Atrial Fibrillation
Discussion
Don1 said:
Occasionally it will spike doing stuff like that with bending over - potential pressure on the vegas nerve?
When I’m in A Fib my heart rate will be high. Averages around 110 bpm on a walk when not in a fib it’s low 90s. Even walking up hill can see it at 140 but then again that’s relying on my Apple Watch and I’m not sure how accurate that is for measuring my bpm. I will be having Ablation on 7th Dec, so I went for my meeting with the anaesthetist and heart scan today. I live in France and am very well impressed with the service I am getting.
I will be attending a specialist heart clinic so all the resources that they need are on a separate site from the university hospital in the centre of the city. Not quite a Kwikfit centre, but very close, in the best possible way. The only issue today was a Quentin Tarantino moment when she withdrew the IVD from my arm after remotely injecting some iodine fluid during the scan.
There is no equivalent to BUPA here where the surgeon gets buttons on the NHS but windfalls for private consultation. You have the same doctors, nurses and equipment, but you can book a private room €70, WiFi €3 and even choice of meals, newspapers, TV and special private room with flowers for €200 per night.
I have complete confidence in what is going to happen, and look forward to reporting back on a successful outcome.
I will be attending a specialist heart clinic so all the resources that they need are on a separate site from the university hospital in the centre of the city. Not quite a Kwikfit centre, but very close, in the best possible way. The only issue today was a Quentin Tarantino moment when she withdrew the IVD from my arm after remotely injecting some iodine fluid during the scan.
There is no equivalent to BUPA here where the surgeon gets buttons on the NHS but windfalls for private consultation. You have the same doctors, nurses and equipment, but you can book a private room €70, WiFi €3 and even choice of meals, newspapers, TV and special private room with flowers for €200 per night.
I have complete confidence in what is going to happen, and look forward to reporting back on a successful outcome.
My fresh advice - make sure you have positive pressure on the femoral hole whenever you move (for the first 24 hours). Have loose fitting clothing to get into when leaving the hospital and don't be afraid to ask for help. Don't put on socks, or attempt to get the compression socks off yourself.
Going home, make sure you have an easy car to get into and out of - do not rush this. I say this as I obviously leaked out of mine - the bruise went across the entire leg and halfway down it. That's over a square foot of bruising.
For the next 48 - sit on your arse and be waited on. The second day your chest may feel like crap in a muscular way (it feels like the inside of your chest played a rugby match by itself). Mine cleared quickly.
Gently start moving after that. You will feel weak and easily tired for the next two weeks.
Finally, good luck. I was sh*****g myself privately, but it was all good.
Going home, make sure you have an easy car to get into and out of - do not rush this. I say this as I obviously leaked out of mine - the bruise went across the entire leg and halfway down it. That's over a square foot of bruising.
For the next 48 - sit on your arse and be waited on. The second day your chest may feel like crap in a muscular way (it feels like the inside of your chest played a rugby match by itself). Mine cleared quickly.
Gently start moving after that. You will feel weak and easily tired for the next two weeks.
Finally, good luck. I was sh*****g myself privately, but it was all good.
Don1 said:
My fresh advice - make sure you have positive pressure on the femoral hole whenever you move (for the first 24 hours). Have loose fitting clothing to get into when leaving the hospital and don't be afraid to ask for help. Don't put on socks, or attempt to get the compression socks off yourself.
Going home, make sure you have an easy car to get into and out of - do not rush this. I say this as I obviously leaked out of mine - the bruise went across the entire leg and halfway down it. That's over a square foot of bruising.
For the next 48 - sit on your arse and be waited on. The second day your chest may feel like crap in a muscular way (it feels like the inside of your chest played a rugby match by itself). Mine cleared quickly.
Gently start moving after that. You will feel weak and easily tired for the next two weeks.
Finally, good luck. I was sh*****g myself privately, but it was all good.
Agree with all this - I ended up spending the first night in hospital as my operation took a fair bit longer than expected, so they could keep an eye on it!Going home, make sure you have an easy car to get into and out of - do not rush this. I say this as I obviously leaked out of mine - the bruise went across the entire leg and halfway down it. That's over a square foot of bruising.
For the next 48 - sit on your arse and be waited on. The second day your chest may feel like crap in a muscular way (it feels like the inside of your chest played a rugby match by itself). Mine cleared quickly.
Gently start moving after that. You will feel weak and easily tired for the next two weeks.
Finally, good luck. I was sh*****g myself privately, but it was all good.
However the bruise still pretty much went down to my knee! I didn’t give myself anywhere near enough recovery time too - was only signed off work for 5 days, so back in less than a week after the operation, and it truly wiped me out for a while!
Amazed at how little recovery time you’re given, when compared to lots of other minor operations!
Good luck - was a truly life changing operation for me!
Thanks for the thoughts.
I will not be allowed home until the day after. I am retired and so sitting around all day, especially during Covid, is not a big hardship.
