Mended Hearts Open Forum

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  • 1.  Arrhythmia control

    Posted 02-11-2020 20:49
    Hello everybody. Hope all is well. I have a question for those who have arrhythmias. My bigeminy was pretty much under control for the majority of 2019. All of a sudden it has gone haywire. I'm throwing a PVC every other beat. My MD just upped me to 150 mg Flecainide 2x/day and 25 mg metoprolol 2x/day. I am a zombie. I underwent a failed ablation last February. Has anyone had any experience with a radio frequency ablation? I cannot spend the rest of my life feeling like I'm walking through quicksand! 
    Thank 


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    Margo Floyd
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  • 2.  RE: Arrhythmia control

    Posted 02-11-2020 21:40

    My name is Marv Norman and I am prone to AFib.  I have tried Multaq, Solalol and finally Amiodarone.  Amiodarone worked for a couple of years and then stopped.  On January 23, 2019 I had a cardiac ablation; it worked until August 13, 2019 when I woke up with Supra Ventricular Tachycardia.  On August 16, 2019 I had a second ablation that worked for 1 to 2 days.  Cardioversion on Sept. 12 lasted 16 days.  Because it can take a couple of months for the scar tissue to form, I had another cardioversion on Nov. 5 -it is still holding. ( I am on Amiodarone again and am getting regular exercise and watching what I eat.)


    I guess what I am saying is that with AFib one ablation may very well not be enough.   A second ablation really improves your chances.  Depending on circumstances some people have even more ablations.



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    [Marvin Normann]
    [Noblesville, Indiana
    [Phone]
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  • 3.  RE: Arrhythmia control

    Posted 02-12-2020 11:39
    Hello,
    Bigeminy and Trigeminy were what I had going on during my rehab period after my CABG. My cardiologist did an ablation without success and later put me on a SEEK monitor that I wore 24/7 for over three weeks. After getting the results he found what the ablation could not and decided I needed a pacemaker. That was done in 2017 and has been working well ever since. I too was taking Amiodarone but with limited success. If the ablations are not working and the medication is not helping you may want to ask your cardiologist about trying the monitor to find the problem. 
    It was wired into a recorder and I had to push a button every time I  noted anything not going right. I replaced the unit once a week for three weeks and the doctor got the report back and knew what to do. This information helped him make a clear decision about my case and he scheduled my pacemaker within two weeks of getting the results. 
    Your situation may not be the same as mine, but at least you may want to ask about getting a similar monitor to rule out anything. The Holter monitors never found the cause since I only wear them 1 day.
    I hope this information gives you both information that you can use to ask our providers good questions.
    Good luck,
    Richard Short 
    Chapter 395   





  • 4.  RE: Arrhythmia control

    Posted 02-12-2020 13:54

    Hello.
    On February 5,2019 I underwent a cardiac ablation to "cure" constant bigeminy arrhythmia. From the start the procedure was very difficult. I had pain and then an increasing inability  to breathe. I was consciously sedated throughout so I remember every detail ��. Long story short....I ended up with a 5 cm tear in my Left ventricle. This resulted in cardiac tamponade and bilateral pleural effusions. I was resuscitated and underwent emergent OHS. My arrhythmia was able to be controlled with flecainide and metoprolol.....until two months ago. My arrhythmia is back in full force. I'm now on 300 mg flecainide and 50 mg metoprolol. I've had Holter and Zio patch monitors. Most definitely going to look into SEEK monitor. Thank you. I cannot function on these meds. 
    Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone





  • 5.  RE: Arrhythmia control

    Posted 02-21-2020 20:12
    Hi Margo,

    I just had my 14th cardioversion this past December.  I have had 3 ablations and a maze procedure during my mitral valve repair.  I have broken through most of my medications.  My last two ablations were done with 3d mapping.  I have attended some of our local Mended Hearts meetings where there have been doctors that share the latest technology as speakers.  Since my open heart procedure 5 years ago this April, they have introduced a lot of new technology.   I am running out of options and I am trying to desperately learn what my triggers are.   

    Yes, metoprolol will make you tired.  If you are taking it in the morning, switch to at night.  This will help.  

    As for feeling like living in quicksand,  OMG I get it.  Most of my attacks happen in my sleep.   Meditation, therapy, 4 electrolytes maintained and diet (no caffeine and alcohol) are things that I have done to help myself.  People do not realize that this is a super scary nightmare we are living in.  Every ER visit is horrifying especially when your doctors insist you are not doing anything to trigger it. 

    If you would like to connect further and discuss any other concerns just know you are not alone.   Some of us are in the same boat and aren't as quick to respond as we used to be. 

    God Bless, 

    Hang in there.

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    Lisa Gruccio
    Coral Springs FL
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