Another ablation question

[Morzine]

Sorry me again.....so they go in thru the groin......presumably then there’s a scab on the entry point , how long till that heals? No showers?

Do you stay in anticoagulant for life after having afib for If or when it may occur again?

Thanks, sue

[BobD Volunteer]

It is a very small entry wound Sue which should not be a problem but the bruises are amazing. Your disccharge papers should advise re the first shower but from memory mine was the next day.

My bruise spread from groin to knee and was almost an abstract work of art. I found it useful as I knew that once it faded away then my heart had started to heal. OK it takes three to six months for fiull reciovery as out fact sheet will tell you but those first few weeks of rest are vital . Do too much too soon and you risk wasting the efforts taken. EPs won't tell you that but many of us have found this to our cost.

Regarding anticoagulation ,may of us prefer to stay on it for life as there is no real proof that ablation removes stroke risk. If your Chadsvasc score was zero and you only went on a/c for the purpose of the ablation and recovery there may be some wriggle room to stop it afterwards . Waiting for AF to return may not be a great idea a) becasue it pre supposes a negative thought process and b) because you may not be aware if it had.

[Morzine in reply to BobD]

Yikes! Thanks bob as I had no idea about bruising I would have freaked and been down to doc!.....yes I will take it very easy.... I don’t want to risk anything......

I want to try and forget this “ thing” if I’m able afterwards.....

[Hidden]

Hi Sue ...bruising almost non existent for my last ablation. I had access from both groins and a stitch put in each afterwards for a short time. No problem at all for me.

Still on warfarin which is fine by me. I wouldn't want it any other way.

[Morzine in reply to Hidden]

Thanks yatsura im encouraged

[jedimasterlincoln]

Somewhere on here there's a (clean) picture of my first ablation bruise. It was spectacular as bruises go. It came about partly because I had a rather nice young nurse pressing on my crotch post-op when I knocked the scab off whilst trying to pee in a urinal and was covered in blood.

At every procedure since, they've put a "fem stop" on, which sounds like some sort of feminine hygiene product but is actually a device around the femur (thigh) that they loosen gradually to ensure the entry site is protected and pressure is applied/gradually released over the course of a few hours.

[Morzine]

Yikes sounds scary!

I’m glad I’ve been told about bruises I had no idea

Sue

[Hidden in reply to Morzine]

It's NOT always like that !.....and I bruise easily.

[Morzine in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I hope like you!!

[jedimasterlincoln in reply to Morzine]

Yatsura is right, it isn't like that all the time and I'm sure I'm in the minority of having a pretty bad bleed. I'm careful now, whereas when I was peeing in bed and got the bleed I probably wasn't, it was a long time ago.

Naturally people remember the worse case!

Oh, and p.s. Always a good idea to shave your crotch before you get admitted.

[Hidden in reply to jedimasterlincoln]

If you are brave, waxing any whiskers right at the top of your leg a week before your ablation - or tweezering - can be a good move. You can prepare as you think fit but there can be adjustments either by the nurse beforehand or during the ablation - and the latter can be surprisingly comprehensive.

I have had snake bite type incisions that afterwards troubled me not at all with all three of my ablations. Same vein each time. There was no bruising at all on two occasions and I had a see through plaster to be left on for 48 hours first time. The third ablation was plain sailing. The ablation in between - the most significant one - resulted in a spectacular bruise the size of one of those fan shaped wafers you sometimes get with ice cream. I had a bleed in the night too which was soon dealt with and I had no further trouble. Dark coloured or patterned with something red PJs/ slippers/ dressing gown - or spare ones - can be a good idea.

[Morzine in reply to Hidden]

Thanks rellim2.....

[jedimasterlincoln in reply to Hidden]

I'll stick to a razor !

[Morzine in reply to jedimasterlincoln]

Hmm yes tweezering sounds painful....grin!

[Hidden in reply to Morzine]

Doesn't grow back right away!

[LHDLondon]

Showering is possible next day. Bruising depends upon how susceptible you are and how easily the doctor manages access. Anticoagulants normally are continued. You don’t have to be in warfarin though as there are other oral anticoagulants these days. Im on Apixaban with minimal side effects. Good luck.

