13 weeks post ablation check up - Atrial Fibrillati...

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13 weeks post ablation check up

Fastbeat profile image
26 Replies

Today ECG in AF. My EP done scan on phrenic nerve damage, no movement on right side diaphragm that's why having so much breathing problems and low oxygen reading.Outcome he wants do do another ablation RF this time and has added digoxin to my meds, can anyone give me any feedback of their experience of taking digoxin ?

Apart from that last week was put on waiting list for having cataracts removed from both eyes, so not the best 2 weeks of my life,any comments on cataract removal please?Anyway I will keep positive and hope all will be well in the future .

Thanks in advance for any answers to above questions.

Jane

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Fastbeat
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26 Replies
Nashvilleboogie profile image
Nashvilleboogie

Hi jane ive not had an ablation procedure yet but ive had cataracts removed from both eyes.honestly im the worlds worst coward when it comes to hospitals and needles but i have to say there was no pain discomfort yes but it really was worth it.what a difference it made to my quality of life.

So go for it and i bet you sail through it just as i did

Good luck

Richard

Fastbeat profile image
Fastbeat in reply to Nashvilleboogie

Thanks Richard.I am having it done,just have this thing about eyes, makes me feel sick thinking about it, but need it done so will overcome.

Jane

rosyG profile image
rosyG in reply to Fastbeat

i'm having regular injections into my eye and felt terrified before the first one. The anaesthetic drops they use really work and the injections don't hurt nearly as much as a flu injection- this isn't directly in answer to your question but you will have an injection first and it really doesn't hurt!!

CaroleF profile image
CaroleF

I've had cataracts removed from both eyes, though not at the same time. I appreciate that the prospect of any medical procedure is scary, but as Nashvilleboogie has said this isn't really anything to get too anxious about.

Once the local anaesthetic had been injected I felt absolutely nothing. There was a lovely nurse ensuring I felt comfortable at all times and I knew that, if needed, I could ask the surgeon to stop so I could adjust my position. I didn't need to ask though.

I felt no pain or discomfort afterwards either and the result was absolutely MIRACULOUS! I hadn't realised that the world had taken on a yellowish tinge as a result of the cataracts. Everything was now bright and clear. Honestly, it's the main thing I am really grateful to the NHS for.

So .... grit your teeth and be sure that this is one procedure that you will be grateful you had done.

PS. Why not let the hospital know in advance that you are anxious? They can probably make things easier for you if they are aware of that.

Fastbeat profile image
Fastbeat in reply to CaroleF

Thanks Carole

CaroleF profile image
CaroleF in reply to Fastbeat

Forgot to say that after both cataracts had been removed I didn't need to wear glasses anymore - which the medics obviously thought I'd be pleased about. In fact, I had worn glasses for about 50 years and felt naked without them so wear ones with prescription-free lenses.

You may be cheered up by the prospect of being glasses-free?

Oh ... and driving at night was a whole lot better too. Previously I had found the glare of approaching headlights hard to cope with.

Carole

Buffafly profile image
Buffafly in reply to CaroleF

Good to hear as my cataracts are getting worse, thanks!

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

May I ask if you are having the cataracts done on NHS?

I have been told that there is a moratorium on cataract removal in our area.

Fastbeat profile image
Fastbeat in reply to CDreamer

Yes I am on BHS waiting list.

Fastbeat profile image
Fastbeat in reply to Fastbeat

Sorry predictive txt Nhs

irene75359 profile image
irene75359

I can only comment on the cataract procedure. After spending the last twenty years needing increasingly strong glasses I decided to have lens replacement (same procedure). Absolutely no pain, only odd sensations, but over in 15 minutes and I literally danced home - I could see. The only shock I had was my true reflection in the mirror after years of 'airbrushing' due to poor eyesight!

Best of luck with your other procedure and I do hope you feel better soon.

Fastbeat profile image
Fastbeat in reply to irene75359

I'm sure that's why the eyesight goes, so we can't see the wrinkles .ha ha!

Luludean profile image
Luludean

I have been on Digoxin for 5 years, I am so happy on it, verapamil, bisopralol etc made me so ill.. We are all different though. You are going through a lot , I think you sound incredibly resilient!

Fastbeat profile image
Fastbeat in reply to Luludean

Thanks,I will also still be on 2.5 mg of Bisoprolol and 10 mg Lisinopril, let's see how that goes.

countrygirl1 profile image
countrygirl1

Another happy cataract free person here!

I've always been incredibly squeamish about eyes (had to bunk off school the day our biology class was dissecting bulls eyes!) but now I'm fine with eyes and am so grateful I can see. My sight was deteriorating rapidly, I'd had to stop driving so was forced to do something about it and have been amazed at how clear and blue the world is again now. I would say go for it with confidence,

Good luck

Fastbeat profile image
Fastbeat in reply to countrygirl1

Thanks for your reply

Rhspw profile image
Rhspw

Hi Jane,

So sorry to hear that you have phrenic nerve injury!! I thought I replied yesterday to your posts but may have not hit the button for it to post.

At first the doctor told my husband he would need to go back in for second ablation but then as we discussed it, he decided it would best wait until his phrenic nerve healed because then he could make sure where it is and be extra careful to make sure he didn't hit it (like the previous dr did ) and permanently damage it. My husbands may be a bit different as it was the other phrenic nerve which is usually completely out of the way so Dr wondered if my husbands was in a weird location.

Regardless you may want to ask your dr about it to see if it would be better to wait to have procedure until the nerve has healed. We wish you the best and hope it heals quickly!! Keep us posted

Blessings, salli

Fastbeat profile image
Fastbeat in reply to Rhspw

Yes I think it will be someway down the line,I did say need for it to heal before trying again will post again when more info

Barry24 profile image
Barry24

Hi Jane,

Out of interest what is your oxygen reading? Mine has gone down since ablations.

Regards

Barry

Fastbeat profile image
Fastbeat in reply to Barry24

Few different readings at hospital yesterday around 90 mark,I don't know much about this but they said it should be over 95,perhaps you know more than me ?

tcpace profile image
tcpace in reply to Fastbeat

Yes it should be over 95 but, until the phrenic nerve repairs itself, it's probably going to be in the low 90s going by my wife's experience.

Barry24 profile image
Barry24

Hi Jane,

According to the World Health Organization oxygen saturation levels should fall between 95 to 100 percent.

A reading below 95 percent requires medical investigation. Low hemoglobin and anemia can effect oxygen levels in the blood.

Hope this is of help to you.

Best Wishes

Barry

Fastbeat profile image
Fastbeat

Yes,mine was checked because of phrenic nerve damage,right side diaphragm is paralysed so not able to take in enough oxygen,it should hopefully heal over the next year.

Barry24 profile image
Barry24 in reply to Fastbeat

Hi Jane,

My best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Regards

Barry

tcpace profile image
tcpace

My wife had phrenic nerve damage which meant her first ablation (cryo) had to be aborted. The nerve repaired itself after about 10 months. She then had a second ablation using RF which seems to have done the trick. Don't know anything about digoxin though.

I've had the cataract operation done. Absolutely no problem. After being extremely short-sighted from my teens, some 50 years later I only wear spex for driving. The operation is quick and painless. Nothing to worry about and the end result is brilliant. My aunt also had it done at the age of 80+ some years ago, again no problems or pain.

Fastbeat profile image
Fastbeat in reply to tcpace

ThanksTcpace,everything about your wife's treatment sounds the same as mine,hope my recovery will also be the same.

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