Ablation worries

[bridget54]

I have had SVT since I was 15. Now I have AF. And its been decided I need a catheter ablation at the end of march. Im terrified. Cant stress how much. Anyone out there with positive experiences please otherwise Im close to cancelling procedure

[Mattpga]

I had my first catheter ablation on 4th Feb. I was not looking forward to it at all, but as many told me on here, its not as bad as you are imagining. Are you having a local or general anaesthetic? I went for a local, and the only really uncomfortable part was the injection to numb the groin. After that if you are having a local they will give you a sedative. What is it that is scaring you the most?

[bridget54 in reply to Mattpga]

I am having a local. I suppose its all the possible complications that might happen. Some scary reading on this procedure. I hope your well after yours

[Mattpga in reply to bridget54]

I'm fine thanks. and back to work after a week. There is that risk with any procedure or operation, but they don't seem to bother reporting the vast majority that go right with no problems, just the ones that don't! Maybe rather than scaring yourself with all that, focus on how much this could improve things for you. I was scared too, for no reason as it turned out

[bridget54 in reply to Mattpga]

Thank u

[MickN in reply to Mattpga]

Mattpga

You went back to work a week after your ablation, i am impressed, though my ablation went well I have still not been able to return to work, mine was on the 17th February.

I seemed to have heeled quickly, bar still getting breathless and chest discomfort when going for what relatively short walks for me

Think I need to check with my EP to see if its my asthma getting worse due to taking Bisoprolol.

[dedeottie in reply to MickN]

I have been more breathless than usual but now at the end of the third week I feel fine except I still have lots of bruising on my thigh. I probably could have gone back to work after a week but I would have been very tired. Luckily I am retired. X

[BobD Volunteer in reply to bridget54]

Bridget all that scary reading is just so that you can't sue the EP and team if anything goes wrong. IT seldom if ever does. I had three ablations before mine was sorted out and would have a fourth if I ever needed it and I am a devout coward. I'd rather have ablation than dentistry. It wont be just a local anyway as you will be sedated and have pain control as needed. Relax and enjoy.

Bob

[jennydog]

I had an ablation last August. Like me, you have been offered a £15,000 procedure that is your opportunity to solve your AF problem. If you do not grasp this chance then you will live to regret it. They would not offer it unless they felt that there was good chance of success.

There is nothing to be scared about. It isn't much fun but there are tons of worse procedures. For me, the worst part was organising how to get there and back.

Try to stay calm and just go with the flow.

And let us know how you get on.

[bridget54 in reply to jennydog]

Thank you . Ill cope with the procedure I think ive had lits of other stuff done. Breast cancer and formation of a colostomy. This scares me more. Its the possible risks involved I think

[jennydog]

You're wrong. You have a.ready been through the mill. By comparison ablation is a breeze.

Bob told me that root canal treatment was worse. I was prepared to tell him that he was wrong. I eventually had to admit that he was right.

Very best wishes.

[bridget54 in reply to jennydog]

Thanx.

[Jason1971]

I had an ablation the other week Bridget and it wasn't that bad at all. You sound like you have been through far worse. I would guess all operations / procedures come with risks and the hospital have to tell you about them all no matter how likely or unlikely you are going to experience any. In my ablation experience it wasn't the procedure that was the hardest part it's making sure you take it easy afterwards and have plenty of rest. You really will be in the safest hands possible and you might even enjoy it. I recall humming along to the radio and joining in conversations with the medical professionals whilst being ablated I dosed off quite a bit too.

Good Luck,

Jason

[bridget54 in reply to Jason1971]

☺

[Hidden]

Hi Bridget

I had a PVI 12 years ago at the QE in Birmingham. I had it under sedation and was very wary about it, especially as I would be awake all or most of the time. But I really needed to get off the drugs because they were doing my head in. I had very bad AF, 24/7 and extremely symptomatic, as in I could hardly stand up.

Anyhow, and I'm not saying this just to make you feel good, the ablation was an absolute doddle. The procedure was fascinating and I felt totally relaxed. I had pain when they started "burning", and I remember groaning, then hearing the word "morphine", next things I woke up in bed.

I was supposed to be in hospital for the one night, but stayed two because they thought my groin entry point might be infected, but it wasn't.

To be totally frank, everyone says allow time to recover and we all should, but all I had was a week or less of feeling slightly tight in the chest and I had to be careful with the groin wound for while. But I was back at light work within days, against advice but I'm self-employed and couldn't see the different between sitting around relaxing and sitting down doing something useful !!!

I stopped all drugs except anti-coagulants before the procedure, and afterwards I remained off them and also had zero AF and zero rhythm drugs for 8-9 years.

