Pace and ablate ..UPDATE

[bushy2016]

Hi all..heart rate now more settled ..still getting af but thats to be expected..having the leads screwed into your heart...you be a bit aggetated!!!! Got my check up this week, to check im still plugged in...have my appointment for Av node ablation early next month....so I will be available this winter for flat battery jump starts....you have got to laugh...or you'll cry

[IanMK]

I didn't realise it was a month between pace & ablate. Is that typical? Seeing my EP on Tuesday and anticipating a 3 Lead pacemaker the following week. it's going to be Christmas before I know if I'm on the road to recovery. I've already been on my journey for a year. 😱

[bushy2016 in reply to IanMK]

Hi Its the norm here..to pace...and then to make sure its all working..before ablating..Ive been on the journey for just over 2 years...trying every medication snd 3 ablations..to get where I am now...and I was classed as a rushed job...your lucky your being seen soon

[IanMK in reply to bushy2016]

I was expecting the delay between pace & ablate to be more like a couple of weeks 😳.

After the first seven months I had become disillusioned with the slow pace of progress on the NHS. I’d have some test or procedure then have to wait 4-6 weeks for a follow-up appointment to get the results and find out what the next step would be. I decided to take the Private route, so the pace has picked up a bit. I am on sick leave because work stress was aggravating my condition. My employer has very good sick pay terms but there is a limit. If I can’t do my job then they will terminate my employment.

[CDreamer in reply to IanMK]

Are you covered by insurance?

If you are, it would be incredibly helpful to me to ask you for some details from you as I was refused a 3 lead pacer by my insurers. Maybe I could PM you?

[IanMK in reply to CDreamer]

Yes (fortunately).

Of course.

[CDreamer]

Glad you are Serling down. I am following your progress as I am on the waiting list.

[Fastbeat]

Hope check up goes well and you proceed to next stage quickly and smoothly

[bushy2016]

I found the best route was to pay for a private consultations..not cheap..then to be put on ghe Nhs list...pm me and I can tell your other ways I was told to speed up the process

[CDreamer in reply to bushy2016]

Doesn’t always work for more expensive procedures such pace and ablate. Even if you see a specialist privately, it doesn’t mean you will get the procedure any quicker if the specialist puts you on the NHS waiting list you will wait your turn and believe me, Pace & Ablate is not a procedure to pay for yourself - unless you are a multi-millionaire.

[Icenae]

Why not share with all of us. My 31 year old daughter might benefit from jumping the queue too. Particularly as she has lost her job and been refused sick pay whilst awaiting an ablation

[bushy2016 in reply to Icenae]

Ok the way to be seen a lot quicker is (and I was told by my consultant to do this)..when I was in AF and it was effecting my breathing or I was feeling unwell, was 1 ring for an ambulance or make your way to A + E as each time you are seen...you are pushed up the list and especially if they keep you in...good luck in your Af adventure,

[jeanjeannie50]

Bless you Bushy, make sure you laugh! It's good to hear all went well and your heart rate is now more settled. Hmm, yes just made a note in case my car needs jump-starting.

Jean x

[CDreamer]

I’ve been on the NHS list since end of May but I applied to my private insurer in February - expecting approval - and being denied - so that was somewhat frustrating for my EP who eventually got very fed up with them and said I’ll put you on my NHS list - but heard nothing since. If I’ve not heard by the end of the week I’ll ring appointments. We had hoped it would be done sometime in August so that I had the late summer & Autumn to recover. C’est la vie.

[CDreamer]

It is a big step and I procrastinated for about 18 months but episodes are becoming more frequent, more symptomatic and they are not triggered by any thing I can pin down. They just generally sapping my stamina and with the other conditions - can’t happen soon enough now!

Thanks Jo for the encouragement. x

[Icenae]

I do think it pays to present at A& E when having a bad spell rather than 'putting up with it.' We are not proactive enough.

Hope all goes well with the ablation and pacemaker settling in.