Hi everyone. Had 2nd Ablation done on the 18th of June! The 1st one left me with a huge bruised swollen cut lip and severe back spasms. This one was even worse. They accidently knicked a vein and I lost 2 pints of blood into my rt thigh and leg. My thigh from the groin to past my knee is purple and my leg is twice its size. Very painful and difficult to walk.Never saw my Dr before during or after procedure. Someone had to give her a message to stop and see me. When she did she said I had mentioned in the past that these things can happen. Never looked at my leg either and left! I am so done. Will do followup apt but will be looking to switch over entirely to another Dr and Hospital in the future. I am still dealing with this pain and swollen leg and foot.They gave me 1 pint of packed cells(blood) in hospital and did a repeat cbc. My levels hardly improved. Should have had a second unit while there. but they discharged me and sent me home. I am still severely anemic. Had repeat blood monday. Levels slightly dropped even a little more. Never heard from anyone. Had to call them weds and ask about another transfusion. They told me I would have to go to emergency rm to get transfusion which met a hefty cost for me. If I had it in hospital it was all paid for.!So instead I started on prescription iron supplement with folic acid and B12. Fericon. It will take a while(mths) for this to get better. To end this long story my pulse was solid and regular til yesterday and I note it is skipping beats here and there!!!Never again. Murphys law follows me everywhere it seems.
2nd ablasion a disaster too - Atrial Fibrillati...
2nd ablasion a disaster too
So sorry to hear about your recent experiences, it’s neither here nor there but it sounds as if you are from the States. Whilst rare, we know things can occasionally go wrong but you would like to think that the hospital would be more supportive when they do! Try not to worry about your pulse, it’s not unusual to experience irregular activity for several months after an ablation. Click on the link below if you haven’t seen or read the factsheet on recovering from an ablation.
heartrhythmalliance.org/res...
Thank you for your info and encouragement. Yes I live in New York USA.
You have been incredibly unlucky and I really feel for you.
I have had 7 ablations under 4 different EPs and never experienced any complications but all at the same hospital. I just needed a lot done and one session was never going to be enough.
I know that being in USA you have issues with funding but as you have suggested you urgently need a second opinion and to find a doctor who is competent and who is also a good communicator.
Hope your leg gets better soon. If you think you need another transfusion you should see someone sooner rather than later.
Pete
Actually funding with insurance was no problem
Everything including transfusion was covered. Even though I am retired I am fortunate enough to still be in my employers group plan. That's why it made perfect sense while I still had needle in arm to give me the 2nd unit of blood there! Why bother to order repeat lab after transfusion if your not going to follow through with what's needed afterwards? Right after procedure I had to endure 6 hrs of them compressing on the huge hematoma to soften the blood so it wouldn't solidify. It was excruciating pain. I am still miserably uncomfortable with pain. After having to stay 3 extra days in hospital with pain meds they sent me home with nothing. No instructions for swelling in leg such as heat or cold etc. The medical profession has become all about big business and no longer about the patients needs. Very sad. I realize I was unfortunately one of the exceptions to the rule.
So sorry to hear you have had to suffer so much! I have heard of people having a lot of pain in the groin area afterwards, and even some with severe hematoma that had to be removed later on, but nothing like what you have suffered. Did you have the same doctor and hospital for both ablations? I would definitely seek a second opinion on the anemia and another doctor. Hope you find some relief soon.
Gday Pete,
Just want to enquire about you 7 ablations.
I've had 2 now and concerned still problems, and mainly concerned as been told 2 ablations get most problems but after that further ablations have far reduced chance of fixing.
have your concerns reduced each time and what are you left with now?
I have increasing ectopics and minor flutters but so far fibrillation itself hasn't returned.
But thought after 2 ablations I was out of options if it does return.
not so? Should I feel free to just go again?
Cheers,
Marcus
Good morning Marcus
I was always a complex case - stated on my notes "difficult case". I have suffered Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation for nearly 30 years
The first ablation was for Atrial Flutter. I had moved house, my hospital notes did not follow and the EP at the new hospital had only recorded flutter. He decided that as this was the procedure with the less risk he would do that first. Sadly within a few minutes of the catheter nearing my heart I went into AF. They did not do an AF ablation and I then was scheduled for another.
After 2 more the EP said he could do nothing more for me.
About 2 years later after he retired I was in hospital for the upteenth cardioverion when a new consultant at the hospital visited me and said that he felt it was worth another ablation.
