Can we have a few members come on and say how good there ablation was please. I want mine to work if only for a couple of years. X😁
GOOD ABLATION: Can we have a few... - Atrial Fibrillati...
GOOD ABLATION
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Gillybean123
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BobDVolunteer
Mine have all been well worth the experience. Even a year of being free from AF and drugs (not anticoagulants of course) is worth it.
Hello Gillybean,, My first ablation lasted 6-7 years and then the second has lasted 2 years and going. Both were well worth it. If I can answer any questions just ask. Pam
Hi Sweetiepye, 6-7 years is brilliant. Where did you have it done? How old were you,when you had your first one done(sorry for asking). Thanks Gill
I'm in America. I live in the state of Michigan. I googled for the Doctor with the highest success rate in ablations . It turned out to be the University of Michigan. It is also ranked quite high in the whole country. I was in my mid to late sixties at the time. I was scared to death so I decided to find out as much as I could....probably what you are doing now. It gives you more control over your situation.
I'll tell you a story. I told a fellow teacher that I had Afib and she said she was familiar with it as they had a horse with it. So I asked how the horse was and how did they treat it. They put it down she said. LOL, Pam
😂 That made me laugh out loud, sweetiepye!!!
This made me laugh out loud, thank you.👏
Brilliant 😂😂
Nice post, Gilly - all of us heading towards ablation (sooner or later) could do with being reassured by the positive experiences 
There’s hidden success stories too- there’ll be lots of people who won’t answer because their ablations were so successful that they’re not on the forum any more, and are just getting on with their lives
(I’m so massively thankful to the wonderful wonderful people on here who stick around even in their healthy times, so we can all benefit from their experiences and wisdom.)
I had an ablation 4 and half months go. There was discomfort and flutters for quite a few weeks following the procedure but 3 months later things really settled down. On Sunday I ran a 5k trail race and it felt brilliant to get my medal at the end. For me ablation has been a success and I hope it continues.
It's wonderful to hear about successful experiences . I'm sure your positive attitude had something to do with it. Pam
That is really good to hear. You have done well within quite a short time
I was one of those who had to have more than one ablation.
However it is now over 2 years since the last ablation and I am now experiencing the longest period AF free I have had in 30 years. In the past 2 years I have only had about 5 (albeit scary) very short episodes and none since the beginning of March.
If ablation wasn’t more successful on balance then there would not be so many specialist centres carrying them out.
Pete
I always thought of it as either “success” or as “failure” which really isn’t the case.
I had mine (a double for af and flutter) in 2015.
Since then I have been flutter free, so chalk that up as a cure. My EP said he was 90% certain of a fix for that.
As far as AF goes I have had perhaps 4 or 5 episodes since July 2015. And those were short and went back to NSR with PIP.
I do get ectopics and that I can usually control. They come when I drink too much beer, too much coffee or get too stressed. Extra bisoprolol sorts them out.
So I AM much better but I am not cured. I remember being in AF 5 days out of 7 up to 20 hours per day. I remember feeling so drained that suicide seemed preferable.
I want to remember that, as it reminds me how grateful I am to have had an ablation. It’s made a hell of a difference and has given me a life again.
Hi Gillybean123,
I had my ablation in June 2018 and have been arrhythmia free since then. Was a good experience at London Bridge Hospital with Dr Richard Schilling and fingers crossed things will continue as they have been!
Good luck,
Rob
Hi, I had my ablation 12months ago at 51 in Bristol and now enjoying a “normal” life, no drugs and back to regular cycling 60-80 miles a week. I forget it ever happened.
Good luck.
Hi PP, just checking in with u as my ablation was 8 weeks ago now. Feeling stronger each day, but need to get the pump function EF back, n enlargement down. I am a keen endurance cyclist too. But know I have to not rush.
Not even riding to work yet flat 10 miles each way.. But hope to next week, just wondering how u built up your exercise again. Not wanting to kick it out again.
B w Wendy
Hi TQ, I concentrated on buying new bike stuff and building on the desire not the miles at first, I had a pre arranged group ride in Cornwall 2 months after my procedure and really struggled on the hills both mentally and physically, but bit by bit i felt stronger and able to push but found i wasn’t chasing Strava segments anymore, just enjoying cycling and going out with the usual group and keeping up.
Glad to hear you are keeping up. U am not up to that yet . At the stage where I am walking up the escalator in the tube just a tad better. Did your AF affect the EF/ pump function percentage ? And atria dilation ? Have to help this to heal. Good to hear u!
