3 month follow up

[Shellyrich]

I had my 3 month follow up appointment today following my ablation in July 2017 and it didn't go so well. I am being listed for another ablation and I have to have an MRI scan. Feeling quite down about it 😔

[Victoria55]

So sorry for your news.. yes it is so disappointing especially after going through an ablation and then might be needing another. As my EP said this is not a cure just a treatment and not to be discouraged if having to have another, ( I thought easy for you to say) but knowing there are many of us out here going through similar circumstances, it makes me feel better and I hope for you as well!

[jessieMom2 in reply to Victoria55]

Sorry to hear this Victoria55. It scares me to think of having another. I am having a cardio version tomorrow as my EP thinks it will help to hole me in rhythm. Praying for good results.

[UScore]

Yes, sorry for the news. I guess everyone hopes the ablation is the end of it.

What did they say was wrong exactly?

[BobD Volunteer]

Please don't be down about it. You know ablation is only part of ongoing treatment and having had one you should have no fear of number two. My third is still holding after nine years.

[Buffafly]

I'm sorry for your disappointment 💜 Even though we are warned that the first ablation may not be a fix of course we hope and expect it will. Best wishes for the next one......

[Ktomoph_]

sorry to hear you are feeling down....knowing we have to go back does disappoint us and affect us emotionally doesn't it....

I hope the reason has been explained to you as good as it was to me, because that helped me enormously.

During the ablation procedure they are 'burning' spots and lines across the area of the heart where it is misfiring, hoping to cover that area. They then have to wait for the burns to heal/create scars to see if they have covered the whole area - difficult to fully assess until it does this healing process.

The MRI will now let them know which bit or bits they have unfortunately missed in your heart.

As much as I didn't like the idea of return to hospital, I accepted the above explanation which helped, and it went really well. I was even happier with the result.

As Bob says it is part of an ongoing plan of treatment to get you well again. You will notice the difference. Stay strong Shelley, my thoughts are with you, and good luck with second.

Just want to say.....how brilliant that you got your 3 month check meeting actually within 3 months!

[Hidden]

I can understand your disappointment and I am sure I would feel the same way too. I think its possible that some extra work will be done on me. For the EP's it's just a case of tweaking things but for us we feel that the first wasn't a success. I think that aspect of it could be explained better to us or certainly to me. They clearly want to get things right with you and are being thorough with MRI etc.

[Ladypaula]

Sorry to hear that it is very disappointing when it doesn't work out as expected or as our expectations. I had my ablation last Wednesday 11th Oct at LGI and was told immediately afterward that I would need another one as my ablation was for paroxymal atrial flutter and during the procedure I kept having bouts of atrial fibrilation which at one point they had to give me flecanide to restore NSR .My cardiologist was very good and explained everything to me so he has now listed me for January to have this done I too was disappointed as all my ECG and holter monitoring picked up a definite saw tooth tracing which was classic for the atrial flutter .

[JaneFinn]

I'm so sorry, Shelly It must be so disappointing Hope the lovely encouraging messages from others who have been in your place have managed to lift your spirits a little. Hugs Xxx

[Shellyrich]

Hi all, thank you for your comments, it helps to know I am not alone on this journey 🙂

[Paper65]

That's really disappointing, so sorry to hear this news

[cuore]

Hi Shellyrich, You do not say whether you were in paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation before your ablation. If you were in paroxysmal, generally one ablation is required as the burning is around the pulmonary veins only. If you were in persistent, generally two ablations are required as the AF can turn into atrial tachycardia or as there could be too much edema due to all the burning, resulting in not ablating all the rogue signals.

I am assuming you were in persistent, so your ablation would have gone very well as the EP would have got most of the AF. The second ablation will be much shorter. it is conscientious for your EP to order an MRI scan since the scan, I think, will pin point the rogue signals.

You also do not say if you have had bouts of AF and how long they were. You may have had a cardioversion to try and remain in sinus rhythm.

In any case, it is good news that you got to see your EP right after the blanking period. And, it is great news that you are on the list for a second ablation to continue ablating the rogue areas they could not get the first time.

I am in the exact position as you having had an ablation in July with a second scheduled for Nov. 20. In my ablation report, my EP wrote "...if the arrhythmia comes back. it will be most amenable to catheter ablation."

I view your situation, like mine, as the cup being half full. Good luck on the second one.

[Fastbeat]

Hi Shelly, I am in same position as you,ablation in July, check up Oct 17th ,need another ablation, on waiting list this time RF ablation,last time it was cryo

.Only problem for me is damaged phrenic nerve from last ablation which I would like to heal before proceeding with second one.Good wishes to you it's all part of the process.

[sandy1952]

I had an ablation at 56 which was 9 years ago. Which was iffy a couple years ago it came back with a venous. At least I feel so. Only was on flecainide pill in the pocket because was paroxymal. When I started again it lasted the longest at 3 months. Was tried on meds and didn’t work but couple of months. Had my ablation March 29/17. Went back in hospital day after with afluttter. 125 bpm. Put on amiorderone drip and cardizem for about five days. Went home with afib and amioderone. No afib but my heart rate is usually under 60 because of the ami I also take toprol For a few weeks now my heart rate goes up to 105 resting and my blood pressure increases. Then goes back down now after a few hours. Gets worse whe I lie down. I think we all that have this dreaded desease have anxiety so it scares me. Has any on had racing heart rate after ablation. Another thing I am really afraid of the amiorderone and wondering if that’s why I am not having the afib. Thank you. Sandy