Your history looks similar to mine, but I didn't have any drug sensitivity. After 11 years of afib and over two hundred episodes lasting up to 72 hours (all but one self converted), I went for an ablation. That ablation kept me free of afib for 13 years. Now after a second ablation, I have been free for a year.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
After my last ablation, a year and a half ago in early January, I was on Flec for two months (more or less typical). I had no issues or afib until April and May when I had a half dozen afib episodes. All were stopped with Flec as a "pill in a pocket" approach. Then nothing for the last year (no afib or meds). I carry some Flec with me at all times, just in case.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
It's so easy for me to feel afib with my carotid pulse. Radial too, but not as strong. Two seconds, and that's all it takes. I have speculated that one's body mass may play a roll in the ability to feel the heart in afib. I am lean and when it starts, it's obvious and can be confirmed with taking my pulse. I have a friend that never knows when she is in or out of afib,by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Jennifer, During my first run of afib - 6 years documented with over 200 episodes, I had 24 of them last for more than 24 hours (longest - 72 hrs). I only went to the ER once for a conversion, the rest converted on their own. I was on Plavix and Toprol, but I don't recall what my heart rate was when I was in afib. This was back in 2001 - 2007. I am thinking you can wait a bit withby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
There are few "hard and fast rules" with afib. After my first ablation, there was no blanking period. Zero breakthroughs and smooth sailing for 13 years. I was on coumadin and nothing else for on month post ablation. I had over 200 episodes of afib in the prior 6 years. Afib back in the fall of 2019. Then the second ablation on January 6, 2020. I was on Flecainide and Eliquisby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Dini, Not a recommendation, just a consideration requiring some dialogue with your Dr. I had afib for 11 years, 5 misdiagnosed with no meds. Then diagnosed correctly and over 200 episodes during the next six years. The blood thinner at the time was Warfarin, but because of my very active lifestyle, my Dr. suggested Plavix so the bleeding risk would be reduced. It apparently worked justby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Muntz, I have had two ablations, 14 years ago and the other 1.5 years ago with a Dr. in Dallas, TX. However, since I am in Raleigh, Dr. James Daubert EP was recommended by my Dr. in Dallas. I had a video appointment with Dr. Daubert (greet and meet) and a follow up in person meeting with his Nurse Practitioner - Andrea Rebecca Yapejian. Both were excellent, especially Andrea. Who would I sby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
While intermittent fasting may be good for fat loss, I remain a bit skeptical because of the potential muscle loss too. I bust my butt to maintain muscle mass to do the things I like to do (skiing, windsurfing, hiking, golf, scuba), but I still have a bit more mid section fat than I would like. But I am am 76 and in good shape. Anything that would reduce the mid section fat at the cost of muscby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
While I had afib, 11 years prior to my first ablation, I made annual, week long ski trips to elevations, generally between 8-12,000 ft. Never had afib while skiing. The 13 years post ablation, same deal, annual ski trips = no afib. Dehydration can be an issue at elevation, generally because of the extra breathing and dry (low humidity) air.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Drinking coffee now and every morning. Never any ectopics/PACs after coffee or any other drink/food. Potassium and magnesium supplements knocked out abut 80% of past ectopics.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
"Success" stories generally mean that afib was stopped for an extended period of time. For me, my first ablation lasted 13 years, probably longer than most. My second is going well after 6 breakthroughs in the first few months, but now afib free for 9 straight months. For almost all of us (speculation), afib will be back at some point, it's just a matter of how well the electrby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
With my history of afib and documented episodes (over 200), I never found a relationship between caffeine and afib. Before my first ablation and through 11 years of afib, the only apparent "trigger" I found was having two alcoholic drinks, which kicked off some afib. Never one drink. Alcohol or dehydration?? After my first and second ablations (13 years in between), I drink coffeeby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
ElectroBlu Cary followed through with my question.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
