3rd ablation update

[Redders]

Well I think I can say my ablation was a failure. Had my ablation on the 12 sept and felt fine up until this Monday when I went back in af. Yesterday I had a sleep at lunchtime and woke up in a clammy sweat and nearly passed out. I know it’s still the healing period but 3 days in af and nearly fainting dous’nt sound right to me. Rang the arrhythmia nurse on Tuesday and she said she would get back to me but nothing yet. Feel as if they don’t care

[Vonnieruth]

Oh Redders have you tried ringing her again So sorry if it's failed but keep fingers crossed it has xx

[Redders in reply to Vonnieruth]

It’s so disappointing, my 2nd ablation was better then this one. I’ve rang again and left a message. I just don’t want to go back to the fainting again. Val

[Vonnieruth in reply to Redders]

Keep ringing Val Ask hospital if you can speak to his secretary if you don't hear of the nurse

[Redders in reply to Vonnieruth]

Thank you Vonny I’ll try again tomorrow.

[Vonnieruth in reply to Redders]

Please keep pushing to get seen or spoken to

[emilyboom in reply to Vonnieruth]

Be VERY persistent!!! I had issues post ablation too but they subsided as the scar tissue built up.

[djbgatekeeper]

Try and keep your chin up Redders, they recon 3 to 6 months for the full effect of the ablation to kick in so you are only 3 weeks into that... It must be really disheartening at the moment but don't throw the towel in.

My arrhythmia nurse rarely gets back to me the same day, it's normally the next one... Good luck to you and I hope things calm down for you soon 👍

[Redders in reply to djbgatekeeper]

Thank you djbgatekeeper

I don’t think the nurse is going to get back to me today

[BobD Volunteer]

I know you think the worst but it really is FAR too early to think it has failed. Long long way to go before that is proved or not. Try to be positive Val and roll with the punches. Hard sometimes I know but please don't give up .

[Redders in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob, do you know anyone else that has been in af for this long after ablation ?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Redders]

If it is AF? I was in atrial tachycadia for some weeks after my second because I was in France. I emailed my arrhythmia nurse and she arranged a cardioversion for a couple of days after I got home. Problem gone.

[Redders in reply to BobD]

My BP machine says af but my heart rate is anything between 73 and 98. Is tachycardia fast heart rate bob ?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Redders]

Atrial tachycardia is typically around 140.

[icklebud99 in reply to Redders]

Hi Redders

I was in AF for 2 days on leaving hospital after 1st ablation, Cardiologist told me to take Flecainide as a pill in the pocket if it didn't flip back so I did. Was in normal rhythm after another 8 hours. After that I was great for 5 weeks but did too much and felt I was straining myself and went back into AF. I was so upset as I thought I had ruined the good work the EP had done but I calmed down, rested for a week and have never looked back - touch wood. That was 6 months ago and it has changed my life so far. Keep your chin up, as BobD says, it is FAR to early, scar tissue takes months to build up, be patient and listen to your body. All the best.

[Redders in reply to icklebud99]

Thank you icklebud99, I’ve now been in AF since Monday but been to the gp today and had a ECG which they sent to my EP. Hopefully something will be done. Best wishes. Redders

[Jay10]

Sorry that your heart is unhappy, but as Bob says its still early days and it must feel very disapointing at the moment.

Try to relax and hopefully the hospital will call tomorrow.

All the best, Jackie

[Redders in reply to Jay10]

Thank you Jackie fingers crossed

[jeanjeannie50]

Sorry to hear what you're going through. I went back into AF after my third ablation just as you have, but I had a cardioversion and have been so much better since then. The hospital will have you back to do one, but I guess they will want you to have been in AF for more than three days. They're probably working out which day you can go back for it. Too early to give up. Is your heart rate high? Have got my 2016 diary out and am going to PM you how I was after my ablation with the same EP.

Jean

[pottypete1]

Hello Val

Yes it is very unnerving to be back in AF full on so soon after an ablation. I can understand that it is so easy to say it may be too early to expect peace but that is what we all strive for. I too had a similar situation and had to have a number of cardioversions that did give me respite.

However you may recall I ultimately did have to have rather a lot of ablations and with perseverance, in the end, despite having lots ectopics some days now my heart seems to have settled more.

