Got my ablation date... mixed feelings.!!!

[joebob]

I have been given a date of 3rd Jan for my ablation. This is quite good timing as it means I can enjoy Christmas, have a couple of week to recover, start a new job (just got the offer today) and maybe have a week or two there before the arrival of my third child.

I have to admit that I am quite nervous about the procedure though, and the letter I received from my EP explaining the potential risks definitely did not help - I know they have to point these things out, but it's not a comforting read

Anyway, I have come of the Flecainide as I was finding the side effects worse than being in AFib, and my EP suggested increasing my Bisoprolol from 2.5mg to 5mg daily. So I will remain in AFib up until the procedure.

Definitely got mixed feelings. Feel great about a lot of positives happening early next year and the prospect of being fixed, as well as feeling worried about whether I have made the right decision to go ahead.

[Hidden]

All I can say is that I was concerned about my first ablation 11 years ago. I thought about it for 2 years whilst remaining on the drugs. I eventually went ahead mainly because of the drugs which were starting to have unacceptable side-effects.

Anyhow, I had mine under sedation only except I was knocked out when it started to hurt. I'm not being macho when I say the whole thing was a doddle. I had to be careful for a few days/a week with the entry point and to be honest other than that and a slightly tight feeling in my chest, I felt great. Mine wasn't like some other people have said, I had very little recovery period, I was back at work within days (against advice!), and my AF stopped 100% and immediately. I stopped all drugs (prior to the ablation) except anti-coags which I am on for life. I couldn't feel my heart at all for a few years afterwards, which was weird and wonderful.

That lasted me for 8 years, then I got a tiny-weeny bit of AF back, so back on drugs now after a 2nd ablation which was aborted because my AF would not make an appearance on the day, drat !!! My drugs are working at the moment so I'm fine.

I don't know how often they are as successful as mine? Clearly, a lot of people who've had successful ablations and are cured for the moment, aren't on this site.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Koll

[joebob in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, I do find it encouraging to read success stories like yours.

I'm confused about the abortion of your second ablation though, I didn't realize you had to be in AF to be ablated!

[Hidden in reply to joebob]

No I didn't either. All I know is that my EP said I wasn't in AF when on the table (I was under GA this time), and that they gave me something to stimulate/provoke the AF and that didn't work either, so they aborted. He was surprised so guess it doesn't happen too often.

Someone else will know more detail, I'm just repeating what I was told in my case.

Koll

[pip_pip in reply to joebob]

Hi. You don't have to be in AF for an ablation. I wasn't for my third attempt, which was successful so far 15 months in. According to the individual I suspect.

Phil

[BobD Volunteer]

For sure you have made the right choice Joebob. Do understand mind that you will not be dancing down the ward straight afterwards. Back in 2006 when I had my first I expected to be cured when I came round and was rather taken back to feel so much worse. Ablation must be considered as part of an ongoing treatment plan and may possibly need to be repeated but it does represent the best chance of getting off drugs (maybe not anticoagulants) and improving your quality of life. Do be prepared for some funny days and worry that it may not have worked as it does take at least three months for the scar tissue which blocks the rogue impulses to form.

Take each day at a time and you will be fine but above all don't over do things too early.

[joebob in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob.

I guess in my heart (pun intended) I know I have made the right choice. I can't carry on with the medication as I haven't tolerated drugs like Sotalol or Flecainide and whilst i could survive being permanently in AF it does limit my quality of life and add additional worry when I can feel that fish flopping around in my chest.

The new job is a big step up with a decent pay rise, plus it's a lot more exciting as it's a fresh position. Timings not the best I guess but I will just have to make the most of it and not push myself too hard.

[Dodie117 in reply to joebob]

I would say you would have to be brain dead not to be nervous!! I was very nervous and told myself I can always change my mind up to the last minute. On the day I nearly did a runner from the waiting room!!

Anyway I went through with it and two years AF free. I had 5 months of various arrhythmias but then settled down and all clear since.

So hold your nerve and good luck 🍀

Marie

[Barry24]

Hi Joebob,

Nothing to add to the comments already given.

Just wanted to wish you all the best for your forthcoming ablation.

Kind Regards

Barry

[joebob in reply to Barry24]

Thanks for your kind words.