Are you able to drive after say 1-week, my wife read somewhere it’s 6-weeks?
Lovely day here, so just setting off for my final cycle ride, of the year (probably)
I will not be allowed home until the day after. I am retired and so sitting around all day, especially during Covid, is not a big hardship.
Are you able to drive after say 1-week, my wife read somewhere it’s 6-weeks?
Lovely day here, so just setting off for my final cycle ride, of the year (probably)
Some interesting news for me today.
But before the news, my heart issues are mainly ventricular and I've only had a few minor bouts of AF over the years. My ventricular problems are caused by scar tissue in the heart muscle caused by a viral infection back in 2005. In 2013 things vent bad, I had a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), went to hospital and came home some time after with an ICD embedded in my chest. Since 2013 the ICD has saved my life five times, the latest in August this year.
September this year on the back of the latest SCA I had ablation surgery. When I came round from the surgery I was told the area that needing ablating was very close to my AV node and during the surgery the AV node stopped working (the (ICD paced me during that time) but came 'back' after about ten minutes.
Today was the first checkup since the surgery, this was an interogation of the data and telemetry off the ICD.
Turns out that my AV node didn't come back for long and I'm now 100% paced and dependant on the pacemaker function of the ICD. The problem was that the 'rate response' function was enabled and my heart rate wouldn't go over about 70bpm! No wonder I've felt rough and been knackered.
The rate response was today switched on and I'm about to try it out by taking the dog for a walk, something I've not been able to do for a while. I'll report back later.
[edit] re the ablation bruise, mine was also a massive shiner!
But before the news, my heart issues are mainly ventricular and I've only had a few minor bouts of AF over the years. My ventricular problems are caused by scar tissue in the heart muscle caused by a viral infection back in 2005. In 2013 things vent bad, I had a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), went to hospital and came home some time after with an ICD embedded in my chest. Since 2013 the ICD has saved my life five times, the latest in August this year.
September this year on the back of the latest SCA I had ablation surgery. When I came round from the surgery I was told the area that needing ablating was very close to my AV node and during the surgery the AV node stopped working (the (ICD paced me during that time) but came 'back' after about ten minutes.
Today was the first checkup since the surgery, this was an interogation of the data and telemetry off the ICD.
Turns out that my AV node didn't come back for long and I'm now 100% paced and dependant on the pacemaker function of the ICD. The problem was that the 'rate response' function was enabled and my heart rate wouldn't go over about 70bpm! No wonder I've felt rough and been knackered.
The rate response was today switched on and I'm about to try it out by taking the dog for a walk, something I've not been able to do for a while. I'll report back later.
[edit] re the ablation bruise, mine was also a massive shiner!
Edited by colin_p on Monday 7th December 19:07
Don1 said:
Holy crap! What's the plan going forward?
I don't know, I am seeing the consultant in early Jan, today was just the pacing clinic.Reading between the lines though, it would seem that I am now going to be 100% pacemaker dependant. My sinus node is working though, but with the AV node being burnt away it would mean without the pacemaker only half of heart would work.
But strangely, earlier on I did take the dog out for a good walk, something I've not been unable to do for sometime and felt much better. It was quite nice not gasping for air, feeling dizzy and like your chest is about to explode.
That being due to the ventricles being paced as normal by my (normally functioning) sinus node trying to get my heart rate up but the atria being paced by the ICD at a much lower rate (the rate response function on the pacer was switched off prior to today). My theory is that the upper and lower parts of my heart were effectively fighting each other, not a pleasant feeling and akin to really really bad a-fib!
I'll further update when I know more from the consultant, but it looks like i'll be running on batteries (literally) for the rest of my life! Thankfully they tend to last about ten years or so.
I had my procedure yesterday and was allowed out at 11am today. I only had a problem with AF between 1st and 15th of January this year. Once I had Cardioversion, everything was pretty much as normal. So this was very much a precautionary measure as I cannot tolerate Amiodorone.
From what has been described, I almost feel cheated with the entry wound. They removed the dressing this morning and I was expecting at least a 1cm slit with a couple of stitches. In reality it looked like I have walked into the corner of a desk and just missed by goolies. Don’t understand how it seems to have healed so quickly..
The problem I do have is that it feels like Anthony Joshua has punched me in the chest - very hard. They suggested that should go in 3-7days, so fingers are firmly crossed. Something else they have done is inject ethanol into the Marshall vein, which then collapses it they said that it is sometimes a cause of AF.
all-in-all I am very impressed with my treatment, I just wish that the food could have been better.
A good night’s sleep tonight and hopefully, I will be ready for a short walk tomorrow. Don’t think that I will be running 10k anytime soon.
Thursday update. I had not realised just how the anaesthetic lingers in the system. The feelings in my chest were related to that and nothing to do with the operation. Now feeling absolutely fine and everything working normally.
