Hello, I have so many irregular heartbeats including AF, SVT and several others, so my cardio guy now says he thinks the best idea for me is a pacemaker. Has anyone, on here, had one fitted? I'm seeing the cardio guy on May 1st for more info but he is a man of few words 
Thank you 
Yes, for a short while. Will this be followed by an AV node ablation, or just to prevent bradycardia due to medication or sick sinus syndrome?
Hello Oyster,
Thnk yu Do you mean you had a pacemaker for a short while ...? Yes mine will be followed by an AV node ablation 6 weeks later.
Oh, so you can have a pacemaker without the AV node ablation! I did not know that. I'm not too happy on the sotalol so it will be good not to have to take that anymore.
There are more types of pacemaker than you probably realise. Whether or not one needs an AV node ablation as well will depend on their heart problem. With Bradycardia (a slow heart rate), for example, a pacemaker may just need to add some extra heart beats to the existing natural ones.
I had a pacemaker (CRT-P) fitted and an AV node ablation earlier this week (not for AF). It’s probably too early to give any feedback other than on the actual procedure and immediate condition: I’m bruised at the device insertion site 😖
My PM was removed after 2 months because of staphylococcal septicaemia, which is a rare complication according to the EP.
I had one fitted 3 years ago and it has turned my life around completely, made a real difference and I bless the scientist who invented it every day. I had P/A/F for many years, it gave me a stroke after which I had to retire from my career, I later had an ablation which made my condition worse than worse lol and then my pacemaker and that, together with drugs has kept the beast at bay so if you are offered then my advice is to go for it. Good luck, I'm now off to play table tennis and do an aerobics class and at 75 years of age that ain't bad!!!! ps I have not had an AV ablation
How did the ablation make your condition worse? Was it your first ablation? I am Scheduled for a second ablation because the first one didn’t work. Thank you
I was told that the ablation was a total success however shortly afterwards I began to have very serious drops in heart rate and what I can only describe as 'white outs' apparently almost the same as black outs or a precursor to black outs so had to have the pacemaker to stop heart rate going too low. I was offered another ablation but chose not to have it opting for the pace maker instead and never regretted it.
Dear Vovvana2
I had a pacemaker fitted in January closely followed by an AV node ablation. Previous to that I had been in permanent AF for a year & was just about coping. However knee replacement surgery seemed to spark things off & I was suffering from constant palpitations, shortness of breath, swollen ankles, sleepless nights & the final straw, fluid on my lungs. So no choice really. The procedure was painless apart from some swelling & bruising around the implant & chest area. Recovery took a while mainly because I had become so debilitated from both the knee surgery & effects of heart failure but most people seem to bounce back & find instant relief so I wish you good luck.
Lillesden
We are all different and PMs differ too. My AF went on for years helped by Sotalol and then Bisoprolol until I started getting Cardiac Syncope with heart stoppages up to 14 seconds - when this was discovered I was given a 2 lead PM within 3 days. PM cuts in if hr drops below 60. Still got AF of course so keep taking the tablets!
N B Scottish NHS have never even mentioned ablation or cardioversion and reading all these posts about repeated failures and procedures I am glad!!
I also am VERY comforted knowing that I have a pacemaker protecting me. I had 4 cardiac arrests in the ER last summer, and they put one in. My heart stopped completely 4 times! If I hadn't been in the ER when it happened, I wouldn't be here. This was my first warning that I have AFIB and mild heart failure. At my last checkup I was told that my pacemaker is actively working 32% of the time. That means that my heart is not able to handle the load by itself 32% of the time!! That thought is very scary! I am so glad to have the pacemaker to nudge my poor heart when it needs a nudge. Without it, I probably wouldn't even be here. I don't understand why so many people are afraid or hesitant to get one .
My pacemaker was placed a little over a year ago and it has given me a much safer and better QOL. I have Sick Sinus Syndrome and was very symptomatic with feelings like I might pass out. HR was decreasing when that would happen. Do you have an electrophysiologist who can place your PM ? They really are the specialist you would benefit seeing. Talk to your Cardiologist and see what he/she thinks. Best of luck! Sarah from San Diego.
Hi Vovvarna. I have had seven ablations for many arrythmias, none succeeded. I was eventually doing 148 non stop for a year and, showing signs of heart failure.Advised only option was pace and ablate. Eighteen months ago the Pacemaker was inserted with two leads, one in each ventricle, there is no point in three if the AV node is ablated. Five weeks later the AV node was ablated and PM switched on. My base rate is set at 80bpm and maximum 130bpm. All I can tell you is that I have a life back again and am at peace with myself, there is no internal war any longer! I lead a normal life again, walking, climbing, travelling. My heart failure has reversed and I am no longer in heart failure. Normal heart function has been restored. I can get up in the morning and get on with my day and, make plans instead of wondering Whether that Gremlin on my shoulder was going to give me a hard time or a manageable day! I can sit and read and actually concentrate 100% instead of pretending I was normal and didn’t want to run away from myself! So, it was the best option for me and I no longer feel my days are wasted. The PMs are very sophisticated nowadays and are programmed to meet every persons individual needs. Hope this helps. Get in touch if you need any more support. I have a close friend who also had pace and ablate three years ago and said it was like resurrection and she hasn’t looked back. Good luck will be thinking of you.
Kingslip.
My mother has a pacemaker for syncope. Her pacemaker keeps the beats above 60 beats per minute, as she was passing out from bradycardia. Her EP wants her to do an AV node ablation and hook her heart up to the pacemaker all the way, but she is refusing. She has tachycardia now and he is uncomfortable leaving her in that condition of over 152 beats per minute. She is scared about the ablation and therefore she stays in arrhythmia and tachycardia almost all the time now. Her EP referred her to the cardio as he is at his wits end.
I had the Pacer fitted first then the AV node done 5 or 6 weeks later. This was a year ago.
Thank you Ohdea,
That is what is being planned for me. How long did it take you to recover from the AV node op? I work as a private tutor ... dyslexic children ... and I need to tell their parents how long I'll be out of action! My Cardio just says "not long" ....!!!
Pace maker fitted
Had ablation for afib now pace-maker dependent!
Had pace maker fitted for persistent af
Pace part of pace and ablate
ablate part of pace and ablate 
