post ablation follow up experiences? - Atrial Fibrillati...

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post ablation follow up experiences?

wilsond profile image
55 Replies

Morning all

musing over the differences I have noticed in posts regarding after care, I had my cryo ab. done 11 weeks ago,was given ward phone number in case of immediate problems,and usual Arrythmia nurses number( who dont work weekends or after 3 weekdays)

Otherwise go to A and E or ring 111. I was told to continue taking Flec and Biso until my review/ follow up. No date mentioned on that,and I have had no appointment date sent yet.

Anyone else had similar,and how long before review date please?

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wilsond profile image
wilsond
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55 Replies
stoneyrosed profile image
stoneyrosed

Hi Wilsond Hope your still doing well. Ablation done Jun 7th. Told a follow up phone app in 3 months, so far not heard anything. 11 days to go 😳.

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply tostoneyrosed

Hi ,yes Im fine thanks. We will wait and see if we get a call eh? They probably assume no news from us is good news? X

stoneyrosed profile image
stoneyrosed in reply towilsond

Well I have a lot of questions to ask 😁 !

Keano99 profile image
Keano99 in reply tostoneyrosed

Hi Stoney, are you still on any meds?

Keano99 profile image
Keano99

Hi Wilson, I had a follow up after 4 weeks with my EP. Then due a final follow up 12 weeks after that when he will review meds. But he’s on hols, so will be 4 weeks after that, which is a bit frustrating, as I’ve had a very good Echocardiogram with my heart pumping well. So I’m gonna ween myself off the meds.

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply toKeano99

Well dobe ,good news ! X

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

And no doubt you read our fact sheets!

Long time ago now I had my first ablation, pre arrhythmia nurses, and told six week follow up. That morphed into six months. I kept phoning hospital and eventually EP called me one Saturday morning from his car to say back on the list for a second . That was another six months later. Things have improved greatly obviously.

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply toBobD

Oh yes indeed Bob! 🤣🤣

Ducky2003 profile image
Ducky2003

Isn't it strange, we're under the same dept but different experiences (except for the Scarlet Pimpernel arrhythmia nurses). My EP didn't get to perform the ablation but rang me the next day to see how I was. He then arranged for me to have an echo a month later and would then see me a couple of weeks later for a follow-up.

As I was back in AF, they couldn't do the echo so he rang me to say he would arrange a DCCV, which he did.

I have his secretary's direct line and I've never been made to feel like a pest, even though I'm sure I have been at times.

He has gone above and beyond a couple of times since so I'd try and get hold of your EPs secretary to chase (The Prof?) and bypass the nurses...... just don't mention your feet.😁.x

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply toDucky2003

Lol I think I will. I feel well but would like to know what the plan is from now on. Since I have had no contact since the day of ablation Im beginning to wonder if something got lost in translation,as it wasnt Our Prof. Did Other Prof assume follow up would be done by t' other, and vice versa.?I will get in touch on Monday.

I wont ask him to check the trotters! Lol!

Ducky2003 profile image
Ducky2003 in reply towilsond

I'm under Dr Yusuf (metaphorically speaking 😁). Is there another Prof now? I thought we had just Prof Osman 🤔.x

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply toDucky2003

On the day I had a Prof Dhanjal

Ducky2003 profile image
Ducky2003 in reply towilsond

Ahhhhh. Tarv now has an extra qualification then. He was just Dr when I saw him. He was supposed to do mine but they swapped to Dr Panniker on the morning.

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply toDucky2003

Mystery solved xxx

dedeottie profile image
dedeottie

I was given day case ward number and arrhythmia nurse number( only works 3 days but others there will step in) appointment for 3 months later which would have been 22 nd September. I went back into AF/AT/AFl 24 /7 after 2 weeks. Went in for ecg and then called in for a further ablation 2 months after first for more extensive work ( not the pulmonary veins.) All good so far. I have to keep my original appointment on 22nd September.

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply todedeottie

I find it odd that no appointment date has been mentioned to me.Hope you keep stready now!

dedeottie profile image
dedeottie

Thank you. May be worth a phone call. Your lack of appointment date may be an error? X

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply todedeottie

I reckon so yes.. xx

Kennyb1968 profile image
Kennyb1968

I had mine yesterday and was given ward number, arrhythmia nurses' number and EP appointment along with his email if I had any queries. I have been in mild AFib almost constantly since it was done so phoned the ward this afternoon and they assured me that was perfectly normal and that they would leave a note for the EP next week. First class service at the Golden Jubilee

Janna24 profile image
Janna24

I have had my ablation 11 month ago ! Never had follow up ! Never was offered one. Have to go private to same cardio ! Hopefully you will have better luck !!!

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply toJanna24

It seems so varied! X

momist profile image
momist in reply toJanna24

Janna24 , I would first ring the hospital and ask to speak to the secretary of your EP who did the ablation, and complain furiously!

Janna24 profile image
Janna24 in reply tomomist

I did get private appointment . Maybe if i was more patient i got it true NHS

Keano99 profile image
Keano99 in reply toJanna24

Hi Janna, are you now in sinus rhythm?

Janna24 profile image
Janna24 in reply toKeano99

Yes , much better now. Have had few episodes, but very short and low heartbeat. Ablation definitely does help me!!

