Safety of ablation consideration

[Euve]

With my ablation coming up in two days, I was wondering if the people on this form looked at the safety of ablation before they decided to go for it? Was it a deciding factor in going for the ablation ? Did anyone have complications, or anyone that you know had complications Thank you again for your support

[KMRobbo]

Two ablations, one for a fib one for re- entrant flutter, a month apart. Age 57 at the time. No afib or flutter since the ablations, no drugs at All since May15 2018(BRILLIANT) . Looked at safety, my EP quoted stats , quite general, decided they would not apply to me as apart from afib I was fit and healthy. Had side effects from the drugs (poisoning me), the AFIB had progessed over the 3 years I was aware of it, afib begets afib so was in effect damaging my heart (atrial remodelling) so that's a risk, logically i thought the stroke risk will increase with the frequency of the afib ( may be wrong not a medically trained person) so I figured there was as much or more risk on not having the ablation as having it and by having the ablation I may get rid of the drugs and side effects. Also the NHS was (Is) struggling so it may be more difficult to get an ablation later? So do it now while I can.

Best wishes for yours

[Frances123]

I am waiting fo an ablation Oct/Nov. The stats my EP quoted like KMrobbo said we’re quite general. Have to admit when I got the letter with stats in black and white it gave me the wobbles a little bit but I'm still going ahead. My Afib attack’s have got closer over the last 2 years but since Easter Monday they have taken off at speed and I’m plagued with multiple atrial ectopics too. My quality of life has gone down. Af begets AF and I am a good example now. Think Easter Monday was a good wake up call. It will only get worse and I want as much quality of life back as I can. Already had to cancel holiday.

Yes there are risks (as in all surgery) but for me I don’t have any option if I want to feel well. QOL was my deciding factor so ablation can’t come quick enough.

I wish you well and all the best for your ablation.

Frances X

[Hidden]

Absolutely, you would be mad to not consider the risks.

for me the possible results easily outweighed the risk, and so glad I did

[Dodie117]

Me too. Found them a bit scary but so is staying on meds for life with the possibility of AF progressing and then being too late for ablation. Mine was in 2013, no complications and AF free for almost 6 years.

Good luck 🍀

[stagecoach]

I had my ablation just over a week ago and yes, I did consider the risks. I asked both my consultant EP and the EP who actually did the ablation for their stats and for me the risks were dwarfed by the benefits. For me the PAF was getting worse, I'm 63 so quality of life wins.

No complications for me, just let yourself recover slowly. Very glad I had it.

I Wish you well

[beardy_chris]

I'm in permanent AFib and relatively symptom free. I'm able to live a normal life with the assistance of drugs (Diltiazem & Apixaban). My EP advised me that the possible benefits of an ablation were not worth the risks. It's a balance but, for most people, the likely benefits are much greater than the risks.

[Buffafly]

Yes and yes. Decided benefits outweighed risks, little complications caused no permanent effects, good result.

[CliveP]

No and no.

Plain sailing. No problems, no complications.

No AF either for nearly 3 years.

No medication either.

[Hidden]

Euve, Im a retired nurse and I am the worst at looking at every possible scenario, to a fault. If I had frequent a fib, I would not hesitate to have an ablation. I have read all of your posts and I see alot of anxiety in your communications. I suffer from anxiety and depression. It colors everything in a negative way. Sometimes you just need to take a leap of faith. This is that time. Trust the wonderful people here who have been thru ablation that you will be happy you did it. I am scheduled for a knee replacement in Sept. I was supposed to do it last spring but cancelled because of fear. Now my pain is worse so Im going to go for it. I will be praying for you and a successful ablation and recovery. Keep us posted. Do not let anxiety run your life. 💜

[CDreamer]

Ditto to Hoski’s reply.

You are allowing the anxiety to colour your thinking and catastophising. No matter how much research you do or what other people’s experiences are - they will not influence what happens to you. They are purely statistics and other people’s experiences.

Go distract yourself and post again when you have had the ablation and let us know how you got on.

Best wishes CD