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Ablation tomorrow

Kovus profile image
36 Replies

Hey guys,

I’m scheduled to have a RF cardiac ablation tomorrow for PSVT and I thought I’d create a post here. I’ve had the condition since I was in my teens and now 12 years later, I decided to opt for the ablation. The irony is I haven’t had any episodes in the last few months (I’ve had the odd flutter but nothing full blown) however this happened once before and then they came back with a vengeance so I have opted to do the procedure whilst I feel brave enough. It will be done under sedation and I’ll not lie, I do feel nervous about it but also kind of relieved. The only issue I see is that I exercise a lot and I know I won’t be able to for a while but I’m not a martyr and will listen both to what my cardiologist and my body tell me. I’ll post again after the operation as I have to say, most of the posts on the forum have been very helpful and I’d like to contribute my own story post-op for anyone who may be considering the ablation as I know it’s a scary decision. See you on the other side of the op!

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Kovus profile image
Kovus
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36 Replies

Hi Kovus

Good luck for tomorrow. Not sure that our cardiologists and listening to our body are necessarily the best guide to returning to work and heavy exercise. Many have followed advice, felt fine and regretted overdoing it too soon. Perhaps very fit and very active younger people like yourself recover so quickly that sitting on your hands is impossible.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

Best wishes for tomorrow Kovus, hope it's a success for you.

Jean

Good luck Kovus, those of us who have had an ablation(s) know exactly how you are feeling right now. These 2 fact sheets are worth reading.....good luck.

heartrhythmalliance.org/res...

heartrhythmalliance.org/res...

Kovus profile image
Kovus in reply to

Thank you Flapjack! Those are really helpful to read

meadfoot profile image
meadfoot

Best wishes for tomorrow. They will take good care of you. Good luck you will be in safe hands.

blackcat123 profile image
blackcat123

Good luck! Hope all goes well for you. We'll look forward to hearing from you after the ablation. Take care.

Judie.

Mogold7tamm profile image
Mogold7tamm

My thoughts are with you, Kovus, it will go well, believe it. My second ablation 11/10 18, G.A this time, having the first with a local anaesthetic was trying, to say the least!. ( Didn't know it 'til later, but had dientamoeba , and took forever to recover, so this time should be better.) Good luck! Post when you can.

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply toMogold7tamm

What is dientamoeba please? Just curious.Glad you are well now.

Mogold7tamm profile image
Mogold7tamm in reply towilsond

Hi,it's an amoeba which infests the gut, miserable thing, especially since I was in full flight a.f at the same time, really thought I was signing out!! Tomorrow looms large, whatever will be etc----. Regards, Shirley.

GordonS profile image
GordonS in reply toMogold7tamm

Good luck with yours too Mogold7.

Mogold7tamm profile image
Mogold7tamm in reply toGordonS

Thanks, just trying to get transport organised is enough to have an episode! I'm an hour's drive away from all hospital locations, and a twenty minute appointment, ( like the anaesthetic pre-op, ) took all day, ( other patients to pick up and take home.) at least this procedure won't be cancelled at the last moment because of 'unforseen circumstances,' that was a humungus pain!! Regards, Shirley.

Kaz747 profile image
Kaz747

All the best Kovus!

djbgatekeeper profile image
djbgatekeeper

Best of luck! I had an ablation 5 weeks ago and all is well so far... Try to be calm you will be fine.

abbababy profile image
abbababy

Good luck Kovus! I'm sure everything will be fine and very much look forward to your updates afterwards. That will be very helpful to me and others who are scheduled to have an ablation soon.

wilsond profile image
wilsond

Hope all goes well for you.Best wishes xx

Gincalpe profile image
Gincalpe

Good luck hope it all goes well

Maura5 profile image
Maura5

Good luck

Morzine profile image
Morzine

Good luck

SpritzerAce profile image
SpritzerAce

Good luck for tomorrow! Hope all will go well.

