Abalation

[Kahst1]

I am less then 12 hours from abalation and anxiety is really starting to take hold. I haven’t thought much about it until today. Does anyone have a solution to staying calm? So many thoughts running threw my head. Any and all advice welcome.

[CDreamer]

My best suggestion would be to practice deep, slow breathing techniques - just focus on your breathing. To get the thoughts out of your head - write them down - it’s a bit like a mind dump. I use a technique -continuous writing. You do t lift the pen off the page and just write down exactly what is in your head and just keep going until the worry thoughts are gone. Don’t try to make sense of anything - just write. If lots of ‘what ifs’ come up think - ‘what if it doesn’t’.

After that then download an app called Calm - it’s not a free one but one recommended by every professional I know. There is a meditation section on there about anxiety. You just listen to a lady talking and follow her instructions to focus on your breathing - nothing weird - no chanting!

It is quite normal to have a melt down the da before - I nearly backed out for both mine. The question I asked myself then was - if I cancel now, what will I feel like when I next have an episode? I knew I would seriously regret backing out - however the ablation turned out - if it worked - I had only gained a new lease on life. If it failed - well at least I would know - if I’d backed out I would always wonder ‘what if’.

Just my experience but hope it helps.

Best wishes and let us know how you get on.

[Kahst1 in reply to CDreamer]

I have thought long and hard about it. But thank you. I will use your advice.

[IanMK]

No need to be anxious. It’s a routine and painless procedure. The most painful part for me was some time later when they were changing the dressings in the groin at the femoral artery. They hadn’t shaved me so it was a bit like a wax when they removed the plaster 🙂. I was fascinated by the number of people involved in my care in the cath lab, all focused on their various tasks.

[Kahst1 in reply to IanMK]

Thank you. I believe all will go well.

[Hidden]

Good advice Kahst1 and also checkout the two AF Association webpages below which I’m sure you will find helpful.

heartrhythmalliance.org/res...

heartrhythmalliance.org/res...

You will be fine, please let us know how you get on.....

[Kahst1 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[Hidden]

Everyone is apprehensive. I've found the waiting to be by far the worst bit and the staff have always been very supportive. As Ian says, there is a team who look after you and one kind lady once said to me 'My job is to monitor you and, rest assured, I'll be watching like a hawk every moment, all the way through.'

I was impressed with the technological sophistication of the cath lab.

Before you are called in, put all the things you might need afterwards in a box or bag that can be passed to you as you may be lying flat for a while. This saves you having to have a nurse ferreting through your stuff for your phone, water, glasses, lip salve, book etc.

I hope it goes really well and you find, as I have done, that seemingly a minute after they start, it's all over.

[Kahst1 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the helpful advice. I’ve not slept very well. This makes me feel better.

[IanMK in reply to Hidden]

Probably best not take anything with you if you can avoid it. I took my glasses case with me and put my glasses in at the last moment. They didn’t stay with me to the recovery room straight away. The cath lab is a hive of activity so you shouldn’t really expect someone to be keeping track of your personal items.

[Hidden in reply to IanMK]

Good point. I was invited to take my glasses to the lab and they returned with me but in fact they were no use because lying flat, I was peering through the close vision portion at the screens and could see better without.

I've worn socks with non slip soles to walk through (fully expecting the steps to be the last ones I ever took) and they stay on your feet and keep them warm too.

[seasider18 in reply to Hidden]

When having a different procedure I was told the cath lab is the safest place in the world and we are here to keep your heat beating.

[Kahst1]

Thank you

[scienceguy02]

I because very anxious hours before my ablation too. I found that breathing slow and deep helped tremendously. But the best relaxation came when I opened up to the doctor and anesthesiologist about those last minute questions that popped into my mind and started eating at my confidence in my decision to undergo the ablation. When addressed openly the docs put me totally at ease and I was enthusiastic to “get on with the healing “. I had a better outlook and have had a good recovery thus far.

Best to you! Keep us informed please.

[jeanjeannie50]

I guess you are at hospital now. I think you will be telling us sometime later today that the procedure was nothing to worry about. Look forward to hearing from you. Some very good advice from other forum members.

Jean

[Kahst1 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Everything went well so far. I look forward to moving on with life

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Kahst1]

Good to hear. How did you find having the procedure?

[Kahst1 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

It was ok the medical team was very professional. The catheter has been no fun. It wasn’t the worse thing. They choose to go in threw the groin and the neck which surprised me a little. But over all not a bad experience.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Kahst1]

Did you have a general anaesthetic?

[Kahst1 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Yes

[Kahst1]

Abalation went very well. Right now NSR has been achieved. Resting now sort of it’s a hospital. Haha. Thank you for all your advice. I look forward to recovery and getting on with my life.

[SharonTyrrell]

Rest, rest and more rest is key. Take it easy. Don’t rush back into doing anything. I had my ablation in March. Took the advice of people on this forum. Best advice. So far so good for me ....

[wilsond]

Hope all went well xxx

[Kahst1 in reply to wilsond]

It did so far thank you

[Hidden]

No words of wisdom but best of luck.

[GrannyE]

C Dreamer is quite right. Deep slow breathing helps. Hope all went well. You might have to wait a while for the benefits to come through. Be patient. Relax. Think beautiful thoughts of green meadows, fluffy little white clouds, bluebells, whatever is calming for you. Listen to melodious music. Good luck