Ablation Date

[Challiefan]

Just thought I'd write to voice my admiration for the NHS.

I've just been given a date for my second Cardiac Ablation - 17th November 2020. The first procedure made me symptom free for almost 5 years before I started getting arrhythmia again - so in my case, it clearly works well.

I was told the waiting list was a full year pre coronavirus, back in January. The NHS has done better. Despite the virus, I'll be waiting less than a year. There's a lot that's negative about the NHS, but when it comes to the crunch, they're there for us. I'm impressed!

My only concern is that the 2nd wave will push the date back, but if it does I have the comfort of knowing I'm pretty much on the top of the waiting list. Despite the weather I'm all smiles here in Challiefan land.

[jeanjeannie50]

What a lovely positive post Challiefan. How lovely for your first ablation to have kept you AF free for 5 years.

Will you be having the same EP to carry out your second one?

Best wishes.

Jean

[Challiefan in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Yes, I will. He's made himself a professor since my last Ablation. A very focused individual if the last time is anything to go by. Not much of a bedside manner, which is fine by me. I'd rather the job was done as well as it can be.

[Finvola]

Couldn't agree more Challiefan and it's great that your first procedure lasted for 5 years.

I was very impressed and grateful to the NHS in the middle of the last lockdown when my husband was treated at top speed by really dedicated nurses and doctors.

Hopefully, the second wave will not cause such hardship as the experiences of the first one will be taken into account.

Best wishes

[Challiefan in reply to Finvola]

Yep, the last procedure took 4 hours - 52 burns to the heart. I'm wondering if this second procedure will take less time. Is it just a case of confirming what has already been done, or do they have to take a more comprehensive approach? Not that it matters much to me. It's the outcome that matters.

[Finvola in reply to Challiefan]

I've not gone down the ablation route but a friend needed a 'touch up' to his ablation after 2 years. It was a shorter procedure to zap the areas which were either mossed first time or had reconnected and started conducting signals again. I understand that is a common occurrence.

[Challiefan in reply to Finvola]

That's basically what I'm hoping. I'm told it works better the more you have done which is very encouraging.

I haven't run for almost a year. It will be nice to have the option ;).

[MarkS]

I only wish the NHS had been there for my nephew's wife who was diagnosed with bowel cancer back in March and hasn't received any treatment yet. And she has an 8 year old daughter.

[Challiefan in reply to MarkS]

I'm so sorry to read that, Mark. I just hope they've got a very good reason for it.

[Barb1]

I have private care and have been waiting since April. Been told likely to be April next year!

[Challiefan in reply to Barb1]

That's interesting - private care taking as long as the NHS. I must admit I wasn't expecting that. Good luck, however long it takes...

[Barb1]

Thank you. It will be my 5th. 4th lasted 5 years. My 1st took over 7 hrs but each one after that was less, so maybe the same for you.

[Challiefan in reply to Barb1]

That would be excellent. I 'woke up' during my first, and said, "dear God, that f*****g hurt." I was trying so hard not to swear, I could hear myself say it, but it just came out. Procedural tourettes. <LOL> I'm sure they've heard worse...

Apparently it hurts most when they burn at the back of the heart. The anaesthetist gave me more of whatever sedative he was using, and all was well again :).

[Barb1 in reply to Challiefan]

Only ever had GA. Wouldn't have it done otherwise, especially with the TOE

[Challiefan in reply to Barb1]

Fair enough. I had a sedative for a procedure when they inserted a camera down my oesophagus (can't remember what the procedure is called), which sent me to sleep. I think it surprised the medics. They had to wake me up in recovery. Such a pity, I was having a lovely dream - lol.

[Barb1 in reply to Challiefan]

That's a TOE transoesophagal echocardiogram ie looking for clots in which case the procedure cant go ahead.

[Challiefan in reply to Barb1]

Ouch! It does sound nasty, and not at all like the procedure I had. I'm wishing you lots of luck :).

[Desanthony]

Brilliant. I am having my ablation next Tuesday Covid 19 and local lockdowns allowing. It seems a lot of people are cancelling if, like me they are currently in NSR as more worried about Covid. I had to turn down a date in early September because I was away visiting my sister as her husband of 52 years died of cancer at the start of lockdown in April and that was the first time I was able to visit and help her move into a little flat etc. The waiting list in our area for ablation is 3 to 4 months after seeing EP. I saw him mid Jan and should have had my ablation in April but lockdown put paid to that.

[Challiefan]

Yes, I can understand that worries about catching the Coronavirus in hospitals is causing people to cancel their procedures. I wonder if I got a cancellation.

I'm in NSR most of the time, but I'm on heavy meds - 10mg Bisoprolol, and 300mg Flecainide daily. I'd prefer to largely eliminate such high doses if I can.

Good luck with the procedure next week!