pace and ablat

[Prettyorchid]

Scheduled in a few weeks for P&A at Cleveland Clinic. Out of options for AF. 7 cardioversions, 1 ablation, all the meds, last being Amiodarvone which is a menace. I am very nervous….please share your experiences.

[mjames1]

No direct experience, but you are arguably getting it done at the best place in the world. They know what they are doing. All the best luck.

Jim

[Prettyorchid in reply to mjames1]

Thank you! I appreciate your support

[Barb1]

I have no idea of your medical history but surprised that you are having a P and A after only one ablation.

[Prettyorchid in reply to Barb1]

extreme preexisting scarring in my heart, so much so that he doesn’t believe another ablation would work. Thanks for your comment.

[Barb1 in reply to Prettyorchid]

That makes sense now.

[DawnTX in reply to Prettyorchid]

Same with me about the ablations. The last thing I was on for meds was digoxin after my second cardioversion failed using three shocks. The digoxin worked great, but only for two weeks. The doctor doubled it, and the same thing two weeks and my heart rate was right back up again. My doctor is passionate about giving us a good life as soon as possible.

FYI I have a fib and atypical flutter. Be aware, if it doesn’t go anywhere, but it no longer has a voice with your heart. The peacemaker is going to be in charge. As far as flutter, including mine, it doesn’t get helped by the pacemaker, however, it was never that bad to begin with. It’s good to know these things, though and you may still feel palpitations or flutter once in a while. Knowing this keeps it from scaring you.

[Snowgirl65]

That's where I had my last two ablations. They're the best, and their hospital procedures and scheduling run like clockwork. You're in good hands.

[Prettyorchid in reply to Snowgirl65]

thank you!

[Golfer60UK]

Good morning from a wet south west UK, I have had a P&A 2021 which has worked well as I am back to normal activities. Prior to the procedure I was not good and felt awful and tired most of the time. The other benefit was now only on a blood thinner, Apixaban.

Two years on my left hand and arm started to swell and as I had no idea why off to the Accident & Emergency department at the local Hospital. After tests with ultra sound could not find any reasons, so off for a CT scan which showed a stricture in the vein carrying the lead from the Pacemaker to my heart. No problem as blood circulation finds a way to bypass the problem vein.

I only mention this as if this happens to your good self it may help you discuss with the Doctors.

Do take other tablets for other issues, but at 78 I can't complain

Best of luck

Dave

[CDreamer in reply to Golfer60UK]

I suspect we had the same team? Exeter?

[Golfer60UK in reply to CDreamer]

Hi CDreamer, close but mine was in Bristol, fantastic team there.

[Prettyorchid in reply to Golfer60UK]

thank you so very much from a sunny 75 degree Fort Lauderdale! I so appreciate your comments and your British flare

[Golfer60UK in reply to Prettyorchid]

Hi and thanks for your reply. Just finished my Monday golf with a group of like minded golfers, but I was pretty awful, as it's said

' I could'nt throw a sausage up an entry'

Have a nice day

Dave

[Prettyorchid in reply to Golfer60UK]

encouraging words! So happy all has worked out for you! I am going to have to google translate that phrase 😬

[Golfer60UK in reply to Prettyorchid]

😁😁😁😁😁

To help, we used to have houses built in a row with an entry from front to back for each.

The expression is an old one from 'The Black Country' where I used to live, and means no luck at all.

If you want to look up Black Country. it means where Industry started with loads of smoke ect, good stuff

Dave.

ps my email is [e-mail]

[DawnTX in reply to Prettyorchid]

Cleveland Clinic there is awesome. I just moved from Delray Beach a year ago. I’m living in the Houston area now although several hours outside of it. I know several people who have had things done there. You are in good hands for sure.

[Prettyorchid in reply to DawnTX]

thank you

[Nannysue1]

Hi. Like Dave above, I've had the pace and ablate and feel so much better and able to get back to a "normal " life.I also now only take apixaban.

Had the pacemaker fitte at the end of September 2022 and the av node ablation at the begining of December 2022.

[Prettyorchid in reply to Nannysue1]

thank you for your encouraging words…

[CDreamer]

I was also out of options so went the P&Ablate route, Pacemaker implanted 2018 and from the moment the Pacemaker was implanted I felt so much better. So much so that I cancelled the AV node ablation.

