Ablation

Hi, has anyone had the ablation for their AF, and if so, how far along were you with this disorder before you sought help from the specialist. Also who did you see about it and where. There seems to be a very small amount of Dr's that actually perform this procedure. I should mention I am from Australia.

[johncb]

I am also from Australia (Perth) I had one attack and then nothing for two years and then a series of attacks that were getting worse. I saw an EP in Jan this year and had ablation early Feb. After some initial irregularities it all settled down after about 4 - 5 weeks and has been perfect since. I have a very small monitor under my skin and send in a report every two months so the EP looks at it and so far all is good. If you go down the ablation track, make sure you get a very experienced operator with a proven track record and you shouldn't have any problems. You should make an appointment with one as he will need to assess whether or not you are suitable, generally speaking, the earlier the better.

[Hidden in reply to johncb]

Thank you Johncb, I am in constant AF now and the episodes have become more irregular as I go, however Sydney is the closest capital to me and I see there is one Dr in North Shore Hospital (not the best hospital in NSW) who does the ablation, I have also heard that people sometimes have to have a 2nd go to make sure it works. Living like this is not the best way to end ones life, so to speak, and I would prefer to have some peace before final peace happens.

[johncb]

The sooner you see an EP the better as the longer you are in permanent AF the harder it is to fix and it is quite common to have multiple procedures. The procedure however is painless and apart from the first few weeks, it is quite ok. I went back to work a week after and was alright, some take longer, you will know yourself. Fear is the your worst enemy and I think anyone who has had the procedure done was apprehensive before and mostly happy after.

[dirose in reply to johncb]

Yes! Well I had an ablation in Mallorca, the team came from Barcelona spain, they were brilliant! I went home later that same day, never felt a thing, during the ablation or afterwards; was immediately better 100 percent, and back to work the next day. No one told me it should be any different! However, eight years down the line, now in the UK, am on the list for another ablation, just hope I am still a suitable candidate.

[Hidden]

I had constant AF before having an ablation, but I only waited that long because I didn't know what it was and I don't like going to doctors! I always feel as though I'm being nuisance ...... daft or what?

I was put on drugs first, which worked but gave me side effects, and eventually had an ablation in 2005 and it cured me 100% for many years. I realised after the op that I had been wrong for many, many years as I couldn't feel my heart at all. I had always been used to being very aware of my heart prior to that.

My AF is just starting to come back a bit now, so might have to go on drugs for a while. The EP did say that it would probably come back and that I'd need another one, which will probably happen in the next few years.

I'm mid-60's.

[dirose in reply to Hidden]

Mine cured me too totally for several years then slowly slowly started coming back, and increasing slightly, am seeing the 'surgeon' ? To see if i am suitable for another one. Late 60's, me. They said he is the best in this part of the world,it might mean quite a wait, what? A few years? Surely not?

[Offcut]

I saw my doctors about my strange heart beats in my 20's and told not to worry was diagnosed in my 30's and had 1 pulmonary ablation (all 4 pulmonary arteries)and then a chamber Ablation (38 burns) Will be having a Pace and Ablate at some point no date set yet. I am now 58.

I think your health service is different from our NHS but do as much research as you can knowledge is power.

Be Well

[Hidden]

Thank you all for your input, I will do my home work, however finding this group has opened my eyes to the amount of people who suffer from AF and the great support and personal advice offered has been great. I am 59 and way to young to leave things for too long

[Timmo50]

Hi Soozie, I had my first radiofrequency ablation about 12 months after being diagnosed with PAF in 2007 and have had two since, They all made my symptoms better but unfortunately havent cured it. So in two weeks I am having a cryo ablation to see if that works any better on me.

The EP that you see will want to know what impact the AF is having on your life before deciding to go ahead with an ablation, eg if you still work is it impacting on that.

It was my initial cardiologist who recommended that I see an EP, so maybe you should speak to him first.

Good luck!

[lizwright]

I have had three ablations and although I am not right (my af was severe) I am a lot better and can do a more than full time job and look after 11 equines.

[meadfoot]

My auntie lives in Sydney and had really bad AF attacks. The EP she used has moved to America now to work but her ablation worked first time and she has not had an episode since. That was a good number of years ago when ablations were in their infancy. Good luck. Regards Dee.

[Hidden]

After the sudden onset of AF in my early 60s my GP treated me with digoxin for a couple of years which was not successful, and I felt very poorly. Eventually he referred me to an EP at a nearby hospital. Drugs were changed to Bisoprolol, and after 6 months I had the first ablation. This was not successful, so 7 months later, they did a second. This was a huge improvement, but after a year my specialist wanted to do a third because of breakthrough AF. This happened in July this year, and since then virtually no AF and a big improvement.

The chances of success are good with ablations, and I'm pleased I was able to have this treatment. This could be the right path for your. Good luck, Carrie

[tibetan36]

Hi! I I live in Albury/Wodonga Australia. I was diagnosed with AF in April 2012. I also had two stents put in at that time. Since then it has been a roller coaster ride of AF attacks and numerous trips to the ED. I have been on most of the drugs trying to control the AF (highest pulse reading was 257) I also have Bradycardia where my pulse drops to 40. Both Ventricular Tachycardia and Bradycardia are dangerous as (as my cardiologist explained) the heart is not actually pumping blood but 'quivering,' therefore allowing blood to pool which could cause a clot then it may go straight to the brain, consequently stroke material. I am due for an Ablation in late Dec or early Jan. My Cardiologist sent me to see an EP at Westmead in Sydney. According to my Cardio he is the best in Oz. I also have a pacemaker which stops my pulse dropping below 60. I also have private health insurance as well. I hope this can be helpful for you!

