Really delighted to be out the other side so to speak. Bob is absolutely right to say dental work can be more traumatic. I'm in no pain, heart feels still as a millpond (although I appreciate this is likely to change), just a sore throat and unquenchable thirst. EP very happy with how it went. I went into AF which he said meant that he could only map three quarters but he ablated around all four and AF stopped which he seemed to take as a good sign. I think he also thinks that the catheter action triggering AF indicates that my AF is caused by pulmonary vein action therefore logical that ablation might do the trick. Allowed to stop taking Flecainide (just keep in reserve as pip) but continue with bisoprolol for the next few months. Already back on my rivaroxaban. He showed me an email he received from an old patient today who wanted him to know that whilst he had probably logged his ablation back in 2014 as a failure as he had a really stormy 3 months, in fact, his AF has gone since then allowing him to live happily on a small Caribbean island without worrying about lack of medical facilities. Sounds heavenly. I was also encouraged by my lovely nurse Mavis who had a successful ablation nine years ago. Thank you to everyone for your amazing knowledge sharing and support. I hope sharing my experience provides some reassurance to those considering an ablation. PS look at the great view from my hospital bed
Ablation - all done and dusted š - Atrial Fibrillati...
Ablation - all done and dusted š
Fingers crossed it all works
Thank you and fingers crossed your recovery gets easier - sounds very bumpy
I would love to get an Ablation but they say I must be in normal heart rhythm to get the procedure. After 2 cardioversions, I can only stay in normal heart rhythm 5 days. And I'm over 70.
Kitty
Well, I was in persistant Afib as I went into my third ablation just over 2 months ago. Since they need to induce arrhthmia during the proceedure, it seems illogical to delay the op because of it!!
I agree. I'm 75 and they discourage me for that reason, I'm guessing. I would prefer honesty. I'm not like most 75 year olds. I live the life of an active 60 yr old. Well, I did.
Is it really worth it to keep getting an ablation if they don't work?. You are still at risk for stroke, right? Doesnt it take a tole on your body? The years of Afib can't be good either. Right now I'm living with persistant Afib. My blood pressure is good I just have to watch my heart rate. It puzzles me because I don't feel that bad. When I was able to convert on my own I was miserable during the Afib. This is different.
My cardiologist said I could have a fairly normal life with no surgery and stop taking Amiodarone. I only need Atenolol for heart rate. He has been on vacation and is not aware the cardioversion did not last.
Thanks for listening and giving me good input
Another thought. Are you in the States? My brother lives there and he too has Afib. His cardiologist keeps pushing him to have cardio versions. But they simply do not work for him. I am cynically wondering if cost has anything to do with his cardiologists decisions.
Woops, just finally managed to get back to the start of this thread and saw your photo.
I wonder about the cost of these procedures too. My co pay for cardioversion is $250 . I have no idea what it would be for an Ablation.
Blood work , EKGs, office visit and cardio version, I'm looking at a $500 day. I just found out my Pradaxa refill is $90 (Blood thinner)
Yes I am in California
I didn't know they induce arrhythmia
Yes, they stimulate the heart to map out the areas of rogue electrical cells, which they then ablate. If they are not firing off, they do not know know which cells are 'misbehaving' and so do not know which ones to blast.
It took two ablations to, so far, fix my Afib. But weighing up how I used to feel for the 18 months leading up to my second ablation for Afib, I would trade the inevitable after effects of the procedure any day against the knowledge that the rest of my life would have blighted as it was last year.
Of course, mine was a personal decision. Just as was my decision to comply with the EP who recommended I take Apixiban for the rest of my life. I watched both my parents die from stroke. No thanks, that is not the way I want to go.
Thank you that makes sense and I will challenge my cardiologist with this knowledge
What are the after affects of an Ablation, specifically a catheter ablation?
Kitty
Sorry for the delay in replying Kitty but we have been travelling through France and the wifi has been very dodgy.
A lot of people feel very tired after an ablation and need to rest, rest, rest. Often you will have a sore throat, if they have used a trans oesophageal ultrasound to show the EP exactly where to punch through the wall into the left atrium. This lasts a few days usually but it can also leave you feeling burpy and a little nauseous for a while.
I found it impossible to lie on my left side, and still do. I also had a bout of ectopics (missed beats) but that settled quickly.
I think people react differently but I know I was pretty anxious for about a month, which is why I joined this forum and gained a lot of reassurance.
I hope you do too.
Oh traveling thru France? Must be tough. Lol sorry for the sarcasm. No apology necessary.
I didn't know the throat was involved if the catheter is in your groin. It doesn't sound like something I want to do if the success rate is so low. I'm actually not doing bad with persistant Afib as long as I watch my heart rate, take my Atenolol, stop taking Amiodarone (soon). Most of the time I don't feel anything, which is good. I tend to dwell on my heart when I do feel it. I think treating my sleep apnea has been a big difference in how I feel day to day.
I'm back in the gym, moderately, and may just proceed the way things are now.
Thanks for your diligence.
Kitty
What makes you think the success rate is low?
It is about 60- 70% for a first ablation and nearer to 80-90% for a second one.
I can't tolerate the medications, so I had little choice and in fact actively chose to go down that route since life wasn't worth living before I had them done.
But, as always, it is a very personal decision and we are all different.
This is what my cardiologist is telling me. Maybe it's my age. I'm told I have to stay on the medication before a procedure. Maybe it's my kidney disease. I never asked him why. If he told Me, I dont remember. We have to revisit the subject. He has been on vacation. The other thing was that I had to be in normal sinus to get procedures. And I think it was you who told me they have to induce arythmia during the procedure.
I cant see me challenging him by saying "oh I met this person on an internet support group who said........"
But after talking to you I am hopeful again.
Thank you
SORRY
No need to apologise!! Hope it all works out for you
LOL "sorry"was auto correct for KITTY. I never saw it change
This is a wonderful and uplifting post. I had mine on 2nd August. We can recover together 
lovely pic. You sound positive. It feels like a feat to have even gone through with it doesn't it and to be ok after! X
Well done and now rest a lot. Two weeks minimum and no lifting (even your wallet!)
great news, all sounds positive.......as for the view, NO you can't stay another night!! Mefinks you are well aware of Bob's recovery rules!!!!
the bugga beat me to it!!!
Early days as you know but It is very encouraging to read such a positive post.
Your post needs to be annexed to jeanjeannie50 's 'centurion thread' that she posted yesterday.
Now take Bob's advice and rest.
Best wishes
Pete
Well done,may it long continue.
Great news and what a view!
Congrats! Was worth it as well to me!
What a view- were you treated at London Bridge hospital? They gave my daughter a room with that view as she was the youngest (20) on the cardiac ward. So pleased you are doing well.
Marvellous news, well done and thanks for sharing about the other successes. Are you at Barts.
Super news. Who did your ablation. I am a patient there too. Should have recognised the view. My ward was overlooking Big Ben .
He is my EP too. Like you I find him very good and really like him. He has been marvellous to me. So pleased all is well with you.
Dear Londonant. So glad that your ablation seems to be working. I had mine 5 weeks ago at St Georges, Tooting, but still have to take the drugs I was on before. Waiting for follow up in another month to let me know if it all worked. But I am feeling much better already - friends had been commenting. So fingers crossed. Still taking Flecanide though and would like to get off it - perhaps just keeping it for emergencies. Best Wishes for the future. AllyMac
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