I was lucky but not unique in this experience according to my doctors. I still have very occasional AF episodes, usually when I have an infection but in total fewer than 10 in the last 5 years so I live with that. If they increase I will look at having the AV node ablation, I won’t say it was a breeze as I had to have a revision of LV lead placement but that over, I have never regretted for a moment and my QOL is much improved.

If your AF continues after both Pacemaker implant and AV node ablation then my understanding is that although you may still feel the AF, symptoms should be controlled as your pulse will remain regular. When I have an episode now heart rate is controlled and the episode rarely lasts more than a few hours so I do feel my heart and take it easy but I am not completely incapacitated as I used to be.

Best wishes for good outcome for you as well and let us know how you go.

[Prettyorchid in reply to CDreamer]

thanks so much for the informative and encouraging words. I am so hopeful to restore my QOL and didn’t realize how much I miss little things like a walk around the block!

[DawnTX in reply to Prettyorchid]

I said that about simple things like doing laundry and washing dishes lol I feel that the pacemaker has given me a second chance at life

[Quilter43 in reply to CDreamer]

News of the pacemaker encouraged me.One of the lucky ones with few symptoms aside from fatigue..had pal.ps but awhile ago..pauses my worry.if heart stops without recovery it's over so live in fear.nightmares..need to get pacemaker.resisted so far.

[Prettyorchid in reply to Quilter43]

all on my mind…but I can’t continue like this…so I’m making my peace with it. Happy it’s now, not 50 years ago, where we do have all this high tech options….but I’m losing sleep

[DawnTX in reply to Quilter43]

Do not resist please. I felt the same as you when he mentioned it I thought my life is over if I get one. But then again, I had heart failure beginning my life would’ve been over without one. Plus the misery while I was alive that is not quality of life. I had a cardioversion that failed. The first only lasted 3 1/2 weeks. I had ablations, medication’s, etc.. my heart was scarred and as my EP said, both my heart, and I had had enough and were exhausted. He said it’s time for you to be able to live again. Between the failed cardioversion and my next appointment in a month he tried me on digoxin. It worked very well in the beginning for about two weeks. Then I went back to tachycardia. He doubled it and same thing two weeks later tachycardia even higher. It was time for my next appointment, and the discussion about a pacemaker. I made a list of my questions because I was still anti-pacemaker at that point although I knew I really didn’t have a choice. In fact I did not realize how much I did not have a choice. We sat down to talk and before I could ask my questions my wonderful doctor gave me the answers. He talks to you not at you , he took away my fears and replaced them with optimism of a real life again. I did not know I had started heart failure. Not only with the pacemaker relief what I have been dealing with, but there was a very good chance of eliminating the heart failure. Bottom line is your heart needs rest to get strong again and not continue being damaged. If you would like to listen my doctors point of you on pacemakers his name is. Aditya Saini. He is at the heart Institute of east Texas in Lufkin Texas. You can find him on YouTube and on LinkedIn and probably many more places I have not found him yet. 😊 he covers things such as pacemakers, and the progress made each day now for the heart and a fib and more. I never would’ve expected to find a place like this where I am living now. There are no words or how I feel about him and his team. please don’t put it off. For me they put the pacemaker in first and had me wait two weeks for it to settle in. It was no worse than any other cut. You have on your body sore but they cover it well you just have to keep it clean you can shower, etc. , I was paranoid about it. I don’t know if I thought it was going to pop out or what I am impressed even the scar is neat. I also had my list recorder removed at the same time again nothing to it. Two weeks later he did the AV node ablation after he did whatever he had to do in there with the leads etc. I had body ache and some soreness in my chest after all, it is traumatic to have someone poking around inside. Lol. All of this was done through the groin femoral artery. I had very little soreness there. Also everything they do is through there. Amazing. I went home the same day for that one very little soreness anywhere. My doctor and the tech for the pacemaker came in to see me. My heart rate was set at 80 and everything was good. Eventually, my doctor will lower it either 60 or 70. My heart rate was in the 150s so 80 is a big drop already and yes I had lightheaded feelings for a while, just a day or two. when I see him in May, he will probably adjust things. By the way, everything is on a Bluetooth app and you keep it running in the background and they monitor it 24 seven at the hospital so you are never really alone with it. You will also get further information for a hotline number if you get anything like mine. There are various pacemakers. They are not all the same. We are not one size fits all and they are working on that.

