Should I get ablation after a PM

• by mjayjock
• 2012-02-28 08:02:19
• Surgery & Recovery
• 1709 views
• 2 comments

This is a fantastic site with a lot of collective wisdom which I need in order to make a decision. I am 66 years old have had a-fib since mid 2008. With 4 cardioversions and medication (150 mg flecanide twice a day) the longest I was in sinus was about 16 months, the shortest about 4 weeks. I was also diagnosed with sick sinus syndrom (could not get my HR above about 105-110 bpm during excercise). I had a PM implanted last August and another cardioversion in October and seemed to be okay for at least a few months. My HR goes up to 150 bpm during excercise and I generally felt better after the cardioversion. In the last month or so I have felt a bit washed out. I have also had ED for the last 2-3 years now. So I went to my GP to have a testosterone test - which was normal. I am taking DHEA with little or no effect for the ED. Just this week my cardiologist tells me I have been in a-fib for at least a month. He took me off the flecanide but I got some pretty nasty heart flopping after about 3 days. I started the flecanide again and at least that symptom is gone. I jog everyday 2.1 miles at 15 min per mile (150 bpm) - so far I have gotten NO training effect that would allow me to get down to about 11-13min per mile. I also want to ride my bike again but I do not think I have any capacity to tour on the bike. Clearly, the tendency for a-fib is very strong in me and I am afraid it will ultimately lead to heart failure. I should also mention that I have what the doc calls mild mitrol value regurgitation. My doc does not do ablations so he has not been too high on me getting one but I really want to get back into being physically active again - to say nothing of having a sex life again without Viagra - which has only been partially successful. Any and all advice is entirely welcome. Thanks for any perspective you good folks can provide. Mike