Well the dreaded call from the hospital came yesterday with the date for my ablation, April 15th and I'm so scared and unsure.
I'm back on full meds after a blissful week totally free, until I had a bad attack of AF so put myself back on them.
But I'm still so unsure about having the ablation, do I really need it, will I be ok, and what if it doesn't work?
I have my 2year old grandson and 3 month old baby granddaughter overnight 2 nights a week and have them in the day 3 days a week. How long will I not be able to have them for? And we are meant to be going abroad on holiday in May will that still be possible?
I'm really so unsure if I want this ablation doing.
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Nannadee
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Courage, Nannadee! How would it go if you decide not to proceed? You have been offered a chance to move yourself forward because your EP thinks you really need it. If you don't take it, you will not improve and your AF isn't going to go away. We know it progresses. Is more and more medication where you really want to go?
Yes, it's scary and there are no guarantees, but it may not be the big hurdle you might imagine and even if it doesn't stop AF, it will probably improve your situation.
Your 3 month old baby granddaughter is going to be too heavy to lift in the short term but a holiday in May, especially if it is later rather than sooner, doesn't sound impossible.
I was terrified before I had mine done last September. I. Would do it again if necessary. You have a good chance of getting better without those dreaded medications!
Rellim talks sense Nannadee. Stop worrying and go for it. OK there are no guarantees but I can give you one. If you DON'T have the ablation you will never get any better and most likely worse.
I know Bob but now the time is approaching I'm panicking.
I can only speak from my experience. I had my PVI in 2006 at age 56 and although I was concerned at the time, it was a breeze. I came out completely AF-free from day one. I had about a week of feeling a bit funny in the chest (sort of tight?), and had to be careful with the groin entry point whilst it was healing etc.
The ablation kept me clear of AF and drugs (except anti-coagulants) for the next 8 years, and for a few years after the procedure I couldn't feel my heart at all which was wonderful, just silence.
8 years on and a bit of AF came back, so I had a 2nd ablation 2 years ago to nip it in the bud, but that was aborted for other reasons, so now being controlled by drugs which are working well so far, but they don't allow me to be completely normal.
If offered a third, which may happen, I'll go for it without any hesitation.
I was terrified and even when I was in the waiting room on the morning of the ablation I was still deciding 'will I/wont I' and considering doing a runner.
Anyway I went ahead and 2.5 years later still AF free. So this is your chance to tackle this once and for all.
Nannadee. Those adorable little grandchildren are exactly the reason you want to have the ablation! Being heart healthy and full of energy for them is the carrot at the end of the stick! Talk to your EP about how soon you can travel abroad post ablation.
I can say that this time last year I was staying with my grandchildren and I was exhausted from the AF that suddenly hit with a vengeance. This year I am here again and I chase a 2 year old and 4 year old all day, am walking about 12,000 steps/ day and doing at least 40 flights of stairs per day (they live in a 3 story home and all we do is go up and down stairs I have boundless energy, and my heart is happily beating the most wonderfully boring NSR. I feel 10 years younger than I did this time last year.
My advice is to go for it, because you clearly have a wonderful life waiting for you and you don't want to sit around and get worse, and miss any moments with your family.
i was excactly the same as you but had mine yesterday, and everyone was great they all put you at ease and it was not as bad as i thought, i am at home now resting up they have told me i might have flutters etc over the weeks but it should settle down all being well, i think you will be ok but best to ask to make sure think it really depends what date in May you going , but regarding having it done i would go ahead if its not to near your holiday,
Brilliant news. Don't be afraid. However if you are going to postpone because you are on holiday early May then really consider hard. Will the hospital accept that postponement - some won't, some will. Also double check with your insurance company. You should be covered if you have to cancel holiday. However if you decide to cancel check that you will be covered for AF whilst you are away as sometime s there is a clause in there about no cover if you turn down an operation or procedure and also no cover if awaiting a procedure unless insurance company agrees.
I'm going to go ahead with the ablation even though I'm scared.
We haven't booked a holiday as we're going in our motor home to Greece and had hoped to go about the middle of May so we can be flexible with that, it's more not being able to have my grandchildren as I have them 4 days a week and they stay overnight 2 nights a week, I will miss them not being here and spending time with them.
How are you doing?
Are you going to the patients day thingie in October again?
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I have boundless energy, and my heart is happily beating the most wonderfully boring NSR. I feel 10 years younger than I did this time last year. 
Afib has reared its ugly head again big time, for me. 
Ablation, here I come!
Ablation, here I come :)
Coming off medication
Coming off flecanaide 