[Quilter43 in reply to DawnTX]

I thank you so much for taking the time to write your reply. I am nowhere near heart failure. In fact the afib gives me few symptoms. one of the lucky ones. I didn't even know I had it until I had a kidney stone procedure and was found. I get around fine but don't travel far because so afraid of being far away and something would happen. I used to travel abroad . I stopped. I did travel a few hours from home and to Canada but that was about it. Then the pandemic hit. I had the booster shot and for some reason I had a long pause. Doctors say vaccines cannot do that but they did say the heart was stressed. I couldn't't find anywhere any articles that relate to pauses and the vaccine. So for that reason suggested and I think there were other times but not sure how long a pause. I have the link..implanted ekg. I take atenolol..blood thinner ..statin...I do get fatiqued on inclines and sometimes during the day..had two ablations already and didn't want to do third. I saw a pacemaker initially as being "old" which I am but not in spirit I don't think. Doctors warn me something could happen and then what..fall..go unconscious . whatever. trying to gain my courage and go for it..thank you again.

[DawnTX in reply to Quilter43]

I am so glad you were not having serious problems. I never did. I had no warning when I had my first event. I woke on my bedroom , concrete floor facedown. Not pretty, and went down a second time again unaware. I thought I got into bed, but in reality, I blacked out again and fell backwards in my bathroom with my head between the toilet and tub. I was very blessed to be here now because I did go to bed and sleep. Thankfully I woke up the next day. In the states, there is a program now from the American heart association called NO TIME TO WAIT. Pay attention to the name. It’s very true. I’m glad you were on an anticoagulant if you were a nothing else I would want to see you on that to prevent a stroke. I had several ablations, and my heart is scarred. I wonder if I were seeing one of my other doctors if they would continue with those many doctors do. I again and blessed my doctor would not consider another except for doing my AV node. Both he and my cardiologist are of the mindset why continue to do things that do not work that includes medication‘s except for blood thinner. I will be on that the rest of my life most likely.

as far as age oh, yes, I felt I was put in a box marked old because I see you so much of that where it says if doctors do not consider us important anymore because of our age. My doctors are the opposite. Yes, they look at the age but because they want us to have quality of life For as much longer as we can. Why waste life? I had no quality of life pretty much since last April, and even before that my heart failure is without congestive heart failure, which is good it makes a difference.

I had Covid last year. I only had the two main vaccines and I had no problem with them and when I had Covid honestly it was much more like the flu. I felt lousy but it was not the Covid we had heard about previously. Unfortunately, my a fib was gull blown. I also have a typical flutter. FYI, there are many different mindsets about the vaccine. I don’t get involved with it I simply do not get those shots. We are all so different. I don’t think anyone knows what affects us. There are just too many variables.

think about however, much time you have left it could be 50 years do you want them good or do you always want to be worried about your a fib? I just got off the phone with my doctors nurse because I got nervous about my heart rate. It was all explained to me and I feel safe and good again. There is so many things considered normal that we don’t realize especially if you have had a procedure. I guess I expected an instant miracle because the medical person made a statement to me that is not true. They didn’t lie to me it’s just once again we are all different and know what he said does not apply to me. Patience is a virtue with a fib treatments. Don’t be too patient with your a fib. Talk to your doctor. Remember there is. NO TIME TO WAIT

One of the worst mistakes I have made, was waiting to find a new doctor when my other one let me down. I went from May until October with a heart rate in the 150s so I did the damage by not being responsible for myself. In my head I am 35 by the way although for a while there I felt 135. Don’t wait until you get to that point. I had written in here, two weeks ago about my pacemaker, which just came out on the market. The FDA only approved it in October. Pacemakers are not old fashion. They are working on things every day about them and what they can do they even have wireless now, and we can get an MRI done with them these days. There are precautions which you must follow. They immediately sent me a card with all of the information about my pacemaker. You should also have a medical ID bracelet or necklace. Anything being done medically needs to be run by your doctor, your EP preferably he truly knows us inside and out lol. .

[Quilter43 in reply to DawnTX]

I get what you say..very scary, That could have been me that day of the booster I still say it had to have something to do with it but it could happen again and have nothing to do with booster. That is the problem. Maybe if I didn't have afib or my heart was not what it is it would not have happened. I need drs. to speak to each other and they don't so this upsets me a lot..really bothers me. I don't think too much to ask. It should be required when in the same field. I can't give the dr. information. At the crux of things for me.

[Prettyorchid in reply to DawnTX]

fabulous post. Thank you so much for your time, and all the facts you shared. Encouraging….I’m so pleased all has turned out so well for you. I will check out the Dr.