Brilliant 🙌
Mine was October 2018. I had pericarditis and oesphagitis following the ablation but have not had any AFib since. (Fingers crossed!)
Hi there Gillybean
Had my first one 20 years ago which failed due to founding clot in my heart with the ongoing AF causing it! Then a second failure then third failure! Then success fourth time lasting for a amazing 9 years! Then the AF came back two years ago whilst in Australia! So in November had a fifth ablation which was the newer mapping system! I had a terrible 4 months after the op not like before but it has settled down now with just a few missed beats and flutters! I do have a feeling of going into AF all the time but not going into AF at present! So all in all it’s so lovely not to be in the dreaded AF. I would gather this as a success! Cheers Steve
Reading through this post I realise just how fortunate I have been. Just over 6 years ago I had my first real AF Episode I woke up after being asleep for just 2 hours with a pulse of 199 and couldn’t shift it. After 4 hours the same I was taken to A&E injected and it dropped back to normal in a beat! Not a one off and very inconvenient at times (Once in departures at Heathrow) Bisoprodol caused more issues than it fixed. I have a naturally low heart rate so bisoprodol meant sometimes I’d struggle to keep my pulse above 30BPM so has My Ablation 5 years ago! Initially I thought it had made things worse! I felt awful for a couple months and it didn’t settle down properly for about 5 months but 5 years on and it’s still all good. I changed my lifestyle a bit and I excercise regularly (running 3 to 5 miles + 3 times a week. I work early late and night shifts and apart from the odd missed beat here and there wouldn’t know anything had ever happened
No meds at all I’ll be 60 in 6 months and am honestly fitter and healthier than I was in my 40’s Although that wasn’t a hard act to follow🙄.
Moral of my story is don’t rely on just the Ablation let it be the start of a new you. If AF is the kick you needed to be healthier give the surgeon a hand get leaner before the opp! Relax after don’t expect to be fixed just after it! It takes time respect your heart and let it tell you when your ready to excercise / work .
I’m completely medication free not even a half aspirin a day!
Hope this is helpfully positive but I’m so impressed with what they have done for me!
Thank you to Basildon Cardio unit!
Thank you Swamps for such a positive post ! Gives us ablation newbies hope . I personally find it very depressing to hear of 3/4 ablation. Was under the impression when told i needed one and that it would solve my problem it was a permanent one . Now realise not often the case. I find AF and flutter very distressing and hard to get my head round .
Love your post. Your optimism, me too. So grateful they got me in earlier in the end cos of cancellation. I was so scared at getting persistent AF so quickly it would soon be permanent. 2 months post ablation now. Thank you Tommies and Dr Wright, apparently one of the best experienced EPs. The technology was spellbinding. At my review appointment I want to know every inch of what they did. 🥰 Fingers crossed will soon be back to v good fitness. Getting a bit leaner now too, to help my heart stay well
I'm so pleased to read this post. I'm booked in for my ablation next Tuesday & I'm petrified!
Don’t worry - you’ll be fine. Worrying will do you no good - it’ll just make you feel bad. It’s a routine and safe procedure. See if you can find any feedback/reviews/mention of your EP to put your mind at ease.
Best wishes for a successful outcome 🙌
Try not to be. I was too, walking in there, but their know how now is so impressive. I am one hell of a grateful patient . Do let us know how u do, when you feel up to it X Wendy
I have put off ablation for more than 12 months now. Decided I am definitely having it done. My appointment to see Dr. bono from the QE on the 16th. We have to just go for it. I have had 85 reactions to my post about good ablation amazing response, thanks everyone. Can't be bad you take care. X
It's been a great post. Sorry for hijacking it from you 😊 I'm hoping I'll be able to post about a successful outcome soon too (I promise I'll do my own post next time!)
Hi you, I'm sorry I didn't mean anything. I don't care who hijacks it all adds to the post anyway. We are all one big happy family on here anyway.😂🎀
I know you didn't 😊
15 years of success, from 2002 to 2017. Went back into AF post-operatively due to a monster aortic and heart operation (I dissected) but converted with Amiodarone and back nicely in NSR, if a bit slow (also beta blockers). So as drugs never did me any good before my ablation, I figure it's still hanging in there as at least partially effective. My AF was so bad before that even though ablation was very new at the time, I didn't care about the risks, I just wanted it to stop. To me, that's the decider for ablation, is it really really bothering you. If so, then go for it but also make sure you get the absolute best EP to do it. It's a science but also an art of "feel".
