Hi all,after having hardly any sleep in the night due to all the machines going off i managedto get an hours sleep from 7.30 to 8.30. When i was woken a nurse gave me a blood test whilst everyone was getting offers for breakfast except me lol, doctor harris came round the guy who also done my cardioversion and asked me to sign my life away.i asked if i will be sedated as told i wasnt and he said of course you will, youll be away with the faries. Lol so pleased to here that!!!!!! Next thing after that i was asked to go to the toilet and then was taken by two nurses to the cath lab, i looked around and it really looked scary i admit, there was a lot of doctors and nurses in there all trying to talk to me at once lol, anyways i was asked to sit on the table and was given some cold gel to stick on my back where they stuck lots of pads all over me also on my front too, then they wipped so very cold gel in my groin area that i accidently touched with my hands so they had to do it again after i had big blue cloth over me, oh well, sorry should of warned me. After that he nubs my groin with a local and pushes down hard on it and another guy pumped me full of sedation, i did wake up just as they was finishing and did sigh n moan a bit but he was more or less finished by that time. I went in at 9am and was back on ward by 1pm, family came to see me after so that was nice even after a bit of rest was asked to walk around i could with bit of help but still earlydays yet, also managed to go a wee but no poos yet, they keep asking about me doing a poo lol. Anyway time got to about 7pm and my hearts been making extra beats and going slow im told, also can feel pulse going in my kneck very tight, ive been given co codamal but heart has been going barmy but still in nsr so thats good, just hope it stays like it as feel like im having bad af attack at mo. Hopefully its all done and dusted and ill feel ok tommorow, ill keep you all posted if they let me home.. Thanks for all your kind words, ive never been so terrified lol!! But hopefully will be worth it!
After Cardio Ablation Part 4.. - Atrial Fibrillati...
After Cardio Ablation Part 4..
Glad it went ok. Heart will be jumping around and doing funny things for a few months yet. It often takes 3 to 6 months to fully settle down.
Yes I hope and pray it all calms down asap. My first one I had a little trouble after but it passed quickly. So glad it is over and sorry they scared you by not telling you re sedation. That is creepy.
Lol was very creepy
Pleased that it all went well Steve. I don't think that nurse telling you that you would not be having sedation did you any good! Which is one reason why we need to gather as much knowledge as we can about this condition so that we are ' one step ahead ' so to speak.
Anyhow you know that you must take it easy & expect some blips in the coming months. People have different experiences as you will have learnt from this forum but most get there in the end.
Hope you will be feeling much better after breakfast in the morning!
Best wishes
Sandra
Thanks Sandra, felt like you was here with me the whole time :-). It was a nurse who was doing the night shift came round and told me that i wouldnt be sedated. It was no good telling me that, it really played on my mind, you go threw enougth as it is, let alone being told you wont be sedated!! oh well its 4.20am and nurse has seen me awake in the dark on my phone so going to take my blood presure now, doesnt seem like this is over just yet then. Can be quiet worrying when your heart plays up after
Since my cryoablation 9½ months ago, I've had migraines at the start, two episodes of AF, lots of ectopic runs and some other unidentified bangs and whistles along the way. Panic attacks have also played a part in the process but I think I have those under control now.
Was it worth it? You bet it was! I went from AF for three weeks every month to virtually nothing! Even if it comes back, the whole process has given me hope.
Good luck with your recovery and think positive thoughts!
Ok I hope i recover quicker than that, wish u well and thanks for your good advice and kind words
Really feeling for you! Hope he beat settles down, after all that trouble. Blessings to you
Thanks jan
Was thinking of you, glad it's all gone well. Now take it easy, don't worry about strange feeling coming from your heart, it's taken quite a kicking and will remind you of that . It's so worth doing, I am happy having the odd flutter, it beats the ten days of fast AF I had before, which felt awful. Make sure you rest, take on board all the advice, and let us know how you go
Well done Steve. Now just take it easy for a bit and let everyone look after you. Heather
Take it easy for at least two weeks.
Ok i will try Peter, thing is im a single dad with two teenagers living with me, ive told em they need to look after me and my mum and sister can help at times too
Well tell them it this way. It may be a bit of short term pain and more work for the four of them but it is a much bigger long term gain for the four of them and more importantly for YOU.
They will be much worse off if you relapse and potentially make some aspects of the AF worse just because you didn't get enough rest. Your health is obviously key for the family.
Good luck!!!
Too true, thanks pete, just told my teenage daughter what u said lol, i think shes been trying today, will try and take it easy for two weeks then
Also tell them what I was told by arithmyia nurse and consultant. First week only things are TV remote, phone and iPad. When I asked about using PC nurse said no because that means sitting up. Second week basically the same but can add a few other minor things but no straining or carrying.
