Edinburgh Royal Infirmary

[Lorlaw70]

Hi everyone I hope this Friday evening is finding you all well.

I am due to have an ablation in January at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. I was wondering if anyone on here has had ablation done at this hospital.

I decided after putting a post up that I would go ahead with ablation after all the positive feedback on this forum. I am new to AF and feel anxious a lot of the time about it and I am researching as much as possible. I have daily attacks with it and I am on diltiazem and apixaban and I have been prescribed diazepam which I try not to take very much to try and calm me down but I am also doing mindfulness and acupuncture to try and curb my anixety. I wish I could get this sorted sooner rather than later as I have not be back at work since the beginning of September argg I love my job although it is highly stressful but very rewarding. I also have a teenage daughter who is anerxic and is struggling CAHMS is supporting us in this. Life sucks at the moment.

Wow sorry for the rant!!!

[Hidden]

You rant away Lorlaw…..of course you are apprehensive, we all were when we started our AF journey but you are on the right track. It will not be long before you begin to reap the benefits of having an ablation, but being a "suvener", I'm unable to help you much regarding the hospital but it sounds as though it's from the posh part of your country so I'm sure all will be fine. I can see you have had lots of advice over the past few days but do not forget to read the factsheets about preparing and recovering from an ablation. You will find the links in Thompson's post below this one...….

[Lorlaw70 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Flapjack - thank you for replying and your words of support. I am just all over the place with this dreaded AF and feel my life is on standstill at the moment.

[icklebud99]

Hi Lorlaw 70, I indeed have had an ablation at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in April this year. I had an excellent experience there and had a Cryoablation procedure (freezing). The specialist surgeon (I believe his name was Dr Lang), is pretty amazing there and has great results. I had no problems at all with the procedure and the entry point in my groin looked like a snake bite it was so small, no bruising either.

I was sedated and made a joke with him to give me plenty sedation as I am quite tall lol. I remember feeling a strange loud banging in my chest and calling out "what the hells that" then I remember nothing.

After the procedure, you have to lay still for a few hours (which flies by as you are a bit sleepy) then up you get and home you go if all is well.

I wouldn't hesitate to have this procedure done again.

Since April I have had 1 episode of AF, the week after the ablation. I have taken my time to build up strength as I listened to my body and did nothing for almost 2 weeks then slowly started walking again. (i'm a dog walker) and have never looked back. I occasionally feel heavy beats and palpitations, especially after certain trigger foods, some spices or dark chocolate so I avoid these. I haven't had alcohol since I was first diagnosed with Afib 5 years ago and gave up smoking then too. I feel the best I have felt in years and am off Flecainide and waiting a further appointment with Cardiology to come off Atenolol. I am continuing with Riveroxiban (anticoagulation) which I am glad about. I am so very grateful to Dr Lang for his skill in improving my quality of life so go ahead with confidence and all the best.

[icklebud99]

Sorry, forget to mention I had a bit of a migraine aura after the op which lasted a few hours but this is perfectly normal. Be kind to yourself, slow everything down and continue with your relaxing techniques, all will work out in the end.

[Lorlaw70 in reply to icklebud99]

Hi icklebud99 thank you so much for replying to my post. The specialist I am seeing is dr grubb. I am just all over the place at the moment. I can't wait for all this to be sorted out and your post has left me feeling hopeful. Laura

[sharonrc in reply to Lorlaw70]

Hi Lorlaw70, Dr Grubb did my ablation at rie in July and I've had a fantastic outcome, no af episodes at all since. Had cryoablation under sedation, barely aware of what was going on, a few hours rest afterwards and then home. Followed the guidance given by BobD and co on here and took it really easy for a couple of weeks then gradually built up walking distance and feeling great. Dr Grubb is a really experienced ep with a high success rate.

[Lorlaw70 in reply to sharonrc]

Oh wow thank you for replying to my post. I feel really reassured that I have made the right decision. Thank you

[jennydog]

You will be fine. Go for it, don't risk living with regrets. If you are worried about girly things then post me privately.

[Lorlaw70 in reply to jennydog]

Thanks Jennydog for replying. This forum is invaluable for support.

[Dodie117]

Be prepared for the aftermath. I had lots of bumps and arrhythmias including af episodes after the ablation. However they reduced gradually and then disappeared. It took 5 months for everything to stop (not my heart!!). That was 5 years ago and I have been af free since. I found the actual procedure very easy and no problems afterwards apart from the arrhythmias.

Tell yourself you can always change your mind about the ablation- one day at a time. I almost did a runner from the waiting room!! I think only a fool would not be nervous. So stay calm and good luck. 🍀

[Lorlaw70 in reply to Dodie117]

Thanks for the support did you get yours done in Edinburgh?

[Dodie117 in reply to Lorlaw70]

No. St Thomas’ in London. 👍

[Nybroc]

I had an internal cardioversion at RIE. If this were an Amazon review I would be giving five stars. Everything well organised, doctors and nurses not only very competent but caring and compassionate. Unfortunately dropped back into AF five weeks later but that is my body not the medics.

[colin772]

I know how you feel Lorlaw70 but having an ablation will be the best thing you can do to control your AF. I too suffered terribly from AF and my quality of life was awful. I had an ablation done at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary by Dr. Lang a year past February and it's no exaggeration to say he has given me my life back. I mentally still thank him every morning because he has cured my AF and it's such a great feeling to be able to live normally again after the way I was before suffering from AF. Be prepared for the odd AF attack in the few months after your ablation till your heart heals.. Listen to your body and do as much or as little as you feel like till your strength returns. Good luck.