An electrophysiologist too .. in the top 10 of the country… So in good hands
However my heart really misbehaved on my last major SVT attack in April. I had to have Adenosine 8 times .. they said if it continues to not work I am getting the paddles .. so scarey and it’s playing out that I am absolutely traumatised by the whole 3 day escapade. My HR would just jump upto 265 each time. Flec and biso working but I have definitely either nasal bloody drip or some strange chest cough irritation ( x ray clear ) I believe it’s something to do with the meds and could not keep going with a cough like this … any how pre assessment next week. I have total health anxiety.. read all of the horror stories and might even cancel next week.
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Dolly1234567
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Don't be dumb Dolly! Would a devout coward like myself have had four ablations if there were anything to worry abut? Seriously you are in great hands and the team will really look after you and talk you through the process. The worst bit is having to lay flat for a few hours after the procedure.
I have the same problem so asked for a total anaesthetic although I had to wait a little longer before they could assemble a team but it only meant another 2 or 3 months.
How different we all are Dolly. When I went for my first ablation, well I must admit I was quite cocky. I'm one of those people blessed with not being a worrier. A person I'd met on this forum said she'd drop by and see me and when she arrived, we chatted non-stop. I'd been given a small private room with its own ensuite, all was quite perfect. Then a nurse came and said they had a lady from the cardiology ward who was very poorly and could they have the room for her, "Of course", I answered sweetly. The whole floor was fairly new so even the ward was a pleasant place to be. I really didn't have the slightest worry whatsoever about the ablation, they're carried out so often now it's all routine for the EP.
After the procedure you may feel quite groggy for a while and be asked to lay flat on your bed for a few hours, this is all perfectly normal and is to allow the small entry point in your groin to knit. Recovery can be immediate, or it can take a few weeks to get back to your full fitness. Rest is certainly very important for the first few weeks to allow the inside of your heart to heal. I liken it to having a sore on your knee - you wouldn't keep bending your knee and breaking the scab would you. It's the same with your heart, don't make it pump too hard in those first few weeks and allow it to heal.
I do understand your anxiety, ablation is probably something you know little about. I bet you will be back on this forum in no time telling us the procedure was a breeze.
ahh thanks Jean , you also sound a lot better, thst must have been nice, going to a brand new suite in a lovely new department. That’s good advice about resting up - I have lots of Netflix planned and the cleaners and the ironing lady booked in xxx
Hi Dolly please please don't cancel. I'm sure you have waited a while for this and 265 heart rate does seem very high.
I am truly sorry if any of my negative comments have frightened you or anyone else.
My first ablation under sedation was absolutely fine. My aborted one was unfortunate. One thing I have learned is that I should have spoken up more assertively about sedation and pain relief.
My second full ablation under general anaesthetic was absolutely fine. As was the angiogram. And like Bob I am the world's worst coward.
Incidentally you did mention cough and postnatal drip. Are you on Ramipril or another ACE inhibitor? If so it is a common side effect. Possibly you could ask to change?
don’t worry haven’t scared me, I let loose on dr google .. silly me. Thank you for your advice .. I am on flecainide and bisoprolol… chest started few months after starting these meds. I am starting to calm down a little now … xxx
Bisoprolol is known to give you a runny nose and a tight chest - its not supposed to be given to asthmatics or people with existing chest problems because of this. unfortunately its the only thing that works for me. I've had a number of ablations under sedation and although its not really my choice of a fun day out they aren't that bad - just behave yourself for a few weeks when you get out and don't expect a full (no daft little rhythms or tachycardia episodes) recovery for a few months.
I can fully understand your trepidation. I will feel the same when the day arrives !
I haven't had an ablation yet but have had cardioversions. I remember the first one very well. I was (like you) really on edge and worried about the unknown - it's a normal human response. There was nothing to worry about and it was walk in the park. I think your fear of the procedure will be the worst part for you - not the abaltion itself. There was a guy on this forum who had one (months ago) and he said when he had a tooth extracted it was worse than having the ablation. Remember 99% of the time the fear is far worse than the reality. For sure you'll be stepping out of your comfort zone and will over analyse and over think. If you are considering cancelling think about the good that this might do for you.
Repeat after me 'I can do this - I am capable'. Everyone on the forum is rooting for you and it won't be half as bad as you think.
