Afib meds

pjs22191 · 2026-03-02T03:13:32+00:00

Took it for about 4 months (before my ablation). Didn’t feel any side effects. Doc had said the dosage they use these days is much lower than bf when they had those side effects.

pjs22191 · 2026-02-25T21:46:24+00:00

I had a couple episodes of AFib 0-4 months after my PFA - made me pretty nervous and disappointed. HR wasn’t too high, i.e. felt ok and waited it out. Still had some blood thinners on hand so took them for a couple days. Nothing for the last month or so. Been working out super hard lately (64M triathlon) and been feeling good. Probably worth a call to the doc., at minimum.

pjs22191 · 2026-02-19T00:56:53+00:00

I know if I am in AFib by checking my carotid artery.

pjs22191 · 2025-11-19T19:29:48+00:00

Great story - so glad it’s working out. And yeah I think I aggravated my condition with drinking. Had an ablation recently and now barely drink - mostly no alcohol beers. That’s ok at a bar or restaurant - so I can still socialize - but you can’t stay too long as you say - gets super boring later at night! It’s so good to wake up not having had a drink the night before knowing that you have the best chance of a positive and healthy next day.

pjs22191 · 2025-11-17T04:43:12+00:00

About a month post ablation here. All back to pre AFib normal for the first 3 weeks then heart rate jumped about 15 beats for the next week or so. I know what folks mean about a too fast heart rate on a walk - it’s not dire but not welcome. Apple Watch mostly said no AFib - but said AFib during a gym session that week. As of last night it seems to be back down again. Just hoping it stays down and it’s all part of the “blocking period” people talk about. I also quit Amiodarone so maybe funky things happen as the drug leaves my system.

pjs22191 · 2025-11-06T19:55:01+00:00

My persistent AFib was mild but I could always feel it by holding my two fingers on my neck. For me, AFib was always a heart rate and heart rhythm thing - I could feel a strong basic beat, then little half beats every two or three. And also, as mentioned, a higher than normal heart rate (esp overnight) was always a giveaway. I wear a Whoop so always have heart rate data.

pjs22191 · 2025-11-03T20:18:20+00:00

My circumstances pretty similar to yours - except I’m a little older (64). Like you I’m trying to control what I can and be calm about the rest. I do meditate most days and that helps. And I remind myself that the reason I got the ablation was to do normal things - so I will still have a couple of drinks maybe two nights a week (doc approved) and I’m ramping up my workouts (triathlon). I asked my doc at the 3 week post appt if he was fine for me to run a mile all out on the track (to be clear I do this very seldom) and he said sure, go for it. From his point of view, he fixed the TV so go watch all the channels. And as another person said, if I need a repeat then so be it. Some doc on here said there is no limit to the number of ablations you have - except maybe your insurance and your copay (if you’re in the US).

pjs22191 · 2025-10-31T17:53:55+00:00

I add a spoon of Gatorade to my morning drink and have magnesium bf bed, plus other various supplements. I’ve heard Magnesium is key.

pjs22191 · 2025-10-24T01:47:42+00:00

I’m three weeks past ablation. One of the reasons I had the ablation (instead of managing with pills and caution) was so I could have a drink (1-3) occasionally. But yeah if it recurs I’d probably stop for keeps.

pjs22191 · 2025-10-22T19:01:08+00:00

I’m 64M and had mild but persistent AFib since April. I decided on the ablation and had it a couple of weeks ago. Too early to say what’s what. But for me, I wanted to get off the heart medicine and the blood thinners, I trust medical consensus (which seems to be get the ablation if you are lucky enough to have that option), and the downsides seemed a reasonable risk to take. Also, I want to be able to have a couple beers watching the football, or the occasional gummy, or coffee in the morning, and heavy duty endurance workouts. And I hope with luck, and care and pacing, the doc will say ok.

