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Original poster

Atrial fibrillation support thread

27 replies

suzie2023 · 29/05/2023 11:25

My husband has paroxysmal a-fib and is in the middle of another episode now. He is currently relaxing whilst waiting for the flecanide to do its thing. Hoping flecanide works and we don't need an A&E trip. Fortunately, flecanide at home has worked for him on the last two episodes. His last episode was in 2020, so it's been 3 years.

It's bloody terrifying and I always feel sick with worry when it happens. I'm sat here with adrenaline pumping through me. I've subtly packed a small hospital bag just in case we do need to shoot off, whilst not letting on to my husband that I am panicking.

I've ran him a nice bubble bath and he is currently having a soak whilst sipping some water to hydrate. The episode before last, his heart went into rhythm again whilst he relaxed in the bath after taking flecanide - so I'm hoping it works again.

Anyway in my panic and stress, I thought I'd start a support thread (I couldn't find an existing one - apologies if I have missed it) for those with A-fib or with a family member with A-fib.

Just a place to offer support and handhold each other when needed Flowers

It's a scary condition for me as a wife so I can't imagine how it must feel for any of you people who actually have A-fib.

I'm really hoping we don't end up in A&E this afternoon.

OP posts:
cptartapp · 01/06/2023 16:56

MinxieMax · 01/06/2023 15:03

Hello again all Afibbers. Just to mention I had a GA for the Watchman procedure, all went well. I asked the surgeon for sedation only as I had never had a GA before! He said it wasn't possible as I had to have a Trans Eosophageal Echo (TOE - a tube down the throat to the back of the food pipe to see where the device and wires were going to the Atrium). So I placed myself in his hands.

Anyway, after the surgery was done and I had come around, I asked if I'd had any AFib episodes during the procedure. YES was his answer but he said it was controlled by them.

TBH I'm so glad I was knocked out for it all! I know it's not the same as an ablation but they do use wires from the groin up to the heart area. The difference is they are placing a device in the atrium, but an ablation is "burning" off the bits that cause the electrical misfiring. Ablation does not require a T.O.E (trans eosophageal echo).

Also people in general should be reassured that Afib is not heart disease. It is electrical, whereas heart disease is the plumbing. I had a calcium scan and got a ZERO score which is very reassuring. I also had every other cardiac test you could mention, and Afib was the only diagnosis.

For those interested there is a forum on FB (members only) called "Atrial Fibrillation Support Forum". It has mainly US members but many UK and elsewhere. It is a mine of information about patients' experience of ablation/medication/QOL/ lots of stuff. Just thought I'd mention it.

I had a TOE a part of my ablation.

MinxieMax · 01/06/2023 17:15

@cptartapp Apologies, I meant to say ablation " does not always require" TOE. Hope you are doing well after your procedure.

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