We are all so different and you do need time for your heart to settle down and in my experience it can really take months with many a false dawn unfortunately.

Hope you feel better soon.

Pete

[Redders in reply to pottypete1]

Thank you Pete. I think my EP said this may well be my last ablation as I have a very stubborn arrhythmia, one of his worse patients which didn’t give me much hope. Val

[pottypete1 in reply to Redders]

Yes my notes had an understatement saying ‘difficult case’.

Then my EP moved on and a while later the new team decided it was worth another try.

Hope things do work out for you.

Pete

[Redders in reply to pottypete1]

What hospital did you have your ablation in Pete ?

[pottypete1 in reply to Redders]

Southampton General

[Redders]

Hi Jeannie, my heart rate varies between 73 and 98 so not too bad. Just don’t know why I should have nearly fainted. X

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Redders]

Did you get up too quickly?

[Redders in reply to jeanjeannie50]

No I don’t think so, I woke up really clammy like you get when you’re going to faint x

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Redders]

Hmm, did you come over very hot too?

[Redders in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Yes very hot x

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Redders]

I had the same thing once and had a struggle to keep conscious. Called the 111 number and they sent paramedics. They found that my heart rate was sky high, but pulse in my wrist felt normal. Have never trusted anything other than a stethoscope since then. I ended up spending quite a few days in hospital. Have only ever had that once and I think it was before my third ablation. Not nice!

[Morzine in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I had that my pulse felt normal speed and my heart was going berserk...I told cardio and he laughed at me and said impossible! sometimes you miss the beats taking your pulse with fingers.....

And yes I’ve had that coming over clammy and feeling so feint, I kind of slid down to the floor.....

[Buffafly in reply to Redders]

My heart rate is normally about 73 and often goes up to 98 which does not count as tachycardia and I wouldn't expect you to feel faint at that rate but of course you do not know what was going on while you were asleep. It could be that you simply have a virus or infection so don't get down hearted yet 💗

[Redders in reply to Buffafly]

Oh I never thought of virus or infection. Thank you Buffafly. Val

[Hidden]

Are you sure this is not a temporary reaction from meeting me last week Redders!!

Everyone is saying much the same, far too soon to say it has failed. Keep on trying the Arrhythmia Nurse, but also ring your EP’s secretary and ask her to get in touch with the EP and ask him if you should be cardioverted. Try to keep calm but be firm, you are entitled to some support to get this sorted!

[Redders in reply to Hidden]

It could well be meeting you flapjack lol.

[Hidden in reply to Redders]

Good luck chuck!!

[Kaz747]

Hi Val

I hear you and share your pain. My third ablation was on the 14th September (first 2 were for SVT which both failed. This one was for AF and typical atrial flutter). I was hospitalised last week for 3 days with fast AF and Flutter and the cardiologist thinks it’s atypical flutter this time. I’m now on more drugs than I’ve ever been on with the aim of bringing the rate down, even if they can’t control it. Now waiting to see what my EP says, whether I wait it out and see if things settle when the inflammation clears or whether I head back to the cath lab. My EP is a leading specialist and a wonderful, supportive doctor. I’m a difficult case it seems. I hope the doctors get to the bottom of your issues too. Xx

[Redders in reply to Kaz747]

Thank you Kas for telling me your story. Unfortunately my EP is not good with the aftercare of an ablation, and no bedside manner. Where did you have your ablation done ?

Let’s hope we both have a good outcome and it’s just a blip. Please keep me informed. Best wishes. Val

[Kaz747 in reply to Redders]

A private hospital in Australia 🇦🇺 😉 A supportive, communicative medical team is so important. My biggest lesson from my recent ablation is not to have a procedure before school holidays. My EP is away, as is the other cardiologist I’ve seen over the past two years so I’ve now added a third cardiologist to my collection. Thankfully he is also lovely (they are all at the same practice).

[Redders in reply to Kaz747]

Think I may emigrate to Australia lol. All the very best wishes to you Kaz. Val

[Kaz747 in reply to Redders]

Thanks Val - I put a couple of photos up with the posts I wrote when I was in hospital last week. I had a lovely view. All the best to you too. Karen

[Pam296]

So sorry you are feeling unwell, Val, and I hope you manage to speak to the nurse today x

[val757]

Hi Val

It was lovely to meet you last week at the breakfast.

