Just back from Liverpool 7 days pre-ablation. It was a pig to access again. The receptionist gave me a new postcode for the sat nav L14 3LB.
It all took just under 2 hours. First there were loads of health questions and then pulses were checked in my ankles, groin, heart and neck then my lungs were checked. Then an ECG followed by bp, blood sample and bacterial swabs of my nose, mouth and groin. My height and weight were measured.
I am to have a GA and a cryo ablation. The EP has booked a 4 hour slot on the lab. I was told that cryo is usually faster.
There are 7 EPs working there. Waiting time is about 3 months.
Loo is a week ahead of me and her instructions were different to mine. She had to stop Flecainide 5 days ago. I have to keep taking it. When I queried this I was shown a chart which indicated that different EPs give different instructions. They also have different methods - some may enter via the neck or both sides of the groin. Right groin only is usual.
My warfarin is causing concern. It has been low since I went on a diet. They want it 2-3.
And finally, some good news. I do not have to shave. They have clippers to use if necessary. But then, I don't have hairy legs
Over to you, Caramia. Your turn next!
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jennydog
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Just so every body knows. the swabs are to check if you are carrying MRSA. Many people do without any infection so they like to know who so they can deal with it and prevent it getting into any wounds ( or themselves. lol)
OK Carol. Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin. (showing my age there) Cryo just means using extreme cold to make the burns (freeze burns ) which block the rogue pathways. RF or radio frequency uses high end radio waves to heat up the tip of the catheter to make the burns. What they do with both methods is to make rings around the four pulmonary veins as it is usually from these that the rogue impulses emanate. They may also draw a line of scar across the atria as a back stop.
Ablation is a strange term as it actually means to cause to cease to exist. You wouldn't therefore want a pulmonary ablation as you would have no lungs! The correct term is pulmonary vein isolation procedure but everybody tends to just use the term ablation. as it is easier.
Now then I will be issuing test papers in October so I hope you understand all that.lol
Hey there Bob I am not as old as you so how could l possibly remember " are you sitting comfortably then l shall begin"
Well l think you have answered my question satisfactory ,rather than you marking me I shall give you 10 out of 10 for that one.lol C
Oooooh getting nearer.Made a note of the alternative postcode the traffic is hectic and the roadworks as you say confuse the satnav end up at the main traffic lights doing a u turn to get on the right road and get honked and v signs..
My INR today was 2.I two weeks ago it was I.7....They increased to,wait for it...12mgs as a one off tonight then 9mgs rest of week.
My pre op l am having a CT scan as well.
All this talk of shaving I am already prepared and resemble a plucked chicken....waxing far to #&$@?& painful...
Oh l don't fancy the going in through the neck jennydog but if it has to be it has to be...
No post from Loo as yet,hopefully shes getting some rest...
I was given the new postcode by a receptionist who admitted that some people from North wales had used the one on the letter headings and ended up in Blundellsands.
I did walk round to see the Amanda Unit from Outpatients. No sign posts, got lost. Hope access from the front is better.
They have given me a leaflet which lists entry near the collar bone so I suppose that is the same. I think that it is only used if they can't gain entry via the groin.
It sounds like a pain to find, and what a faff... Still, it's all in a good cause! Onwards and upwards as they say. Best of luck!
Thank you, Lis. I am totally traumatised by getting into the place. And once you're inside it's no picnic but everyone is SO helpful. They all seem to know that there's a problem but nothing is done to sort it out. It's not that I'm a wimp, I regularly drive through Liverpool, south to north, but this is east.
There is a station called Broadgreen. It connects to Liverpool Lime Street. When I have the f/u in November I'm going to try it out. It does involve a walk but I might be fit enough to cope by then. I know that you might have to go there eventually so I'll let you know!
If you do, will you report back? We did pass the station on our way back. It looked large but I was really concentrating on the road. There are likely to be taxis nearby and that would be useful on the way there with an easy walk back. Good luck!
I think the H & C rocks, yes the roadworks have been going on forever and it can be a bit of a pain to park and get too. But the care is second to none and I for one would n't feel as safe anywhere else. I ve been fitted in for appointments within 48 hrs and the rhythm nurses have always replied to my phone calls quickly and got me answers, changes of medication etc sorted very quickly. Which EP's are you ladies with??
Dr Todd. He is highly rated and is very nice. He is easy to talk to and he was so nice to my young son. I cannot fault the care and everyone has been really helpful. My only complaint is the logistics of getting there and getting into the place. I live in North Wales so we have to cope with the Runcorn Bridge too. I cannot imagine how a stranger to Liverpool would cope - I was born there and educated in Waterloo yet I dread the travelling difficulties so much that I have arrived there in AF with a rate of 135 on their ECG. It's not good.
Derek is highly rated, he discharged me after my 1st ablation and was very successful with a friend of a friend, however I m not sure if her problem was AF or VT. I was brought up in Crosby, where did you go to school?
Derek is highly rated, he discharged me after my 1st ablation and was very successful with a friend of a friend, however I m not sure if her problem was AF or VT. I was brought up in Crosby, where did you go to school?
Yep Gupta's way and Todd's way are different. I had to shave,stop Flek 5 days before and had radio ablation but its all the same thing...glad I'm not on Warfarin so I didn't have all that messing about. They seal the groin cut and don't use stitches.
Flek is short acting anyway. Stopping mine completely in a month and good riddance to that!
Good luck girls your in great hands no matter who or what!
Carol its the groin and with no problems so far! Train from Warrington Central to Liverpool Lime Street. Get on the train to Broadgreen usually on platforms 1 to 4. Come out of station and keep following the road ahead until you come up to the lights there is Broadgreen Hospital right in front of you. Walk left at the lights down to the main entrance where all the cars are going in. Its about a 15 min walk from the station (I used to do it in 12) and about 10 minutes getting where you need to go.
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Touch up ablation 
Ablation soon
using one or both groins for ablation?
Ablations for permanent AF
After euphoria about having had EP consult at last after tons of tests, now back down to earth and am questioning things.