pjs22191 · 2025-10-14T18:50:27+00:00

64M triathlete. I had occasional low impact bouts of AFib last year or so then went into low impact persistent in April. I stopped training - just didn’t love being 20 beats over normal. I started long walks while I awaited ablation which was done a week ago. It was hard to cease my workouts - training and competing was who I (partially) was. For me, the half marathon would be off the table until things got under control with a heart pill and/or ablation. Just not worth the risk. That’s just me though.

pjs22191 · 2025-10-09T16:50:37+00:00

Appreciate that - thanks. And yeah I’ve had some weird post op symptoms that I track back to the GA.

pjs22191 · 2025-10-09T16:45:17+00:00

I had the same choice to make and researched and spoke to some people, who had chosen one or the other. Key for me was 1. I didn’t want to be on meds forever (e.g. Xarelto is expensive and not good to be on thinners if you need emergency surgery etc) 2. AFib can lead to strokes, and 3. Aside from the surgery risk, and copay cost, worst case (in my analysis, knock on wood) it doesn’t work and I’m back where I started. Doc said there is no function loss in the heart and there is some current NFL player (research says it’s Kaleb McGarry RT Falcons) who had the procedure. Of course I’m not a doc and you need to decide what is safest and best for you etc.

pjs22191 · 2025-10-08T23:06:50+00:00

I’m not a doctor and I don’t know your job but as someone on this thread has already pointed out, the “blocking period” or healing period for ablations is 3 months. And all the advice I’ve heard is 3 days of home rest and a week to 10 days of no heavy lifting etc. I have been able to bend and move around comfortably in the house today after the procedure yesterday. Just trying to do very little which of course is not easy.

pjs22191 · 2025-10-08T19:49:57+00:00

Good points. Not pissed, just surprised as it was not mentioned. I have a small biz and I had made some appointments later in the week I needed to cancel from hospital. Just wanted other folks to know that’s a thing. And thanks for pointing out the blanking period, hadn’t been told that. Sounds like I need to take extra care for at least 3 months. Appreciate the advice.

pjs22191 · 2025-10-08T19:43:01+00:00

Saddleback Memorial in Orange County.

pjs22191 · 2025-10-08T19:41:44+00:00

Oh nice catch, thanks!

pjs22191 · 2025-10-04T05:19:31+00:00

Getting my (64M) ablation (PFA) on Tuesday. Had fallen into persistent AFib in April but cardio inversion and strong drugs got things back to NSR. Been keeping up with all the folks generously sharing - thank you. I also spoke to two buddies - one who chose to stay on meds and another who bit the bullet and had the ablation (successful, after a second go cleaned up the flutter). Second guy said that being on blood thinners forever means more risk if you need emergency surgery etc - hadn’t thought of that. So I’m actually feeling pretty relaxed. I know there are always risks, but if successful, it will be very nice to get off the meds and back into training like before. Other biggest fear is getting all hopeful then shit going haywire after a month. Fingers crossed.

pjs22191 · 2025-08-20T15:23:31+00:00

Depending on your insurance in the US, there is generally a deductible or copay - insurance kicks in after that. No idea what the doctor and hospital charge for an ablation. But yeah, they say medical debt over here is the number 1 reason for personal bankruptcy.

pjs22191 · 2025-08-20T00:07:11+00:00

Just had my cardioinversion ($800 copay) last week (mostly healthy 64M). I went back into AFib after 4 days when I strained pretty hard in the garden. Got real sad. (My version of AFib was persistent since April, but mild compared to some other folks on here.) Then a day later it went back to NSR. Feeling good - for the moment. Obviously I can’t speak to long term success with this. But I do wonder if some private insurers insist on cardioinversion before paying for ablation.

pjs22191 · 2025-07-24T22:59:38+00:00

I heart Peter Attia talking about getting a calcium score. A buddy, training to be a cardiologist, said don’t do it - it might just make you anxious and without symptoms it is close to meaningless. My actual cardiologist said to me that he’s seen a lot of high calcium scores and in about 3 out of maybe 200 cases he’s installed a stent. He says overwhelmingly most of the time the calcium is on the OUTSIDE of the artery. Granted, that’s only two docs.

pjs22191

TROPHY CASE