Thanks jimbeau.
From three to six months. it's also the bpm that is making me think of an ablation. though my heart is otherwise healthy, it's working very hard at that rate and it might be better to zap the pathways than find out the hard way that some medications don't work etc. I was thinking that each time it happens, statistically, the chance of the heart getting just too tired must increase.
Also, I can think of situations where, even in a big city, I might not be able to take the medication, (if I'm unconscious on my own).
I've never had an episode when the rate wasn't that high so I don't tell myself that it will probably be lower next time.
Lastly, I can't differentiate between stressful situations that will trigger an episode and those which won't. the suspense is killing me (so to speak).
How far apart are your episodes? I have had 5 episodes in the last 7 years, 140 bpm converted to normal with Cardizem IV in the ER and then an overnight stay for observation. My DR. gave me flecianide to take as needed but it did not convert me to normal rhythm.