As we’ve covered in previous posts, sometimes afib patients need multiple ablation procedures to avoid a relapse. Usually a second ablation is enough.
However, Judy Levermore is not so lucky. She underwent a third ablation procedure in the hopes that this time, the treatment would stick.
Each surgery offers its own risks–any surgery does. But Levermore is not the type to give up, surrender, or let fear dictate her options.
She has gone through two of these ablations without success. Unwilling to give up, Levermore in December underwent a “convergent ablation” at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. The innovative surgery involves two doctors operating on the heart’s inner and outer layers. Altemose, who was one of the doctors who operated on Levermore, says it takes three months to confirm that the surgery has worked. He expects her heart to find its regular rhythm.
It’s important to never give up hope that you will see the end of your symptoms. According to the article it will take a few months for doctors to know for sure that the third time has been successful. In the mean time Levermore is engaging in gentle exercise.
Have you undergone multiple ablations? What was your experience? I’d love to hear more in the comments below.
Would you try it a third time if the first two surgeries didn’t work? Or would you start seeking out other options?
Doctors are already studying the qualities that make someone a good candidate for a successful ablation surgery. As those studies progress we can expect to see a greater percentage of successful first-time ablations.
Dear Travis,
It was great reading your blog! You might be interested in reading my story, so here it goes!
I was first diagnosed with Afib at the age of 24. I had always been a young happy go lucky person. The one who always had to be taken into hospital when she was young with “supposed heart problems” was my sister, a year older than me.
We grew up between Argentina and England coming and going. In 1991 I decided to return to Argentina and soon after that it was when I was first diagnosed. All the doctor did was medicate me with Digoxin. Finally after 2 years I was apparently diverted. However, at that age I was pretty unconcious of my problem and continued to jog for 5km per day and apparently had no negative symptoms.
Some years later, I got married and age 27 had my first child. Of course I gave up my medication the minute I realized I was pregnant and doctors did not tell me otherwise. I proceeded to have a healthy pregnancy and birth. Howeve,r it was a ceasure and when they were stitching me up my heart went into tachicardia. It was controlled and that was that.
Another 18 months went by and I got pregnant again. I decided to go to England to visit the family, three months into pregnancy and that is when I started suffering my 2nd episode of Afib. While in England I found I was often out of breath, got dizzy spells and had to go up the stairs on all fours and come down on my bum! Of course the last thing that came accross my mind was that i was Afib. I just thought it was due to the pregnancy and the cold English weather! I came back to Argentina 2 months later, 5 months into pregnancy and the minute I went to see my cardiologist he put me straight into hospital with 200bpm! I was in intensive care for a week and underwent all the necessary tests. Left hospital with a light medication with Atenolol and continued to be monitored closely during the whole pregnancy and finally had a ceasure at 8 months. All went well, gave birth to my second son! Two months after that I was anti-coagulated and had an electric cardioversion which worked. All was fine for anther 18 months when I fell pregnant with my 3rd child, this time a baby girls. The minute I got pregnant or some weeks after I seem to go into Afib. So the whole procedure was repeated. My daughter was born, 8 months later and two months after that, I went in for my second electric cardioversion. Again, it was successful. This time I didn´t have any more symptoms for the next 16 years! And, I had a fourth, and last, may I add, child – I went through that pregnancy with no Afib and no complications.
Nevertheless, this past 3rd July, on my baby-girl´s 16th birthday, I woke up feeling peculiar. I had been feeling some slight, minor dizzy spells during the past months and at times the need to yawn – but didn´t think much of it. Until last Friday when the school nurse suggested I had an ECG, which I did and was then admitted to hospital as the doctor confirmed I was Afib. First I was given Propafenone – and as I did not respond to this and was within the 48hr range, the following morning, after being anticoagulated I had and electric cardioversion. That brings us up to today, Tuesday 7th July. Here I am at home, feeling quite well, but keep yawning and sometimes feel pressure on my back and find it uncomfortable to rest. I am madicated with Bisoprolol and due in for control tomorrow.
Of course while resting, what do I do?, google all about Afib and how to deal and live with it! Must say I came accross some very useful and helpful information and now realize how common this is.
What is quite disappointing in my case, is that at the beginning of the year my second son, who is today 17 years old, has been diagnosed with Afib, his seems to be persisten Afib while I am paroxysmal and also have a slight prolapsed mytral valve. And remember my sister in the UK, she also has it and three of her four children too. One has already had two ablations and is only 26 years old. The others seem to have no symptoms so far.
Well, so that is my story – and although I am more worried about my son, I am beginning to accept that it is a new way of life which I have no choice other than to learn how to live with Atrial Fibrillation! My main priority is to look after my son and hope he does not go into depression, as my nephew did, as he has had to give up all sports at school for the time being and Rugby, which he loved!!
Thank you for reading my story and hope my experience will help others.
Kind Regards, and take care all!
Sonia
Sonia:
Thanks for taking the time to share your story. As I mentioned to you privately via email, I may move your comments to a separate blog post I’m going to be working on regarding the genetics of afib. It is definitely hereditary as my father had it and several people in my extended family have it as well.
I have to say, however, that your story is the first one I have read where the children got it at such a young age. Even when afib is “passed on” the kids normally don’t get it until much later in life. Based on what I’ve read, it’s unusual for children to experience afib at such a young age.
I wish you and your entire family the very best and thanks for sharing your story with my readers!
Travis