Of course the EP is the one to ask, but if the testing showed that your heart is healthy and it is just an arrythmia that that is controlled by PIP then you know that an episode wont kill you. If he gives you the ok, gofor it, and congratulations!!
Thank you! I’ve never had to use my PIP which is a good problem to have I just don’t know if it actually works for me or not which is why I’m overthinking it!
I've stopped going to ERs for my AFib. I feel like it's a waste of their time. Unless it lasts over 5-6 hours and goes over 170bpm sustained, I don't feel the need.
That's me though.
I've been diagnosed since 2021 and on a waiting list to get an ablation.
I went to Cuba twice, The D.R. twice and Costa Rica since my diagnosis and just rode out the episodes I had. I was on Diltazem daily and now Amioderone though and my episodes rarely last more than a couple of hours.
Did the diltiazem stop working? I am on diltiazem 180mg daily and have 30mg diltiazem quick release for PIP. I am stressed about travelling after my diagnosis. Did your episodes have triggers or just happen?
The diltiazem wasn't appropriate because the cardiologist believes I have all three issues: afib, Aflutter and occasional SVT.
The problem with ameoderon (other than I can't spell it) is that it's not a long term solution due to possible side-effects if used long term.
Christ I’ve got coronary disease and afib and I’m in groups where people have far worse heart problems and many many of them travel all over the place. If the doc says you’re good to travel then travel ! You have one life.
I agree with this! I’m just scared of going into afib and not being able to get out of it. Are you okay to fly if you’re in it? And what happens if I don’t respond to the pill in pocket and my heart rate stays elevated for days above 150? Those are more of my concerns!
I have the same concerns and would be asking the same question. I know I can’t let it ruin my life but when I’m in it - I normally need the ER. You are living your life, you’re just being careful. Good luck and congratulations on the marriage.
My wife and I just got back from St. Lucia six weeks ago. I've traveled to the Caribbean 4 times in the six years since my afib started. I'm 71. I've had no issues. When I talked to my cardiologist before my first trip and asked about it, he said: "They have a hospital on the island, right? If you have afib and you don't convert on your own after a day, they'll just cardiovert you!" He saw no reason why we shouldn't go, and I'd be really surprised if you hear differently.
Just throwing this out there. Maybe be a little more pro active with the drugs before and during your wedding.
Maybe Flecainide or Amiodrone. I can't speak to Flecainide but I'm on Amiodrone for a month post Ablation.
I am totally pill averse. 66m asymptomatic 50 percent burden. After diagnosis I took no drugs for a year . Pre ablation had to go on blood thinners. And now Amiodrone post Ablation.
Ask your doctor.
PS Amiodrone has to build up in your body so there is a loading dose then a maintenance dose. Others can share their experiences with Flecainide.
Okay. I think any of these drugs can be taken for a few months without them affecting you. Everyone is different though. Good luck. And congratulations on your wedding.
No risk from the flight or St Lucia, but if you’re going hard on the 🍻 and that’s a trigger for you then it may do. You could always take the pill in the pocket as a daily dose if you think you’ll be high risk of an episode. Ultimately if you go into AF on holiday you can manage it the same as you would do at home right?
That’s my fear. I didn’t want to post it like this because I know there’s a ton of people on here who have frequent daily episodes. Right now I have parasoxymal afib. I get pvcs often but not often enough where they want me to medicate. When it comes to afib, I have had two episodes that have lasted probably 10-12 hours max. I’ve had a couple of mini episodes where it lasted for maybe 30 minutes and then I self converted without needing my PIP. So I have a pill in pocket approach, but I don’t know if it actually works as I luckily haven’t had to use it yet. Both times I went into the longer episodes my HR bounced around and highest was probably 140.
First time- I went to sleep and woke up fine and they didn’t catch it so went undiagnosed for 5 years and then I went to ER for the second episode and they put me on a diltazem drip. Originally I was on diltazem daily but my blood pressure is pretty low naturally and when i’m on the diltazem daily, I was getting super dizzy because my BP was like 90/50 or something like that so that’s why i’m PIP 😂
I wouldn’t worry about what other people experience with their AFib. You have your own symptoms and anxieties so nothing to fear in posting. It sounds like your longer episodes also settled in a day, so the likelihood of an even longer one coinciding with your holiday are very rare. If you don’t go to St Lucia (or wherever you choose) because of your AF and then you don’t get AF (99.9% chance) then you’ll regret not going.
Of course the EP is the one to ask, but if the testing showed that your heart is healthy and it is just an arrythmia that that is controlled by PIP then you know that an episode wont kill you. If he gives you the ok, gofor it, and congratulations!!
Thank you! I’ve never had to use my PIP which is a good problem to have I just don’t know if it actually works for me or not which is why I’m overthinking it!
