Ablation tomorrow and in AF more than usual!

[UK_5010]

Hi. I have an ablation planned for tomorrow and suffer paroxysmal AF....normally. To-day, though, it seems to have gone into overdrive albeit at a relatively slow rate i.e. <100 bmp. This is my first ablation although having had 1 cardioversion. Is it normal for anxiety to set in and cause more AF than would normally be the case with an upcoming ablation? I've been very fortunate as I was originally told it would be 3 months but, in the end, was only 5 weeks so am grateful for the prompt procedure even though I'm nervous! Not sure sleep will be possible tonight!

[Hidden]

If you haven’t already, suggest you click on the second pinned post located top right of this page. Hope all goes well and please let us know how you get on……

[UK_5010 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks FlapJack - have got those but tried not to read too many things...

[Hidden in reply to UK_5010]

I can understand why you say that but these are different. They are not medically overbearing, on the contrary, they cover the areas which hospitals rarely tell you but from a patient’s perspective. The help to explain or even eliminate some of the surprises which can occur during the recovery process and the feedback suggests that they do a good job 😉

[UK_5010 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Flapjack. I've studied the sheets you kindly pointed to but am not sure if I need to be concerned. The first few days went quite well with just a few ectopics and palpitations but since Sunday I've been plagued with loads more, a double heartbeat, a heart rate that shows at 125 but can drop to 35 at other times. Sometimes, if I stand up I can go back into NSR but whenever I try and sit down or lay down my heart goes haywire ( having trouble sleeping as a result). Should I be concerned or just try and brazen it out or go to A & E. Not really sure if this is unusual or par for the course?!

[Hidden in reply to UK_5010]

Sorry for the delay, I have only just seen this. Normally your discharge details will provide contact information should you need help after the procedure. If you have contact details for an Arrhythmia Nurse attached to your hospital then you should make contact as they will be able to contact your EP. Alternatively, try contacting your EP’s secretary and make her aware of your situation. If neither of these options are available and the situation hasn’t improved then consider going to A&E …….hope you feel a bit better now.

[UK_5010 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Flapjack. I've managed to make contact with Stoke although the original nurse has retired so it took a bit of searching. I did end up in A & E after speaking to 111 as I had several spells of PR of over 150. They recommended more bisoprolol and patience. Still hit with ectopics but hopefully I will get some sleep tonight. That's the worst thing, I'm supposed to return to work on Monday so will have to see how it goes. I've got enough Bisoprolol to sink a battleship! Fingers crossed and many thanks for your help.

[pottypete1]

It is perfectly understandable to be stressed as your procedure approaches. Unfortunately stress is a trigger so it often happens.

Hope it all goes well for you ablation has improved my QOL immensely.

Pete

[UK_5010 in reply to pottypete1]

Thanks pottypete1 - that's reassuring and am hoping to go back to 10 mile walks...especially with retirement beckoning in a couple of years...if the stock market recovers a bit! My QOL improving would be great.

[BobD Volunteer]

Oh good. At least there will be no second thoughts! We often need a push at such times.

[UK_5010 in reply to BobD]

Thanks BobD - I feel I've tried nearly everything else and although I'm still convinced it's stomach related (ranitidine and low dose Bisoprolol used to control it quite well) I've given up trying different things in the last 2 years and it's definitely getting worse. Antibiotics seem to help for a few weeks but it's only transitory. In some ways, the short wait is good as it doesn't allow too much thinking! Fingers crossed and look forward to joining a "new" club of post-ablationers!

[jeanjeannie50]

Anxiety can certainly promote AF. It may enable your EP to see just where the rogue pulses are coming through if your still in it tomorrow.

Best wishes and let us now how it goes please.

Jean

[UK_5010 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jean. Thanks for that. I guess it is better than going in in NSR and the EP scratching his head wondering where to look. It is really frustrating not being able to control something going on in your own body but hopefully the ablation will help.

[Jalia]

I went into fast AF before I left home on the morning of my 3rd ablation. This just showed me that I really needed the procedure. Its quite normal to be very nervous !! After its over you will feel so relieved and wonder why you worried so much .Wishing you well.

J

[UK_5010 in reply to Jalia]

Many thanks Jalia. It's reassuring to know many people have gone through the procedure and come out ok. Hopefully you were third time lucky with yours.

[Lilypocket]

Wishing you all the best. I have finally booked one too after dithering as although I live ok with PAfib compared to some the episodes have suddenly become far more frequent ( just leaning over can trigger an attack sometimes ) going from 2 a month to 12 in April...what sort of Ablation are you having?

