Three days to ablation and having a serious attack of nerves ......

[Therealsue]

.... and wondering if I'm doing the right thing. A huge part of me is thinking I could carry on as I am but I know it'll only get worse. Also dreading the last INR result tomorrow. I bought some liquorice yesterday and ate some yesterday and some today and now I read it can reduce your INR, although it was 2.8 last week. I also didn't realise you had to have one of these TOE thingies so that's another thing to worry about. Also, does anyone else spend considerable amounts of time checking their pulse for irregularities. Sorry to go on and on...

[dedeottie]

You sound just like me! I am more worried about the TOE than the ablation but everyone I talk to says to opt for co operative sedation and then it is fine and you don't remember it anyway. Yes I check my pulse often as well in fact it's become like counting sheep for me and actually sends me to sleep at night! While the meds are just about controlling it it is easy to wonder if you are doing the right thing but I am now having breakthrough episodes and fear it's only going to get worse so hey ho will take the bull by the horns and have it done. Good luck and let us know how you get on.x

[Therealsue]

Thank you dedeottie It's very reassuring to know that I'm not the only one feeling like this.

[BobD Volunteer]

Relax you are normal!

It will e a breeze,

Bob

[Therealsue]

Thanks Bob. I'll be a bit happier when I know whether my liquorice eating has made any difference to my INR!

[jennydog]

Was it Bob who said that ablation is preferable to tooth extraction? I have 3 months to wait before mine is scheduled. I keep telling myself that no- one would volunteer for a 2nd or 3rd if it was that bad. The alternative is to get worse and to subject your body to continued drug use. I do hope that it goes well for you. Fingers crossed.

[Rellim296 in reply to jennydog]

I'd much rather have an ablation than have a tooth out! It's not something you have to endure. It doesn't hurt much more than an INR test. There isn't pain or agony or that nasty crunchy noise when your tooth shatters. I'd rather have an ablation than a mammogram or a biopsy. I don't think I've had a TOE, incidentally, but I have had two ablations. No problem.

Good luck for the big day, therealsue. Hope you will give us your views and reassure everyone.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to jennydog]

YEP

Bob

[Therealsue]

Thanks, Jenny.

[Therealsue]

Apparently they do the TOE before the ablation, to check for clots - but the nurse assures me you don't feel it.

[kakapo]

I had both a TOE and cryo ablation under conscious sedation last week. No pain and only very slight discomfort at worst from either . By far the worst thing was having to lie on my back for 12 hours and the only real pain I have is from an inr test at the hospital where they must have stabbed something they shouldn't have. I do have a painless but very colourful bruise from the operation but it is not in place that you can show everybody. Just relax, one thing I did really enjoy about the operation was seeing the operating theatre. It's like the bridge on Star Trek. We live in amazing times and mankind is capable of amazing things. This operation is one of them.

[Hidden]

Nerves Liquorice and Dentist.

I am not on Warfarin so I don't need to get any of these checks done, but still remember the horrible attack of SVT and stomach growling after I ate Liquorice, and yes I did tend to obsess at odd times when trying to locate the problem in respect of research and diet and checking my pulse. At the moment I am undergoing a long treatment for a canal root filling and do not know this dentist, so its a matter of trust, I did my deep breathing and muscle relaxation. It took over one hour and this is just for the temporary filling. Apart from the relaxation I took myself on a relaxing trip, and at some point I was on a cruise ship, I didn't move a muscle and for some unknown reason enjoyed the whole experience.

When/if I go for an ablation this year, I must admit I will be feeling the same as you but for me its a matter of letting go and letting the surgeons do what they need to do. (this is hard for me). I have seen the theatre when I was tested for this condition. It was a humbling and amazing experience to see all of the technology being used just for me and did remind me of Star Trek.

I hope you will let us know of your own experiences when you return, good luck.

[wpw62]

When it is all over you will wonder what you were anxious about. Root canal treatment is far worse. Good luck, relax and visualise something pleasant that you want to do. Please post on your progress afterwards x

[weezergeezer]

Therealsue,

To have an ablation is the way forward, it hopefully will give you a better quality life, don’t get to concerned about your INR levels, they can compensate for that on the day with medication I believe, it’s really not a big deal they see patients day in day out and it’s a very routine procedure, I know you may not see it that way but honestly it is, just think of the misery and upset Af has impacted on your life, this may be your chance to reverse this ……good luck

[Hidden]

Yes, try not to think too much about it, it should improve your quality of life a lot and we will all have our fingers crossed for you... Can't be as bad as a root canal or a crown, I'm sure!

Lis

[porridgequeen]

Don't worry about the TOE the sedatives make sure you aren't aware of anything, just leaves you with a sore throat to let you know you had it. Almost the same with ablation, even with a local anaesthetic you will be aware of very little.

Best thing I ever did.

[tiredandconfused]

sorry to be thick but what is TOE?

[Dodie117]

It is really normal to be nervous. I was having doubts and even in the hospital waiting room on the morning of the procedure I considered walking out. I am now 6 months post ablation and all is great. On no meds except warfarin and no longer checking my pulse!! IT HAS WORKED. So accept the nerves and go for it. If mine comes back I will be begging for another. Good luck.

[Therealsue]

Thanks! Happy to say that despite the liquorice, my INR IS 2.6. I've been told 2 months post ablation for warfarin and then that can stop too. Can't wait!

[Rellim296 in reply to Therealsue]

Wonderful. That's spot on.

I think the waiting is the worst bit. Have something to occupy your thoughts while you wait for them to call you.

Agree wholeheartedly (sorry) with lallym. I am not as far down the line (ablation 2 months ago) but taking a significantly lower dose of flecainide and being fine is terrific. Would not hesitate to have another ablation if needed.

[Therealsue]

Thanks all of you. On the funny side, I was looking for an audiobook to download and take with me for the whole lying down afterwards bit One of the was reviewed as being heart-stopping. I thought "possibly not the best choice for now!!"

[frenchgoose]

It is normal to be nervous before the procedure.... I was the same last week!!! The worrying is worse than the procedure... It is lovely to wake up after and realise that you have it behind you.... And look forward to recovery and AF free!! I had a TOE before the ablation as was on Rivoraxaban but don't recall it! You must take it easy once home. Where are you having it done??

[Therealsue]

London bridge hospital - lucky to have health insurance.

[Kimmieblue]

What is TOE? I must have had this because I have had two ablations but I don't think I know what it is!!

Good luck therealsue.

[Therealsue]

Kimmiebllue it's a transoesophageal echocardiogram - I think. Anyway, they put a tiny camera down your throat to check you don't have any clots before they begin. they tell me I won't feel a thing!!!!!

[lubohohduh]

I was so nerved up as the ablation approached and looking back on it it was all for nothing. I felt instantly better immediately afterwards since my heart was beating like a pendulum clock.

I also pulled a good one with my INR. I wanted to eat a big meal before I had to fast prior to the procedure and had a vegetable smoothie that was loaded with Kale.That put my INR to 4.6. Just before the ablation but they gave me a dose of something that brought it down.