What afib meds are you on and for how long?by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Ditto what Wolfpack says about being symptomatic. I find it hard to believe that some people don't feel their afib. I wonder if body weight/mass/leanness/muscle mass play a role in being symptomatic. I have good muscle mass, I am lean, I am 6' tall and weigh 165. I have a woman friend how is asymptomatic, and is just the opposite my body type. When I am in afib, there is no way I caby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have had both Pfizer shot (my wife too). Nothing to it. For both of us, a slightly sore arm for one day after each shot. Too much negative hype for little or no reason.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I am sure it varies from individual to individual. My experience, without a doubt shows no relationship between afib, the drugs I took and sex. After my two ablations (13 years apart) and while on meds (including Eliquis) for a month, sex was 100% normal within a few days. I did give the insertion points a little time to heal.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Don't panic yet. After my first ablation, I went 13 years before my afib came back, but during that time, I had 4 breakthroughs scattered over that time period, all short lived. Then finally a big surge and another ablation. Disappointing for sure, but maybe just a small bump in a long road.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Juggsy, I had afib for 11 years before my first ablation with over 300 episodes and rarely visited my DR. The first five years, I was misdiagnosed and didn't know that I was having bouts of afib, so I took no medication, then diagnosed and on meds for the last 6 years. I was and still am very fit and the afib was an inconvenience. I didn't workout or go for a run when in afib, butby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
JoyWin, Me eat meat! Me no afraid of ablation. Just to lighten up your day.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had my second ablation a year ago at age 74. Day surgery, in at 6:30 am and out by 5:00 pm. Felt 100% normal the next day. I am strong, fit and healthy. However, not every one has it so easy. My afib was not debilitating, more of an inconvenience. More than 200 episodes before my first ablation 14 years ago.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Who knows how long the blanking period is....... Jan 2020 - second ablation - On Eliquis and Flec. for one month. Feb, Mar. - Nothing April - four short afib breakthroughs at night, all stopped with Flec. (pill in a pocket). May - one long bout of afib, lasted 34 hrs, stopped with two doses of Flec. Aug - one short bout of afib stopped with Flec. Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb - NOTHING.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have had both shots of the Pfizer vaccine - I am 75. No different than getting a flu shot for me. Minimal soreness in the arm for about 24 hours and that was it. NO reason for not getting the vaccine!by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Who is your Dr. at Duke?by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
From the article: It is unique in that it lets the cardiologist see the veins using a camera inserted exactly where the laser is. We don’t have to rely on X-rays or computer- simulated images, so we can ablate the tissue more accurately. The balloon we use in this ablation is also very flexible and adjustable, so it can adapt to fit all veins. The laser energy is also thought to damage the tisby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
My recollection is that if you take a deep breath and someone squeeze's your chest, the thoracic pressure increases to the point of collapsing your vena cava and the blood stops moving to your brain - and you pass out.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Last spring when I had 5 a-fib episodes about 4 months after my ablation, I tried the breath holding technique a couple of times with no benefit. I am familiar with breath holding (lots of skin diving, spear fishing pre college days), plus breath holding swims with competitive swimming training. As I recall, I once made a 75 yd. underwater swim without breathing "back in the day".by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
Let's say that I have an urge to breathe at 20 seconds, that would be normal for just about anyone since breathing every 4-5 seconds is in the normal range, and going 4-5 times longer should trigger an "urge". I would think that an urge to breathe after 10-20 seconds would not be unusual. The "first urge" is very subjective. I just check my old blood tests and foundby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I did the test and got to 45 sec. I could have gone longer with much discomfort. Knowing when to stop and breath is a bit subjective depending on ones "discomfort" tolerance.by Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM
I never found a relationship between exercise and afib. I had well over 200 episodes of afib and none happened while exercising. I don't know if my breathing (which I focus on) is a problem. For example, one of the weight exercises I was doing before my hip replacement that generated the greatest need to breath was squats to a short bench (knees bent to 90 degrees) while holding a 40lby Ken - AFIBBERS FORUM