Get stuck in Dolly - you'll likely regret it if you don't.
Good luck.
Paul
PS - when I have one and post much the same as you remind of this thread please
Dolly Dolly Dolly do not cancel. Believe it or not I was more afraid of the cardioversion and I have had two ablations and a VOM was just done the end of April. I don’t know why but I always looked forward to the ablation perhaps because I felt so awful. The first one because they had some thing down my throat, it left me with a sore throat for a few days but other than that all I can tell you is when you sit up and nothing hurts and you can breathe you are going to be amazed. I’m talking hopefully by the next day as I was. That was a cryo-. My second was an RF that lasted a year and a half and I know part of it was the med but I went home that evening practically skipping up my walkway. The one I had in April did not leave me with any bad side effects unfortunately it did not work for me but that’s a whole other story it’s a new procedure and I was treated badly by my doctor. Please don’t be afraid look forward to feeling good and some freedom from pain. I just posted a few minutes ago about my cardioversion yesterday. I am still smiling. My numbers went from 158 to 80 when I woke up. The hardest part of the whole thing even though I have been terrified and is probably drinking the liquid to numb your throat lol they also sprayed it twice and I never felt anything because I was out cold. I had no bad side effects and when I sat up upon waking I felt nothing but joy I can explain inside my head like somebody removed a big black cloud my brain and every part of me was smiling. I still feel that way. Next stop for me as long as they can clear me and this holds greed is going to be back surgery. I meet with the neurosurgeon The beginning of November. I think if I were not in so much pain from my back that I would be dancing around the house right now. A fib has been getting in the way of the surgery for about a year now
Please don’t be afraid. Yes there are some bad stories but there are many good ones on here as well and now I have one too to share with you One day at a time 1 foot in front of the other. In reality that’s all any of us have. I worked law enforcement and people used to ask “ aren’t you afraid”? From now on I’m going to go forward with a fib if I possibly can with the same thing I used to say about my job. you don’t have time to worry about what might happen because you would end up being scared your whole life and never get to enjoy it I realize I could flip right back to a fit tomorrow especially because I have to have my sleep apnea addressed and I’ve already been told it can put me right back into a fib. So instead of worrying about it I’m going to enjoy every second I have a feeling as good as I do right this minute. We have to pull ourselves out of the sad feeling. thinking of you
thank you so much for taking the time for this lovely detailed reply. It has definitely helped and I do feel more and more assured reading everyone’s replies. I am so pleased things are working out well for you and long may that continue xx
I had to reply to you number one Dolly is my cousin’s name her first name is really Dorothy but she has been Dolly all of our lives. Second my cat’s name is Dolly lol I named her after my cousin lol
I seriously wanted to help you and do not want to see you cancel because you will not get better. Sometimes a surprise is a good thing. All week I thought they would set up some thing next week for the cardioversion but surprise Friday morning I ended up being told I was getting both. I have been terrified of the cardioversion but I still agreed to it because the longer I feel like I do the more I was almost convinced I was going to die and not in the far future. I wondered how long could my heart pound away like that and keep going. None of this is fun but I will tell you that from the time I arrived at the hospital to when I was wheeled out to the car, I was treated like a princess. The worst part about the whole thing for me was the drink I had to take to numb my throat and tongue and the spray for the same. YUCK what is funny it was that my GP gave me that same drink on Monday because while I was in his office I was so sick I have been that way for the past few weeks and because I’m not eating you just go through the motions if you know what I mean and my stomach also hurt. So he gave me this drink and when they mentioned what they were giving me the other day lol I mentioned what I had it has lidocaine in it and yes it was the same exact thing ha ha i’m not gonna lie to you it taste terrible. They put the IV in ahead of time and never told me they were giving me my med so the last thing I remembered was being given this rubber thing to bite and the next thing after that was waking up. I woke up almost with the giggles I was feeling so happy and I didn’t know why except for the medication lol remember you also are not getting your oxygen going through right so I believe some of that was my brain waking up also and just feeling happy. Someone on here told me as soon as they were up they knew they were better. Now I understand what they meant. I want to cry and I want to laugh just because I feel so different than I did Monday morning. I want to support you like people here I’ve been supporting and continue to support me. Please keep me in your loop let me know when you were going etc. FYI you will get an even longer nap with an ablation first time I have had such good sleep in a long time. Just imagine laying there not feeling your heart pounding away not feeling dizzy or anything else that you feel right now. The first time I was able to sit up without holding my chest in pain was amazing
The best way to stop that 'cancellation urge' is to imagine you have no option but to be stuck with your current issues or worse for the rest of your life. 🤔
Don't cancel! One of the UKs top 10 EPs considers you a suitable candidate. You'll be in good hands. Think about how things could improve. From my experience the ablation procedure isn't nearly as scary as the situation you've just described. And you're still here!This is definitely a moment to feel the fear and do it anyway
I second that. As I just mentioned to her wait until you set up the first time without feeling pain or short of breath etc. if you don’t go through with it you will never get to feel that good
You can do it! I’m on a waiting list, and also terrified. Though I’m even more scared at the fact that the anti arrhythmic medicines just don’t seem to work well for me, and I get stuck in A Fib for days on end.
