I would just like to thank everyone for all the encouraging messages prior to my ablation.
So I was lying on the theatre bed all wired up and ready to go when a voice told me that they were about to start the procedure and administer sedation to help me relax, (however the sedation line had not been attached to my canula and the sedation was leaking into my bed)
Apologies were forthcoming and they said I could have a bit more sedation now to make up for the shortfall. 😁
At the end of the procedure the doctor assisting told me they had done a lot of burning (115 spot burns) and that I had done well to keep still.I did feel the burns but the discomfort was manageable under sedation.
Back in the Ward I had to lie down for couple of hours to allow the groin to settle but unfortunately mine decided to keep bleeding and I eventually needed a clamp attaching to stop it.
(This is unusual and not something most people need worry about)
Back home the next day I was shattered from the experience and lack of sleep but each day I have felt a bit better and hopefully this will continue.
The chest pain/ discomfort lasts for a couple of days and although the groin takes a little longer it's really not too bad.
I do hope this ablation is successful (so far so good) but if I have to have a second (which is a lot easier apparently) I would certainly do it as a means to an end.
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SirBeatalot
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I'm pleased to hear that all went well. Make sure that you have lots of rest now and allow your heart to heal. You may find that you'll get days when you feel extremely well and others when you feel totally drained, that's all perfectly normal. No exerting yourself for a few weeks or so. Take care.
I had a quadruple bypass in 20017 and since then I find sleeping on my back more comfortable anyway, although I do shift to my side occasionally to alleviate back pain.So the answer is yes, but not due to the Ablation, not sure this will help.
"but each day I have felt a bit better and hopefully this will continue"
I'm sure it will - give yourself time though and don't 'rush things'. Take it easy for a while.
"it's really not too bad"
Way to go. How positive and a great mind set. Well done you.
"I do hope this ablation is successful (so far so good)"
Looking good. I wish you all success with it. Relax / feet up and chill for a week or so (or longer it doesn't matter). Take things easy for now - easy to say I know but worth doing
Just think - worse part over and done with. It sounds like you have a lot of courage. That's half the battle won.
It took me about six months to feel back to normal ,but I am 80! I also had phrenic nerve damage . It was such a good thing to do for me . I felt so ill before I had it done and although I have other health issues I feel so well. It is two years since I had it done and I have never looked back. REST and then more!
Had mine 4 weeks ago but mine was a cryo. Interesting that you had an RF as your first one. My wound took 30 hours to finally stop oozing (no clamp required, thankfully) but I did have to have a vascular ultrasound after a week due to most of my leg bruising. When you think you have rested enough, then rest some more. Dont be lulled into a false sense of security as I have felt a bit rougher this week. I did go back to work yesterday (only saw 4 patients thankfully) and was shattered and pulse was into the hundreds for 4 hours in total (according to my Fitbit Versa 2) but I had felt a bit rougher before going back to work.
Interesting. I was told it was cryo as a starter as it was quicker and hopefully, if would be sufficient. I think if I'm unlucky enough to have to go through it again, it would be RF to touch up. Remember to rest.😊.
I, too, had a recent ablation ... and awaiting notice to return for a shorter possible ablation and Watchman Device installation.
Top EP's have left the old groin wound access behind with all it's possible complications, applying pressure to close it, bruising, oozing, and need to lie still for 8+ hours.
My recent ablation the EP used collagen plugs in the veins. No bruising ..... no lying still for hours after the procedure ....... healed within 3 days it seems .... size of a small freckle. No groin pain whatsoever. Great technology!
During my ablation in OCT, my world-class EP Dr. Natale ablated the Left Atrial Appendage (LAA), an area notorious for causing AFIB and stroke clots. He is one of the few EP's in the world who specializes in ablating this area as it is tissue-paper thin. But he does it lightly on the first go around.
I will return for TEE imaging of the LAA. If it is still functioning properly after being ablated and he sees no further sign of erratic signals, I may be sent home with no further treatment. Lucky best outcome for 35 to 40% of patients.
However, if it is not functioning like it should, then they will install a Watchman Device in the LAA pouch (that is like a mini appendix) that will seal over and close off the area (preventing stroke clots from ever forming). The Watchman will allow me to toss the Eliquis blood thinner in the bin. No need to take it for life.
Additionally, Dr. Natale may do some light touch-up ablation in the LAA area to complete the job. Whole procedure should take no more than 45 minutes to an hour.
They told me prior to the first OCT ablation that to get the maximum cure potential, I would have one major procedure ... and a minor follow up procedure. So, I knew I would have 2 procedures going in.
Had mine in december of last year all went well I was awake but couldn't feel anything apart from when they were "tuning up?" my heartbeat seemed really loud and felt it was going to burst through my chest it seemed like this went on for a while but I don't think it did really- it was a relief when someone said "will someone prepare the next patient pls?!" Thank god for that! I was worried about doing anything that might put a strain in my groin area the next week but you just take your time it will be OK. It appears everthing is working as planned and now just over a year since the surgery im back in the garden and on my walks again. I was lucky to get this sorted just before lockdown and the hospital were taking procedures like this in December. Again I say god bless all the staff in the nhs particularly the North staffs cardio unit,(Where I had the h eart surgery in April of last year) Wythenshawe and Macclesfield hospitals
Glad that it has worked out for you and fingers crossed so far as I can tell at two weeks in, mine also appears to have worked, but I do understand it is early days.
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12 month ablation update
