Hi, I’ve been meaning to post this update for weeks but have been too well and busy!
A shortish resume:
Diagnosed 2018, paroxysmal AF treated with Bisopralol and Flecainide. Very symptomatic and intolerant of drugs. Feelings of passing out during episodes resulted in PM being fitted 2019.
Episodes of AF became more frequent and lasted longer. My lifestyle was severely impacted because I couldn’t work through episodes, therefore I had to cancel plans etc. I have always eaten healthily and gave up alcohol and caffeine.
The cardiology dept. locally was staffed by locums and when I was reviewed I would get a different opinion each time so I arranged a private consultation seeing someone recommended by members on this platform. Particular thanks to LadyLawson 👍
The consultant I saw privately recommended an AV node ablation and said he would arrange this through the NHS. I had the procedure last November and wish I’d had it done earlier. My lifestyle has improved enormously. I haven’t had one day of feeling ill since. I’m off drugs (except Apixaban of course) I’m gardening and entertaining friends again and walking at least 3 miles regularly. I’m working to increase this distance so that I can go on a walking holiday which I haven’t done since 2018. I CAN MAKE PLANS……..bliss.
If any of you are in the situation I was in after making all the lifestyle changes ie very symptomatic when in AF and intolerant of medication then do not be afraid to have an AV node ablation if it is offered to you.
It has taken 5 months for my heart to accommodate to it’s new resting rate but I haven’t felt a thing.
Husband and I are off for lunch with friends and I may even have a cheeky Prosecco, it’s only 11% and if I have AF I won’t know.
Very best wishes to you all.
Singing Tx
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SingingT
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great news thanks for sharing. When you say you were intolerant to drugs how were you able to take the Biso and Flecainide over that 3 or 4 years before ablation?
it’s a bit of a B having to go private ..but if you can …do it !You're right about locums and opinions! I had dreadful experience with someone who appeared semi literate at best and probably didn’t even have wolf cub first aid certificate!
Oh dear….it was never that bad but it was very frustrating particularly since I worked, most of my working life, within the NHS when it was better resourced.
Great to hear you clearly have a new lease on life - enjoy!. Also encouraging for those of us who were also very symptomatic, should ablations stop working.
Thanks so much for sharing this experience SingingT. I was offered av node ablation about 3 yrs ago because of feeling and being so unwell because of dtug intolerance. After the pm was inplanted i was handed over to another cardio who decidebpm atd not to go ahead with the node ablation. I must say that things did improve for a while but i gradually became permanent or persistant aff and for the last year ive felt rotten most nights with palpitations and nausea. During the day i am just so excerdise intolerant with big thumps in my chest which sets off short breathedness. Not walking well. In 2017 i won medals in cycling at the World masters games so you can imsgine how i feel now when i can only sit on a stationary bike for half hour pedalling at no more than 94 bpm at an easy effort. I see my GP next monday. Im seriously thinking of what next because it seems ive got to the position where my QOL is just not there . At 81 yrs of age i just dont need this condition i find myself in any longer. Thanks for listening. I just wish i could see a cardiologist again. Colin from NZ at 2am
Hi so sorry you are feeling so horrible. Unless you’ve been there I think some people think we are whimps or exaggerating our symptoms.
I too was very active if not as active as you but I could take on a long distance walk over a week or so. I’m 77 yrs old now. This AF lark started about 6yrs ago.
It depends very much on your overall cardiac health but if you are offered an av node ablation again I wouldn’t hesitate.
I must admit that here in Scotland I had to resort to having a private consultation with an Electrophysiologist before a decision was made. The actual procedure was then carried out through our NHS.
Please feel free to ask me any more questions or just sound off when you’re feeling down.
Thank you so much for your reply T. I was just on the verge of getting back to some form of sleep just 9 minutes ago and bang a huge thump in my left chest and yes the rat is back. Thats my descriptive saying for this rotten thing. Anyway my GP told me to record all these things im experiencing so ive just written this one down, but hey ive been through all of this before over the 6 odd years ive been whimping on about it. You are so practical and understanding because yes you have be en there. The other day i got off side with the nurse because i told she didnt understand because she hadnt been there. Caused a bit of a stir ending up in my GPphoning me up after hrs !! I felt i had been successfull for a few minutes. You understand i know youve been there ! Its my mrs lying here beside me i worry about it all gets a bit much for her and i feel like the rat that invaded my beautifull heart just that few mins ago as just a reminder that he aint finished with me yet.Will try snoozin off again.
I’ve never experienced thumps like that but I do know, from what people report on here, that it is common for a group of people. It must be alarming. However, I have learned over time that being anxious about symptoms only makes them worse. Deep diaphragmatic breathing can calm you and your heart. Not easy I know but worth practicing.
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good news, I’ve found my trigger, bad news I’ve triggered another episode!! 
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A “success story” , finally. 