I’ve even agreed to a study that means that my ablation will take a bit longer, while they have a look around different bits with extra catheters. In for a penny, in for a pound 😂
One thing I learned with my new doctor is that my former one had me on Multaq again and unless you are in rhythm it does nothing for you. It will not put you back into rhythm. He seemed very surprised that I had been put back on it. Now I am on it because I am NSR.
Interesting how two doctors have such a difference of treatment and opinion.
I was given Dronedarone when AF was diagnosed. It did seem to bring me out of it initially, and I went back to NSR. However it broke through on two monthly intervals, both lasting days.
Came off that and was put on a PIP (Flecainide and Bisoprolol). Worked after a fashion the first time - took for a second day. This time no luck.
I’m now on day 8, and not a happy bunny - but it’s not so very long before my cryoablation. I have come out of it after 8 days before, so I’m crossing fingers.
i had an ablation at the Freeman earlier this year Dolly. Don't worry and definitely do not cancel; it's nowhere near as bad as you're imagining. If you can tolerate a dentist doing a filling you can do this easily, it's no worse than that!
Instead of focusing on the actual procedure when you look ahead, focus on how you'll feel when it's done and you're back home with a cuppa!
aww love the Freeman … best place. Yup I can’t wait for a cuppa back home. Had another episode of some sort in the middle of the night. Every time after- late food and 2 very small glasses of Prosecco 👀 it gets me in the night. I should learn … I am still getting used to having to eat earlier and live like a saint as I think my triggers for the heart to do a tap dance is food an drink late on xx
yes alcohol always upsets me and I used to drink a lot.I do miss it and very occasionally imbibe. But not really worth it.Saying that we are off to Portugal soon & they do the loviest of wines.So hard.
But I really can't drink Prosecco .Gives me acid & that can aggrevate my AF.
I feel I was so lucky. I was first diagnosed with AFib when I have an infected cut on my leg (from an Aloe plant) I was symptomless but, my whole family had AF, so my diagnosis at some stage was inevitable and I was grateful that it had shown itself. I was sent off to a cardiologist at a heart hospital and spent a weekend there where he was happy I was in NSR(I was by the time I got there). Six months later I had to go for a check up and after being scanned etc, he announced that I was in AF, would I like a cardioversion this afternoon when he'd finished consultations.? As I had not idea what it involved - he said it won't take long and I would need a lift home (that aspect was easily arranged) I said I might as well since I was there. I was sent up to the ward , no time to think about it and in no time it was all over! As someone who suffers from anxiety, I have no doubt that if I had had to wait, I would have been a complete utter wreck !
No bloody way ! Dear me that’s brilliant and terrifying at the same time. I often wished when my cardio offered me an ablation in April the week after he saw me I had of said yes. It would have been all done and dusted by now …
up until last Friday I was the same way I would have to sit perfectly still or it was like a car on my chest. I will try anything they suggest and have so far without regrets except for the VOM. That is a really new procedure only about two years old. The doctor that did it is actually the pioneer of it and I believe I was one of the oldest if not the oldest that he has done. That being said I feel a bit like a guinea pig and the fact that my doctor let me down so badly afterwards. Things happen for a reason and now I have a new and amazing cardiologist and hospital only 15 minutes from my house.
