Good morning guys and gals. I had my first (and hopefully my last 😁) ablation yesterday and wanted to thank all of you who helped with my questions on the run up and also to whomever compiled the fact sheets as the water bottle tip was very handy and the nurses were impressed as theyd rocked up with a glass tumbler and straw!
As for the experience, not the best day out I've ever had.
It was put back from 8am to 12pm but didn't actually get taken to the lab until 2.20pm by which point, my nerves were tighter than Daisy Dukes shorts. Lovely team who tried their best to put me at ease, by asking advice about their feet (I'm an advanced foot health practitioner) .....hubby said I should have taken my diary with me 😁. They were also impressed with my shaving job 😁.
Never actually clapped eyes on the consultant, only spoke to him so would have been nice to have been a bit better acquainted with someone who was going to be getting up close and personal to my nether regions (I usually require flowers and dinner first 😁).
I had as much sedation as they could give but still knew exactly what was going on (I seem.paricularly resistant to sedation). I would have preferred to be zonked out as there were times when there was a lot of discomfort (4 lots of pacing at a couple of minutes a time does not feel like hiccups Mr EP!!!) and a bit of pain. However, the consultant did tell me what was coming up at each stage so I was forewarned.
It took just over 2 hours and 2 cardioversions thrown in for good measure. As I couldn't have any more sedation, they were a joy 😁.
Back to my room with a mouth full of blood as during the last cardioversion, I had bitten my tongue on both sides. Having been given heparin during the procedure, I looked like Countess Dracula and despite this, I was told I still had to take my own Apixaban at 6pm. Needless to say, trying to eat my sandwich was a challenge and the bleeding continued for 7 hours and using half the hospital's supply of non woven gauze.
Groin bled a bit more than expected so had a nurse pressing there for a while and again when the stitches came out. Had a couple of dizzy/nauseous episodes when I stood up but they passed after a couple of minutes. I know some folk mentioned being given a % success on their discharge notes but there's no indication on mine, just that they froze all 4 PVs. They also picked up on some MR and AR on the echo and think that may be a substrate of the AF as the MR was picked up on a previous echo but consultant wasn't concerned at the time.
Got home about 9pm and did have a fairly good nights sleep. There was an interesting trip to the loo about 5am, as I looked like the love child of Quasimodo and John Wayne (The Cowboy years) trying to walk without my leg hurting and then wishing I had done yoga when trying to sit comfortably when I arrived in the bathroom.
Bit of chest discomfort this morning, bruised and sore leg, itchy DCCV branding mark, and tongue looking like something from Alien but I'm staying in bed today, apart from my hunched and bow legged loo visits. Hubby is playing Nurse Nancy, without the uniform, thank goodness and my beautiful cats are curled up next to me.......... one of them did get renamed something rude when she jumped up and landed on my groin.
So, there it is. Not quite as bad as expected so far but still not a pleasant experience. Now got to take Omeprazole for 6 weeks to prevent reflux, apparently, but I'm sure I've had it years ago and it upset my stomach so we'll see how that goes.
Will update as time progresses, assuming you can all take my inane ramblings.
Thank you again to all who give, their time, support on this brilliant group. I salute you and all who sail in you 😊.
Ps....... I don't see net underwear taking off anytime soon 🤣.
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Ducky2003
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Thanks for posting Ducky.....you did make me chuckle with your comments !! One of the best post ablation reports I've read.! You've had quite a time if it but at least it's all over now. Just remember not to overdo things. Take a good rest now.
Thank you. Having a good sense of humour has got me through this AF encrusted 5 years. 😊. As per the excellent fact sheets, I shall rest and then rest some more. I think hubby is checking the marriage contract as he's not sure he signed up for all this running around 😁.
Yup the hubsters get a shock don't they? Mine thought I was exaggerating when I told him it'd be a tough time post ablation. I then heard him saying to his brother "it's much worse than I thought". Give it 10 days and things will ease up a bit. My experience.
I intend to put him through his paces 😊. He has had microwave training but will have to be supervised when loading the dishwasher and hanging out washing 😁.
