Hi everyone!

[Sheila1972]

I Just wanted to say I'm so glad I found this site! I was first diagnosed in February whilst in hospital with pnuemonia & since then things haven't been great. I'm having an ablation on Tuesday in edinburgh & very nervous but also excited to hopefully get my life back again! Thanks again everyone your stories have kept me going recently

Sheila

[BobD Volunteer]

You will be fine so don't worry. The thought is worse than the reality trust me. Just don't expect too much too soon and rest plenty for a couple of weeks at least. It takes three months minimum for things to settle down and you will likely get some odd rhythms in that time so don't think it hasn't worked when you do. Doctors often don't tell you the reality which leaves people in panic the first time their heart plays up afterwards.

Your progress has been quite fast by many standards if you were only diagnosed in February so you obviously have a great teams looking after you.

Stay well and relax.

Bob

[Sheila1972 in reply to BobD]

I intend of taking it easy & letting everyone else take over cooking & cleaning etc! Trying hard not to panic but easier said than done! Yes I can't complain I have been well looked after the medication just doesn't seem to be agreeing with me that's why an ablation was advised then hopefully I can get off all the medication as I feel it really slows me down. Thanks for your advice bob

[Rellim296]

Yes, ablation can sound scary, but the waiting is really the worst bit as it seems to be over just as it is beginning to get interesting. Be organised and have all the things you might need afterwards either to hand or in a container that can be passed to you as you may not be allowed even to sit upright for a while. A chance to drink from a straw from a cup perched precariously in your armpit! The nurses are watchful and will help you if you have any problem.

Good luck! Do tell the tale afterwards.

[MammaCass]

Good luck Sheila, let us know how you get on

[jennydog]

Ablation isn't something that you would volunteer to have but you get to the stage that it becomes an opportunity that you have to take. I'm 39 days post ablation and have no regrets. As Bob says you will be fine.

Take a sports bottle filled with water and a tin of Vaseline for your lips. Lay out what you're going to need as you have to lie flat out for about 5 hrs.

Let us know how you get on.

[Sheila1972]

Thanks for your replies I wasn't aware I had to lie for so long afterwards but I'm guessing il still be sleepy after the anaesthetic? My last anaesthetic was when I was 13 now 42 so rather long time ago to remember!! I will be sure to pack those things in my bag. Thanks very much for all replies it really does help knowing your not alone in this crazy afib world!!! X

[Rellim296 in reply to Sheila1972]

You may be able to sit up quite soon - I did with my second ablation, but with the first it was stage by stage - lie flat, get propped up, sit up for an hour, sit with feet out of the bed and then eventually onto the feet. Just don't expect to be free to move about when you come round. I only had sedation so if you have an anaesthetic you may be happy to slumber on.

[Sheila1972 in reply to Rellim296]

I'm guessing that sometimes it doesn't work first time round? Fingers crossed it does!! Thanks x

[Rellim296 in reply to Sheila1972]

My first ablation (I think) did little more than test the water. I gather it is deemed prudent to do too little rather than too much. But yes, fingers crossed for you.

[farmerwalt]

Hi Sheila, Hope things go well for you. As Bob says, you obviously have a good team in Edinburgh. One of my sister's, who lives in East Calder and also comes under Edinburgh, had an ablation done very quickly and has been great since. Unlike my cardio, in the Greater Glasgow area, that did nothing other than regular echo's for 12 years plus. By the time I realised, thanks to AFA and this forum, that I should be seeing an EP, it was too late to have an ablation done.

So, again I wish you all the best for the procedure.

Walter.

[Sheila1972 in reply to farmerwalt]

Thank you I guess I'm lucky to have it soo quick! That's a shame you did not get the chance to have it

Thanks x

[rosyG]

I haven't had an ablation but my understanding is not that it doesn't work the first time but that EPs go carefully and sometimes there are little areas that still need ablating and sometimes the heart heals the scars made so they have to be done again- i think the touch up jobs are much quicker as smaller areas are involved- good luck and let us know how you get on,