[Wasp1954]

Showered the next day. Fresh dressing applied. had minimal bruising. 6 days in after ablation, the 'three' puncture wounds have healed no problem.

[Morzine in reply to Wasp1954]

Thanks wasp1954 encouraging!

[icklebud99]

I had, what I can only describe as a small snake bite wound, two puncture holes in my groin. Not a bruise in site, I couldn't believe it. A little pain if I touched the site but nothing to worry about and was in the shower next day. I did take it very easy as I am a dog walker so did nothing for 2 weeks. I had a few funny flutters over that time and one episode of AF which lasted 10 hours brought on by lifting something heavy that I shouldn't have. I rested again for a week and then built up strength by walking 20 minutes slowly then 30 and so on over a couple of weeks till I was up to my hour and a half. I had a great experience of cryoablation and am now 8 months on and feel the best I have felt in years. Still on the anticoagulant Riveroxiban as EP said to stay on it for at least a year, I plan to stay on it for life as it puts my mind at ease of stroke risk. Be as positive as you can.

[Morzine in reply to icklebud99]

That’s so nice to hear icklebud99 I hope I’m like you.....I’ve been so positive till this week and then started to have all these questions in my brain pop up......I guess doing it all in french probably adds to my angst......but the cardio speaks English....

[F-M-C-MM in reply to Morzine]

Hi Morxine, did you travel to France for your ablation? Would be interested to know if it was in Bordeaux and why you chose to travel there as it has the reputation as a centre of choice for ablation.

[Hidden in reply to icklebud99]

A very encouraging post!👍👍 Fully agree with your sentiments re life long anticoagulant.

[Leeson]

The entry wound in my groin was no problem at all, and very little bruising so it seems to be the luck of the draw, I had very little pain with it, and was showering next day.

[Hidden in reply to Leeson]

I have replied in the wrong place here and have reposted!

[Morzine in reply to Leeson]

Thanks lesson !

[Liverpool10]

Lots of bruising fir me but healed after 6 days! Within Two weeks after ablation lots of ectopics and couple AF and some weird feelings ! after 6 weeks I get a little bit of AF for 10 minutes with anything cold? Apart from that all good but feel the ablation is fighting the AF?

[Morzine in reply to Liverpool10]

Thanks liverpool10, interesting to hear everyone experience and it won’t be so freaky if I get the odd Af etc..........I don’t want to ring the cardio with panics especially as it’s all in french....

[KMRobbo]

Two tiny little lumps approx 7 mm across from memory, no bruising. Healed up in a couple of days. I was on pradaxa a/c from 25 days before to 3 months afterwards. And then stopped. I was cha2dvasc2 zero. I was 57 when it was done. I believe my EP followed the NICE recommendation. Just looked at the entry site now 10 months later ,can hardly see the scars, 1mm across no lumps.

[Morzine in reply to KMRobbo]

Thanks rob O!

[Morzine in reply to Morzine]

Typing! Thanks kmrobbo !

[grandmadogs]

I had three entry wounds which were completely insignificant and healed very quickly but like others have said the bruising was impressive and down to my knee but with no discomfort whatsoever. I had a shower the following day with no problem.

[Morzine in reply to grandmadogs]

Thanks grandmadogs nice to know

[Sarah57]

Hi there

Very small amount of bruising for me, took "Arnica", a well used and respected homeopathic remedy which helped. I did have a small lump at incision site that came up next day and then gradually reduced over the following week. Again nothing to worry about. Jeans were uncomfy that's all, so hung out on the sofa in the "jogger pants"..quite a treat!

I came off anti coagulant after a month as only score 1 for being a woman and still under 65... So no ❤️ Drugs for me at the moment still after 2 and 3/4 years and counting. I was lucky and had no pain really, apart from a bit of " Middle" back ache from lying on very flat hard table that they seem to like to put you on. Do rest up "a lot" as advised by Bob, really worth just taking recovery slowly and gently and don't get back on the "life pony" too quick! It's worth waiting for as being AF free is the best! ( for however long it lasts)

Good luck and don't panic, the professionals are so lovely and supportive and know what they are doing! Trust them, it's their job.

[Morzine in reply to Sarah57]

Thanks Sarah a very encouraging reply!