Will try heather, as long as my kids give me a break
Well done! Now rest and think nice thoughts.
Wendi
Thanks wendi
Bless you Steve and so glad you were away with the fairies.
Thank you for you're very descriptive account of what happened as it gives me an insight into what's going to happen when it's my turn.
Really hope this has cured the AF and you can get back to leading a normal life.
Please keep your blog ongoing.
Denise.
So glad you got your sedation Steve. I could not have believed they would do it without. Now you are on the rocky road to recovery but it will all be worth it in the end.
Yes i hope so, just trying to stay positive now,
They told me prior to my pacemaker being fitted that the cath lab is the safest place in the world to be in.
They guy opposite me had a pacemaker fitted, they was worried about his blood pressure and i think the thing had a mind of its own when it was fitted, poor man. Hope your getting on ok with your pacemaker
No!! I spent nine hours in A&E on Monday. They suggested that I stay the night and see the cardiology team in the morning.
As I have a cardiology appointment on Friday I said that I would wait till then and hopefully see the Top Man.
Right well you only got tommorow then its friday, if u still feel ruff let them know about it ok, make sure u speak up, and let em know how u been feeling, write it all down and give them every symptom youve had so it gives them something to go by, u make sure you look after yourself ok, how long have you had your pacemaker? Have u had an ablation before you had your pacemaker fitted?
The pacemaker was fitted in mid July. I have not yet had an ablation. I reported here last week that I had been offered one due to a cancellation that I turned down as I had not been taking Warfarin due to ulcer symptoms. They said that they would do it without and I said 'No way'
Before consultants get beyond Good Morning I am into my spiel that I do not let them interrupt.
Well done, you are brave. I hope you feel better soon.
Hi Steve! So glad things went well for you. I want to give you a bit of hope for the future.
I had my ablation in July 2014. For the first few months my heart would have extra beats and quick high runs and lows, and then calm down. After that it took a few months for me to settle into feeling safe and comfortable again. I think I was so worried that AF was going to get me that I gave myself panic attacks.
I had one or two very short runs of AF this summer, but it turned out that I was dehydrated and depleted in magnesium. Once I corrected that, everything was good again.
Give yourself time, and stay up with the news on this forum. It is so helpful to interact with people who really understand.
Good luck and God bless you!
Cat
Thanks cat, im home now and feel like ive been hit by a car in the chest, like im winded? Is that how it felt for you? I hope it doesnt take to long to get to normal and i do recover, feel worse than what i did to be honest lol, and i was always in AF all the time. Im in good spirits though, very happy ive had it done, ive never been so petrified in all my life, lol i can admit it now
Yes, I felt that way too. It felt like my chest was tight or too small for my lungs. I also had pain near my breastbone. It passed though!
If you have pain, make sure they give you something. What's the point of going through pain needlessly?
I was terrified too, but I tried to act all brave for my husband because he was so afraid for me. It really hit me when I got into the surgery room and I saw all that equipment and they started putting all that stuff on me. It felt surreal.
I have to say it was the best decision I ever made. I am in NSR all the time now, and feel good. While I was a normal weight before, I often skipped meals or ate junk. I really watch my diet now to make sure I'm getting the nutrients I need to stay healthy and keep my heart happy. I'll probably live longer because of it!
I feel exactly the same as u explained lol, like ive been hit with a baseball bat, repeatedly in chest, how long did it take to pass?????!i cant keep taking cocodAmol and ones i had are wearing off now, i know how u felt when u got into surgery room, im a full grown man and i felt i had enougth by then i felt so tired and had enougth and felt like i was going to burst into tears. Oh well, its done now, i have been vaping for 3 months and started having the odd ciggy before hospital appointment cos im silly, i still got my vape but just had two cigs when i got back n feel really teribble now, im such an idiot, think im going to knock it all on the head for now, its not worth it, let me know how long it takes for pains in chest to go? I need to know lol
I don't want to depress you, but I think it was about four or five days for me. I found that it got worse when I ate. When I told my doc that, they sent me for a scope to make sure I didn't have a problem with my esophagus. I didn't. They never did tell me why I had that pain. I was so glad when it left!
Saying a prayer for you Steve!
Had a bit of a scare this morning i felt like i had a swallowed razzer blades this morning when i woke and all down my neck throat and gullet and heart felt like it had swollen up,i rang hospital for advice and they said when did this happen, i said when i woke up, they asked how i was laying and i said flat, they said thats why and told me to prop up lots of pillows behind my back next time i sleep and to take some more co codamol as they had run out the ones i had took before i slept.i did take some more and things calmed down, and also went back for more sleep with loads of pillows behind my back so i was sitting up more or less and i did feel slight pain when i woke again but no way near as bad, so the key is to sleep sitting up. Im def getting that little bit better, had bit of head ache this evening and seem to be burping a lot? Lol. Getting there though slowly but surely 
I haven't had an ablation but I just love the way you've described your experience.