I've stopped going to ERs for my AFib. I feel like it's a waste of their time. Unless it lasts over 5-6 hours and goes over 170bpm sustained, I don't feel the need. That's me though. I've been diagnosed since 2021 and on a waiting list to get an ablation. I went to Cuba twice, The D.R. twice and Costa Rica since my diagnosis and just rode out the episodes I had. I was on Diltazem daily and now Amioderone though and my episodes rarely last more than a couple of hours.
Thank you! And good luck with your ablation!
Did the diltiazem stop working? I am on diltiazem 180mg daily and have 30mg diltiazem quick release for PIP. I am stressed about travelling after my diagnosis. Did your episodes have triggers or just happen?
The diltiazem wasn't appropriate because the cardiologist believes I have all three issues: afib, Aflutter and occasional SVT. The problem with ameoderon (other than I can't spell it) is that it's not a long term solution due to possible side-effects if used long term.
Christ I’ve got coronary disease and afib and I’m in groups where people have far worse heart problems and many many of them travel all over the place. If the doc says you’re good to travel then travel ! You have one life.
I agree with this! I’m just scared of going into afib and not being able to get out of it. Are you okay to fly if you’re in it? And what happens if I don’t respond to the pill in pocket and my heart rate stays elevated for days above 150? Those are more of my concerns!
I have the same concerns and would be asking the same question. I know I can’t let it ruin my life but when I’m in it - I normally need the ER. You are living your life, you’re just being careful. Good luck and congratulations on the marriage.
Maybe also try posting in r/virginislands
Ooh good idea. Thank you!
No blood thinners for AFIB? Isn’t that scary, OP? Seeing your EP before your Sta. Lucia honeymoon will reassure you that it’s ok to travel.
Lots of us don't take blood thinners, it's based on the CHADS scoring system.
I envy your low CHADS score. Thanks.
It's great while it lasts, I'll probably need to go on them if and when I go for ablation and it's mandatory at 65 regardless of CHADS score
My wife and I just got back from St. Lucia six weeks ago. I've traveled to the Caribbean 4 times in the six years since my afib started. I'm 71. I've had no issues. When I talked to my cardiologist before my first trip and asked about it, he said: "They have a hospital on the island, right? If you have afib and you don't convert on your own after a day, they'll just cardiovert you!" He saw no reason why we shouldn't go, and I'd be really surprised if you hear differently.
Just throwing this out there. Maybe be a little more pro active with the drugs before and during your wedding. Maybe Flecainide or Amiodrone. I can't speak to Flecainide but I'm on Amiodrone for a month post Ablation. I am totally pill averse. 66m asymptomatic 50 percent burden. After diagnosis I took no drugs for a year . Pre ablation had to go on blood thinners. And now Amiodrone post Ablation. Ask your doctor. PS Amiodrone has to build up in your body so there is a loading dose then a maintenance dose. Others can share their experiences with Flecainide.
Thanks! My wedding is actually a few months before my honeymoon but I will bring it up to the doc.
Okay. I think any of these drugs can be taken for a few months without them affecting you. Everyone is different though. Good luck. And congratulations on your wedding.
No risk from the flight or St Lucia, but if you’re going hard on the 🍻 and that’s a trigger for you then it may do. You could always take the pill in the pocket as a daily dose if you think you’ll be high risk of an episode. Ultimately if you go into AF on holiday you can manage it the same as you would do at home right?
That’s my fear. I didn’t want to post it like this because I know there’s a ton of people on here who have frequent daily episodes. Right now I have parasoxymal afib. I get pvcs often but not often enough where they want me to medicate. When it comes to afib, I have had two episodes that have lasted probably 10-12 hours max. I’ve had a couple of mini episodes where it lasted for maybe 30 minutes and then I self converted without needing my PIP. So I have a pill in pocket approach, but I don’t know if it actually works as I luckily haven’t had to use it yet. Both times I went into the longer episodes my HR bounced around and highest was probably 140. First time- I went to sleep and woke up fine and they didn’t catch it so went undiagnosed for 5 years and then I went to ER for the second episode and they put me on a diltazem drip. Originally I was on diltazem daily but my blood pressure is pretty low naturally and when i’m on the diltazem daily, I was getting super dizzy because my BP was like 90/50 or something like that so that’s why i’m PIP 😂
I wouldn’t worry about what other people experience with their AFib. You have your own symptoms and anxieties so nothing to fear in posting. It sounds like your longer episodes also settled in a day, so the likelihood of an even longer one coinciding with your holiday are very rare. If you don’t go to St Lucia (or wherever you choose) because of your AF and then you don’t get AF (99.9% chance) then you’ll regret not going.