Experience of upcoming Cardioversion… - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Experience of upcoming Cardioversion…

12Potter profile image
16 Replies

Not posted in while but still find great comfort reading experiences & support - thank you everyone 👏🏻.

I had a successful ablation June 2021 that lasted 4 mths until I caught Covid & had long term symptoms, putting me back in persistent AF. HOWEVER I am v lucky to have this opportunity in a weeks time with repeat ablation date to follow if doesn’t work. If anyone has time I’d love to learn more & hear through your experiences, thoughts & tips!! Thank you.

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12Potter
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16 Replies
BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Cardioversion is a useful tool especially in cases like yours but you do need to be anticoagulated for some time before so I hope that you kept taking yours.

The procedue is usally done in the anti room to an operating theatre since it requires an anaesthetist to send you to play with the fairies. You have two pads stuck either each side of your chest or one on the front and one the back and a cannular put in your hand or arm. When doctor is ready they connect the pads to the machine, squirt some fairy juice into the cannula and whilst you are gone they zap you putting your heart back into rhythm. At most it take ten minutes. Obviously you can't drive for a while afterwards (maybe 48hours due to the fairy juice ) and should take things easy for a day of some. Good luck.

12Potter profile image
12Potter in reply toBobD

Haha looking forward to “the fairy juice” I’m chomping at the bit to go now!! Thank you so much Bob - I’ve continued with co-ags before & since ablation - 12 hrs apart 😁.

jsanta profile image
jsanta in reply to12Potter

I don’t drink smoke or take drugs but when they give you the milk, as Michael Jackson used to call it , enjoy the ride.

I had cardioversion a few months ago and before they started I asked if I could put Pianoman on my iPhone. I got as far as the harmonica intro and when I woke up he was singing the final verse. It’s a 7 minute song. And I’m still in Sinus rythum! Good luck!!

12Potter profile image
12Potter in reply tojsanta

Me neither so I will!! Wow, fab news, long may it continue for you 😁😁

Let’s hope the cardioversion does the trick. It’s a very common procedure that will be over before you know it. You will be effectively knocked out so will not be aware of what’s going on. Hopefully, when you come round in the recovery room you will have some good news and a large grin, followed by a cup of tea and maybe even a sandwich!

Be sure that you do not miss taking any of your anticoagulants for at least 4 weeks before the procedure. You will probably have to sign a declaration to confirm this and if you have missed a dose, do not be tempted to fib because the consequences could be very serious. Good luck……

12Potter profile image
12Potter in reply to

The benefits of a high stupid grin & giggling - long forgotten since given up alcohol 3 years ago 😜😂. Thank you flapjack, I’m teachers pet with apixaban consequences too serious not to be. 😁

Jalia profile image
Jalia

I think Bob has described the cardioversion quite succinctly! Nothing to worry about.

I've had 22 over about 28 years. A couple of these have lasted 3/5 years , some 12 months and many 6 months or so. Also had 4 ablations, last one 6 months ago. ( last dccv about 8 months ago)

Mine have almost always worked on the first attempt. It's a great feeling to be back in NSR. Take it easy fir the first few days, nothing over strenuous and hopefully you will be fine.

Good luck

J

12Potter profile image
12Potter

Bob should sell cardioversion as a job!! Interesting just how different your successes were time wise & good to read such positive mind too 👍🏻. Yes, looking forward to sinus for so many reasons 😊. Thank you Jalia I will def take you advice.

Jajarunner profile image
Jajarunner

I've been writing a blog about my ablation recovery.. it's boringly detailed but if you are interested search for "Afib and hht athlete" (put the speech marks). Obviously athlete is tongue in cheek 😛😛😛

12Potter profile image
12Potter in reply toJajarunner

I’ll def take a look!!!

Snowgirl65 profile image
Snowgirl65

The procedure actually takes only 5 minutes or so, but you're prepped beforehand, given a twilight sort of anesthesia, get hooked up, and you're out cold for a few minutes. With my experience, I woke up feeling like a new woman -- my a-fib was gone and the world look bright and wonderful again.

12Potter profile image
12Potter in reply toSnowgirl65

Aha great to hear Snowgirl pleased for you 😁 long May it last! Txs for replying

BlueINR profile image
BlueINR

For me, cardioversion has felt like nothing. I was well knocked out for the procedure and there was nothing unpleasant about it. I probably had about 10 of them. What I liked least was that I had to stay lying still for an hour afterwards before taken back to my room. It was boring. The procedure itself was no big deal. And I was glad to be back in normal rhythm afterwards.

12Potter profile image
12Potter in reply toBlueINR

Sounds like a breeze! Great to read 👍🏻 Txs

plopper profile image
plopper

I was watching people going back and forth in the hall when my nurse came in and asked if I was ready to go. I said I was as ready to get shocked as I'd ever be! She said OH! We already did that. You can go home now If you have a ride.

12Potter profile image
12Potter

Wow! How brilliant! I’m counting the days down now 😂

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