Without boring you he moved on after the first ablation and I was then transferred to another EP who did 2 ablations. Following the last ablation I developed Atrial Tachycardia.
I was then under the care of my current EP who is brilliant and he did an ablation to treat the Tachycardia. That was nearly 2 years ago. For the first year I had regular ectopics. They gradually abated and now I not only do not have any ectopics I have not had an AF episode for 4 months which for me is unheard of.
We are all different, the procedure is complex and can be very lengthy - my last ablation lasted close on 7 hours. But depending on the individual ablation can be very successful. The marjority of patients who have an ablation for AF only need one ablation to sort things out.
I am the exception but continue to contribute here to offer others the benefit of my years of experience. Do not think that everyone has to have 7 ablations to sort their AF out.
Pete
Thanks Pete, really appreciate the reply.
Gives me hope my "significantly life interfering" ectopics may slowly abate.
But if not, or worsens, further ablations are reasonable for me to consider.
I had first ablation for fibrillation, but actually developed permanent flutter as a result of that!
2nd ablation for flutter, and as stated 5 months in no fib or flut, but ongoing ectopics which in itself isn't too concerning, it's the ongoing feeling of mild to moderate chest discomfort that's a battle for me atm, and not sure which way that's going to go (let alone the potential recurrence of fib or flut!).
The other main concern is that I can't drink alcohol ever again supposedly! That's is a challenge for me! Getting sick of after dinner!
Cheers,
Marcus
Although never a heavy drinker I did used to enjoy real ale, a good glass of wine or the occasional gin & tonic.
I decided that as my EP was so dedicated to resolving my AF I owed it to him to contribute. Whilst alcohol was only once a trigger I decided to stop drinking any alchohol 3 years. It is not so hard after a while.
Only regret it that we bought a bottle of vintage 1971 Madeira Wine on a visit to Madeira some years ago as that was the year we were married. I always thought we would try it on our 50th anniversary but would be very scared now to let even a drop touch my lips.
Pete
Your wife will be delighted to celebrate without alcohol but with you!
I too have many vintages set aside to enjoy with my partner.
Now each year I'm going to invite the whole family out and Karin will be drinking it with others, I'll enjoy being there!
Silver linings and all that shite hey!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience, strength and hope GoD Bless USA Massachusetts
Pete,
Did they use fluoroscopic guidance for all your ablations?
Not sure what that is.
The last ablation I had in August 2017. They used Orion Rhythmia 3D Mapping System which at the time 2 years ago was a very new system. This system gave them far better definition of images. It is clear that as my ablations were spaced over nearly 10 years that the equipment continued to be developed as it is today. The hospital is one of the UK centres of excellence and I am very lucky as I only live 15 minutes away.
All quiet on the heart front right now and long may it last.
Pete
Thanks, I was just curious as 7 ablations is a lot! Hope that is the last! I’ve had two
Where did this happen to you? I am shocked at the lack of treatment you have suffered from! This is not ok whatsoever. That Dr needs to be reported to the medical board as well as the hospital. I am so sorry you have had this experience. You maybe having an irregular pulse due to the anemia. I only use plant based iron BYW. All the others are very hard and bad for your liver. I hope you get to feeling better. Take pictures of your leg.
Thanks so much for your compassion. A friend did take pictures originally. But even they don't show how massive this blood clot was. I have been using heating pad last few days a d that has improved condition and given me some relief of discomfort. No one told me whether ai could use heat or cold!! It's been 2 weeks of misery. Remain short of breath when moving. Not sure if it is caused by afib or my severe anemia or BOTH. These past 2 ablation have made me doubtful that I will ever try one again. Have lot of chest discomfort this time as well. Murphy's law seems to follow me I guess!!
Hi. If it's any consolation, I seem to have stuff happen to me all the time. I think someone has pons in a doll of me. Keep smiling
Thanks
So sorry to hear you’re suffering like this.
This is not like it should be, really. Did the doctor tell you at least if your ablation had been successful? Did you have the same doctor twice?
I would certainly get a second opinion from another doctor and perhaps they can also give you medication against the bruising.
I really wouldn’t leave it like this, also because it’s mentally also a challenge to have had these 2 ablations, not only the physical site of it.
The HR which is going a bit weird is rather a normal side effect of the ablation, my ablation has been 5 weeks now and my HR is still doing strange bumps. At the moment I take Bisoprolol for it until my heart has settled down.
Hope you will feeling better very soon!
Sounds awful ,we are told things can go wrong ,but twice with you is not nice,think I would change my doctor ,hopefully the ablation has done the trick and you can forget about it eventually .