Hope it all goes well for you.
Jo
Im very proud of myself for going through it and im proud of everyone else who has been through it or has to have it done, our bodies are so tuff what we can tollerate really and this site is a brilliant place to come to and share all our knowledge and experiences, all u guys have all really helped me and i will continue to help anyone else going threw the same thing, what a bunch of lovely people you all are xxxxxxxx
I had my first ablation on sept 16th and my second on 2nd November!
I'm having regular ectopics and runs but only short bursts but still feel them as I'm very symptomatic! My chest hurts off and on and I'm so tired. Sleeping in my left side has become a problem again and I'm feeling dizzy at times still but through all that I'm having times when my pulse is regular and through all the fear and there is a lot!.. I have hope that it's worked.
My cardiologist made me stop my meds cold turkey on day five and I've been told that's bad! So I'm back on smaller dose. I'm hoping that I'm having trouble getting used to a regular heart beat and I'm struggling because I'm so unfit after months of just laying about! I only manage to dress my 3yr old am shower and then put her to bed and I'm knackered! And it's always after I've done anything the episodes strike but far improved in what they were!
Everything crossed that we all have success if only the wait was not so long and the fear so great!!!
Good luck and keep us posted its so good to hear other stories and know you're not alone and it's all 'normal' whatever that is!! X
How did you manage to get two ablations so close together?
I ended up back in hospital with endless VTs, 13days in hospital then 2nd ablation quicker as in patient I had a four month wait for my first which I think is good going too I think, although not at the time.
I'm not sure if another ablation so soon is a good idea as no one else seems to have had one that quick? And I've read that the so called blanking period should be over before another but I just have to have faith in the docs?... Too late now anyway it's done!!
My Svt was very symptomatic and I did pass out with them. It has been very life restricting mentally and physically.
I was told before my first that I'd be symptom and drug free and ready to run marathons after two weeks after it and boy where my expectations high which made the aftermath of the first scary and this one even more so I just hope to god it's worked as I'm at the end of my rope! I was misdiagnosed and treated for over five years with panic attacks! Was only in May I had my real diagnosis after a trip to A&E.
I'm only in week two after second ablate so know it's early days but just want some quality of life back and be able to be a proper mum!
They must have thought that it was definitely better to do a second ablation because of all the VTs and passing out was obviously a danger to you and possibly others!!! Doing it so quickly would not be done unnecessarily because they probably had to cancel someone else.
Never heard of the comment about running marathons after two weeks, doesn't seem credible at all (after all apart from anything else no time for any preparation!!!). No wonder your expectations were so high and how you really came down to earth with a bump.
Quite the opposite to what I was told!!!. First week after leaving hospital only things allowed were to do were TV remote, phone and iPad (and when I asked about PC the answer was no as that involved sitting up straight for too long!!! Second week "not much more" and certainly no lifting or anything at all strenuous. Procedure took 6.5 hours and unfortunately back in persistent AF less than 72 hours later (I was told that in my case no chance it would work first time but consultant gave me a follow up appointment 6 weeks after ablation rather than usual 3 months in the hopes that I was still in sinus. He told me (as you will have seen on here) that it would take at least 3 months to approach stabilising.
You can still be a good mum even without being 100% fit and agile. My father used to say life's changed not ended and you have to adapt (even when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer). Hope that helps. Good luck.
Yes it seems everyone is told different things I'm doing my best to take it easy well I don't have a choice really!
Just wish there was more consistent aftercare or even a difinative it hasn't worked if... I hope your second ablate comes soon and it works for you.
Both my ops were 3 hours long and I was sedated but awake for all of it and in and out same day.
I had a cardiac cryo ablation 2 weeks ago I found the procedure to be quite painful it lasted approx. 2hours all went well the EP said. After an overnight stay I was discharged. Since the procedure I have had 2 episodes of a raised pulse (150bpm) but other than that have been feeling 100% better than before. I would say that despite the pain I will have another procedure if needs be.
I am booked in for a Cryoablation ablation at Whipps Cross at the end of Nov. with Prof. schilling. I live in north Essex but have been told that I won't be kept in overnight post ablation, I feel I will be a long way from specialist care if anything should go wrong.however they are the experts but I am a bit worried and will have to sit in the car for the 2 hour journey home, no doubt it'll be fine. But am a bit nervous!
Post ablation - 2 days on
Unexpected complication after ablation
Cardio Ablation
Post Ablation
Post ablation concerns part 2
