Thought I’d update you on my current situation. I had a Pacemaker fitted on June 30th as the first stage of Pace and Ablate after my third ablation failed in Sept 2020 and drugs didn’t help. The AV node ablation was meant to be 4-6 weeks after the PaceMaker but with the Covid situation this was put back from August to October and I finally had it on 21st December. I count myself lucky as because of staff shortages the list was halved. The ablation was done under sedation, my other 3 have been under general anaesthetic and total 16 hours. Sedation knocks me right out and so didn’t feel a thing, also took me a long while to wake unfortunately had a what they called an ‘event’ on the day ward where my BP plummeted but that was just me. I was moved overnight to a ward with the most fantastic view of St Paul’s and The Shards light display. I was discharged feeling great, when home I walked up the stairs and at the top realised I hadn’t stopped for breath, it was an amazing feeling. I must admit that although well I wasn’t prepared for how weak I felt. Also I felt very emotional and depressed for some reason which is not like me. Just a tiny bit of soreness in my heart (normal apparently) for a few days, my groin was almost painless too. I followed the instructions to do nothing and a week on I can’t believe how good I feel. It’s hopefully going to give me a new lease of life and although drastic I am so thankful for the amazing care from the doctors and nurses at Barts in London.
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Sounds like you're doing well. It's good to hear your positive news. How fantastic to hear that you could climb your stairs with no stops to catch your breath.
Good morning, I also have had a pace & ablate of the VA node and feel as you do, much improvement on both breathlessness and feeling stronger. It was the right decision to take.
However other issues have arisen which I am following up on. I am 76
Sorry to hear that. I wonder if it’s any of the drugs you are taking causing it? I’m not now on anything that can cause it. I’d mention it at your next Pacemaker check. Hope you have a Happy and Healthy New Year x
Thank you so much for posting this. I am due to start my pace and ablate journey in February (fingers and everything else crossed!!) I have had two ablations which didn't work and I have had side effects from all the medication I have tried, so the pace and ablate is the last option for me. A good doctor makes all the difference and luckily I seem at last to have found one. It was so reassuring to hear that it has gone so well for you and long may that continue. I have found your post very reassuring. Long may you continue to enjoy good health!
So pleased it reassured you,. I have been told by my doctor it was a walk in the park compared to my three Ablations and drugs. It is the final step of which my head is still getting used to, Please take care when you have it done, I really didn’t feel like doing anything that first week and will continue to take it easy. I totally feel it’s the right decision and I would think it is for you. Good luck and let us know how you get on.
hello just very interested to know if you are still on any medication after your pace and ablate. . fantastic to know you are doing so well. . I await ablation 2 months since pacemaker.
Hello, due to Covid delays I waited fromJune 30th Pacemaker until 21 st December so hope yours is soon. As for tablets the one which was stopped immediately was Verapamil (I was on 10mg of Bisoprolol until earlier in the year then changed to this). As I understand it I will always need Rivaroxaban and also take Isosorbide for blood pressure, statins as a precaution and omeprazole for gastric issues. Good luck for a successful AV node ablation.
thank you for your kind reply. . .my consultant wanted me to take 10mg bisoprololbecause very high heart rate 150/180. . the most I can tolerate is 7 1/2mg awful side effects. . I am on edoxaban 60mg again it carries side effects for me have in past been on rivaroxaban and warfarin just cannot tolerate . . have like yourself suffered AF many years had 4 cardioversions 3 ablations. . the last ablation was epicardio ablation and had a LA clip inserted which is meant to lessen the risk of stroke/heart attacks so maybe I can hope the need for a blood thinner becomes less urgent. . . the bisoprolol bought the heart rate down to around 80/90 at rest . . fingers crossed after AV node ablation I can come off it as blood pressure not an issue for me. . the consultant has warned me there will be some delay as they normally like to ablate 4/6 wks after pacemaker. . . 6 months is more likely sadly. . your post really lifted me and sure it will be worth the wait. .
to etfc amazing! hi there my name is rose .i am 76 and had a pacemaker fitted on the 2nd dec.it is a biventickular 2 wire .i went into the bristol heart hospital to have an ablation and cardios found i have heart failure .i was pretty ill with fluid i was given furosemide intraveniously i weed for britain but the next day i felt wonderful.i could walk without gasping for breath.like you i walked for about a mile and i felt like a miracle had happened i felt so free. i am going back on the 4th of jan for the av node ablation of which the pacemaker will come into its own have a brilliant and a healthy new yearxx
Hello, I’m Lynne and nearly 72 so a similar age. Sounds like you’ve had a rough time. I didn’t feel any benefit at all from the Pacemaker until the AV node ablation, I wish you good luck and hope that you feel as good as I do xx
You have given me such confidence to go ahead with this procedure. I have been shilly shallying around the fact for months and now I am definitely going to go ahead. Happy New year to you.
I had the same indecision, it’s such a huge step to take it’s only natural. I kept positive about it by having total confidence in my consultant and thinking that he would not even think about doing something that final unless absolutely needed. He assured me that it would give me a much better quality of life and less than two weeks later I’m already feeling better. Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year and good luck for your procedures x
My husband is only 63 and doctor is suggesting AV node ablation because he did not respond well to cardioversions and 2 ablations. It is good to read all the posts from people who have done it and are doing well. Stay well ETFCfan
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