Search for guidance on the choice to Ablate Ectopic beats.

[sliw]

First post on forum, simply scared of Ablation and the possibility of worsening symptoms.I have been trying to deal with Ectopic beats for fourteen months I have bad days and worse days.I almost always carry on with fair discomfort and lack of concentration and patience,my work is largely physical and I am still able to do most things but it does get me down as the symptoms are quite intrusive.I have been for an Echo and Stress Test(tread mill) and have tried two anti Arrhythmia drugs Verapamil and Adizem and do not feel much better I was lucky enough to be seen by an EP at Broadgreen and the EP was happy to ablate.My dilemma is the fear of the treatment,I have tried lifestyle changes and supplements but still the symptoms persist.I feel that after reading the thoughts of others on this site that my troubles are small and that you seem to tolerate Ectopics better than I,but still the thought of years of this ahead does darken my thoughts.One of my main concern is not being able to work should the Ablation worsen my discomfort and I suppose I am serching for guidance and support.Thank you

[jennydog]

You say that you were lucky enough to be seen by an EP at Broadgreen. The Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital?

Can I suggest that you were lucky enough to be offered an ablation? They don't offer £15,000 procedures without good reason.

I had my ablation there. They were really excellent.

If you need to ask specific questions then please contact me direct.

[sliw in reply to jennydog]

May I thank all of you that have taken time to respond with your kind words and advice,the world fell apart for me on a warm bright October afternoon 16th 2016 I was working harder than normal as my season in the woodland was drawing to an end and I was shocked to find that I was unable to walk a few yards without being breathless it was as if I was working at great altitude.After a visit to the doctor I was given an event recorder and an ECG which was fine I recorded a week of events and they lost the data I recorded more and was a fourthnight into what I thought was Bradicardia as I was showing 45bpm I was coming to terms in my mind that I needed a pacemaker I asked to be referred to a Cardiologist privately as I am self employed and was struggling to work,It may not be the case but I felt very alone and felt let down by Doctors I held in such high regard Anxiety then became my second burden as I had not been diagnosed the Cardiologist in his calm and seemingly indifferent manner said that they were nothing more than misplaced and half compression heart beats collectively called Ectopic beats and that if the Eco was fine and structure of the heart normal that there was no reason to be alarmed.The weeks passed by and the darkness of winter added to the new confused and worried me,a Treadmill test with a consultant Cardiologist showed ability above normal and some reassurance for the first time in weeks as I was able to push myself up until then I feared pushing myself.As time moved on under Verapamil My horizon became nearer as my comfort zone became ever closer to home quite intrusive as work takes me away from Home.I am nine minutes away from hospital only someone with health anxiety knows these things .I had not had alcohol in fifteen years and am a non smoker a stone overweight and reasonably fit nothing much to change slept quite well a Very understanding family helped me through my worst christmas ever I was tormented by my lack of sinus rhythm I started playing damage limitation scenarios in my mind as to how I would run my business how I would make a living and how I would meet debt obligation I was insured but not for this.Another low point came as I fell over changing a tire on an Atv in the woods I stood up and felt dizzy and fell to the ground that night came my first visit to casualty I felt hopeless and beaten this is when I was given the option of Ablation a miraculous procedure that many take in their stride but fills me with the deepest fear the fear of clinical spaces and the thought of possibly worsening symptoms I want to have the Ablation but I fear the little ability that I have now will be taken by a wellintended error I sincerely wish I was forced into it I fear being out of control and making a fool of myself,I dream of a successful outcome and a return to my old happy self I share my difficult times as I took refuge in this forum over the last fourteen months.Again thank you all.

[Jhcoop55]

I ad two ablations, the second which took care of my AFIB. Ironically, I developed persistent ectopic as a result of the procedure. I take a low dose combo of metropolis and flecainide which seems to control them very well. Might want to talk to your EP about that.

[Sharon1234567]

I had an ablation 3 years ago for AF which was successful. I’ve had 3 years AF free which has been bliss. I feel my symptoms are gradually reappearing And if offered a 2nd ablation in the future wouldn’t hesitate. QOL is so important.

