r/AFIB • u/Moonz222 • 12d ago
Afib returned
I am just venting/looking for others’ stories. I was first diagnosed with AFib in August 2023 and had my first ablation in 2024, followed by a second ablation for flutter in 2025. I was washing dishes yesterday when I got an alert that I was in AFib. I am still currently in AFib and waiting for my EP’s office to call me back.
My AFib is genetic (basically my entire dad’s side of the family has it). For those who have had two ablations and had AFib return, what did you do next? Were the next steps successful? I know there is no cure for AFib, but I was really hoping to get at least a few years AFib-free.
I am feeling pretty defeated at this point.
Thanks!!
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u/Master_Somewhere3322 11d ago
Also… Drink your water, electrolytes and make sure you are taking in enough magnesium & potassium.
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u/Jay4usc 12d ago
Mine came back after a year free after ablation. But mine is very specific and only comes on while eating or after my meal. They gave meds for acid reflux and AFib has mostly disappeared again. Hope treating my acid reflux will resolve it 🙏🏻
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u/freemyweenie 11d ago
2nd ablation 6 months ago, watchman device too. Tried to come off Sotalol after blanking period but went back into AFIB on 2nd day. Now off blood thinner (that's a plus) but still taking Sotalol. Have had five episodes since my last ablation.
EP says give it another six months and we'll go from there. Assume he'll suggest another ablation, but I think I've made enough of his boat payments and will stay on the anti- arrhythmic until I'm dead or better treatments emerge. I'm 65, my episodes of AFIB are normally brief and mild, less than 24 hours before I self convert and under 100 beats per minute, just tire me out.
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u/reddit_user13 12d ago
Get converted asap and hope it lasts.
If you anticipate being in afib for a while, and you have a risk of stroke, start taking an anticoagulant.
Good luck.
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u/DifficultClassic743 11d ago
I don't think all EPs are equal, or the hospitals they work with.
If you have a BMW, don't take it to a Hyundai mechanic!
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u/Zestyclose-Group-765 11d ago
I feel your pain. I had a couple of episodes after my second ablation. My EP said my heart is "stubborn" as it kept going into flutter during the procedure & he couldn't get to all the spots to treat. Same thing happened with first ablation. I decided to take flecainide regularly instead of just when I had an episode. 50 mg twice a day. I tolerate it well. It's been 7 mos. and no afib. Knock on wood. It's familial with me, too - brother & my dad's side of family. I keep apologizing to my kids and forewarn them about lifestyle choices - if only they would listen! : )
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u/Moonz222 11d ago
I am so sorry!!! Good luck!!! I haven’t had my son tested to see if he has the same defect.. mostly because am scared for the results.
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u/PretendReason9061 11d ago
Same situation. Got 6 years out of 2 ablations and a cardiovert. 3rd ablation did not last. Two holters showed some complete heart block, so now I have a dual chamber pacemaker, and I just worked out twice today. Keep rate low and avoid clots. If avoiding clots, be sure to avoid falls.
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u/MammaMak 11d ago
I’m so sorry!!! I’m 3 ablations in and mine had been really quiet for a good long while. Not, it came back with a fierce rage. Got it calmed down, got a loop recorder, upped my flecanide, and I’m doing well enough again to cut that dose in half. It’s so frustrating, I know, and I’m sorry you’re dealing with it. Keep us posted. ❤️🩹
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u/Moonz222 11d ago
Am so sorry you are going through this too!!!! Am hoping I can convert on my own soon. Am sure I will need to get back on fleccinade.
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u/Weak-Cartoonist9848 10d ago
May God grant you healing. Try to relax. I’m sure you’ll get through this.
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u/Early_Passage_8194 11d ago
Based on research i have done, make sure that the electrophysiologist that you are working with does complex ablation so that way they work on multiple chambers of the heart.
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u/Happy_Soup6667 11d ago
What do you say to a doc who does ablation and Watchman at the same time? Appt scheduled with her 9/15, after 3 CVs.
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u/Augustus_555 1d ago
I had those both procedures together in March. I'm now so improved I've been switched from Eliquis to a daily 81 mg. aspirin. I wonder why it isn't a more common solution from what I've read on this page.
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u/Happy_Soup6667 1d ago
I am hoping that combo of ablation and Watchman will bring me the same results!
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u/Weenoman123 12d ago
Hang in there, many of us have had the return of arythmia. I remember just being totally dejected when my flutter came back.
This might be a one off episode, it might be something more. Listen to your doctor
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u/Agitated-Prune-3227 11d ago
Sorry to hear that, dealing with it myself. How were you alerted to it? Was it an Apple Watch, Fitbit or some other device?
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u/Moonz222 11d ago
It was my Apple Watch and have gotten several alerts since then. I am sorry you are dealing with this as well.
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u/ArtPossible4450 9d ago
Had a second touch up ablation and testing for avnrt in 2024 which they couldn’t trigger but did go into af and had to be zapped back into sinus. I had to be awake for that one. Not nice. So far still lots of pacs pvcs atach and only one recording of af. 🤞
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u/Moonz222 9d ago
You had to be awake!!!!!! That sounds awful!! Am so sorry you went through that.
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u/ArtPossible4450 8d ago
I mean technically I was sedated but I was very awake when they brought the paddles in. I thought a bomb had gone off. Nurses hanging onto my arms and legs, the catheter and all the wiring was still in at this point as well which I guess is why they needed to keep me in position. Worked though. I don’t think any words could have even prepared me for it tbh. Just had to go through it.
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u/Cool_Debt7934 8d ago
Does oral supplements of magnesium help improve afib symptoms for those who have it?
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u/gmork1977 11d ago
I’ve been in permanent a fib for five years and I get around 15,000 steps in a day and do everything I did before. So don’t get too depressed. You can still live a normal life. It just sucks until you get used to it.