frightened of ablation

[mavisrich]

Hi all. first of all let me say how good this forum is. My problem is that I am a bit of a coward. I have been advised to have an ablation but I do not want to go to Broadgreen and also I am so worried that I would not be able to keep still for all that time therefore wasting everyone's time and effort. Any advice please?Many thanks.

[jedimasterlincoln]

As a patient, it's your right to chose where you go..... I was supposed to go to Leicester as my trust has an arrangement for them (as another East Midlands Trust) to send patients there. However, as family are in Manchester and no one knows Leicester, I asked to be referred there.

I was very nervous myself (the first time) because even all the info leaflets and articles in the world can't prepare you for it.

I was worried also about lying still, but the sedation (I think I actually had a pre-med the first time) made me just want to lie back and chill out not panic even with noises and weird sensations......

If you need it done - get it done. Any fears you have can be worked with I promise you.

[BobD Volunteer]

You will either have GA and be away with the fairies or sedation and will not worry too much. As a devout coward myself I managed three all told, admittedly under GA. Relax and stop looking for excuses not to have it. You won't regret it I'm sure.

If you do not want to be treated locally then there are options.

Bob

[pip_pip]

I had this same problem, but had the option of a general anaesthetic , which I took. Ask for it. Contact your EP, via secretary if needed, and ask for it.

Phil

[AnticoagulateNow]

With local anaesthetic and sedation you will recover more quickly than having a GA and, I promise you, you won't move about. They would insist on GA every time if that was the case.

I had my first (and hopefully last) 6 weeks ago - best thing I ever did!

[Nannadee]

Snap. You're fears are exactly the same as mine. I'm still undecided and am still opting for medication which they keep juggling at Leeds.

After reading on this site how many people have had to have more than one ablation, it has made me even more undecided!!!

I asked the AF nurse which was the most risky- to have an ablation or to continue with the long episodes of AF, and he said the ablation!! So that has made me even more undecided.

But then you read on here that the AF which just get worse over time so what to do, it's a real dilema.

Please let me know your ultimate decision.

[Rellim296 in reply to Nannadee]

I think everyone should take comfort in the fact that so many people sign up for a second ablation. It's usually not the dreadful experience that one imagines beforehand. The staff are extremely skilled and care for you very efficiently.

Personally, I'd rather have an ablation (and I've had two) than depend on medication. If I could turn the clock back, I'd have had the second one sooner. Is crossing a road to a good footpath on the other side more risky than walking on ever rougher ground at the side of a busy carriageway?

[howesgilly in reply to Nannadee]

I too am undecided. I have been referred to Barts in London as no local hospitals do ablation of the side of the heart I need.

However since the cardiologist increased my flecanide I havent even had any ectopics or premature beats let alone any AF so now I am wondering if there is any long term evidence about leaving it and just staying on flecanide. However I am 43 years old and wonder if it will get worse and if ablation would be better younger?

[Nannadee in reply to howesgilly]

Hi howesgilly, I think because of your age you have a bit of leeway. By all accounts AF is progressive and does get worse but your age is in your favour.

You can take your time and see how you get on with your meds.

I don't feel it's something that anyone should rush into as there are risks with any procedure.

Good luck with any decision and I will keep looking out for how you are getting on.

[howesgilly in reply to Nannadee]

thanks for that. I have approx 5 months to decide as thats how long the waiting list is. I do wonder if I would get flecanide resistance if I just take that long term? I did have bisoprolol which reduced it a bit but not fully, and I was so tired it was hard to do my job ( and I put on weight) and therefore I was given flecanide, after successful outcome with the drip for an episode.

[Rellim296 in reply to howesgilly]

Flecainide is a powerful drug and many people do really well on it but there can be side effects in the long term along with the benefits. I regret being on a high dose for 8 months.

[howesgilly in reply to Rellim296]

what long term effects do you refer to? I am worried about flecanide resistance

[Rellim296 in reply to howesgilly]

After a couple of years my toes began to feel numb, as if I'd slept the night in a pair of shoes that were a bit too small. When I started taking 150mgs x 2 of flecainide a day, the sensation soon spread along the feet and up the shins. I gave up flecainide a year ago and the shins are better but I feel I am permanently wearing a pair of socks that are a little too tight. I notice it most at night or in the shower. Not painful. It's not a common reaction but I'm not on my own, although I think some lucky people lose the sensation when they stop taking flecainide. My sense of taste isn't brilliant and the ENT consultant pointed the finger at flecainide there too.

