Ablation list.

[ETHEL103]

Evening all. Well at last I'm on a list for an Ablation at St Thomas's some time in the future. Very pleased but rather nervous especially when I was told all of the risks. Ep did stay I could stay in AF but its very unpleasant at times now I'm in presistant. Keep you posted.

[meadfoot]

You are in the care of some of the best medics in the country so rest assured they will give you their expertise and experience.

[ETHEL103 in reply to meadfoot]

Thank you. Night.

[BobD Volunteer]

Yes they tell you all the bad things so you can't sue them in the extremely unlikely event anything did go wrong. You will be fine.

[ETHEL103 in reply to BobD]

Cheers Bob.

[Smileyian]

Good luck. I know that feeling as had 2 ablations after decades in Afib.

[Turquoise19 in reply to Smileyian]

Just wondering if yours is all sorted now? I am back in persistent AF, after 2 years without , following my first ablation. I have a cardioversion first in 2 weeks. Do you ever get any AF episodes ?

[Smileyian in reply to Turquoise19]

Yes unfortunately I do get breakthrough events of Afib after 3/4 Years. I hate it but can cope - just up my amiodarone for a day or so.

[Smileyian in reply to Smileyian]

My mother is now back in Afib at 101 years old. I know someone in the US who has gone through 6 ablations before he became Afib free long term.

[Turquoise19 in reply to Smileyian]

Golly I have wanted to avoid amioderone cos of the side effects. How do you find it ? I have been able to manage break through episodes till now, with betablockers. How come you still need to take amioderone if you don't mind my asking?

[Smileyian in reply to Turquoise19]

Hi, have taken for 12 years with no real problems. It has obviously controlled my Afib and other rhythm issues very well indeed. Likely be on for life along with the anticoagulant Apixaban / Eloquist. I either have half tab a day or every other day with no side effects. However do have kidney and liver blood test every half year but all good. In any case I cannot take beta blockers as they are contraindicated to my Vasospasms which I was diagnosed with 3 years ago. Amiodarone is a powerful medicine but in the vast majority of people it does exactly what is is meant to. It has suited me very well for in excess of a decade 😀

[Turquoise19 in reply to Smileyian]

Thanks Smiley, have to say I was very scared if amioderone when they were offering it to me . But why do you still need it if you no longer have AF?

[Smileyian in reply to Turquoise19]

Because I have AF breakthrough from time to time. I take it as a preventative medicine at a low dose as advised by by 2 cardiologists, one a Prof of Cardiology intervention and one my long term Electrophysiologist or EP. I sense you are scared of Amiodarone and suspect you have read too much on Google. We are all different so you must sit back and make your own decision on what is best for you. I am happy to continue with my low dose as I will be 78 next birthday and feel this medicine is good for me. I wish you all the very best. 😀

[Turquoise19 in reply to Smileyian]

Thanks Smiley, yes and also some peoples reports in here of liver and kidney damage. I am 46 and still want to get better fully. Hoping one more ablation will do it, for me..

[Smileyian in reply to Turquoise19]

May I say that in the late 1970s / early 1980s I first consulted a young cardiologist EP at St Bartholomew's in London with my various arrhythmia. He went on to be the most sought after EP in the world on Afib and other Arrhythmia. He himself is a sufferer. I understand he set up the Arrhythmia Alliance in UK and still travels the world to talk and lecture on Afib. He assured me in the 1980s that if I followed the medical regime and lifestyle that he suggested, I will live a long life. I am 80 in 2 + years and have followed his advice. Do research him on Google. Professor John Cam or Camm. Who is a world renown Cardiologist.

[Turquoise19 in reply to Smileyian]

Thanks Smiley, will do

[val757]

Agree with Bob. I used to be a complaints manager in the NHS - first thing we did on receipt of a complaint was to check the consent form!I had ablation at St Thomas’ 5 years ago, one of the best things I ever did. No awful AF episodes now. You’ll be fine. The staff are lovely, very understanding that you will be nervous. At least you shouldnt be woken up by Big Ben ‘bonging’ at 6am as I was!

[Turquoise19]

Yes I agree they are very good. I had an ablation 2 years ago at St Thomas' and now waiting for a cardioversion in 2 weeks to hopefully reset me, then be put back on the list for a 2nd one.

I was told its a years wait for the ablation now cos of Covid.

I was petrified going in, but actually they were incredibly good. Won't be so nervous for a second one. Though I am pretty distressed now for being back in AF.

[ETHEL103 in reply to Turquoise19]

Thanks all for your replies. Yes I guess it's gonna be a long wait.

[Palpman]

To me having a bad tooth filled is scarier than having an ablation.

[Dodie117]

I too had my one and only ablation at St Thomas’ in 2013. I’m still free of AF. Read everything you can whilst waiting.