I had a 2nd attempted ablation 2 years ago because my AF had come back just a tiny bit, hardly noticeable. But they wanted to nip it in the bud. However, on the day my AF went away, so they aborted the procedure. They did go inside and everything, but no ablating. I had that under GA and felt great afterwards and again it was a doddle. Just in one night.

Worst bit was I had to wait 7 hours for a bed when I booked in. And that was a brand new hospital, without enough beds !!!

Good luck with your decision.

Koll

[bridget54 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for answering. Irs nice to hear about positive experiences

[dedeottie]

No one and I mean NO one could be more terrified than I was. Read my profile page for proof! In the event it was a complete non event and I felt a bit of an idiot. My E.P. initially warned me of the possible disasters that could happen but he came to see me before the procedure and was really reassuring so I think they do just warn you in case of relatives suing.

I had a local, sedation and pain relief. I listened to what folk on here had said and as soon as I felt any discomfort I told them. From that moment on I can't remember much at all. I woke up for a while just before they started ablation but then they gave me more and next thing it was all over. They kept saying how well I was doing and said I had kept really still but I don't remember ever having the urge to move!

It sounds like you have already been through so much and hopefully this will be the last piece of the jigsaw. X

[bridget54 in reply to dedeottie]

Thats what Im hoping. My son is emigrating to NEW ZEALAND in may and at present I could never get to go see him. im hoping with this I will be able to one day☺

[shirlygirly]

Hi Bridget, The folks here are not wrong and after what you have already

been through its a walk in the park, Nowadays they have to give you all the

things that may happen, just as you may get knocked over by a bus

tomorrow crossing the road, but it wouldnt stop you going out tomorrow

would it. I had the same fears first time its only natural but you will be

absolutely fine and wonder what you were worried about. I personally,

have never felt so well looked after as I was during and after my ablation

and I too have had quite a few ops, dont worry just go for it.

Take care and let us know all about it.

Shirley.

[bridget54 in reply to shirlygirly]

☺

[Gonzo]

It's natural to stress but trust us all that have had it. You will wonder what an earth you were worrying about when it comes to it. The process it straight forward. I was awake for most of mine but really felt nothing and looking back it was far less traumatic or painful than a visit to the dentist! The wait and worry we're far worse than the actual opperation. Hope it all goes well for you. I had mine 10 months ago and appart from stressing out when I feel my ectopic beats (thinking it's going to start again) I have had no problems. I am off all medication.

I know some people have to have two or three ablations to get to this stage but this is because the surgeons always ablate as little as they think they can possibly get away with as they can alwayss go back in a do a little more if required. In other words they always play safe so remember that. You will be in safe hands. Let us all know how it goes. I bet you you you will write that you can't belive how stressed you got over such a straight forward thing lol. Good luck

[bridget54 in reply to Gonzo]

Thank you.

[Annaelizabeth]

I sincerely hope you do go through with the ablation, especially having read all the help, advice and feedback on this forum. It really is an opportunity to feel well again, and in your case, get to NZ to see your son. I have had two ablations and I can honestly say that with the kindness of the medical staff as you go through the procedure, all I felt afterwards was a complete numpty for having got myself into a pickle beforehand! Please don't cancel, you will regret it if you do.

[bridget54 in reply to Annaelizabeth]

Thank you for your thoughts. This is helping. Before I was reading awful things on internet before I went on this site. Fingers crossed x

[RichMert]

I suffer from Anxiety so was not looking forward to the Ablation. I decided that I would not read the description of the operation as it held no relevance. I had a local anaesthetic for my first Op and a host of sedatives throughout apparently. I woke up feeling great and I have to say that I could have gone back to work the next day had it not been for the fact that you are not allowed to drive for so many days afterwards. I had a general anaesthetic for the second Ablation and although it was their preference, I would have preferred the Local as you get over it quicker. I am sure it was not a breeze for the consultants but, I have to say that it was for me. Bristol was great even if it was 130 miles away. Good luck, it will all be worth it.

[bridget54 in reply to RichMert]

Im going to bristol to. Under Mr Duncan. Thanks for your thoughts. These positive attitudes are helping.

[RichMert in reply to bridget54]

Edward Duncan was my surgeon, he was brilliant. Carolyn Shepherd was my specialist nurse. She will probably give you a tour of the place.

[Sharon1234567]

Hi Bridget I am 61 and had my 1st cryo ablation on 9th December with just sedation and pain relief. I found very little discomfort and no bleeding from the groin afterwards. The whole procedure was very interesting as I could see everything on monitors and everything was explained very well. I see my EP next week and I'm hoping to reduce my Bisoprolol. The support on this forum encouraged me to go for it and I'm so pleased I did as no AF since procedure just a few ectopic beats.