So good to see you haven't lost your sense of humour in all this! Hoping today sees you improving step by Quasimodo step 💕 Keep us updated. I'm now going in on Monday..... Yesterday was interesting as half a tooth broke off! Frantic phone calls between myself and the hospital and my dentist. In the end it was decided as I have no pain from the tooth to leave that until after the ablation.... And breathe xx
Thanks. Funnily enough,I had a bit of a dental issue last week but decided to not contact the dentist until I was able to get down there as I'm not in any pain with it. Just remember, if they are going to cardiovert you during the procedure, ask for a bit of wood to chomp on as it's better that than your tongue. Ler us know how it goes and hopefully, the 2 hour drive is not too uncomfortable.x
Oh I do love your sense of humour! John Wayne meet Quasimodo!! lol 😂 Now rest for a long time and read the recovery fact sheet every hour. Do not visit google, do not collect £200 or go to jail.
I must confess to a cheeky look at Google about why I was being given Omeprazole. The fact sheets are to hand as I've told hubby that they are official documents, which must be adhered to, because Bob said so. After a week of this, I fear he may try and hunt you down 🤣🤣🤣.
I have no clue who Sam is but I'm guessing a menacing alsation who would bite the backside out of his jeans.............. if Sam is actually your dear lady wife, then pardon my assumption 😁
Both! Easy mistake to make. Incidentally re shaving, For a laugh I gave myself a Brazillian for one of mine. Not a good look. End up looking like a Sundial.
Gosh, the image I now have in my head . I wont ask what time it was 🤣🤣🤣. I did mention that I had still got my Winter coat so apologised if it wasn't very symmetrical 😁.
Haha brilliant post Ducky, I've just nearly initiated afib laughing so much at daisy juke and the shaving and the count drac stuff 😂, I had the same when I had my ablation lasted 7 hours under sedation, it was like the Rave in the 90s I never went to! couldn't knock me out with masses of medazyln, I was watching the screen as he was doing most of it, and chatting like we were mates in a pub, asking if they were checking me out down below, raised a few laughs . Glad your sorted and hopefully the recovery goes OK, mine was great until I overdid things, take it easy even if you feel great .
Keep us informed of progress , and thanks for cheering me up today 😂😂.
I couldn't see the screens as the x-ray machine was in the way but could certainly hear things like the temperature they were using to freeze etc. I'm still in bed, watching Law and Order, drinking coffee and having munched a bacon roll. I could get used to this.😁.
Good humour in such circumstance bodes well on your road to recovery. Pleased its all behind you now and the road to recovery is in front. Keep up the humour to aid your recovery, rest plenty and heres to a better heart future. Well done.
Thanks. I've found having a sense of humour does help as it would be all to easy to go the opposite way. I may get too used to this resting and bacon sandwiches on demand lifestyle.😁.
I seize on all ablation posts as I’m still trying to decide whether to have one. Just over two hours sounds promising but is it normal to need cardioversions? It’s not something my EP has flagged up as being in the mix!
Hi. I was in NSR so they had to induce AF, twice apparently. I'm on Amiodarone so tend to remain in NSR after cardioversions. I don't know whether it's the norm to cardiovert but I would rather come out of the lab in NSR than not. As to whether to have one, only you know how symptomatic you are. Also, they say earlier intervention offers better long term outcomes. Do I wish I'd had it earlier? Too early to tell if its actually worked but it may be would have saved me a lot of grief during the past 5 years. I'll take any chance at feeling normal again. Hope that helps.😊.
Hi Visigoth, I’m the same. I devour ablation posts as I’ve been offered one too. Thank you Ducky for the post. I have a 2nd echocardiogram booked in two weeks time to check there’s been no change in my heart since I had my last one a year ago. Three visits to A&E with afib since then. Simply can’t decide whether to go ahead (assuming echocardiogram is ok and the procedure is still recommended) or keep trying the med route.
Harbie, I'm on the waiting list for ablation. After reading some good posts on this forum I downloaded the book 'The AFib Cure' by John Day to my Kindle and am busy reading it. There is a lot of interesting info on ablation in there, as well as tons of wisdom on drugs, diet and lifestyle. It is written by an American for American AF sufferers, but the vast majority is universal truth.It may help you.
Hi Mugsy, that’s a coincidence, I ordered the book yesterday after seeing it mentioned on this forum. I’m looking forward to gaining some insight from it. Has it altered your view about having an ablation? I suffer from complex ptsd (childhood stuff) so in constant state of freeze in my ribs. I wonder if I should wait to see if my trauma therapy helps first. Mind you, the waiting list may now be so long that the decision is made for me 🙄
Yes, it has made my mind up to have it done. The ablation team conducted a telephone consultation with me during which they asked several questions to see whether I'm suitable for the procedure then said I'd go on the list (6 months min) during which time I can make a definite decision. Unless I experience some miraculous reversion to constant sinus rhythm with no arrythmia between now and then I'm getting it done. In the meantime I'm following the lifestyle and diet recommendations in the book and badgering my GP to do the list of blood tests that the book also recommends so I can identify possible causes or aggravating conditions and do something about them if I need to.
