Ablation it is then...

[joebob]

So I booked a private appointment at Spire hospital in Leicester and went last night for an appointment with an EP called Dr Sandiland - thank you for your recommendations

What a fantastic service you get when you pay for a private consultation. I was there for about an hour and a half and had everything explained to me very carefully and thoroughly. If anyone feels like things are taking too long on the NHS or if you feel you are not getting the answers you desire then I whole heartedly (no pun intended) recommend paying for a private appointment with an EP. After the initial consultation you will still be under their care and can have the rest of your treatment on the NHS. I know a few people had advised this approach on these forums and I now wish I had done it sooner.

He gave me a date for an ablation of 19th Dec which shocked me as it's only 10 days away! I don't think I'm prepared for a procedure this side of Xmas though so I'm looking at early in the new year - doing the whole thing privately otherwise 6 month away on NHS. The two week recovery period will make things a little difficult as my other half is pregnant and due late Jan, early Feb so she's not in the best condition to be running around after me!

Feeling happy that I have a solution in place but also nervous about the procedure. It will have to be done under a GA as I don't sedate well, but I think that's better for me as I'm worried I would fidget whilst on the slab!!!

In the mean time he told me to increase my Flec to 100mg twice daily (my cardiologist was very reluctant to increase the dose for some reason!) to keep my heart in NSR.

Thanks for everyone's help and support on here so far. If you have any other advice to share about before, during and after procedure then I'm all ears.

[Barry24]

Hi Joebob,

Well Done, excellent news and thanks for informing us all.

I wish you all the best for your forthcoming ablation.

Kind Regards

Barry

[BobD Volunteer]

Well done but there is never going to be a good time for this is there. You will need to rest completely for a few days post procedure so maybe sooner rather than later would be good. Also no driving for at least 48 hours or even longer depending on EP's recommendations.

Bob

[Rellim296]

Sounds excellent. I'd be inclined to go for the early date and then do nothing but eat over Christmas but I don't have much to be disrupted. I had only three days' notice and was not very ready. No regrets!

[Runcrans]

Excellent service there , I went nhs route It took 4 month before procedure date , I think the 10 th would be a good date for you get it over and done with and then relax over Christmas , go for it nothing to lose ,you'll be back on your feet for the birth 👍👍👍👌🏻cheers Paul

[wheezybronch]

I had an ablation, I was awake all through, I did not need a recovery period. I just did not lift heavy weights for a week or so. I had an unusual short period of pain ( do not know why) but had some more Ketamin, I think it was. Everything went well, bit of a shock when the theatre nurse ripped my paper pants but I soon settled down and was joking most of the time.

"Your doctor may tell you to avoid baths and swimming and to avoid lifting for up to a week following the procedure. You may also wish to give yourself plenty of time to recover before resuming any work or physical activity that may stress the body."

[AlanAF]

Excellent news! I'm really pleased you are getting somewhere. Thanks to the greater awareness about the importance of seeing an EP from this forum, I have booked a private appointment for tomorrow. Hope it's as good as yours!

I see you are on Flec. I am just on beta blockers. I get the feeling you have to (or they like you) to be on something more powerful for an ablation, so I may have to wait longer than you to go on something first. Anyway, we shall see.

Best of luck!

[Skitts]

I was asleep through mine, so it was nothing to me. Post op was difficult and I wasn't prepared for that part. It was 2 hours, That is where I had most pain and difficulty. Got better through the day. Was barely able to walk at 7 p.m night of surgery and that freaked me out some. Walked a few more times that night. Next day at 7 a.m., I was ready to go! Was able to go to work (drive) an hour after release. Had a lot of throat and chest pain that next day and the following morning, but all has been well otherwise. Have had consistent premature beats, but I don't think afib. I have walked a couple miles too. I worried like you are doing. Don't. It just hasn't been as hard as I thought. I am very happy I did it and if I needed it again tomorrow, I would pack a bag and go within the hour.

[PeterWh in reply to Skitts]

They should have told you that you are NOT allowed to drive for a minimum of two full days after an ablation. Also no valid insurance. However dependant on length of procedure, sedation drugs and AF itself that could be up to a week of no driving. My consultant said one week minimum no driving.

Also everyone must think "could I do a full blown emergency stop?". If you can't then you are not fit to drive (applies at any time, not just related to AF). I knew someone whose child was knocked down and severely injured because the driver had right leg strapped up and could not stop quickly enough. He deserved his prison sentence.

[Skitts]

I was perfectly fine to drive the next day. I was not a danger to anyone. I guess everyone's experience is different.