[DawnTX in reply to Prettyorchid]

I had no idea how special what I got was or that it even existed because it’s so new. I think it gives us all hope when we know they keep coming out with things to help us all. As I said prior to this pacemaker, my next option was going to be heart transplant. I much prefer this, and the chance of the heart failure being reversed. my doctor is young and so compassionate. Whatever time I have left I know I don’t want to feel like I have been when a fib was so horrible. I had begun to wonder why I was even still here. Best of luck if you need any other info, let me know . We are all here for each other especially to share good stuff.

[CDreamer]

PS - take no heart meds other than Apixaban.

[Prettyorchid in reply to CDreamer]

👍

[ozziebob]

I see you a new member. Welcome.

I cannot offer any personal experience, but I can suggest if you enter "pace and ablate" into the Search 🔍 option at the top of the page, you will see a lot of previous Posts and Replies on this subject.

Best wishes going forward.

[Prettyorchid in reply to ozziebob]

Thank you very much!

[DawnTX]

I was where you are and just had a pace and ablate two weeks ago. I was very much against it at first, but after speaking with my doctor, I knew it was the right choice for me. Like you, nothing worked, and my doctor won’t repeat things that fail. I had three different types of ablation and two failed cardioversions amiodarone it was my first medication. What horrible stuff. The others just did not work for any length of time.

The pacemaker of today is not what it used to be. They are constantly working to improve them. I had the pacemaker put in first. That is to give the leads a chance to be embedded before we become dependent on the pacemaker. I was sore, and it felt strange, but nothing I couldn’t deal with. The strangest part is when you roll over in bed especially if like me you happen to be a left side sleeper. You will have limitations such as raising your arm above your shoulder etc. it’s not that big a deal you will get used to it. This is so you don’t pull the leads out

on the 27th. Everything was connected and everything went well. Previously I dealt with heart rates in the 150s on a constant basis it was brought down lower on digoxin but only to the 120s. Right now my pacemaker is set at 80 because that is still such a large difference from what I have been living with. eventually my doctor wants to get it to 60 or 70. My follow up again will be in May which is when he will probably try that.

I am mediately, felt a difference walking, until this, I could not get across the room without crushing pain along with breathlessness and so much more. I still have a little bit of breathlessness, but oh what a difference to be able to move about. I was at the beginning of heart failure, but my doctor believes my heart will get stronger now. Everyone is different depending on what is going on with your heart obviously. Don’t be afraid of the pacemaker. Never did. I think I would suggest getting one to anyone, but the reason my doctor likes them is it is one of the shortest roads to quality of life when you have a fib. There is no cure for a fib. My doctor is passionate about getting us so we can enjoy life again, and I was definitely not doing that. Everything else is just a Band-Aid and eventually it will come off for most people as you have learned.

Coming home this time I have had a slight ache in my chest, but nothing major. I had a procedure a year ago. It was much more painful. Tylenol should help you with this one. Best of luck don’t be afraid and we are all out here for you. Everyone has been great with me getting me through it. You may feel overwhelmed and a little paranoid about having one but when you feel the difference, he will be so happy you did it.

[Prettyorchid in reply to DawnTX]

I so appreciate you comments and the time you have taken to comfort and educate me.

[Quilter43]

Thank you..As I wrote above that is my story.. I am hoping to gain the courage to have the pacemaker as I know it is probably best ..I think my doctors are frustrated with me though as I have been resistent to what they recommend. I wish they would be more sensitive to my plight.

[Prettyorchid in reply to Quilter43]

it is certainly a scary situation. But can you lay out your concerns to the Dr and have them

Address each one? If your symptoms are not greatly impacting your quality of life, then maybe it isn’t time?

[Quilter43]

I have tried to but always feel rushed and I dont process well and retain information well.

[Prettyorchid in reply to Quilter43]

I had pages of questions….and I have a Kardia device and I take readings about every 2 hours…I am all over the place. Better since I stopped the Amiodarvone, it was not good for me, dropped heart rate to 32 resulting in lightheadedness and SOB and an ER admission. As expected I’m back in and out of AF, but with HR between 45-65, with some ready, SVE’s and some NSR. Less symptoms, but very cautious when it’s in the 40’s. Amiodarvone tripled my thyroid panel and raised my sugar to pre-diabetic in 6 weeks. So now I am in Xaralto only, and awaiting by 4/4 procedure.

[Quilter43]

So difficult emotionally...

[Hylda2]

You will be fine. Had mine end of last year and am feeling better everyday. Going to try a walk to the hairdressers today. It’s bound to rain!