Cardioversion

[Hellie54]

Cardioversion on Tuesday. Never had one before. Scared!!!! Xxxx

[BobD Volunteer]

Piece of cake. See the thread "Now in A and E" for my explanation of DCCV.

[Vonnieruth]

Think we are all scared at things that are out of our comfort zone just some are more than others I'm sure I would be terrible if it ever comes my way However I'm also sure all will go well Keep us all informed and good luck

[Hidden]

Hello Hellie, please dont worry !

Look back on your post of 10 months ago and reread the assurances you received then .

I agree that the prospect does sound rather frightening, not to say barbaric, but when you have had as many as I've had (18) they are little more than a formality. You will be thoroughly checked beforehand with bloods ensuring your electrolytes etc are at optimum level. You will be fine !

Best wishes

Sandra

[jeanjeannie50]

Really nothing to be scared about Hellie. When I've been feeling really rough with AF I've looked forward to having one. You go in to hospital in AF and hopefully wake from the anaesthetic cured. The whole process takes 5-10 minutes and you will know nothing about it.

Jean

[grandmadogs]

I agree with all the other comments. I was really scared but it is very quick and you are asleep. Because it is quick you don't feel bad afterwards and can go home very quickly. I hope it works for you.

[Hellie54]

Thank you so much for all your reassuring comments. I’ll let you know how I get on xxxx

[Gincalpe]

I had a cardioversion a couple of weeks ago. It is fine and you are asleep for a few minutes while they do it. You will be closely monitored and well looked after.

[diannetrussell]

Hellie, I LOVED my electric cardioversion! I felt so good afterwards, and the incidences of AF were way less afterwards.

[diannetrussell in reply to diannetrussell]

P.S. Not everyone will feel great after a cardioversion like I did, but I feel what contributed to the success was making a very open loving connection with my doctor, communicating with her on equal terms instead of as a victim, trusting her, and letting go of my fear. Quite a heroic feat for hospital-hating me!

[Hellie54 in reply to diannetrussell]

Oh that’s so good to hear. Thank you xx

[jedimasterlincoln]

Best of luck for Tuesday Hellie.

I've now had 20 of these between 2013 and yesterday. They were all either in Resus or after failed chemical cardioversion and done as urgent in theatre 24 hours later.

There is always a certain degree of nerves and worry about things, the risks are well explained and in those 20 occasions I've never had one fail or one go wrong. The odds of them going wrong, whilst they exist, are quite low.

Might be worth you getting some E45 or aftersun lotion in though, I've always had burns from the pads they apply, particularly when I've needed 3 shocks.

Before I'd had quite so many cardioversions ,the British Heart foundation had some useful pages about them which helped a lot.

[Hellie54]

I’m going to Wythenshaw hospital, Manchester. Has anyone been there? X

[Maril1]

Had quite a few back in the day at the royal in Liverpool all successful and felt brilliant afterwards not only because my heart was back in normal rhythm it's also gives you some sort of boost also went home same day.One point the anithysist asked are you red or blue I said red ,sorry wrong answer came the reply as he put the mask over my mouth!

[Hellie54 in reply to Maril1]

Haha brilliant.

[bushy2016]

You will feel great when your back in SR....

[Maunei]

I have had two cardioversions and ablation at Wythenshawe. You will be in the best of care. Try not to worry!

Maunei51

[Hellie54]

Ah brilliant. Thank you. I had an ablation last year at Alexandra under Dr Davidson. I’ve no experience of Wythenshaw but it’s good to know you were happy.

[AnneWorner]

I was scared when I had my first one 2 weeks ago. You sleep through it and wake up in SR. If you have tender skin you might have some sections affected by the current - I found that cool cloths, and aloe vera made this heal up quickly.

[Jlaine]

Just had my 2nd one last friday. Out of all the procedures we go through for afib it is probably the easiest to endure. You will be asleep when you receive the shock treatment. It only takes a minute or so. I went in at 9:30 and went home at 12n. My bloodpressure was low so I had to stay a while longer. All these procedures are scarey but this is the lesser of all of them to be concerned about. Granted there are always risk with all of them but you got this!!

[Hellie54 in reply to Jlaine]

Exactly the same here. My bp was low so I drank loads of water and walked around until top figure reached 100 x

[Desanthony]

Sure you will be fine. I was and still am. Had mine on May 29th and still in rhythm.

Good Luck and let us know how you get on.

Des

[Hellie54]

Thank you all so much for your positive messages and best wishes. Your reassurances helped me more than anything. I’m back home in nsr and feel happy, relieved, calm, tired. Piece of cake!

[Desanthony]

Good to hear that. Long may you stay that way.

[beardy_chris]

My experience of cardioversion was there was a lot of waiting around, I had a quick nap and missed the excitement and then there was a lot more waiting around!