Failed C.V. and now awaiting Ablation :[ any information on how that affects you would be welcome!

[franksavage]

Anybody had Ablation and how does that fare with you i am awaiting one after a failed CV?

Frank!

[BobD Volunteer]

Hi Frank,

Many of us have had ablations. I had three before my AF went away but some people are lucky on the first attempt. Always regard it as part of an ongoing treatment. Be aware that it takes several months for the heart to heal afterwards so it takes a while to know if it has worked.  You will find plenty of horror stories but do remember that sucess stories seldom bother to stay  here and tell us so the balance is all wrong. Plenty of information about ablation on the main AF Association website.

Bob

[franksavage in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob! a font of knowledge as per! 

[franksavage in reply to BobD]

Still waiting for my appointment bob..but a reread has done me the world!

[SRMGrandma Volunteer]

Funny you should ask that.  I was just sitting here reflecting on this time last year.  My AF had kicked into high gear after a long period of dormancy.  I went in for a cardioversion on the 14th of April last year and it lasted all of about 10 minutes.   I then tried some meds which worked, but were intolerable for me due to the changes in EKG that they caused and I raised the white flag and scheduled my ablation.   Other than a rocky first week including another failed cardioversion after the ablation, it has been 10 months of blissful, boring,  perfect, normal heart rhythm for me.  I was just sitting here on this glorious sunny spring day counting my blessings.  Wishing the same for you.

[CDreamer]

I had 2, very simple procedure - for the patient!  Very minor wound in the groin area is the only visible evidence.  Fared very well with me, the procedure sounds daunting and of course there are some horror stories and the medics have to counsel you about all that can go wrong - which did happen to me - but what better place to have something go wrong as I was in the safest of hands.  

I had a few side effect worst of which was very sore throat and heartburn which lasted 6 weeks but that was because the camera they put down your gullet (you are asleep!) got stuck and it caused some slight damage.   The first ablation failed because I did too much, too soon I think - because I felt SO much better.  Thankfully the second worked and 2 years later I am AF free.  

I cannot stress just how different you will feel being AF free, all that background anxiety has vanished.

I have no hesitation in saying go for it!

[franksavage in reply to CDreamer]

wow!! im gobsmacked...Thankyou.

[CDreamer in reply to franksavage]

Frank the camera getting stuck was because it turned out that I had an underlying condition which causes muscle weakness and muscle cramping - which none of us knew about so it was a VERY rare occurrence.  The camera or TOE - trains oesophagus echocardiogram - is essential so that they can check your heart out for any clots before they start the procedure.

The benefits SO outweighed everything else.

[BobD Volunteer]

Really good success stories there Frank.

Bob

[franksavage in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob great advice as per usual from you!

[Sarah57]

Hi Frank

Had an ablation 8 days ago and think it was well worth a go.

Hard waiting for it, counting down the days etc, but felt very positive just before. I think one kinda of gets in the zone?!

Tired afterwards and taking it all very slow, but hey that's ok .

Good luck and feel free to ask anything.

This site has helped me a lot to get to grips with and understand options etc.

With good wishes

Sarah

[franksavage in reply to Sarah57]

Thank you Sarah xx