I’m so sorry to hear your disappointing news, as others have said please don’t lose hope as it’s early days yet. Just know that we’re all thinking of you and wishing you the best.

Please let us know what your arrhythmia nurse and EP say/do and keep us updated.

The other Val!

[Redders in reply to val757]

Thank you val, I’ll keep you updated. Yes it was a fun breakfast last week, enjoyed meeting you and everyone else. Val

[Slim2018]

Well I had my first for Flutter two weeks ago tomorrow and I am off to the hospital for an ECG this morning as despite fixing the flutter, two days afterward I developed a new flutter / fibrillation. So now Consultant talking about Cardioversion. I am new to all this only having developed the flutter at the end of August and at 62 assuming everything would be fixed overnight. I am just reassured that a) I have an excellent consultant b) these pages reassure me that others are suffering far worse than me and there is light at the end of the tunnel...but it is so frustrating

[Redders in reply to Slim2018]

Yes very frustrating but this forum is such a great help to put your mind at rest. Best of luck. Val

[shaldonkoolma]

Hello. I know you are probably far more experienced than me with all this, but the more support the better i suppose. I had my ablation on 14th Sept, and my cardio said to stay on FLECANIDE for 6 weeks, and nebivolol until my follow up, to get me through the healing period. Some ectopics but otherwise ok so far....

If you are sweaty clammy and fainty, please check if you have temperature and if you have, get yourself down to a&e quick. (I am a nurse as well as a patient!)

Anyway I hope they get back to you soon and you feel better.

[Redders in reply to shaldonkoolma]

Thank you shaldonkoolma ( that’s some name lol do you live in shaldon ? ). I don’t think I have a temperature but I hav’nt got a thermometer. My husband is insisting I stay in bed and rest but I’m still in af but not had anymore fainting feelings. I was in permanent af since January and taking flecainide daily but it didn’t stop the af. Hope you continue to improve. Best wishes val

[shaldonkoolma in reply to Redders]

Hi Val yes you guessed where I live. Glad you aren't fainty any more. Hope you improve soon. Glad your man is taking care of you. Kindest wishes debs

[Redders in reply to shaldonkoolma]

I’m in Newton Abbot so not far away. Where did you have your ablation?

[shaldonkoolma in reply to Redders]

Exeter Nuffield. Luckily hubby has insurance through work as I felt terrible with 3 episodes in a week and a minor stroke, and couldnt have waited a year!

[Redders in reply to shaldonkoolma]

So much nicer to go private. Better aftercare. Val

[johnMiosh]

My first ablation appeared to have failed after two days. It was a minimaze so I was still in hospital feeling rough and it made me very depressed. Three days later I was back in NSR. I had a couple of other times when my Kardia said "possible AF", over the next few months. I showed the traces to my cardiologist who was unconcerned; he said they do not even count it as AF if it happens within 3 to 6 months, it is just the healing process.

[Redders in reply to johnMiosh]

Thank you johnMiosh, that’s encouraging. Val

[Afibing]

Where are you living. What hospital. Or what country ??

[Redders in reply to Afibing]

UK Plymouth hospital

[Afibing in reply to Redders]

Ok. Hope all turns around for you. I’m told I need ablation. But I have more PVC’s than Afib. And with 6 stints too. And ablation don’t fix premature ventricular contractions. God help us ❤️

[Redders in reply to Afibing]

Hope all goes well for you. Val

[Slim2018]

So up to the Norfolk and Norwich this morning. The Flutter has definitely gone leaving me with Fibrillation. So its in a week tomorrow for a catheter Cardioversion to fix the problem caused by fixing the problem....oh the joys of it all

[GrannySmithgs5]

Hi Val , You must be disappointed but I go with the suggestion that it maybe due to a fever , for whatever reason. Either way it is to early in this recovery period that to assume the ablation has failed . You are going to get through this rough patch with help and support from your friends here and a chat with your Arrhythmia Nurse . Xxxxxxxx Jean

[Kevinder23]

Hi redders how are you now? X

[Redders in reply to Kevinder23]

Hi Kevinder23, I’m not too bad thank you, hearts a bit jumpy today but that’s because I only got 2 hours sleep last night. Just couldn’t switch my mind off. Hope you are keeping well. Regards Val

[Kevinder23]

Fingers crossed for you all the best x