Can you tell me how long amiodarone took to get you back NSR. Had my 2nd Ablation last Friday started amiodarone Saturday still in AF.
Amiodarone is a pretty slow drug to get started. It was around the end of the loading dose period for me, so a couple of weeks to notice a change, and it then took a couple of weeks more for the rhythm to settle down to more regular.
Hi there, it took about a. Moth for mine to settle with Amiodarone but it was one of the best tablets I ever took. But when I had my first ablation after six weeks they told me to stop taking it. I always remember asking if I could take half just in case (you know the feeling) anyway it was an age thing with me. You have to keep out of the sun and always cover your head with this tablet. Good Luck. X
Thank you, now the waiting time 3months before you know if it has worked.
Ablation at Sheffield. One year in - no problems - got my life back.
Mine is brilliant. 2.5 years and still counting.
RF ablation for Flutter and Fib using the (then) latest mapping at Glenfield Hospital
No pain from the procedure, no nasty toxic drugs and able to live a normal life.
I'll have another if/when I ever need one
I had my first ablation 6 years ago at St Georges in London. And what a wonderful 6 years. However it is likely I am requiring another now - I will be 70 in December and the procedure will probably be carried out in Budapest.
Budapest because its cheaper ? I am looking at India if I need one and don't fancy waiting a long time but Budapest is alot nearer.
NHS? They got me in quick
It's great if you can get it done on the nhs but my cardioversion was 3 months so I dread to think how long for an ablasion.
They said to me 6-9months. Then cos I said I would drop everything short notice, they got me in 2mths after seeing the cardiologist. I waited a month for my cardioversion. I had persistent AF. You want to know they are well experienced at the procedure.
2 months is bearable but no way could I put my life on hold for 9 months so I keep one eye on India with prices around £3000 inc all hospital costs/tests + flights in a world class hospital like Fortis or Asian heart institute.
I took advantage of my medical insurance because of my slow progress through the NHS. It still wasn’t what I would describe as quick because it takes time for your heart to recover before a second attempt can be made.
I found that many people - even my nearest and dearest - couldn’t understand that I considered my life to be on hold until I was ‘fixed’. I understand exactly what you mean.
A second attempt because the first didn't work ? I'm new to this but if, as it seems, ablation is needed several times then paying full price (£15k + in the uk ) then it adds up to more than I could afford.
During the first ablation my EP discovered that he needed to ablate close to my AV node and there was a risk of AV node damage that we had not discussed. My AV node was, indeed, compromised during the second ablation and I now have a CRT-P too. My treatment wasn’t for AF but another complex arrhythmia that led to LVSD and HF.
Wish you all the best.
Where do you live? I live in Rochester,NY. The longest I have had to wait for ablation is 2 myths. Cardioversion scheduled within 3 weeks.
I've never had an ablation but waited 3 months for cardioversion so can only assume an ablation would be a longer wait than that.
Why Budapest ? If I can ask ?
Budapest - because I now live here. I am a UK citizen and there is a health reciprocity which we are informed should continue even after 30 October.
Mine was 19 months ago and I've barely even had an ectopic since. The ablation itself, although I was quite nervous before, was fine and in a way quite interesting to watch. And the hours afterwards were actually quite pleasant, as I was off my head on the drugs!
it will be two years come November all good so far
Ablation 2 years ago at Derriford, Plymouth with Dr Tomlinson. AF-free since, no meds, no anxiety, it's like a huge weight has been lifted from my mind. Enjoy cycling and walking. Gave up alcohol and try and eat as healthily as possible. Excellent care at the hospital before, during and after the procedure.
April 19 had Cryo Ablation done at Freeman Newcastle by Dr Murray one of the nicest EPs you could ever meet , had bumps along the way, think mostly with my stubborn attitude to doing nothing, rest, rest and rest is key afterwards, but very glad I had it wouldn't change that at all , in normal Sinus and no afib now , feel much better and considering I was in permanent afib for a year prior to the op, much happier and lucky its worked so well... Ian.
