Jill's Guestbook

Jill Porter  Hi Delise. Oh my heart goes out to you. For me it started a few days after my surgery. I was cardioverted twice at the hospital and stayed in sinus rhythm only briefly. After 3 weeks in the hospital I was released - still in A flutter. My heart rate was consistently about 130 but would go higher too. While in the hospital they started me on a loading dose of Amiodorone which was 800mg. I also was started on digoxin and metoprolol. As I said when I came home I was still in A flutter. I felt very anxious and uncomfortable and I didn't know how or when I was going to get out of it. Slowly but surely I think the medication worked or I was far enough away from the surgery so that the inflammation around the heart came down and I went back into sinus rhythm. I believe this was about 5 weeks after surgery.  There is a video somewhere on this site where Adam talks to a Dr. who discusses Afib after surgery and stresses that in 94% of cases it is a temporary situation. He says that the heart sometimes responds with that after the trauma of the surgery. I held on to that hope and you should too. Take on day at a time. I know it can be hard. Take your meds and communicate with your doctor. There are many meds and combinations of meds they can use to help you return to Sinus rhythm. Also when I was in A-flutter it was constant. It sounds like perhaps yours comes and goes? If that is the case perhaps the episodes with get fewer until they completely disappear. It is a distressing feeling that I don't know if people who haven't experienced it can understand. I feel very positive that this will resolve soon for you and I will send prayers your way.

Delise Becker  Thank you, Jill. I appreciate your feedback, and I have watched the video you mentioned. I am very hopeful that this issue will resolve itself in time. And, yes, my A-flutter/A-fib come and go. As soon as I went to bed last night, my heart started racing, even though I had been fine all day. My HR stayed at around 136 all night. I have a call in to my cardiologist, so hopefully, until my heart settles down and gets back into rhythm on its own, they can manage with meds. I certainly do not want to go the ER every few days! 

Delise Becker  Thanks; I truly appreciate your feedback. I did end up in the ER again today. They tried to treat with IV meds, but my heart was stubborn and the rate remained at 136. They did another cardioversion, and my heart rate was 82 when I was discharged. I'm praying that with the IV meds, + a new script for metoprolol, my heart will stay in rhythm this time. We shall see. 

Jill Porter  Yes I’m very grateful to say. I have been on a lot of meds that did the trick about two weeks ago. Or I was just recovered enough that it was ready to go back to sinus rhythm. I was scheduled for another cardio version and didn’t have to have it. I don’t know if I will have to continue taking meds for AFib or not. I was getting quite disheartened. I have found that a challenge of recovery. Staying positive when there are bumps in the road. This group has helped.

Jill Porter  Hi! After 5 weeks my rhythm returned to sinus without having to have another cardio version (which was scheduled. I am on a lot of meds for heart rate and rhythm which make my stomach hurt but I am grateful for the good care the electrophysiologist has given me. My recovery has been slow. I am at week 6. Still with sternum pain and no appetite but I am hopeful and looking forward to better days. And thank you for asking.

Jill Porter  Hi! I have a pacemaker in already. In 2020 I had an ablation for the afib which had become constant. However, the afib returned and I am on meds to control it. I don't know if they are going to recommend another ablation as well as the valve procedure. I'm glad you had a good outcome. That is encouraging!