Namaste

Barry

[Hidden in reply to tibetan36]

Barry, that is very helpful for me, is the EP hard to get into see, as I am interested in more information, and yes I am in a Health fund so am not worried about cost, cant take it with me so spend it on me before I pop off Regards

[tibetan36]

Hi Soozie12!

I see Professor David Ross who is head of Cardiology at Sydney University based at Westmead Hospital. I had an assessment for the RF Ablation back in September. I qualified for an Ablation. As he was going on long service leave I have to wait till he gets back! (Just hope he doesn't fall off a mountain or something lol.) I had to wait 3 weeks for an appointment.

Are there any questions you want to ask me re all of this?

Regards

Barry

[Hidden in reply to tibetan36]

Barry there are so many questions, however I have my grandkids here and will try to touch base tonight, I am very interested in your process although our conditions vary they are similar in the AF, I get very erratic arrhythmia's and have to be monitored until the rate comes down from 185 downwards they are generally treated with Verapamil and amiodatrone for the relief.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Barry, I would like to know how far you had progressed with your AF before you decided on the ablation. I note that a lot of people on this site indicate that it is better to get it done earlier rather then later in the disorder. My highest BMP was at 185 but all over the shop so very erratic. We live in a small town and have visiting specialists, and the Cardio stated that I would need the ablation however it was the timing that worries me, do I do it earlier or wait for it to get worse.

[Hidden in reply to tibetan36]

Hi Barry just to let you know, my GP is sending me back to the Cardiologist with the request I go see Prof Ross for assessment. I have had the AF since 2005 but have now stayed in AF for several weeks, and it is considered that I will not come out of this without the ablation. Here's hoping there is a resolution for me in the next coming months. Cheers Sue

[tibetan36 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Sue!

I hope it all goes well for you and that Prof Ross can help you

[tibetan36]

Hi Soozie12!

From the time of the stents being put in till the decision to have the ablation was approximately sixteen months. I spent three days in the CCU trying to bring the AF under control. It was then my Cardiologist recommended a pacemaker before having an ablation. at that time the medication I was on which was Digoxin, Metropolol and Aspirin. I was taken off everything and put onto Sotolol and continued with the Aspirin. My heart became used to the Sotolol with the AF continuing, now I am on Amiodorone, Warfarin and two lot's of cholesterol tablets. (my cholesterol was never high in the first place...5.1. So now the Amioderone is the last of the tablets that can be prescribed. My Cardio man said my heart will get used to that medication and will become less effective. So from being diagnosed with AF in April 2012 it has been 17 months to date with an Ablation happening late Dec or early Jan.

PS I also take Magnesium pills too.

Regards

Barry

[Loquitir in reply to tibetan36]

Dronedarone Multaq as it's also known is a more recent amiodarone alternative without the terrible side effects of the amiodarone. I switched in 2010 and hardly notice in taking it.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Loquitir]

Interesting that Loqutir since at HRC yesterday one of the doctors whilst discussing drug therapies commented that dronedarone was little used these days. I was a little sad at this since I spent time a few years ago promoting the drug for Sanofi by appearing in a film about AF and generally raising awareness about it. Turned out it wasn't the wonder drug we all thought. Still got a Multaq ball point pen!

[Loquitir in reply to BobD]

Well that's very helpful information - I was told recently that it was still being used for PAF under NICE guidelines.

I know it was thought it may replace amiodarone but that it didn't prove effective.

I'll discuss it with my cardiologist next week

[kernow43 in reply to Loquitir]

Re Dronedarone, I was put on this when diagnosed last year but after about six months and, apart from apparently causing skin and nail problems, it didn't do the job, so my cardiologist stopped it. He, along with my GP who sent a report, admitted that results were disappointing.

[Loquitir in reply to kernow43]

Well that's helpful information - I can discuss it with my cardiologist. Over the years I've been on most of the meds but amiodarone had dome terrible side effects. The dronedarone I've not seen any.

Thanks for the info much appreciated.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Loquitir]

Yes it is but NICE guide;lines are always some years behind reality. Note how aspirin is still listed!

[Hidden]

Thanks for that Barry, you seem to be in the extreme end of your disorder with few options. I on the other end are at the lower end considering my options. Thank you for your help and information I appreciate it. Good Luck and let us know how you go in a couple of months.

Regards

Sue

[tibetan36 in reply to Hidden]

I sure will.......stay posted lol!

[Clarap60]

So helpful hearing about other folks' experiences. I think I may need an ablation soon, my PAF episodes are getting more frequent and as I take flecainide prn I sometimes need time off work as it knocks me out. Think I'll enquire about taking it routinely next . . .

Does anybody have particular triggers? I think mine might be sulphites, but sometimes no apparent trigger - unless it's something else!

Good luck to those in Oz having procedures; I'll be in Sydney for Xmas, so just knowing the name of the cardiologist there is a comfort (weird I know).

[Hidden in reply to Clarap60]

Clarap, there is also Dr David Whalley at Royal North Shore that does the procedure. FYI i dont have triggers, my af starts through the night and just continues. Mine is a waiting game. I did get into trouble from my gp for not going to the hospital however the cardio did tell me to wait and see so buggered if you do and buggered if you dont

[Hidden]

For my 1st ablation I waited till I couldn't stand because I didn't know what it was. Reckon it had been going for years.

For my 2nd ablation, 8 years on, I just had a tiny wee "tickling" under my left armpit, something you could easily ignore or not even be aware of most times. GP's wouldn't react to it, so eventually I just paid for a private appointment with my EP. He confirmed it was AF and did another ablation.

Advice from the Patients Day recently was the earlier you catch the better. Having said that, that's what I did and on my 2nd ablation, they couldn't do anything because it had gone again and couldn't even stimulate it. I assume that is rare as they were clearly very surprised.

I think I might be repeating myself !!!