Follow ups are in 3 and 12-months
From what has been described, I almost feel cheated with the entry wound. They removed the dressing this morning and I was expecting at least a 1cm slit with a couple of stitches. In reality it looked like I have walked into the corner of a desk and just missed by goolies. Don’t understand how it seems to have healed so quickly..
The problem I do have is that it feels like Anthony Joshua has punched me in the chest - very hard. They suggested that should go in 3-7days, so fingers are firmly crossed. Something else they have done is inject ethanol into the Marshall vein, which then collapses it they said that it is sometimes a cause of AF.
all-in-all I am very impressed with my treatment, I just wish that the food could have been better.
A good night’s sleep tonight and hopefully, I will be ready for a short walk tomorrow. Don’t think that I will be running 10k anytime soon.
Thursday update. I had not realised just how the anaesthetic lingers in the system. The feelings in my chest were related to that and nothing to do with the operation. Now feeling absolutely fine and everything working normally.
Follow ups are in 3 and 12-months
Edited by rdjohn on Thursday 10th December 15:53
Don1 said:
I'm about to have my 3 month check up. 7 day holter required (utter joy).
No symptoms now for over six weeks, so happy about that.
That's great news Don you've inspired me to push my Dr for an ablation. He said medication is the first choice but I'd rather not take medication for the rest of my life if I can help it I'm only 35No symptoms now for over six weeks, so happy about that.
Don1 said:
I'm about to have my 3 month check up. 7 day holter required (utter joy).
No symptoms now for over six weeks, so happy about that.
Exactly 1-month after the Op, and exactly 1-year since i started with AF, mine kicked-off again. Being somewhat alarmed, the surgeon saw me again at short notice and said its to be expected for first 8-weeks - but not by me as i had been fine for nearly a year before the op.No symptoms now for over six weeks, so happy about that.
I also have a 7-day Holter at the end of Feb, and final visit with surgeon at end of March.
However, on the bright side, i have just been out for a 1-hour cycle ride and am feeling pretty good from it.
Have people had an ablation due to cardioversion not working?
I recall when I had my cardioversion I was warned that the chances of reverting back within a year into AF were pretty high.
So far, nearly 4 years later, I've managed to maintain sinus rhythm. My heart is still enlarged, although in a far better state than what it was. Just hoping I eventually get to a position where I can come off all meds.
I recall when I had my cardioversion I was warned that the chances of reverting back within a year into AF were pretty high.
So far, nearly 4 years later, I've managed to maintain sinus rhythm. My heart is still enlarged, although in a far better state than what it was. Just hoping I eventually get to a position where I can come off all meds.
I have a similar thing where my heart slings an extra half heart beat then misses a full beat , so taking my pulse at my wrist it just feels like 3 or 4 beats then a gap , I have now an ECG test , 2 walking ECG tests , Echocardiogram and CT scan .
The result , in addition to the 5 meds I take in the morning , I now have to have in addition , Beta-Blockers , something I had once before and had the side effect of serious mood swings , something I was unaware of but made it hard for my family ,as a consequence my GP changed my meds , the consultant has prescribed the drug for a short time to see if it will regulate my heart beat , but the moment my OH spots the side effect , the drug stops
The result , in addition to the 5 meds I take in the morning , I now have to have in addition , Beta-Blockers , something I had once before and had the side effect of serious mood swings , something I was unaware of but made it hard for my family ,as a consequence my GP changed my meds , the consultant has prescribed the drug for a short time to see if it will regulate my heart beat , but the moment my OH spots the side effect , the drug stops
Aydogflipper said:
Have people had an ablation due to cardioversion not working?
I recall when I had my cardioversion I was warned that the chances of reverting back within a year into AF were pretty high.
So far, nearly 4 years later, I've managed to maintain sinus rhythm. My heart is still enlarged, although in a far better state than what it was. Just hoping I eventually get to a position where I can come off all meds.
I think my case was similar to yours. I had it big time in Spain January last year and then had Cardioversion there, which fixed it completely.I recall when I had my cardioversion I was warned that the chances of reverting back within a year into AF were pretty high.
So far, nearly 4 years later, I've managed to maintain sinus rhythm. My heart is still enlarged, although in a far better state than what it was. Just hoping I eventually get to a position where I can come off all meds.
However i could not live with Amiodarone - wide awake at 2am being the biggest problem. I saw a cardiologist privately in the UK. He suggested a stop taking it but to thought that the chances of a recurrence in 2-years, was 75% . He suggested that if it did, then ablation was the answer.
Back home in France, my Cardiologist was not pleased about the do nothing and so did the ablation instead of Amiodarone. I just hope that he is correct.
I know a consultant anaesthetist who has had AF since 33. His comes and goes and he has a “pill in-the-pocket” solution. He is now 67.
I also have to take Xarelto, the English consultant insisted that it would be virtual suicide to stop taking that because of being over 65. Apparently, age is the most significant factor for AF leading to a stroke.
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