[howesgilly in reply to Rellim296]

thanks I have never heard of those reactions

[rayray5746 in reply to Nannadee]

I have been on medication for AF for 25 years and went into permanent AF 10 years ago, tried ablation before permanent AF set in, but it did not work, that was in 1998. Once I got into permanent AF I know it sounds strange, but I felt better as no flitting in and out of sinus rhythm and then into AF attacks. Meds do work and you can have a good quality of life on them, I am 58 now. So if you do not feel happy with ablation, there is still a good quality of life with meds. However, we are all different, don't feel pressured, go with what you feel is best for you.

[Nannadee in reply to rayray5746]

Funnily enough, I went into AF for three days last week but it wasn't as aggressive as usual.

It was more gently out of rhythm and the strength of all the beats was more or less of the same power so I found it a lot easier to cope with.

The new combination of drugs must have changed its pattern, so I feel I could live with it if it stayed like that.

Previously I would have lots of dancing beats then I could feel the biggies building up and when they came I felt like my heart was going to burst my chest open and that was hard to live with and very scary.

[rayray5746 in reply to Nannadee]

Hi Nannadee, I found that one I was in permanent AF and not flitting in and out of it, it was much easier to cope with, and most of the time do not feel my heart beat at all

[DawnTX in reply to Nannadee]

no no no you do not want to wait. The longer you are having events the more exhausted your heart is and more damage. She is a fool to say what she did. I had six months of hr in the 150s. As soon as I saw my new cardiologist I was set for an echo for clots and cardio version same week. It was that urgent. The longer you wait the less chance of fixing. It only lasted 3 and a half weeks. They just tried it again this week and all three shocks failed to set rhythm. Next option lnown Jan 4. Ablation or pacemaker. These are the things that happen the longer you wait. Not all nurses are great they are not doctors.

[Beta44]

I had an ablation under GA less than a week ago. No after effects whatsoever. Had to stay in overnight as tha Ablation was carried out at 7:00 in the evening otherwise I think that I could have gone home the same day. Knew nothing about it at all which I much preferred as I was very anxious. However, I believe that with sedation that if there is any danger of you moving they just up the level and put you out.

[Hidden]

Hello,

Just out of curiosity any particular reason for not wanting Broadgreen as l had my successful Ablation last August at Broadgreen performed by Dr.Gupta and his team?

It is human nature to be be apprehensive and scared (As Rellim stated about crossing the the road) but once you make the decision which path to take somehow or other you feel more settled ,safer and in control of the situation.

I wasn't given a choice about GA or sedation that decision was made for me by the team so consequently l had a GA..

Sometimes we have to hand over our "Will" and let others make choices for us.

Good luck,

Carol.

[davegm]

I had an ablation at Broadgreen (LHCH) last June and I thought the treatment was excellent. I also had a GA which was the preference of the EP who carried out the proceedure. My preference as well!

I knew nothing about it and would certainly recommend going the ablation route. I would certainly have another if necessary - but so far so good.

The advantages are to me obvious. No AF, No drugs.

The disadvantages. Thinking about it beforehand, a bit of time to recover, and not very palatable hospital food for a day.

I am sure you will make the right decision for yourself.

[Moonstone56]

As Davegm has said the advantage outweighs disadvantages. I too am shortly to have an ablation at Oxford on 24 th. I'm having GA ... I don't want to know what is happening. I was extremely apprehensive. The information from here and from the hospital have put my mind at rest. ...As much as it can be. ... onwards and upwards .....

[Moonstone56]

It is a dilemma when you are on your own. I too live on my own and was prepared to cancel but I hate sitting here alone with a heart doing the cha cha cha every evening. Some good advice given on here. I had thought of getting taxi home. I know now I will be home next day on Saturday which makes it easier to be collected by my children. They don't live near me. As the AF nurse said to me yesterday, time to get the children to take care of me.

I am wondering about climbing stairs for the loo... do I stay upstairs for couple days or what. Any tips on moving about please fellow members?

