Ablation

[gingerfeline]

Have been on the waiting list for a few months for left side ablation,was expecting to have it after Christmas,had a call Wed,would I have it done on the 4th Dec,I should be really pleased ,instead I'm very worried,Have moderate COPD also bad back due to Arthritis and I'm not in a good place,jut dont feel I could cope,but A/f might be gone,and then I can get of the awful medication and I will feel better , So why do I feel so wobbly,has anyone else gone through this.

[jeanjeannie50]

I know just how you feel as last year I was telephoned on a Friday and went in for my third ablation on the following Wednesday. It's such a big decision to make to go ahead with the procedure. My daughter kept saying I shouldn't have another one and I thought she was having some kind of premonition (by the way she doesn't understand how poorly AF can make you feel). However, I went ahead with it, had no problems and felt so much better afterwards.

It's perfectly natural to feel a little apprehensive about having the procedure, but I'm sure others will soon be on this site telling you their experiences.

Best wishes.

Jean

[gingerfeline in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you Jean for your best wishes.

[Hidden]

Of course your worried Ginger cat, we all were when we got the call, and with your additional health issues it's not really surprising. I assume you will share your health issues with the hospital to make sure they will not effect the procedure. If they are happy, then go for it. It makes sense if you can improve at least one of your health issues!! Best of luck, remember to take it easy for at least two weeks and let us know how you get on.....best wishes, John

[gingerfeline in reply to Hidden]

Thank you John for your best wishes,

[rosyG]

I haven't had an ablation but have considered it so know how you must feel after finding out about the possible complications. You say you will be pleased to be off meds and if you are young that's a good reason to have ablation as the side effects from drugs would be bad over the many years involved. Anti coagulation might still be needed after ablation if your chadsvasc score merits it- see afa website to work out your score if you don't know it already

I know many on here have worried when their date has been finalised and then been pleased after it- others haven't been so happy if things went a little wrong- difficult for you to decide but take advice from your doctors and weigh up how bad AF makes you feel so you know the risks are worthwhile Hope all goes well for you

[gingerfeline in reply to rosyG]

Thank you rosyG for your advice.

[Buffafly]

I have asthma and a spinal fusion which made things more difficult, and I was called in with only a few days notice, also in December! I just turned into a quivering mess in the space of a few minutes but I was determined to get it over with so I accepted and I was very glad I did. I wish you all the best for your ablation 🎅(early Christmas present!)

[gingerfeline in reply to Buffafly]

Thank you Buffafly.

[jennydog]

You are bound to be anxious - we all were. But you have a date now and you have 2 weeks to get organised. You need to plan things so that you will be able to rest, rest, rest post-ablation.

Remember what Bob said. Ablation isn't as bad as canal root treatment at the dentist. He was right about that.

If you need to discuss details then privately message any one of us.

If it were me, I would prefer the ablation in early December because after Christmas the weather can be atrocious. Snow causes havoc round here.

Very best wishes for a successful outcome.

[Sarah57]

In some ways a perfect time to go ahead...feet up over Christamas!!

I too was so so apprehensive, but with a little self reflection of how rubbish AF and the drugs were making me feel, and consequently the miserable quality of life, I bit the bullet and decided to "Bring it on" as they say!

Best decision for me personally as off drugs, no AF for over 18 months( touching lots of wood!) and no complications..

However , a word of advise is do really listen to what BOb and others say.....rest and recovery is hugely important and I took life very very very slowly for at least the first three months, then only gradually introduced little bits of exercise very very gently, and kept social life to a minimum for 6 months. ( I was actually shocked how the hospital seemed to be saying you can get back to normal after 2 weeks..rubbish advise in my point of view !!)

I was quite shocked at how tired I felt and really learnt to listen to my body, again advised strongly by advise I read here, as your body will have a big shock and remember you have been living with AF and the powerful drugs as you come to have the ablation, so it must take the body a while to simply recover from the change as well as the actual ablation?

Also come off drugs slowly if you can, I did it over 3 months which worked well for me.

Good, good luck with making your decision .

With best wishes

Sarah

[gingerfeline in reply to Sarah57]

Thank you Sarah.

[Hidden]

You would be very odd if you didn't feel apprehensive. I've found that you feel better when you get to the hospital and into the flow and I think a short wait is an advantage.

Just buzz around doing all the things that you won't be doing right afterwards and try not to worry too much. You never know, they may send you home because there's an emergency and any wobbles will have been for nothing!

[cbsrbpm]

We all feel like this when we get the call, it's only natural. I was exactly the same before all 3 ablations. What we have to remember is that they are the experts and wouldn't offer us the ablation if they didn't think they could improve our QOL. I wish you all the best and hope you are fighting fit for the Christmas celebrations.

Brenda🐝

[Dodie117]

I was very nervous - considered doing a runner from the waiting room! Anyway went ahead and the procedure itself under GA was a breeze. Had a bumpy 5 months but all gradually settled down. That was 4 years ago and no AF since then. Bliss.

If doctors are ok to do it then go for it. As others have said REST. gentle walks when you are able but nothing too strenous for about 6 months!

Good luck 🍀