As with any procedure there are risks, but nobody would ever have one done if we all allowed that to put us off.
In my opinion and in my case, the risk is very small and potential benefit huge.
I think you'll find the chapter on ablation, and the many references to it as part of a plan to tackle your AF, reassuring.
I've just turned 60. I dunno how we compare in other ways but at least we are the same age!
Having tried the meds route and the healthier lifestyle route (I lost 4 stone and started exercising) I was kinda out of options as I didnt want to be on Amiodarone long term at my age. I have been incredibly symptomatic during the last 5 years so it had reached crunch point for me.😊.
You’re much further down the line than I am. I was diagnosed approx 18 months ago (aged 59) so still on a learning curve / trial and error with meds etc. The A&E / hospital docs all seem to think I should take the ablation route. I’d refused when my cardiologist first offered me the option about 6 months ago. The risks at that point frightened me too much. I’m ‘warming’ to the idea as I get more afib episodes and learn more. Good luck with your recovery and thank you so much for sharing the experience x
Brilliant post Ducky. Oh it did make me chuckle. I remember BobD saying about preparing the work surface beforehand which I did but only halfway. I bled a lot and had pressure dressings with adhesive tape right across. Let’s just say when they took them off I was asked if I wanted the long ooh, ooh, ooh or the 2 second OUCHHHHHHH removal. I chose the latter but either way I was fully waxed afterwards! So pleased you are home and being looked after well. Now rest, rest, rest and then some. xxx
I feel your pain sister. That was me at 6pm last night. I started with the oooh, oooh, oooh and then launched into the full blown OUCH!!! Boy, that hospital tape tape sticks well.😳.Have been resting but having a bit of chest pain today. Feels like a muscle strain. I thought I was doing well yesterday so I guess it's a delayed reaction. Thank you for your good wishes.😊
Thanks for the brilliant post, love the humour - but if Daniel Craig is the EP I might have to be first in the queue! Wishing you a gentle, relaxing recovery with lots of tlc.
Now look here, I baggsied Daniel first. Look at the positive, at least his hands will be warm by the time he gets to you. 😁. Got a bit of chest pain today so guess I was lucky yesterday. I shall be having another duvet day today .😊
Aww, my goodness, so young. I'm early 50s and my consultant keeps referring to me as young. People sometimes forget the impact that there is on your nearest and dearest as well. I know my hubby feels he needs to be strong and positive for me and that takes its toll on him when I know he has been worried. I will give updates, probably driving people mad but I hope all goes well for your son.😊.
I did think at the time, hiccups my @€$£ but it obviously has to be done (hadn't seen mention of it in anything I had read on the run up) and thankfully, he warned me what was coming. Don't think I've jogged about so much, even in a concert mosh pit! Definitely a duvet day again as bit of chest pain today.😊
I didn’t get a warning!!! I thought my heart was coming out of my chest! Plenty of duvet days. I got up far too early to help the wife with our children and ended up needing a cardioversion two weeks later.
Oooh no. I intend to take things very slowly. But of chest pain today so in bed watching Law and Order with a mug of coffee after a late breakfast boiled egg. Life in the fast lane eh? 😁.