Hiya, I had my heart problems for 18 years, on tablets all that time. I had my ablation done in January and have been great since, no tablets now no anxiety. I am 70 years old. I wish I had had this done 18 years ago when I was advised to have it. I was told by someone it might cause a stroke, this is why I didn’t have it but I would do it again if it was needed, I would not be worried now. Hope all goes well for you, Regards Ursula x
Think mines working, mine was January.....I’ve had a couple of funny turns but they were I think ectopics, they rocked my confidence a bit, .....but cardio said that’s nothing........I’m goung to get on a plane to Australia , first flight 12 hr Singapore, then cairns.....in ten days for a mighty 4000 mile road trip it’s made me feel confident enough to do that.......think we have to work on the assumption it’s worked and get on with life till the “ thing” proves us wrong.........if it does then this forums made me at ease to have another one..........😀😀😀😀😀
Hi Gillybean, I have had 3 ablations - well technically 2 as the second one had to be aborted before they could actually do anything due to a technical difficulty. The first one, whilst not totally effective, did alter the nature and frequency of the episodes but it was the 3rd, done Aug 2018 which has given me back my QOL. all 3 done at Aberdeen by Dr Broadhurst under GA and the final one involved what they referred to as their sat nav system. It took a long time to rest and recuperate from this one and I now realise I hadn't given myself enough time after the first one to recover - I hadn't read all the excellent fact sheets at that point. Apart from a couple of wobbles at the 7-10 month period I have been symptom free which is amazing as I was having 1 episode a week lasting 24-36 hrs which wiped me out for a further 24 hrs and I was very symptomatic when they were happening. I am now facing an uphill struggle of losing the weight that piled on as a result of inactivity and betablockers but I have gradually increased my gentle and moderate classes to 4 a week, improved my diet as well as cutting out alcohol, caffein and processed foods. Half a stone gone but would be happier with another half stone off. Fingers crossed for your ablation, yes it's scary but it can't have been that bad if I went back a second and third time. Good luck! Rosie
Only had one ablation which lasted about 10 months. Had a couple of mild episodes of a fib and back on 50 mg flecainide. Still going good 6 months on and I think the ablation was definitely worth it, afib in control and feeling good.
Great to hear such positive comments on here. I have my ablation within the next 2 months. With my hospital being recognised as one of the UK’s leading centres for cardiac EP & having the full range of 3D mapping equipment I’m hoping that this will be my first & last ablation🤞
Yes let's hope so. This is my hope to. Also done by one of the best. Very daunting when you walk in there and see all the enormous 3d mapping screens, for your poor wee heart. But hey ho, so far so good for me .
So good to hear others progress further ahead than me. Keep us posted on yours. XW
My second ablation has lasted 3 years upto now, hope yours is a success 😀
Thankyou.
Thank you everyone for your replies. I am facing ablation in about a month and am nervous about. Is good to hear some positive outcomes.
• in reply toWindrider
as with most internet forums, you usually only see posts from people that have problems.
I think that most people don't visit the site so often if their ablation was a success, hence getting skewed opinions, but as you can see here there are many of us that class our ablations as a success. I don't doubt that I may well go in to AF again, it could be today, it could be in 5 years, but I am thankful for the life it has given me back so far
Hi,
At Christmas admitted with heart failure, stabalised on neds but unwell most of time struggling with any activity. AF persistent 2 years.
Ablation May, cardioversion June, now almost back to normal activity even trimmed long leylandii hedge..,
Trevor
Marvelous. Hope the hedge is looking good too!
I had an ablation in November 2006 at the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital so am just coming up to the 13th anniversary. So far, apart from the occasional run of ectopics, AF free.
I had a Laser Ablation at Blackpool Victoria 5 months ago and have been in normal Sinus rhythm ever since. Feel great. Long may it continue.
Hope yours is successful.
Brilliant statement!!! I’d love to know also 🙌
I had mine in 2015 at Queen's medical centre, Nottingham. Straight off meds and felt great all through. Best thing I ever did. Hope yours goes as well as mine.
My ablation was Dec 2015, two years free of AF and meds, then started again, only when I am ill or overtired. I take the minimum dose of Diltiazem as well as Apixaban and I feel OK as I am.
I had mild arrhythmia for most of my life with occasional chest pain if I drank caffeine. After contracting Lyme disease at age 68, the arrhythmia & paroxysmal tachycardia became full blown - the Lyme was treated too late & I had Lyme carditis. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy also brought the symptoms to a head & had to be discontinued.
I had an ablation done in June 2018. The arrhythmia & tachycardia did not completely go away until 10 months later. At about 5-6 months post ablation I was “approved” to wean myself off of Sotolol and Metoprolol since they affected my ability to walk - made my calves ache & raised my triglycerides & cholesterol.
By 10 months post ablation, April 2019, I was finally free of arrhythmia & the paroxysmal tachycardia. So, now at 15 months post ablation, I do not have symptoms. I am just still trying to recover from Lyme. Hopefully, the arrhythmia will not recur. For me, only time will tell.