[NiceNana]

I'm two weeks post ablation and I'm glad I had it done. Good luck with all the changes in your life.

Lynn

[joebob in reply to NiceNana]

Thanks. It means a lot to get some support on this forum.

[Jason1971]

We are all different Joebob with recovery, but we all probably shared the same anxiousness pre-ablation. I was amazed with the whole process and my recovery was very quick. After two weeks I had no after effects from the procedure. it hadn't been a total success and the plan is to have another one, which I would agree to in a heartbeat 😬 My job isn't a manual one, so I went back to work after a few days, but listen to your body. You will know yourself of any issues. Good luck.

[joebob in reply to Jason1971]

I'm sure all will be fine. I just wish they hadn't put the odds in the letter - that's what has been playing on my mind. I must of woke up dreaming about the procedure about 5 times last night!

[Steve2810]

Youll be fine mate, leave the worrying to them, Good luck

[joebob in reply to Steve2810]

Thanks. I get what you are saying but easier said than done. I suffered with anxiety for over 10 years, ironically the anxiety was always about my heart too!

I attended a Mindfulness course earlier this year - I guess it's time to go over my course work again!

[Steve2810 in reply to joebob]

Mate ive been through anxiety too and still stuffer now at times, at one point i had to go on medication just so that i could hold some food down, i ended up going counciling and learning cognative behavioural therapy to try and cope, i have been much better than i was but i still do have my down days believe me, and im sure that didnt help with my A fib, or even maybe could of brought it on. If you feel it will help you try and go over your notes again, it definately wont hurt, best of luck

[prairie2016]

Joebob,

I had my procedure in September of 2012. The worst part was the pre testing where the EP wanted a CT image and I had a bad needle phobia reaction when the put in the IV line for the contrast.

The morning of the ablation went smoothly but I had post-anesthesia issues which the recovery staff quickly got controlled. I stayed in hospital overnight and I was released late afternoon. Worst part was the coughing of the person who shared the room.

Now that you know what risks there are ask your EP how often his patients experience any. I had none and my EP told me he had to modify the ablation pattern because my esophagus was too close to the heart and he didn't want to risk any damage.

Good fortune,

[hydrangea]

Hi Joebob

I've been reading your posts with great interest as my ablation is on Jan 5th. I haven't had any information yet and the EP said I didn't need to go in for Pre-med, maybe because my ablation is for Atrial Flutter, not fibrillation.

I am sure having the ablation is the right think to do, but I am scared about having it without a GA. The EP said I could have one if I insisted, but that it would probably mean waiting another few months. Decided I was being a wimp, so am going ahead. I wake up in the night worrying also.

Good luck with your procedure.

Happy Xmas!

[PeterWh in reply to hydrangea]

I am sure having it is the right thing to do. My only complaint about having the sedation is that I was not awake all the time so I could have seen more on the monitors that was gping on!!! A good thing for many people is that recovery is better with sedation. For me made no difference as anaesthetic has never worried me or affected me - I know that I am lucky in that respect.

As to props different hospitals have different rules and even within a particular hospital they vary their approach. I have heard that some always do one if it is likely to be a long procedure so as to reduce the risk of the Cath Lab being unused for a large part of the day. I am at Barts but live about 30 miles away. They were prepared to do the questionnaire part over the phone and not do other checks. However as it is only a 1 train journey for me I elected to go in for pre op assessment.

Good luck

[hydrangea in reply to PeterWh]

Thanks for your response. I wasn't given the choice, I was just told they do the pre-op by phone. He knew we lived a long way away, so perhaps he was just making it easier for me, but if I thought for one minute it would be safer or easier to go in, I would.

Unlike you I would be very happy to be asleep during the whole procedure!

[PeterWh in reply to hydrangea]

Was it Carlos who did your pre op?

[joebob]

Just received an email from my EP's secretary and had it confirmed as 3rd Jan in the morning. I'm not feeling as anxious as I was as I have been giving it some thought and I am sure that the figures they have to quote for the potential risks don't actually highlight if there were any other factors effecting the outcome, such as age, other health issues etc.

I'm just going to enjoy Xmas and the new year as usual and then look forward to the prospects of a healthy 2016.

Merry Xmas every one