Gosh Ducky, you made me laugh the way you told it all. I'm sure that it wasn't very funny at the time though. I feel a lot more receptive about having an ablation now having read your humorous but no points barred description. Thanks Chris
It definitely not the chill fest of lying on a sun lounger somewhere tropical but also not quite as bad as having to sit through 4 episodes of Eastenders. I'm sure your consultant wouldnt recommend ablation without good reason but, obviously, you know how symptomatic you are. Good luck whatever you decide. 😊
Brilliant post Ducky. Had my ablation 5 weeks ago and was wondering what all the punching and counting was all about by the EP and nurses, must have been doing the cardio version and I wasn’t aware, I just assumed I was dying and they were saving my life, I just remember thinking oh well this is it, deaths not so bad lol. Next thing they shoved me back on the trolley and whistled me back to the ward. Good luck with your recovery 👍
The punching and counting was probably the pacing when they stimulate the phrenic nerve. The cardioversion is more reminiscent of being kicked in the chest by a horse in a single jolt. Certainly a different way to spend an afternoon. 😊
A very humorous post and has brightened my morning. I think it is great to see the funny side of life and your story has brought back memories of my ablation last year, apart from the cardioversions, I didn't need those thankfully. I'm sure your recovery will go well. Best wishes. Cally
Oh my goodness - this made me laugh! I had mine two weeks ago yesterday and totally identify with the pain thing. THEY DO NOT COME CLEAN ON THIS ISSUE!! If I have mine again I'm going to insist on a 'zap warning' so that I can prepare myself. You've done so well - give yourself a massive but gentle pat on the back for getting through it. And I know exactly what you mean about the groin 😃 my first thoughts while they worked on the catheter was " guys - is this a hosepipe you're using or what?". May this ablation be your one and only 🙏🙏🙏🤞
I have been reading your progress reports so thank you for your updates. I do have a bit of chest pain today so its another duvet day. I must have been lucky yesterday feeling quite tickedy boo. I didn't feel any pain when they were putting the catheter tubes in but my goodness, there was so much shoving. Let's hope that's enough excitement for the both of us 😁.
Thanks for sharing your experience. After discussion with my cardiologist I have decided to proceed on to the waiting list for an ablation (he thinks 6 months) so I am to keep taking Dronederone, Apixaban , Bisoprolel, and Omeprazole until then so am interested in the procedure. I would also prefer to be zonked out! Please fill us in on your progress as I am nervous about it and could possibly change my mind I think! Speedy recovery to you! X
Hi thank you. I was absolutely petrified but actually felt calmer on the day. I'm sure that your consultant would not recommend it lightly and having been so symptomatic, I decided that I needed to give it a go. Best of luck to you.😊.
Hi. Apologies if I made it sound gruesome, though, to be fair, the tongue issue was fairly gruesome. I had been told about the change of consultant the day before so I did look up his credentials (Dr Pannikar) and as he's also an honorary consultant at the Royal Brompton and trains other consultants in the procedure, I thought I'd give him a go 😁. Those 2 DCCVs took my total to 6. The very first one, they didn't sedate me enough and I screamed, frightening he living daylights out of those on the ward next door who were waiting to go in after me 😁. They made sure I was well sedated for the next 3 but for these 2, they had given me as much sedation as they could. It wasn't as bad as that very first one though. Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery for your shoulder so you can get your heart sorted. Another duvet day today and may see if hubby fancies peeling some grapes. 😁.
Sublime post Ducky! Wishing you all the best with Nurse Nancy in attendance, oh and speedy recovery, before he realises that woman’s work is never done.
Thank you. He's only had to make cups of tea and coffee, heat something in the microwave and heat a garlic bread in the halogen oven (I thought that easier than pushing him in the deep end with the normal ovens 😁) so nothing too full on at the moment. I'm building up to the washing machine and the proper cooker slowly, more for my own sanity than his. 😁.
🤣🤣🤣. He chose a microwave meal for himself last night. I said "pierce a couple of holes in the plastic film and then put in the microwave for the time stated on the box" Well, the pierce a couple of holes turned into the shower scene from Psycho and he'd ripped the box up before looking at the timings.🙄. I've no intention of letting him near a potato 🤣.
On the fact sheet, it explains it's best to take a bottle with you with a sport drinking cap........ the pop up thingy like they have on a bottle of Fruit Shoot. Makes it easier to have a post procedure drink rather than trying to slurp out of a straw when you are lay flat. 😊.
Congratulations on a job well done, getting through it all! Each day afterward gets better and better. Loved your comical "inane ramblings! Keep up the good work!
Keeping it real yet lighthearted... much appreciated 😀 Wish you well in your recovery.
Ducky2003 you mention a fact sheet; is it possible to share a link to this?
I’m scheduled for ablation in 5 weeks. Have been newly diagnosed with persistent Afib. 2 weeks in and 5 weeks to procedure so 7 weeks but no meds other than blood thinner. (Sharing this last fact as seems unusual based on many other posts where meds are typical ca.)
Gosh, that's a short time span. I'm not very technical with trying to copy the links on my mobile but if you type "fact sheets" into the search bar, they should come up.😊.
Oh that did make me laugh. I am sure at the time it wasn’t funny, but you do tell a good story. Wishing a you a speedy and uneventful recovery. Look forward to your next instalment.
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