hi dolly - I had my second ablation on 1st August this year and I feel like I have got my life back - the af was slowly but steadily getting worse and any excitement good or bad would trigger it - it was stopping me exercising, I was reluctant to plan anything, …watched what I eat, drink .. it permeated everything… taking all joy … I have not gone into af since 1 august and I am very grateful … starting to get back to fitness… I didn’t have any pain to speak of … the fear was definitely the worst part … but I would take the fear b4 the procedure for the constant low level nagging fear of going into af any day..
yup I am scared of the aftermath if there is one … it could all be fine .. I always have to be careful last night I ate greasy food late and treat myself to 2 Proseccos (rare treat ) and bang middle of the night woke up sweating shaking , feeling dreadful heart rate had pricked up couldn’t measure it with my Apple Watch as felt to sick to move. It passed in time but it’s every time I eat late. I think it’s my vegas nerve triggers it x
Dolly I hate to say it but you sound like your own worst enemy right now with what you are eating and drinking. I quickly discovered that even eating too much food in one meal made my a fib worse. That being said I quickly stopped doing that. I am not a saint trust me. We have a wonderful Japanese restaurant and my favorite thing is tempura but unfortunately it is fried plus I would eat the whole thing and by the time we got to the car I was in such pain. Please think about what you eat and drink it’s not worth it is it? I just want you to be aware that I discovered those are the things that made everything that much worse
If you ever need to have a cardioversion (paddles) you will be sedated. I've had the experience 17 times, always sedated, and when I woke up, it was like waking up from a brief gentle nap. I've been glad after each cardioversion I've had as it got me back into NSR.
Don't cancel! There is no need for fear or worry. If worry solved anything, I'd say worry all day long, but it doesn't do a bit of good and contributes to you being in a lather over this. You'll be fine. Nothing bad will happen.
I actually had an internal cardio ablation the other day. I was aware of nothing and still as of today I am feeling good and have gone from 158 heart rate to 79 as of this morning.
PS I am scheduled to have ablation on Tues 10-25 and I am very much looking forward to it. I've had 17 episodes of afib in the past 2 years, each one has needed a cardioversion (all were with sedation) as IV meds have never gotten me into NSR.
my first ablation lasted six months the second a year and a half unfortunately the third failed. I may or may not need another one it depends on if my cardioversion holds as wonderfully as it is being right now. I have no regrets and as someone mentioned, when you walk in the door you will be swept up by the professionalism and I have been blessed with so much kindness in the hospitals it was amazing. It’s definitely you get what you give I even got a hug when I left the other day. The staff at the hospital are there for us and works so hard. Whatever your issues are don’t take it out on them. I had a roommate during one of my times that I would’ve put a pillow over her face if I could get out of bed. Some people are just horrible.
Every day they are working on ways to make us feel better I see light at the end of the tunnel.
Hi Dolly! I have read all the answers given to you and really hope that you have a little less anxiety now?
Please tell us how you get on?
The EP in Bristol has taken me off his ablation list because it’s been discovered that I also have cardiomyopathy, but St Bart’s in London might be prepared to do it, so I’ll be keen to see how it goes for you! 🙏
I am honestly starting to worry less and less each day. Almost just want it over … it’s tiring remembering the meds all the time and all those off days where you feel urgh out of the blue etc etc - need normality back and my confidence xx
I hope so much that you will go on feeling better about the procedure and 🙏 that it’ll be successful and you’ll go from strength to strength and be your old self again soon. 😊
I was not as sick as you sound, but also frightened of an ablation (I avoid any medicine or treatment if I can). I delayed for months but then life happened and my balance was gone so I had it done.
It worked so well for me; I really felt I had got my life back. That was in 2009, no drugs since. I have been lucky; very glad I had it done.
Dolly, have faith in your EP, they are going to fix you or at the very least make you feel a whole lot better. You have probably gone through worse moments during your symptoms than that you will ever go through in an Ablation. You can make it a positive experience if you let it. Keep saying over and over out loud, 'it's going to make me better' and smile when doing it. Look forward to it and wish you all the best, you are in great hands in Freeman.
I really feel for you I have health anxieties so difficult at times to manage. I get AF so far not frequently but enough to raise anxieties . Is it the Freeman Newcastle ? you will be in good hands.
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