How long have you been on the medications? I see the ablations were last year but when did the doctor decide to start you on the meds? Sometimes it takes a few weeks to adjust. In some cases you may need to change to a different med. I was put on Verapamil at first and ended up in ER with chest pain, SOB and general weakness. Now I can take Diltiazem (similar but different) with no trouble.
Two medications seem like a lot of drugs to control some atrial tachy. Can you be more specific as to what type of atrial tach you have: PSVT, a-flutter, a-fib? How fast and how long do the episodes last?
Thank you for the response and questions-I had the 2 ablations in 2007- summer and fall.They both failed- was put on meds. flecinide and sotalol . I do not have episodes of tachycardia while on the meds but have periods of "chest pressure " lasting for minutes to hours. I did try Diltiazem 30 mgs. 4 times daily -I was doing well for a week then had a severe episode of tachycardia -went to emerg. and then changed back to flecinide and sotalol.Seeing the cardiologist in Dec. I believe I have a-fib.
OK then, atrial fibrillation does need to be controlled. Because of the upper chambers quivering, there's the chance of clots forming. Are you on any blood thinners as well? From your last line it sounds like a-fib has not been diagnosed yet.
As to what causes it, I'm not sure. Some folks get it as they get older. Some people have ablations to correct one problem only to have a-fib rear its head. Not sure if the ablation actually causes it or just uncovers it. Whatever the cause, it does need to be managed.
Hope the cardio gives you definite answers in December.