Pace and ablate ..UPDATE

[bushy2016]

Hi all had the pacemaker fitted...jeez its like a vhs cassette...all went well...other than my afib running a lot faster at present around the 160 mark most of the time...just have to wait 6 weeks to have the node ablated...then hopefully a bit of normal life will resume...ps...its got a bluetooth connection....sky on the go

[Fastbeat]

And no monthly contract,but more seriously pleased first part done and all well, best wishes for the future

[IanMK]

Let me know when it feels like a sweetener tab dispenser. I’m getting mine in 3 weeks.

[bushy2016 in reply to IanMK]

To tell the truth..its 75mm x 50mm or in old money..3" x 2"

[Hidden]

Welcome to the 'Pace and ablate' club. Had mine 2 1/2 years ago and doing fine. In permanent a-fib and no more cardiac meds. Hope your ablation goes as smooth as mine and your pacer too. Take care. irina

[opal11uk]

Had mine now for 3 years, what a life changer, that coupled with a couple of heart meds and life has returned - wonderful invention......good luck with yours

[CDreamer]

So pleased 😀 - I do hope you joke! But I guess it feels like it right now. I’m waiting .........to be on the waiting list.........

[IanMK in reply to CDreamer]

I got fed up with waiting. I have a life to live. I’ve taken the Private route and claimed on our health insurance.

[CDreamer in reply to IanMK]

Unfortunately been there and my insurance company - AXA - refused my claim and my EP’s appeal for bi-ventricular pacemaker. They approved the AV ablation - but not the pacemaker implant???!!!

Came down to cost - they said the bi-ventricular was none proven, even after EP submitted many studies and said I needed it. He won’t go ahead without using that for me as I have a neurological condition as well so - stale mate. Hence now back on NHS list.

What’s more - which was the killer - they said in writing - they would not continue to cover me for any heart related complications if I went ahead and paid for it myself.

Not impressed as they lost papers, spoke to different people who gave me different stories, my EP’s secreatary was pulling her hair out as she faxed over more and more papers but they would then ring her saying they hadn’t received them. Result is my EP refused to continue deal with them in my case as it was too time consuming for them. I have no choice over my insurers as my company pays. 🙁

[IanMK in reply to CDreamer]

I’m sorry to hear that. You’ve got me worried now as I’m still waiting for the go-ahead from my insurance company (not AXA). Presumably you’re staying with your EP.

[CDreamer in reply to IanMK]

I’ve never had a problem before - we were with BUPA who were very efficient and great. I had heard not great things about AXA from a friend who described them as a nightmare to deal with.

Yes I’m staying with my EP because I trust him, he is clinical lead locally & I used to see his ex-boss in London who referred me to him saying he was very talented and he certainly is thorough.

[cbsrbpm in reply to CDreamer]

I too had problems with AXA, they would not fund me for referral as it was an ongoing problem 🤔. I am no longer with them and have had better treatment through NHS and the wonderful Harefield Hospital. Hope your wait is not too long.

[CDreamer in reply to cbsrbpm]

Thanks - interesting! They were ok with the referral - and would approve a 2 lead pacemaker - but boy are they difficult to deal with.

I know they won’t cover any chronic condition but then no insurance tends to unless there is “a sudden exacerbation of the condition”.

[AvrilB]

Good morning bushy2016, So pleased you are part way there...good luck with the av node ablation, hope it goes well.

After two years of enduring very symptomatic afib, during which I had in excess of 12 electrical cardio versions and 2 ablations, all of which were initially successful, but only kept me in sinus rhythm for between a few days and 14 weeks, I had a CRT-P pacemaker implanted on 20th April ‘18.

I didn’t have to wait the usual 6 weeks for the node ablation and it was done AT THE SAME TIME. My EP said he didn’t think I needed to wait for it to be done and that I may as well enjoy the benefits of having the pacemaker, straight away...and I did

I was extremely scared about the whole thing and very nearly called it off the night before, but I went ahead with it and IT WAS THE BEST THING EVER...I feel GREAT.

My pacemaker was initially set so that my minimum HR was 80, but I have been for my first check and all was good. They reduced HR to 70. It will probably be reduced further to 60, when I have next check in December. Lost count of how many times I have been admitted into hospital since May ‘16 !!!! (during this time I have also had a total hysterectomy and had pre cancerous cells removed from one breast).

Although I am now in permanent afib, I don’t feel any symptoms from it. Unfortunately I have never reverted back into sinus rhythm without a cardio version, although all combinations of medications were tried.

The only meds I take now are Rivaroxaban and Ramipril (for blood pressure).

I sincerely wish you a successful node ablation and that life for you will again feel NORMAL, mine certainly does

I look forward to reading your future updates.

Best wishes,

Avril

[Jennywren2953]

Hi glad all is going well for you. I had a pacemaker in last October and the AV node ablation in May, and still can’t believe how much better I feel, so glad I had it done. My heart rate was around 150 before the ablation, they set it at 80 for a month and it’s now on 70 and will go down to 60 in November, it’s like getting your life back. Best wishes 😀