My 90yr old mother developed Afib about 7yrs ago. She was visiting and started feeling bad at dinner one night. It was obvious something wasn't right so we called ambulance. Ended up being Afib after several days in hospital and multiple test. She's been on Xarelto since and doing very well. Sees cardiologist every 6 months. Has done several stress test over the years with good results. Recently was told about Watchman and we did a consult with physician but at her age she declined. Said she'll just pay and keep taking meds. Hope all continues well for you guys.

I developed AFib 2 days after my phizer COVID vaccine..2nd shot . I have a pacemaker that recorded the event. I was only in AFib 2 percent so they were not concerned.
Jump ahead to this year,the episodes became more frequent..I went in for a cardioversion and that seemed to help .I have a unit next to my bed that my pacemaker can send reports..My nurse called me to say I was back in AFib and switched my meds to SOTALOL. It has been great other than low BP.

Interest in this thread has predictably waned, but there were a lot of responses, and quite a few who expressed appreciation for it. Quick update. My wife’s cardiologist contacted a colleague who is an Electrophysiology cardiologist and that doctor called my wife directly. We saw him this morning. He will perform Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) on September 18th, extremely fast for getting in to a specialist like that. We’re very grateful for that, and her primary cardiologist for expediting her appointment with the EP.

The EP also reduced the amioderone dosage to a maintenance level, from the initial loading dose of 200 mg, 2X/day to just once/day. She was experiencing some side effects (insomnia and headaches), but the Rx was effective in controlling the arrhythmia. Sounds like she can come off the amioderone very soon after the ablation.

BTW, Pulsed Field Ablation is the latest and greatest in EP cardiology. Here’s a very short video that explains the technology.

^^^^
Prayers for a successful outcome!

TMats, now you're cookin' with...well, electricity, actually. Some cardiologists are plumbers, and others are electricians. Your wife is getting the best treatment now available as far as we know.

I hated Amiodarone, my heart monitor would alarm several times during the night for low heart rate. My puls would be at 40 when I woke up every morning and I was lethargic all day.

My electrophysiologist reduced the dosage and then took me off it a few weeks before I had a cryoablation in November 2023.

No AFib since then.

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
TMats, now you're cookin' with...well, electricity, actually. Some cardiologists are plumbers, and others are electricians. Your wife is getting the best treatment now available as far as we know.

We think so, doc. This cardio electrophysiologist has 15 years of experience, impressive credentials, and does a lot of these PFAs. Still a scary procedure—for the patient. “Hey, I got this,” is the certainly what the doctor projected.

quote:

Originally posted by SW_Sig:
I hated Amiodarone, my heart monitor would alarm several times during the night for low heart rate. My puls would be at 40 when I woke up every morning and I was lethargic all day.

My electrophysiologist reduced the dosage and then took me off it a few weeks before I had a cryoablation in November 2023.

No AFib since then.

I get it. Effective but unpleasant. Last night was the first after the dosage was reduced, and she still doesn’t like it; if it keeps her in approximate cardiac rhythm until the ablation in 12 days, then it’s exactly what she needs right now.

Just went through this very thing. Went to my normal 3 month everything is fine lose weight appointment on Weds this week. Thirty minutes into the appointment the Doctor said she referred me to the Emergency Room, they will call an ambulance. I said that's OK the wife will drive me. Next time I will take the ambulance, the wife was pretty shaken and it was a stressful 30 minute drive.

Made it to the Emergency Room, sat down for maybe 2 minutes when the called me in. Did a triage on me, yep A Fib, tachycardia, and some things I cannot pronounce. Said I would be in the hospital two days for observation. Hooked me up to probes and tubes, took more vitals. Asked how I felt. I feel fine I didn't know I was sick until you told me. No dizziness or feeling lightheaded, no chest tightness. Heartbeat went from 150 to about 100 with the drip they gave me. Blood pressure was borderline high. I was then told I would spend the night and go home tomorrow. More tests and consults. After six hours they released me to go home just in time for dinner.

New blood pressure meds. Two different types of Metropolol (One from the ER 2X per day and one from my Dr. 1X per day) I will finish one before I start the other. Blood thinner, prescription aspirin (?). No more Ibuprofen, from now on Tylenol for the arthritis. Now my blood pressure is borderline high, it was dead square normal, heartbeat mid-sixties to mid-seventies. Last blood pressure check the heartbeat was 59 and I don't take the Metropolol if heartbeat is below 60. I suspect the Doctors will be adjusting the medications for the next few weeks.

I was lucky The Dr caught it pretty early. Everyone was calm and supportive. Procedures and medications were explained to me. All the Nurses were gorgeous. For such a serious condition it felt like a nonevent. I don't feel any different than I did Weds or a week ago. My immediate future life will probably include many cardiologists and specialists. A good friend of mine jokes if it wasn't for all the Doctors he wouldn't have a social life. I think I'm about to get a whole new circle of social contacts.

I have only myself to blame. I weigh 300 lbs, have two bad knees and the surgeon does not want to operate as I am a high risk for infection. I have neuropathy in my feet and have difficulty walking and with my balance. My activity level is close to zero and reading SigForum is about as tough as it gets. But there is no better time to get sick than now. There are medications and procedures that didn't exist even five years ago that can keep me going for a long time.

So my advice to my SigForum brothers and sisters is eat healthy, stay active, keep your vices in moderation and check with your Doctor sooner rather than later.

NEVER let your wife drive you to an emergency appointment if you can avoid it. Most insurances will cover an ambulance and they can communicate directly with the ER if needed. I have had more than one ambulance ride and if you take one you will find a mattress similar to those in prisons.
Get a referral ASAP for physical therapy. They can work wonders with your balance.