Be positive. We can do this xx

[DawnTX in reply to Moonstone56]

I was the thing alone through all of it including my first black out and I am still here. I had two ablations within six months. Yes you do need someone to get you home. Being home alone unless you have major problems should not be an issue. By the next morning I felt good with no side effects. A flight of stairs to the loo should not be a big deal take your time. Like anything you have to take your time it is trauma to your body even if it doesn’t feel it. just don’t be foolish in what you do. Sometimes it’s better not to have someone there because you may just want to rest or sleep at Cetera. Unless you have other major issues you should be fine alone.

[mikeymike7]

I had an ablation in January after effectively putting it off for 5 years. I regret wasting all that time while the AF got progressively worse.

Doing OK at the moment but am getting ectopics, but no AF. If I need another ablation I will have no hesitation in accepting it. The procedure gives you hope.

The pills were OK but never quite worked - variously, IV amiodarone, bisoprolol, IV and pill flecainide, atenolol and finally sotolol. The flecainide was the best but I had to come off it following an MRI scan.

[howesgilly in reply to mikeymike7]

why did an MRI scan mean you had to stop it please?

[mikeymike7 in reply to howesgilly]

The scan revealed some atherosclerosis which contraindicates the use of flecainide, but a subsequent invasive angiogram and pressure wire test put the condition as mild.

However, I have not taken the flecainide since but it did keep me in pretty good shape for about a year at a dose of 100 mg per day as I recall.

[howesgilly in reply to mikeymike7]

thanks for that

[RichMert]

Hello mavisrich. All I can say is that I felt exactly the same way with regards anxiety and keeping still. Trust me, you will wake up afterwards and have no idea what has happened. If you say you are nervous then they will sedate you. I have had 2 ablations, 1 under local and 1 under GA, I remember going into the Theatre and then waking up in the recovery room...nothing more.

[marykhall3]

I have had three and really since you are sedated somewhat or greatly it never seemed difficult to tolerate to me. I always dread it because I too am nervous about things but it was never that difficult.

[PhyllisK]

Just a thought! if the first ablation does not work does that leave one very disabled until the second ablation.

I also have an ablation date with, a 50/50 chance of the procedure working?

[Rellim296 in reply to PhyllisK]

I don't think there is a hard and fast rule. I'm not completely perfect (I'm talking AF here) but last year's ablation has very much improved the situation. No comparison with how it was! Perhaps 97% better.

[DawnTX in reply to PhyllisK]

you will probably get some type of relief. It doesn’t fail they may not have gotten all of the area causing the problem. If anything you should feel better. I needed a second six months after the first and it was my doctor telling me it was back I was not even aware as yet. I have a loop recorder so he was notified. We are all different. I had a very aggressive procedure in April with more than one area done. I never felt right after that. But as I said if anything you should feel better just not as good as you might be able to feel. We are all different

[sunigirl]

Hi Mavisrich.

Fear is horrible I know I was the same the first time but ablation can't be that bad as I had it done twice more. The sedation is very good and you will feel peaceful and unafraid. You will be able to keep still because you will be so relaxed. Choose your hospital and that will solve some of your anxiety. Keep us informed please. Best Wishes

Sunigirl.

[Hidden]

I've had one of each and would toss a coin as to which to have again as both were a doddle. I was worried about the first, sedation, but time flew by and I felt sooooo relaxed. I had some pain in the middle of it and all I can remember is the word morphine, then waking up in bed.

Koll

[tibetan36]

We Can choose what we want to do re fear of procedures. FEAR can mean Forget Everything And Run! or False Expectations Appearing Real! and lastly Face Everything And Rise! We all have a choice, I chose the last one. I have had two ablations and one cardioversion in that order. Medication and procedures are not working like the professionals are suggesting they should. It looks like I am heading for Persistent AF. I am too young for an AV Node Ablation according to the Pro's.

So you know what? I am just going to take every day as it comes.....less focus on AF and more focus on having fun. I look back on the procedures and think well that is part of the journey to where I am today. No procedures could have meant I would be pushing up daisies in the graveyard. I have grown up children and grandchildren aged 3 and 6. I want to be around for them as well as grow old with my wife of 44 years. For me everything happens for a reason, when procedures are offered, I take them. (after careful thought and consideration) I try to avoid the 'if only I had that procedure done' syndrome.

This is a great forum to be on as there are lots of great folks who band together and listen to each other and support each other.

The choice is yours!

PS All of my procedures were done under a GA.

Kind regards

Barry

[seasider18]

I am cowardly before the event but once on the table or even worse in the dentists chair the fear subsides.