Gillybean123• in reply to
How did you get the Lyme disease? X
• in reply toGillybean123
From a tick bite while in the Ocala National Forest in Florida.
Tracie_O• in reply to
I saw you mentioned that the solotol and metoprolol made your calves ache and affected your ability to walk. After my ablation for Aflutter two weeks ago, they upped my metoprolol and I started having constant balance problems when walking and my legs ache as well. This didn’t happen with my two previous ablations for AFib and atrial tachycardia, but I wasn’t taking as much metoprolol. I was put in 25 mg 2 x day after this ablation, but I had occasional balance problems even with 25 mg once a day. I also take 50 mg flecainide 2 x a day. I went back to taking 25 mg metoprolol once a day two days ago to see if that stops my issues. I hope to stop the flecainide as well. Thanks for sharing.
Know what you mean ! This forum is split into 2 kinds of people. The huge numbers who have had a good ablation but just read posts coz they are bored...and the other kind who have real or imagined ongoing problems that need a further corrective procedure... It's like reading the "Toyota problems" forum... We have TWO Toyotas from 2007 with a dicky sun visor in one of them being the total repairs.. Reading the Toyota complaints forum I wonder how I ever manage to get home !
I was in a sorry way four and a half years ago. Had one cryoablation and haven’t looked back. No drugs and no sign of AF. Richard Schilling said he considered me cured and did not expect to see me again. Right so far! I expect that I could still develop AF again as can anyone. I watch my weight, eat a healthy diet don’t drink too much and best of all lead a completely normal life. Very different to a few years ago.
Peter
En- route to a river cruise in Bordeaux 🍷
Had suffered with PAF for many years with highly symptomatic episodes - the situation really upset my life / QoL. Was on several different medications for the condition over the years (e.g. propafenone, flecainide, disopyramide), but they all became mostly ineffective over time, while at the same time providing me troublesome side-effects.
I had a PVI cryoablation just over a year ago (21 Aug. 2018) at age 61 and I've been completely AF-free since then. My ablation couldn't have gone better, and I'm feeling better than I've felt in years. Should I ever need to have another ablation I wouldn't hesitate for a second to go forward with it.
Best wishes, Richard
PS. At my recent 1 year post-ablation follow-up consultation I had an echocardiogram (TTE) and they found that my previous slightly enlarged left atrium had shrunk to normal size. So that was further good news.
One month short of 3 years for me. No AF at all since my ablation. I take no meds and live a completely normal life. I take care to eat well and don't drink alchohol. I'm able to exercise regularly at a fairly high intensity without issue.
Mine was done nearly 10 years ago and apart from some unwanted ectopics and short runs of AF The ablation gave me my life back
Had mine a year ago in July at San Francisco Pacific Medical. Afib was wrecking my heart, as noted by echo... ejection in the low 30's. Currently symptom free and echo (last month) showed ejection back in the 60's. Mild running twice a day, along with yoga, weights, etc.
I had a single ablation at London Bridge Hospital in 2010 which is still holding fine. I think the key to a successful ablation is to identify the main cause of your AF (e.g. weight, diet, lack of exercise, excess alcohol, etc.) and fix that, otherwise it is likely to recur.
That was a short waiting time for the 2nd one I didnt know you could have 2 so close together - was this in the uk?
I had a ablation 5 years ago. I can remembers being scared, But the procedure was so easy quick, no pain, When it was over my first thought was "Why was I even scared?" It has improved my life 100%. I now don't live in fear of the afib episodes and can really live a normal life. Yes my experience and results of a ablation is all positive,
14 months post ablation.Awesome result.Worth having it done.
Hi, I had my first ablation last year when I was 58.... uncomfortable during but haven’t looked back since.... I would recommend, good luck
AFIB since 2014- cardio version to nsr- four months later AFIB returns on PIP Flecanide till Very frequent episodes
June 2017 first ablation smooth sailing all good seven months- Flutter and fib -
second ablation April 2018
Lots of troubles- cardio versions/nasty drug Amiodarone worked to settle heart - back on daily flecanide till more flutter fib
third ablation Jan 2019- and he did a lot of work three cardio versions- remain in flutter
Can’t tolerate meds - Ditalzam working to keep heart rate at 100- sometime lower echo shows pump is good-
Do not want to live with flutter-can have Fourth ablation- wonder if I should keep same EP for the ablation
I feel pretty good and remain very active
Read it wrong - yes, you're right that was a long wait
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