[UK_5010]

Hi Lilypocket. Thanks for the good wishes. I'm not sure which ablation - just know I have to turn up at Stoke in a few hours. Like you, I have tried to avoid this but the PAF has become more debilitating and frequent of late plus a good night's sleep is a rarity these days - not great when you're trying to hold down a full time job. I agree, just leaning in the wrong direction can set off palpitations although, conversely, it can also settle them. I sometimes am ok standing up but not sitting or lying down and, perversely, the other way round at other times. Good luck with your waiting list - I was expecting years but was told 2-3 months and it eventually came about at 5 weeks so I guess I was lucky with a cancellation.

[KMRobbo in reply to UK_5010]

Royal Stoke is where I went - 4 years 4 months ago. Very good place you will be well looked after and will be fine! Best wishes fir a succesful outcome.

[Sean_C]

Hi there, by way of encouragement. I had an RF ablation almost 6 months ago now. Still in normal rhythm and getting fitter all the time. See photo.

Walk info and map

[ETHEL103]

Good morning. I have my first ablation tomorrow too at St Thomas's. Like you very anxious and sleep has been short and very disturbed with loo breaks every 2 hours.My a fib became persistant last June and I have waited 8 months but got a call Friday offering me a cancellation. I have also had on cv which only worked for 2 hours.Mostly I'm worried that the awful ectopics which I suffered with before a fib.My very best wishes.Shall we compare on Friday.??

[Fullofheart in reply to ETHEL103]

Best of luck. 🌸

[UK_5010 in reply to ETHEL103]

Hi Ethel. I see you had your ablation delayed. I had 4 good days when I thought my QOL had improved for the better but since then I've been riddled with ectopics, bigeminial (double) heartbeats, fast AF, slow AF and am currently writing this at this late hour as I can't sleep. Every time I Iay down I feel my heart going haywire. Did go to A & E on Sunday but they just put me on a monitor and kicked me out 15 hours later saying if it gets worse come back. The phone number Stoke gave for the arrhythmia nurse proved to be no use as he has retired and not been replaced. Have taken more bisoprolol but it seems less effective after the ablation. Hope your recovery is going better.

[Fullofheart]

I'm having second ablation next week. I'm 46 and work full time and have an active life, like you. Its a challenge!Unfortunately my first ablation failed but I'm nearly 20 years on from first onset and been persistent for nearly a decade. They're more confident about second one in my case.

I know what to expect now and that really helps. I was nervous first time around and it is daunting but there was no pain and you will be very well monitored and looked after.... and well sedated. I didn't have the fact sheet and wish I had. I'd encourage you to read it.

Best of luck. You'll be fine. Let us know how you get on 🌸

[Keano99 in reply to Fullofheart]

I hope you have a great outcome…..

[Fullofheart in reply to Keano99]

Thank you!! 😊

[Fullofheart]

Oh and the recovery went entirely to plan. Took a little longer than 2 weeks though. Give yourself the time you need.

[Keano99]

Hi UK,yes the mind plays havoc in anticipation of the unknown. I was certainly anxious leading up to my procedure, plenty of deep breaths and mediation helped me….

[mhoam]

Good luck with the ablation, you certainly have been lucky with the waiting time. I have been on the waiting list for a "routine" cryo-ablation at UHCW (Coventry) since August 4th 2021, I'm told the average wait is 45 weeks so not too long to go now. I'm desperate for it to succeed as my paroxysmal AF turned persistent after catching Covid in early April. My HR is not over 100 so I'm still considered "routine" but my QOL is really poor

[Fullofheart in reply to mhoam]

Good luck to you. Its hard waiting and being in the uncertainty isn't it?

[mhoam in reply to Fullofheart]

Thanks, It certainly is hard and the uncertainty makes it worse!

[Ducky2003 in reply to mhoam]

Gosh, that's quite a wait. I had mine at UHCW in April 2021 after a 3 month wait. I think lists have jumped following the pandemic as during the pandemic, I didnt have any procedures cancelled but since Jan this year, I had a DCCV cancelled twice and a TOE appt moved as well. Have you told them you'll take a cancellation at short notice?

[mhoam in reply to Ducky2003]

thanks, I'll try that idea

[JefferyW]

Good luck. It will be over and done with by the time you read this and you will be wondering why you worried so much. I felt exactly the same as you. My only advice for now is take it easy when you get home and do what your body tells you to do - which is rest mostly. Don’t be too downhearted if you get some ectopics after your procedure it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not worked. It just takes sometime to settle down after the op.

I’ve had two ablations ( not uncommon) in the past year and my QoL has improved so much since the last one.

Good luck and hope you feel well soon. This time next week you will be feeling so much better!

Regards

Jeff

[UK_5010 in reply to JefferyW]

Thanks Jeffery. The procedure proved less painful than the cystoscopy I had last year. I can only recall one moment when I felt my heart being squeezed but apart from that very little. So far so good and you're right about the ectopics. Have been given a week off to recover so will take it easy as you say. It is early days but I don't feel I will jump into AF as was common before the op. Fingers crossed 1 will do the job. All credit and my thanks to Dr Phann and his team at Stoke University Hospital and all the doctors and nurses who support.