[LizCrid]

Hi Morzine

I think I was probably fortunate but I could not even find my groin entry point, having braces myself for something a bit gruesome! Some of my freckles are bigger! Some yellow bruising after a few days but otherwise nothing to show off st all. Hope all goes well for you. Liz

[Morzine in reply to LizCrid]

Thanks Lizcrid not long to go now

[Bucerias]

3 ablations and almost no bruising. No bleeding and entry wound was very tiny. Unfortunately they were not successful and I still have AF & Aflutter daily, I wish you all the best and a successful result.

[Morzine in reply to Bucerias]

Oh dear, I guess we are in the lap of the gods with success....I wish you well for the next one

[sjanee11]

I usually bruise easily but has no bruises at my groin. Pain was minimal at the entry sites. It looked like tiny scratches. I was on an anticoagulant for 6 months.

[Plantwords]

Like some others, I was on anticoagulant for 3 months post ablation and nothing since as my CHADs was 1. I recently turned 65 and asked my EP about taking an AC and advised that the simple fact of turning 65 did not mean I automatically had to go on AC and advised not to. So, the whole issue of anticoagulation post ablation is something for you and your EP to discuss given your own health issues - there is no blanket requirement.

[Bob002]

I had no bruising and the operation was very simple, no pain. I was very concerned (scared) but don't be it is not bad at all. Went into the operation room and next thing I new I was in recovery and a few hour later went home. The doctor will decide by your chad score if you should remain on blood thinners, but even if you have to it is ok they don't effect most people very much. I had to remain on them but my afib is silent and I feel good. You will feel better I would bet. Have a HAPPY NEW YEARS!

[Morzine in reply to Bob002]

Thanks bob oo2, noises mentioned a chad score but I’m in France and maybe they have and I’ve not noticed. I hope I am like you . Fingers crossed.

Happy new year to you...a healthy one!

Sue

[scienceguy02]

Both the wife and I have had ablation in last six months. She had access through both sides of groin and I had access on one side. Neither of us bruised at all. We both experienced minor discomfort at the sites but Tylenol handled it. She's one week out and walking 4 miles slowly with her girlfriend escorts. We both were able to shower 24 hours after leaving hospital. As far as anticoagulants my cardiologist has me on Eliquis for life. The wife is on Eliquis for now but as we have the same cardiologist I imagine she'll be on for life also. He prefers the "be protected from future possible events" approach.

Good luck to you!!

[AnneWorner]

I had a Vascade closure (collagen plug) put in both groin sites, and no bruising whatsoever with the last ablation. The prior I was bruised from groin to knee. I think a lot of this depends on the prep done after the procedure.

[Morzine in reply to AnneWorner]

Thanks Anne,

Sue

[Tantaanna]

Two ablation with no bruising- not much discomfort in groin sites. Shower next day rested three days then started walking short distances. Started teaching my exercise classes in six weeks - sooner with second ablation. On anti coagulation for life - Xarelto

[Winedy]

I’m sure there was a small spot, but I didn’t pay any attention to it. Shower is ok.

I’m in chronic afib, so it basically never goes away. Sometimes I can feel a flutter almost in my throat. I had a stroke in 2010 and that’s when they discovered it, although my GP should have noticed it sooner.

[Morzine]

Oh dear, poor you, I’ve a feeling looking back I had this way before it was discovered, I just thought it was the heart goung crazy and it was normal occasionally...

[wheezybronch]

I did not notice any scab, just a little red bit even though the guy was kneeling on my groin at one point, I din't need any recovery time other than what they make you do before a drink and then a sandwich then buzz off !

[Mike-tyson]

They go in through the groin but you do not feel anything. Had a little discomfort when the did the Ablation. Where they went it was plastered over afterwards but healed with no problems. Had mine done at UHNM in Stoke on Trent. Was in at 8am and on my way home at 3pm. But felt very quite tired for a month after the Ablation as it’s a shock to the heart. But it worked my heart rate down to 65bpm and in good sinus rhythm. So a good outcome.

[Morzine]

Good news about outcome, I’ve had lots of positives here thanks!

Gosh in and out in one day....they said three days in Lyon, I’d rather be home but perhaps it’s the french way.

Thanks mike,

Sue