Update for those kind people who have been asking - I am Just home from hospital - where I had the LV wire dug out (literally it felt like) and replaced and now all working well with absolutely no twitches - yeah! The experience was just SO different to the first - relaxed and confident and reassuring staff that ensured that I was also relaxed, even though I couldn’t have sedation or painkillers other than paracetamol & a local anaesthetic. The whole procedure took 3 hours, quite a lot of that time was digging out the old wire which had got quite tangled with the other wires and a lot of scar tissue.
Everything was checked and double checked but I won’t know for sure whether or not it embeds properly until the 6 week check. After talking things through with the consultant, we decided that because the PM has given me SUCH an improvement of QOL we will leave things as is and not go for the AV node ablation - but assuming everything does bed in nicely then if I need to, I can go for the AV ablation straight away.
I was told that had it been left for much longer the probability would have been that it couldn’t have been removed and if the new lead detaches, probably not in my best interests to try again and to leave things as they are.
Feeling hopeful and very thankful for the expertise and the skill of a fantastic Cath Lab team. I regret to say that it was not at an NHS hospital although it was the staff from the NHS team. The difference - they had time so didn’t rush as they weren’t pressured and they actually had a bed for me!
Grateful for my company for the health insurance which will foot the bill.
And all the plants got planted before I went in so I can relax and recuperate - well until Sunday anyway.
Best wishes CD
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CDreamer
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It sounds very positive CD, except for the ‘digging’ part - I would not have liked that at all! Fingers crossed for you that the lead behaves itself this time. Take care. xx
At first glance I thought this was about Liverpool Victoria!
When I first joined this site a lovely lady cottoned on that I lived in North Wales and we made arrangements to meet. She was so reassuring about ablation. She had had a pacemaker fitted and, like you, she was so much better that she had not gone on to have the AV node ablated.
I had great conversation with the EP about fear and how it affects our perception - my pet topic as you know. I’ve learned not to be fearful so although it was uncomfortable, it was painful at times - that for me was so much less scary than a) doing nothing b) having sedation which would exacerbate the Myasthenia. I went into AF, not surprisingly a few times, but ended up in NSR and as we all know - that is just the best feeling in the worl.
Thinking positive = positive outcomes in my view but it has taken me a lot of work to get to that positive place.
Pleased to hear you got excellent treatment and considerex decisions have been made. If you are like me pain oops sorry "discomfort" after the event is acceptable if all went well. You can now just watch the plants grow!!
I have every sympathy with you with the ,digging, experience. I had to have my first pacemaker removed after a year and another one inserted after a year and it was like you said, they seem to be digging to get the device and wires out! My other thought was it was like scooping out the innards of a chicken when they were making room for the new pacemaker and difibrillator, with the noises and actions! Not a pleasant experience at all! On a good note though, we're still here to tell the tale! Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Sharon
Your description of a three hour procedure (the mind boggles) made me feel distinctly queasy but I am pleased it is all over and you are so upbeat about it all. Don't do too much!
Honestly. CDreamer I wonder how we all keep sane with the procedures we have to go through to solve AF. Digging out your wires, that sounds awful!! Just the thought of it fills me with horror. The words hung, drawn and quartered come to mind - ok that's bit of an exaggeration, but having someone delving into your heart when you're fully conscious takes some guts. You deserve a medal!
Thanks Jean, I’m really a bit cowardly but I have a strong will and can talk myself into - or out of - most things.
Well they weren’t digging into my heart to dig out the wires - just digging out the top bit out of the flesh where the cuff attached to the pacemaker which took about 30 mins of diathermy and then the a bit of tugging to free the wire as the EP decided to replace it - to be on the safe side. I like the safe side! A lot of scar tissue was also removed so that was a big part of it and trying to untangle the wires.
You don’t feel anything going on inside your veins so I couldn’t feel that bit at all but they do take a long time to get the new wire through the vein and fix into position.
Actually, I wish I could have seen what was going on, am I a bit weird? I found it all too fascinating. And the staff were all quite laid back - when not having to focus.
Feeling a bit bruised and tired this morning but absolutely OK. Xx
That’s good CD, you deserve some luck. Glad the experience wasn’t too traumatic although methinks you are probably a lot braver than me. Have a good recovery and rest. 🤗
One of my leads is noisy apparently. And they said they will just insert a new one and leave the old one there when I have my new pacemaker soon (3rd).
My 2 previous pacemakers were implanted at London Independent and London Bridge hospitals courtesy of bupa but considering next one nhs at Barts. Would this be more traumatic ?? My daughter had an ablation at Barts and said it was painful and burning. Which I have not experienced with my ablations. So a bit wary now. Do they use sedation adequately.
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