I am in Wisconsin and the rushed and inattentive treatment I received at the hospital was a real eye-opener for me. I had been treated for 59 years in the UK NHS, so I thought US standards of care and attention were supposed to be better. Like the Dentist thing, I think hospitals/doctors are just financial banditry. The Nurses are really nice....like nurses everywhere..... Yes change doctors/hospitals; I did; I discharged myself after sitting in a scruffy room with a ripped shower curtain and a bust telly for 3 days doing nothing except chew on broken promises......
So sorry you have had a bad experience twice. I don’t know what state you live in but if you live in Arizona I can recommend an awesome EP. Hope you feel better soon and a successful ablation. Remember to give your heart time to heal which can take 3 months to a year (sometimes)
NY
Jlaine, I was wondering if I was the only one with a bad experience with a hematoma (they let me start bleeding in the recovery room and I ended up getting 2 units of blood while the were whapping that hematoma and ramming the base of my spine into something (I think the corner of the surgical board). The thing in my back must have been hitting a nerve, because it hurt so bad I really thought I was dying. I actually got some small pieces of blue plastic out of the small wound that left. I woke up to people yelling about the blood all over the place and cleaning me up while they were compressing the hematoma (slamming me against the surgical board, actually). It hurt so bad I couldn't talk and kept losing consciousness, and when I finally was able to say that it hurt so bad, they wanted to know where and I said "my back" and they seemed shocked, but removed the surgical board, so I assume that's what I was hitting. then they taped my thigh to my stomach so close that when I tried to get up the next morning, I nearly fell n the floor and the nurse just stood there and looked at me with her arms folded. My EP didn't show his face before or after, and they left me on the same meds, which nearly killed me (my heart rate went down in the 50's and my bp was on the low end, too). All in all, it was a nightmare, it took a couple of months to get the hematoma down and it was so darn painful, and black and blue from below my navel to my knee. It was hard to stand, hard to sit, hard to lie without something touching that tender hematoma (which was more than half a grapefruit in size, right in the inside of my thigh at the groin.
I need another ablation, but I'm afraid to do it. Trying to work up the nerve.
When I got out to a room, finally, my sons were in a panic, they'd been told I was nearly ready to go to a room, maybe in 20 minutes, then at an hour and no word, they went to the desk to find something out and everyone was gone (it was after 7pm by then). More than another hour later, they took me to a room and one of my sons remarked that I looked 10 years older than when I went in. I told him I felt more than 10 years older. I was so cold all night even with a heated blanket and the room temp set to 80, I think I may have needed more than 2 units. I was also not given any instructions on what to do with the hematoma, the doc who released me looked at it and just shrugged and said it wasn't uncommon. Getting the EP's office on the phone was nearly impossible as he travels from hospital to hospital doing these ablations over about a 100 mile radius. I, too am in the states (Mississippi). Reading this board and hearing from Brits mostly, I wasn't hearing anyone with my experience til I hit yours.
Omg So sorry you too experienced this nightmare!! I am miserable still. It's been two. Weeks. I have been using heating pad who h gives me some comfort and seems to move the blood along?? I am 72 and not thinking about any more abrasions. Very disappointed in our medical profession and am a retired Lpn who worked 50 yrs as one. No compassion anymore. Thanks for connecting with me and sharing! Let's keep in touch.
My hematoma started at groin and covered 3/4ths of my thigh. By the next day it had.traveled to my knee. Now 2 weeks later has gone down to my ankle. Bruising in thigh faded completely but my lower leg is beat red and painful! Foot still swollen as well. Words can't describe how painful it is. I sit in my recliner with a wedge to elevate leg higher. To add injury to insult I have a loop recorder which stopped working when I came home. Took 6 days to receive replacement. Drs office called and did a reading. First 2 days no ad in. After that having short episodes of. Afib. So I may have gone through this living he'll for nothing. That's beyond disappointing!! Have a great 4th. I will be sitting in recliner with legs elevated!!lol
After my second ablation, I had some recurrent A fib. I had a cardioversion and was in normal sinus for 8 years. Had a cardioversion 3 years ago and am on amiodarone since then. But no AF. I'm very lucky in that I don't seem to have any side effects from the amiodarone other than sun sensitivity, and even that I can avoid with good sunscreen. Sometimes it takes a while for your poor ticker to calm down completely after scars have been burned into it. That seems to been what happened to me and I hope it's what's happening with you. It is DEFINITELY worth it all!
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