I am so thankful to those of you who wrote about the blanking period. I had never heard of that although I did realize that they would not consider my procedure of failure until three months and it could take 6 to 12 months to really have things kick in right.
FINALLY I almost feel like me again. Of course I got pericarditis for the third time because I seem to get it with each procedure. This time it has been the worst and I really felt like giving up. I was unable to walk I was shuffling and even doing that it was as though a car had parked on my chest. I could not stand for any length of time because of the pain from my thighs to my ankles. My doctor got right on it but they have been baffled at the symptoms. I’ve had every test you can think of having. I was put on a very strong steroid and taken off Multaq and Metropolol. Going off of those and on something so strong it’s only once a day did a number on me. I went back into a fib with 125+ pulse rates and low oxygen. BUT yesterday and today my pulse rate is in the low 80s my oxygen is a little low but not bad still in the 90s. I am praying that this time I stay feeling this way and get even better. My procedure was April 26.
So anyone feeling down because of the way they feel. Do not give up. My other two oblations left me feeling great within days and that’s what I had been expecting. I am so grateful to this group sharing what is going on with them. I have found many things that I two experienced including the weight gain on meds. When my system really gets cleaned out of meds I will be curious it just how much better I will be feeling. For the past two years I felt like I was falling apart since I’ve been on the meds. The only one I don’t want to give up is my Xarelto.
As far as failure of ablations, it is not necessarily a failure of what had been done but a new site that popped up That is what happened to me. These electrical systems can give away anywhere that is why there is no cure.
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DawnTX
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1 foot in front of the other hon is what we all must do. Reading all of you here being so strong when I know how hard it is, that is what has been keeping me going ❤️
What you say is really very important, Dawn.We think of the blanketing period as three months but we don’t take in the second part of the sentence that says ‘it can even take 6 to 12 months’ to experiece the full benefit of the prodedure.
I constantly read on this forum that people complain that their ablations were failures when it is evident that they are still well within this timeframe.
We should all hang in there and give it time. Then perhaps you will wake up one morning and realise you’re feeling so much better. It happend to me at 9 months.
Yes this is for the long-haul not a short term fix and what we also need to remember is that an ablation is not necessarily a failure but instead a new spot may have popped up as in my case. Dr. V made it a point to tell me that the others were holding strong. In the beginning I got the feeling he thought something had failed. It’s just like when you get your car fixed and another part acts up.
I was afraid I was not going to walk again and may be even worse to be honest with you. The crushing chest pain was frightening. The only thing that helped were the test immediately done and they came back with nothing serious. I take nothing for granted anymore. The fact that I fell twice forward and backwards the first night I had a fib and I am still here to talk about it makes me grateful. I also waited three days to call my doctor. Maybe I was spared so that I can tell others not to do what I did or did not do.
Steve we are all soldiers in a battle that is hard to win but push on we must. I am glad I have all of you by my side because only someone with a fib can really understand all of this.❤️
Way to survive and thrive, even in difficult heart arrhythmia glitches. Don’t mind me if i use words like glitches, my AFIB A-tachycardia plagued life has had many.I’m just 24 days post extensive cath ablation. Yes it was 5.75 hrs long. But so so successful.
Watch the blanking period Doug I tell myself then kinda of sort shrugg it off.
My EP Dr Patel was so effective in my ablation. Yep this one was my fourth.
Doug I understand as this was my third and extensive or is my doctor referred to aggressive. I had the vein of Marshall at Houston Methodist via catheter. It included femoral, carotid and wrist. I was back in a fib last night but nothing like I had been. I did push myself a little and when it’s over 100° You shouldn’t lol.Gliches is a good word for it. What isn’t helping with me is my back issue. Originally I was supposed to have surgery back in the fall I have spinal stenosis borderline serious and a disk with the nerve wrapped somehow with my hip. At least now I can tell what is my back issue and what is my a fib. Yes I was pushing 130 beats last night when I popped up it was only 102. I wish you the best Doug 🙏🏻 I think we both are going to be OK. I have a lot of faith in my doctor. Great big hugs take care of yourself
I like great unusual words like glitches or even acronymns. Like I tag myself, EEC Doug, (Excessive Exercising Compulsion). It's one of the best feelings a now 70 yr old can have loving exercising and no AFIB, A-tachcy. Last Nov a visit with my Local Ft. Wayne EP found I was still in AFIB more than not, A-Tachycardia too. So he had me do a Cardioversion Wed before Thanksgiving. Wish it was the last. 2022 was not a good yr until I found or was introduced to two of the best EP's in the USA! Jan 4 had a cardiofocus heartlight X3 Laser ablation. It lasted until mid Mar, another cardioversion and change of meds, to Cardizem, then mid April band AFIV-A-tachy again they increased HR meds and stayed inpatient for 36 hrs. Uuugh.May 5th same, Cardioversion, started Flecainide(hated that med). June 14th repeat but worse, one more cardioversion in EP. Enough is enough.
>> Finally my super ablation in Indianapolis, with Dr. Patel couldn't feel better and lovin it NSR.
Hi Dawn , #3 ablation is scheduled next month with new ep. During consult, he mentioned alcohol ablation and left atrial appendage isolation. Is the alcohol ablation on vein of Marshall? I
Where will you be having this? My doctor is Miguel Valderrabano who is the pioneer of the ablation I had which sounds like the one you’re planning on. Please let me know how you are doing if you think of it and get it. The first week after I actually felt great then went downhill but now no it wasn’t the surgery but I had pericarditis again. Evidently I am prone to it as this was my third time. I think my first 24 hours were a bit uncomfortable especially my neck but not serious pain. I think if you’re able to get it you are very lucky as it’s still a new procedure. FYI I am already off two of my meds and still on my blood thinner which I am happy about. I’m not ready to give that up yet and have no issues with it unless I’m clumsy LOL
I'm in the United States. Ep said that the alcohol ablation is a possibility. He has my two prior ablation reports but he won't know what needs to be done until ep study. Ablation August 4 ap Penn Medicine in Philadelphia.
As far as I know the alcohol ablation is only used on the vein of Marshall but I’m not a doctor. I hope to read more from you on what happens as far as what type you get etc. Best of luck August 4 it’s just around the corner
Thanks, I think it is the vein of Marshall. Funny, my son is named Marshall. It is an old family name. I have echo stress test tomorrow which I did not have before my prior two ablations. I was told to hold rate and rhythm drugs that morning. Nervous my heart rate will be high and hard to do the treadmill plus with a face mask
Maybe it’s a sign that you are going to have success. 😊 I had the stress test etc. before my first ablation. They did not want me doing the treadmill but did the chemical one instead. I will be honest it was very scary because the second that stuff hit me I doubled over with chest pain. They immediately give you something else to stop it. Don’t worry whichever way you take it they will take good care of you. You are with people that know what to do I will not put you in danger. I would think they would let you take the mask off if you were doing the treadmill. I don’t know what type of mask you wear but I switched to the surgical like they wear in the hospital. It’s the only one I can really breathe decently with. I also like them because they are disposable and I always keep a couple in my purse or car etc.
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Finally off the meds!
Finally - LV lead reattached today
Finally had my ablation yesterday
Finally doing it. (1st Ablation on Thursday)
Feel finally good after ablation!!
