somewhat normal life after four failed previous attempts at Providence, then Beaumont. I remain on flecainide 50 BID, metoprolol 12.5 BID and eliquis also, and my ablation was August 2018. I understand that flutter is a common problem and that a flutter ablation is much more likely to succeed but that's second hand information. Carey had a major flutter, and he and I were in Austin together. His flutter was ablated, and he's doing fine without any meds. He may be able to give you more insight. My problem post was PVC/PAC, just short one or two blips here and there a couple of times a week, but I found the flecainide controlled them, so I've not pursued and continued on the flecainide. My local EP said "what the heck, you're doing good, don't seem to have any side effects, so you have to take flecainide, so what?" I have the same impression with the Natale group. Though I'm grateful that I'm not (currently) experiencing any afib bouts, I don't get much response from them on the PVC/PAC counts. Though minor, they give me pause when they happen. I think once you've experienced afib you're always conscious of your HR and feel every little bump. Have you worn a holter monitor for a couple of weeks? You say "event recordings" - how are they captured? How frequently do you get the tachy episodes, how long do they last?
Sandy
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Thanks for quick response. I am a kardia abuser. I monitor my rate frequently and it is either low 90's usually and mid 80's is the best I get. when I watch the lions it goes to 110.
No pac/pvc. I am waiting on response from texas folks to see how long they want me to wear holter. I emailed them but no response.. I haven't done it yet but they want to see no flutter as I had couple episodes just outside of blanking period. Thats about when above normal heart rate ocurred (4 months ). I hate to complain about this as I know its not a malignant arrhythmia, but I liked how I felt when I was in the 60's on metoprolol. So I don't get 110 too long, maybe 10 minutes, and I know alcohol and dehydration and heat not helpful. I just want to know if this was a successful ablation or should I expect another procedure. I didn't know the post ablation tachycardia was a possibility. I thought I was knowledgable going in and am a bit frustrated by this. I know it could be worse but harder to keep up with my schedule.
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Hi - Thank you Steff. Your reply saves me a lot of reading around, and points me in the right direction. Appreciate your experience , and the quick response. Ed.
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steffke0104 changed their profile photo
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Hi, I'm going to give as brief but complete a history as possible and I thank you for asking.
April 2016 started getting short of breath. Cardiologist said my two-leaflet aortic valve was too stiff and needed to be replaced. Work-up showed a 4cm aneurysm in my ascending aorta. Open-chest surgery June replacing aortic valve (bovine) and resection of aneurysm with graft replacement. Came from OR in afib and it has never stopped. It has just gotten so severe that I was in heart failure and had to be hospitalized 3 weeks ago. Wasn't started on rate control med (diltiazem) until 3 months ago when shortnesss of breath became much worse. I live in Central, SC, about 30 miles from Greenville, SC in the upstate.
I am a terrible patient and for many months/years just lived with it and didn't see doctors often. I simply wanted to keep working and find a way to deal with it later. I have an internist whom I love as my PCP and a cardiologist whom I also love but the EP is new to the area and new to me and I don't know anything about him. He's alright to talk with but he hasn't spent any time giving me possible options or more information. I get the feeling that he is gung-ho the av node ablation and wants to jump right into it.
Thank you so much for responding to me and please accept my apologiy for talking so much. lol
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Dell, sorry, I know it takes a while to figure out how the mechanics of the forum work. By responding to just me, the rest of the forum members can't see it, and there are several others who are way more knowledgeable in complicated cases like yours. Carey and Sue in particular. I'm going to see if one of the forum monitors can move it over but (sorry) it might be best if you can just copy and paste your message as a response on the original thread.
I know there are some who have experience with AV node ablation, persistent AFib, HF and valve replacement. (I'm paroxysmal but chronic.) It would be good for you if they can jump into the conversation. That's the wonderful thing about the forum, we've got such diverse experience with this condition and can offer some realistic insight's.
Take care, my friend, and you'll find the forum is like being with a group of good friends who completely understand the mental effects of AFib.
Sandy
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Michigan
im from Shelby Twp Mi
A fibber here
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Welcome! I'm over in Novi. I've been battling this beast for 12 years, two ablations behind me and my third scheduled at Beaumont Royal oak on may 15. I'm just one of those tough, nontraditional cases, but I keep on trying. I'm sure you'll find lots of great information and company here on the forum.
Sandy
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Hi,
just wanted to add my wishes for a happy , healthier new year and that you will be a fib free soonest!
June
