Thank you, my friend.

Caryn, I had my consult today. I am opting out for the pacemaker at this time. The EKG showed that I am in AFIB but the good news the BP and heart rate were normal 78. I learn that once you get a pacemaker no turning back. Pacemaker over time can weaken the heart. The chance of pacemaker problems is about 5% on weakening the heart. The biggest issue would battery change over time. Which is about a 15 min. procedure. The pacemaker is in charge of firing to keep heart in normal rhythm it actually is the lower atrium of the heart ventricular. So my decision treat my AFIB with medication verapamil 240 MG and monitor. I know when my hr gets too high because I have multiple symptoms.
Caryn thank you for the hugs and just hearing me vent.
May God bless all of us on our journeys.

John98,
I don't know. My understanding of pacemaker is for really low heart rate. My only ablation was for AFIB Rapid Ventricular Response (RVR). It would peak in the 170's and then go low and then high. They called it Tacky/Brady. So they put me on Dofetilde to help the rhythm issue and scheduled me for an ablation two months later. They measured my left atrium for another procedure but after the ablation told me the likelihood of success with Watchmen or Amulet procedure was non existent. So I just went off the Dofetilide after 14 weeks post ablation and tomorrow I will go on a Holter monitor for two weeks to see if I am having silent AFIB. My cardiologists word, not mine. If your Cardiologist recommendation is for a pacemaker than they wouldn't recommend if you really don't have an issue with very low heart rate or are symptomatic. Keep a good thought. 2/1/2024

John, I think you made the right move for you. My doctor is not so quick to put in pacemakers unless you really need them. If you do need them they are a lifesaver. So far the medication treatment route for me has proved successful. I rarely have AFIB. I have flutter all the time and the medication can't control that but the AFIB is silent most of the time, now we found the right medication. Good luck with your meds. All of us have to make the right decision in conjunction with our doctors. I support your decision and I hope the medication works its magic and you stay out of AFIB as much as possible. I know what you mean about feeling it. Keep well and you are welcome to vent anytime. BIG HUGS 🤗