Keano99 profile image
Keano99 in reply toJanna24

That’s great to hear. Are you still on medication?

Janna24 profile image
Janna24 in reply toKeano99

Yes i still on nebivolol 2.5 .

bassets profile image
bassets

That's what happened to me but they forgot my follow up so I had to ring and ask. Still waiting for the verdict on it.

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply tobassets

I want to know regarding continuation of meds one of the reasons I had an ablation! Going to start enquiring. Hope you are ok

bassets profile image
bassets

Still having mild AF when I have a virus but nothing like as bad as it was. On a diet now - again!

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply tobassets

The struggle is real....xx

spinningjenny profile image
spinningjenny

It depends where you had it done. I waited eight months then phoned the hospital to remind them I hadn’t had a follow up. They didn’t admit it but I’m pretty sure they had forgotten all about me. My advice is keep phoning them and be a nuisance.

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply tospinningjenny

Thank you. You would think there would be a standard proceedure! I will do that x

For me, three and a half years later, I still haven't had a follow up. That was a London hospital.

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply to

Im not waiting that long!blimey! Im well but want to know regarding stopping bisoprolol and flecanide...or not. Such variety of this!

Cally53 profile image
Cally53

I had to ring after both of my ablations for a follow up; they didn't hesitate in giving me appointments though. Makes me think that they think if they don't hear anything, all must be well!

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply toCally53

My thinking too!

Hammerboy profile image
Hammerboy

In my case I got a call from the EP's secretary 3 days after my ablation to book my 3 month review . Unfortunately its a phone call not face to face but our Hospital is still very Covid conscious. I have called the arryhmia team twice since by ablation 2 weeks ago, once for advice on my discharge report which they explained and secondly to report a short episode of AF which they asked me to do including sending them the Kardia mobile ECG I took while fibrillating .

I have to say my experience is very positive so far.

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply toHammerboy

Its intriguing tp see the variation. Mine was at a large University Hospital with a good reputation. All appointments since Covid have been phone call. I have a routine check up in Dec.but want to speak sooner,although well and in nsr. Best wishes

Hammerboy profile image
Hammerboy in reply towilsond

Do you have an arrythmia team to contact, ours seem very helpful

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply toHammerboy

We do in theory but in practice very hit and miss. If you have the strength to persist and get hold of one, its a lottery! One is excellent,one is pleasant but ill informed( did my pre op and told me to take last dose of apixaban 3 hours before ablation,for example!) The third,well you may as well speak to the cat!).but I shall begin to call on Tuesday. All being well I should get through by Thursday.Im not too concerned but want clarification. I imagine if I had problems Id have to call 111 if I couldnt get through.

Thanksx

Hammerboy profile image
Hammerboy in reply towilsond

You're welcome , good luck

ETHEL103 profile image
ETHEL103

Hi I had a flutter ablation on 15th May.Not heard a thing about followup yet although on very basic discharge paper I was given it did say 3 months.I will.get in touch after 4 .

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply toETHEL103

Same here! Mine was at UHCW and a member here had follow up......!

Soundmike profile image
Soundmike

Hi,yes you are left to your own devices a bit too much in my view,I've just had a front convergent hybrid ablation and left hospital after two days ,some of the side effects are quite frightening but you just tell your self it is all part of the healing process . I don't like contacting the ward too much about every niggle but I do feel you leave hospital vastly unprepared for the healing process .

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply toSoundmike

Agree. In the light of all the responses,I think its very hit and miss!

momist profile image
momist

I don't want to frighten you, but my follow up appointment was fourteen months after the ablation (June2021), and then it was cancelled and changed into a telephone call from one of the arrhythmia nurses. I then went in a fortnight later to have a 7 day monitor fitted, which I'm currently wearing. It goes back next week. Maybe I'll then be discharged? Ever hopeful.

I know your mileage WILL vary.

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply tomomist

Ooh er! Well.I.hope all is well for you🤞🤞

Physalis profile image
Physalis

Over two years ago and I've heard nothing. Not a problem though.

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply toPhysalis

I feel fine but am still on all meds. I dont like side effects and want to know if I can/should come off. I was told on the day I would.get a follow up...

Physalis profile image
Physalis in reply towilsond

I stopped taking bisoprolol a fortnight after the ablation. I had no reason to have a follow up so I'm glad my EP didn't waste time on seeing me.

Magson profile image
Magson

I was called in exactly 3 months after ablation. It was then they told me to stop Flecainide. In fact I'd already reduced it by half 4 weeks after the procedure.

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply toMagson

Its such a lottery it seems. I was told id get a review,no date given. Im fine but still on all meds. Im anxious to stop unless on drs orders!

KMRobbo profile image
KMRobbo

It was a three month review. I kept on flecainide and diltiazem and pradaxa A/C all through the ablation and until 2-3 weeks prior to the review when i was requested to stop the flecainide, presumably to see if I jumped out of Sinus Rhythm without it, and then this could have been discussed at the review. I kept in NSR and stopped DILTIAZEM and the Pradaxa A/C following the review. The only phone number I had was the EPs Personal Assistant.

I also had a very short review 12 months after the 3 month one. Happily have not need to contact them since!

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply toKMRobbo

I expected the same! I shall begin enquiries tomorrow xx

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