Dodie117 profile image
Dodie117

Only an idiot would not be nervous - I contemplated doing a runner from the waiting room 😨 but did not 😇. That was 5 years ago and still af free. However it took 5 months for all bumps and arrhythmias to stop and a further 6 months for resting heart beat to return to normal. I would say no exercise for a couple of weeks and gentle walks for a few months. Anyway good luck 🍀

Kovus profile image
Kovus in reply toDodie117

That’s the plan - going to try and return to a bit of light cardio in classes after about a month to 6 weeks if my body feels okay. Still waiting to go in at the moment but hopefully not much longer :)

Mogold7tamm profile image
Mogold7tamm in reply toDodie117

I had a good laugh at your post, if I'd had any idea about all the invasive procedures pre-op, I would have scarpered too!!

GordonS profile image
GordonS

Hope all goes well, I'm 3 weeks post cryo ablation and things are going well.

Pickone profile image
Pickone

I know how you feel. I'm up for the same on Monday.

Let's compare notes after and good luck.

GZmam profile image
GZmam

I’m 3 week’s post ablation and wondered why I didn’t do it sooner! :) So far so good. My team were amazing & took good care of me. I’m a 45 yr old Mom of 2 kids, so resting isn’t easy for me, but back to work and listening to my body. Best of luck, all will go well!

Kovus profile image
Kovus in reply toGZmam

Did you have it done under sedation or GE? I’m still waiting to go in atm

GZmam profile image
GZmam in reply toKovus

I was under sedation. The worst part I can honestly say, was how cold it was in the cath lab. :) the stickers on my back were frigid! I did not feel a thing, I thought It was only there half hour or so, but ended up being there for 3 hours! They kept me in arrhythmia for 2 hours to map it exactly. They tried to recreate the misfire, but couldn’t. :) They initially bought it was AVNRT, but ended up being Atrial Tachycardia and went in on the left atrium. Recovery wasn’t bad, my suture sites were sore, but nothing out of the ordinary. I was just groggy from the sedative and no pain meds at all. I wish you well in your ablation journey!

Lastec1 profile image
Lastec1

Good luck......it’s a doddle !!!!

Mogold7tamm profile image
Mogold7tamm in reply toLastec1

You must be joking, it was worse than giving birth!!!

Redders profile image
Redders

Hope everything went well for you kovus.

Mogold7tamm profile image
Mogold7tamm

Hi, Kovus, how are you? Hope all went well.

Kovus profile image
Kovus in reply toMogold7tamm

Hey Mo, I did a follow up post. I’m still doing well - no bruising at the catheter site, bit sore whilst it’s healing though. Had a couple of little tachy runs last night but there wasn’t anywhere for it to go so stayed in normal rhythm but I knew it’s to be expected so I was fine. I’ll not lie, the op wasn’t pleasant for me BUT I wouldn’t hesitate to have it done again :)

Mogold7tamm profile image
Mogold7tamm in reply toKovus

Hi, did you have a flutter ablation, or the mega a.f carto variation, I wouldn't want to do it again, catheter, two vein i.vs and three arterial lines, all while I was awake, no, count me out!!

Kovus profile image
Kovus in reply toMogold7tamm

Mine was for a concealed accessory pathway but it was hard for them to find exactly where it was because it's one of the rarer ones (I believe he said he sees it in about 5% of patients) and not what they were expecting to see when they went in (they could set off my SVT but not long enough to map it consistently so they did 4 different things/drugs to try and set it off including giving me a high dose of one to get me stressed) - had four catheters in - really bad pins and needles in my hands like they were vibrating and it was quite painful and my left leg cramped really badly when they gave me one of the drugs. I was awake and only given paracetamol aside from some sedation BUT I had full confidence in the team and once they mapped it, they gave me a lot more sedation. It certainly wasn't a walk in the park but like I said, I'd have it done again if this one hasn't been successful.

Mogold7tamm profile image
Mogold7tamm in reply toKovus

Fair enough. I should have known from the echocardiogram, c.t scan and mega bloodletting that this ablation would be vastly different from the first, which was with local anaesthetic A.F carto ablation is very invasive. I had three arterial lines, and i.v's in both arms. Couldn't face it again, so much pain, and no premed analgesic.I'm disadvantaged by having so much knowledge of medical procedures, and still slipped up with this one. It's as well we don't know what's in store! At least I was unconcious throughout. Good luck with recuperating. Shirley.

Kovus profile image
Kovus

I thought I’d just post an update; I’ve had no issues and I’m back to regularly exercising - fitness classes and running - without anything untoward happening :)

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