Hello all. I've only posted here once but read all the posts and think the advice and support is amazing. I have gained so much information about AF Since I was diagnosed early last year. (Although believe I was suffering from the condition on and off for years) I am a female age 57. I take 50mg of flecainide in the morning and 75mg in evening. Also 1.25 bisoprolol. I have seen cardiologist twice but finally saw an EP yesterday. I have had a good spell of no AF for 10 weeks. He said the way forward is up to me. Up my meds, change my meds or put me on list for ablation. I asked if I could think about it and let him know. He said that's fine. The thing that scares me about an ablation is the 3% he quoted to me of the chance of something serious going wrong!!! I'm very anxious about it. Anyway, maybe someone is trying to tell me something as lo and behold after dinner and being stressed all day, my heart decided to go into AF!!
Sorry this is so long and if you have managed to read to the end of my waffling.....well done!!!
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blackcat123
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"Sorry this is so long and if you have managed to read to the end of my waffling.....well done!!!"
I had a very successful ablation 10 years ago. I don't recall a 3% serious problem figure, much lower than that. I wonder what he/she means by serious? Anyhow my ablation "cured" me for 8 years and it was no problem. I was back at gentle work in days, against advice but I'm self-employed and I felt absolutely fine, a bit tight in the chest and had to be careful with the entry point wound for a few days.
I came off all drugs except anti-coagulants and only started rhythm control drugs again last year or two.
I've had 2 ablations, second one aborted, and I will have another as soon as I'm offered one.
Hi, black cat. Yes, the risks are worrying, and when you get the consent form, and wonder about paralysis of the diaphragm, atrial oesophageal fistula (which can happen in laser ablations) and such like, they don't sound good. Death, too, of course which I think has a risk of about 0.01%. You are full of increasing trepidation on the ward as you wait for the call, wondering if you should just change your mind and make a swift exit. When you do walk into the cath lab, you wonder if they are the last steps you will ever take. As least I did, both times. Once you are there, the sense of competence and efficiency is very comforting. There's a wealth of technical equipment and the evident skill and expertise of all the staff is hugely reassuring. In no time you come to the surface and it's all over - and most of us (not all admittedly) are significantly better off, if not substantially so. I have no regrets and would opt for another ablation, if it was deemed necessary, without hesitation. The potential benefits make it well worth while in my view and I'd prefer ablation to going back onto medication. I was on 300mgs of flecainde a day and have been able to give it up completely.
I understand your concerns Blackcat and have been in the shall I shall I not position for a long time. Fortunately so far my episodes have not been too many in number but dreadful when they come and need hospitalisation for days as symptoms are so bad.
I am having an ablation later this month, terrified yes, but also terrified of another AF attack so decided to go for it. It has to be when you feel ready and you will know when is right for you if at all.
I have had five ablations - all of them contributing to increased heart health. As I am a big man with a big muscular heart, it is hard for ablations to stay sound for a long time. That said, I will happily have another. Don't be afraid of the procedure. you'll be fine.
I would add that I felt the nursing care on the ward was first class too. Not so elsewhere - I spent an unhappy couple of hours in A & E once (having regained NSR in an ambulance) and felt about as important and interesting as a sack of potatoes.
Shirlygirly's advice is excellent. You are young and strong so your chances of a good outcome are excellent. You, like me, are lucky to be offered a £15,000 procedure. Not everyone is suitable.
You do not know what the drugs are doing to your body. You do not know how the AF is affecting your heart but you do know that it will get worse.
I weighed up all these factors. I decided that I did not want to live regretting this lost opportunity. So I had the ablation and I'm glad that I did. No regrets, but it was frightening - the unknown always is.
I think everyone who has had an ablation has the same worries. I considered leaving the waiting area on the day if mine but thankfully stayed put. I have had over a year of no AF and although my last ECG showed a short episode I did not feel it. I may need another and if I do I will go for it as one forgets how horrible it is to have frequent AF episodes. So try to hang on to your nerve and go for it. Lots of luck.
Thank you all for your advice and support. It's so helpful to be able to 'speak' to people that understand what it's like to have AF. Try as they might, no one else really can.
I think at the back of my mind I know that I will eventually pluck up my courage and go for the ablation. I don't want to have to always live in fear of the next episode (which I do) and knowing it will only get worse, if there's a chance of stopping it.
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