First Ablation

[Lesleyray]

Hi, I’ve had AF for 4 years and had my second serious episode just over 2 weeks ago where I was hospitalised, luckily, went into rhythm on its own after 5 hours. I’ve never had any follow ups from the original episode where I was 2 days in hospital and never even saw a cardiologist. Everyday in those 4 years I’ve had flutters and I’m on beta blockers and blood thinners from my surgery. 6 months ago started having prolonged flutters, tight chest and BPM dropped to 45 or below. Had a 24 hour event monitor which showed there was a problem, referred to a cardiologist and he was surprised I was left alone to deal with it (must admit it just became a way of life, carried on as normal) I’m ow waiting for a ablation which I’m very nervous about, I’ve googled the procedure but am not sure what to expect in how long I will be in hospital for, pain and length of time before all is normal. I’m 66, don’t drink/smoke and gym 3 times a week for 2 hours. Cardiologist says I’m very fit and should sail through the procedure but still scared of the outcome

[BobD Volunteer]

Welcome to the mad mad world of AF and sorry to read that your journey seems to have been very much alone. It has beena while since I have come across anybody who has had so little support!

If you go to AF Association website under patient information there are a numbner of fact sheets and two in particular on Preparing for Ablation and Recovering from Ablation. Many doctors do not understand the process of recovery and how individual it can be and unreasonable expectations are not helpful. We patients produced these two guides from personal experiences to prevent the idea that one would be dancing out of the ward totally cured the next morning. I know when I had my first ablation in 2005 that was what I thought from what doctors told me.

Don't think it will be traumatic, painful or in any way serious but your heart does get a good bashing about and will need time to recover so understanding some of the things which you may experience should help you along. Trust me, as a devout coward I would not have had three ablations over four years if it was a bad experience.

[Lesleyray in reply to BobD]

Hi

Thank you, I will certainly read up on the procedure and thank you for your reply

regards

Lesley

[Hidden]

I’m sure you will hear from many people who have experienced an ablation. I have had two and still alive to tell the tale!! If you click on my name and scroll down the posts you will find details relating to both procedures. I suggest you also read the two AFA factsheets by clicking on the links below.

heartrhythmalliance.org/res...

heartrhythmalliance.org/res...

[Lesleyray in reply to Hidden]

Hi

Thank you, those two site I will certainly look into, this site alone is well worth looking into.

Kind Regards

Lesley

[Kellyjelly]

Hi Lesley,

I feel like you have had a similar experience to me in the way you have been pretty much left to it with little support or guidance.

I am seeing an EP in March after years of muddling through not knowing which way to turn just accepting this is how it is and getting on as best I can. I think that he might suggest an ablation too. So whilst I can’t offer any advice regarding the procedure I can say that I completely understand the fear of what you are facing and I’m sure that you will find lots of help and support here.

Take care

Kelly

[Lesleyray in reply to Kellyjelly]

Hi Kelly

Thank you for your reply, so nice to know we are not on our own, hopefully now, I will be more monitored.

Kind Regards

Lesley

[Kellyjelly in reply to Lesleyray]

I really hope so, I’m learning that I have to push harder than I feel comfortable with or I will just disappear in the system again. I have had to really push for my appointment to see the EP, the referral was marked as urgent on 11th December and I got my appointment on Friday for the 1st March. This will be my first time meeting Dr Kelland in Sheffield so I’m hoping after that I will feel like I have a point of contact going forward.

Let’s hope this is the beginning of things getting a little easier for both of us!

[robbiexuk]

I had my ablation in Nov 2017 and was in and out same day and have been out of AF since then. I would really recommend the procedure. I was off work for a couple of weeks but its worth it to get back to a near normal life feel more like myself now.

[Lesleyray in reply to robbiexuk]

Hi, Thank you for your reply, I most certainly will be going ahead with it.

Kind Regards

Lesley

[KMRobbo]

I had an PVI AF cryo ablation 29 January 2018, not had Afib since. Unfortunately developed A flutter 7 days after the afib ablation and had an RF ablation for that on the 26th February 2018 for that. The flutter stopped then and has not come back. I have been off all drugs since May 15th 2018.

Neither of the ablations were a big deal, both under light sedation, the groin under a local anaesthetic. I felt no pain there at all. The cryo ablation pain is felt in your head above the eyes, it is like the brain freeze pain you get biting into a large VERY cold ice cream. 4 of those and it's over. I could see a lot of the screen with the mapping and the ecg traces during the cryo ablation. It was interesting, although I did not ask any questions!

The RF flutter ablation is a bit more painful, the pain felt there is in the right shoulder. I have had worse at the dentist.

If i developed A Fib again tomorrow morning i would happily have another ablation tomorrow afternoon to keep off the drugs.

Best wishes.

[Lesleyray in reply to KMRobbo]

Hi, Thank you for putting my mind at rest, response from folk on here has been tremendous

Kind Regards

Lesley