[Dodie117]

It’s normal to be anxious about this procedure. In fact you’d be a fool not to be worried. I nearly did a runner from the waiting room. However I went ahead in November 2013 and 4 AF fee years so far.

Say yes - you can always cancel or run from the waiting room!!

[sliw in reply to Dodie117]

I would love to say yes but I fear taking someones place If I commit I will have to go through with it,people will have to arrange their time to get me to Liverpool and possibly arrange a stay over,I found it funny that you nearly ran out I practically live outside and hate the feeling of being enclosed.I am happy for your four years without AF and hope that you enjoy many more years free of your problems.

I would take my friends advice and dose up to the hilt with Benzoz but I need to be responsive as to show my Ectopics on the day.

[Bob56]

Hi, I had an ablation a couple of years ago to try and get rid of my AF which had worsened steadily over many years. I also suffered quite badly from ectopic beats which actually had more of a lifestyle impact than the AF as they were with me more often and I could never find a medical or dietary regime which gave me much relief. I also feel so much more anxious with the ectopics and that only seems to make them worse.

The ablation didn't halt the AF completely, but it definitely helped. Unfortunately, it did little for the ectopic beats. I now take a small dose of Flecainide combined with an equally small dose of Bisoprolol. My EP thinks neither will actually stop the ectopics, but he feels that they " take the edge off" the symptoms. He also said that he would " have a go" at trying to get rid of them with another ablation, but unless I was having ectopic beats at the time of the procedure, then it would be less likely to work and he might not even want to proceed! As a result, I haven't gone ahead yet and am continuing to try and establish the triggers for my ectopics to keep them at bay and find other ways to handle them when they do appear.

As the conventional wisdom is that ectopics are less dangerous than AF, I don't think they get as much attention from the medical profession. if you haven't gone onto You Tube and seen some of Dr Sanjay Gupta's videos on ectopics, then do take a look. He has lots of useful information and insights, plus some hints and tips. Just remember, whatever your decision re the ablation, there are lots of friends on here who have struggled with the same dilemma. So much depends on how the condition is affecting your way of life, the more it is, the more I would think about the ablation. If you asked me if I would go through an ablation again if I thought there was a decent chance of improving my condition I wouldn't hesitate. The procedure itself isn't as scary as it may seem. The recovery period can be prolonged ( for some) and you may have some side effects and issues, but most of them do pass over time. For a fair few it resolves their problems completely, but obviously it doesn't come with a guarantee Please do ask as many questions as you like, we have all been there!

[sliw in reply to Bob56]

Thank you Bob kind wise words,I have seen the You tube videos Dr Gupta seems rather anti Ablation for Ectopics and I rather admire his work on youtube his opinion has been influential together with a slightly alarming post by a young lady who had a rather negative Ablation experience at Liverpool.I am for the first time in my life totally lost I am aware that to most rational people the choice is an easy one but for me there are only a few days when I am free of this weight of choice.Its difficult to get relevant info.

[Bob56 in reply to sliw]

I feel for you. You won't find much published information on ablation for ectopics. I know I have looked extensively. If you don't have AF as well as the ectopics I don't believe an ablation will be pushed on you in any way. My ablation came about because of longer and more frequent AF attacks and I viewed this as a decline which had to be arrested. For me the risks were outweighed by the bleak future I seemed to be facing and I have no regrets. I can't put myself in your shoes as i am managing to cope with the ectopics, but then again they do come and go, and I have good spells to provide relief. Let me assure you that you could also find that the ectopics will ease. There's no rhyme or reason about their appearance and duration. Having said that eating sensibly, staying fit, and above all trying to reduce stress levels are very important. Anxiety is our biggest enemy. To sum up, there is no easy choice, but do your very best to make your decisions based on the facts as they are available, rather than anecdotal or one off stories. If you think you have a good EP or cardiologist, trust their advice, but take as long as you need to make any decisions. Please ask more questions if it helps. That's why we are all here

[JaneFinn]

Hi Sliw and welcome

Sorry I have no experience/wisdom to help here, but i do feel for you in your dilemma. I hope that you keep getting responses from the forum that help you come to a decision you feel at peace about.

Best of luck - keep us posted.