Questions re holidaying

[wpw62]

Two weeks on from my ablation. INR this morning down to 2.1with another check in a weeks time. Back to work on Monday.

What experiences of holidaying after an ablation does anyone have. Want to go away end of August but not sure about lengths of flights and heat affecting my heart rate.

Should I settle for somewhere nearer in Europe or venture further away to Turkey? I don't want to be completely ruled by health complications but realise I have to be a bit sensible. I do have my Norah Batty compression socks worm during my ablation ready for my flight. And very attractive they are too!

Any advice please.

[jennydog]

My best advice would be to stay within the confines of the NHS. You cannot beat Devon/Cornwall/Pembrokeshire / Northumberland/ west Coast Cumbria/ Scotland. It would be far less stressful than risking 'abroad.'

Were you given those stockings to wear during the ablation?

I have read your various posts with interest especially as my own ablation is looming. Very best wishes for an AF - free future.

[wpw62 in reply to jennydog]

Hi Jennydog. Yes hospital policy as for all heart patients to wear these during their operations and afterwards. The arrhythmia nurse said Malta should be the furthest place I should consider. Thought of mainland Spain but it would still be during school holidays - stressful not peaceful.

Do you have a date for your ablation yet and where will you have it done? Good luck with it. Take care x

[jennydog in reply to wpw62]

Liverpool on Aug 5th. Pre- op next week. I'll be glad when it's all over . This site has been the most enormous help in preparing me for before and after. I'll report back.

[Hidden in reply to jennydog]

Hi Jennydog,just read your Ablation is on the 5th August.Liverpool mine is same hospital a week after you..Good luck...C

[wpw62 in reply to Hidden]

Good luck. Kept us posted

[Hidden in reply to wpw62]

Thank you and yes I will.Carol

[Hidden in reply to jennydog]

Good luck to both of you!

[jennydog in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much. I'll report back. It's the unknown that's the problem. After a really rotten run of AF I have had 10 good days. Sod's law!!

[franksavage in reply to jennydog]

that happens with me Jenny, i find the trigger for me is certain overexertion...sometimes hoovering up or walking uphill back from the shop. if im indoors normal i can go for days without an episode.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Eatsalottie for your kind good luck wishes.C

[Hidden in reply to jennydog]

For information Jenny, I did not wear socks for any of my 3 ablations! In any case that will be the least of your worries!

[jennydog in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for this. I don't like baring my feet at all. This phobia dates from childhood and is because I take size 10. I feel better about it now that I know that Kate Winslet and Angelina Jolie do too.

[Hidden in reply to jennydog]

Oh Jenny I do feel for you! I always had a job finding fashionable shoes size 8/8.5 in my youth & hated to reveal my size ( now size 9 ). Now of course there is quite a range to choose from. My son takes size 17/18!! his size went up with his age ...... it was size 12 at age 12 & so ' act your age not your shoe size' didn't apply to him !

All the best for your ablation.

Sandra

[jennydog in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much. My sons take 12 and 13. I find Brantano very good. Evans think that if your feet are long they are also wide - not true. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one!

[Hidden in reply to jennydog]

Hi,I shall have my toenails french polished in readiness.haha

[CDreamer]

Absolutely no problem flying, I flew to Spain +2 weeks after my ablation proviso ensure you have the adequate health care in place, know the region and what expertise there is nearby in the unfortunate possibility you may need them. The EP said that the general advice was to avoid flying for +4weeks but he treated plenty of foreigners who flew home after 4-5 days and had never heard of any bad outcomes because of flying. But having said that I didn't want to go anywhere I didn't know (we have apartment in Spain and I was confident with healthcare, could have just been a confidence issue?

For that reason alone you may want to stay in Europe, if the not the UK. Insurance for USA and rest of world will go up dramatically if you are within 3 months of procedure so depends on what you can afford. There are companies that will insure you but you have to shop around.

[Kjporten in reply to CDreamer]

I have my first ablation end of August. It is a chryo type. I was told I have to stay 20 min from the hospital for 3 weeks because of possible complications fron the freezing being done so close to vasel nerve and another......the name escapes me. I am jealousy of your travel choices.

[wpw62 in reply to Kjporten]

Good luck. Hope it all goes well. Keep us posted. Good health x

[wpw62 in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks for the info on travel insurance. I will keep this in mind.

[Hidden]

I went to Seville for a long weekend a couple of weeks after my ablation, main problem it was sooooo hot, nearly 40°C as I recall. But I had no symptoms, all gone 100%, just a tight feeling in my chest due to the burning I suppose. Probably not the most sensible thing to do, but then I'm not particularly sensible .

[wpw62]

Thanks Koll. I too don't like being too sensible. No tightness in chest only pain in groin entry would still. Had a few episodes of fast palpitations. Love the sun and the heat. Think it might have to be Malta as we have friends there who will have knowledge of hospitals should I need medical aid.

[iris1205 in reply to wpw62]

Did you go? Hope you are enjoying where- ever you went at the very least!

Still improving?

[wpw62 in reply to iris1205]

Hi Iris we have booked a two week holiday in Northern Cyprus. Go in two weeks time. It will be super hot but I will drink plenty of water and be careful. Now four weeks post ablation and feeling better each day. Nice steady normal heart rate if a tad fast at times. Occasional ectopic beats but nothing too worrying. My groin still pains me at times. Bruising has just faded this week. Don't have an apt for my check up yet. Hoping to stop All the meds then. My INR is still a bit too low but getting weekly checks still. How are you getting on x

[iris1205 in reply to wpw62]

Oh that sounds wonderful! I've traveled and all has been fine - ENJOY! sounds as though you are on the mend. Unfortunate for the groin wound... I've been lucky for the first two - no problems with the punctures - though it took three tries on the last one, but no worries afterwards. Looking forward to this one on Wednesday to be successful! Enjoy oyour holidays.

[wpw62 in reply to iris1205]

Good luck on Wednesday. Hope it is a success. Please post with your progress.

[meadfoot]

Hi, I met a patient on cardiology ward yesterday. She is in her late 70's and had her first (known) AF attack three weeks ago while in Malta. She said the staff at the hospital were super. Her heart had stopped for a few seconds apparently at one point. Rescus staff did a wonderful job and on the ward was fitted with a temporary pace maker, Stayed in hospital for 4 days.

Modern hospital close to Silema, all staff spoke English. Worst part was the food - too spicy and other patients obviously speaking Maltese. She was very pleased with her care there.

Hope this helps.

[wpw62]

Hi Meadfoot, thank you for you response and the information about Malta. Good to know there is medical assistance should I need it.

[Hidden]

Come to Wales, it's lovely here

Lis

[dedeottie]

Agreed. Wherever you go in Wales, it is beautiful. Fabulous coastline and impressive hills and mountains and castles. X

[Barb1]

My EP and cardiologist were quite happy for me to go anywhere a month after my ablations as long as I could get back for a cardioversion, if I went back into AF within 3 months. My next one is in September and in October I go to Cyprus and in January to the Far East! All being well.

[wpw62 in reply to Barb1]

Good for you. An inspiration to follow. Good luck in September x

[Barb1]

Thank you and enjoy your holiday.