I am on the waiting list for an ablation I have read up on the procedure but unsure as to how painful the procedure will be has anybody found the procedure to painful?
ablation : I am on the waiting list for... - Atrial Fibrillati...
ablation
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Lumps
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The tops of my legs really hurt for about 2 weeks after. Nothing you can’t handle though.
I am glad to see someone else mention the pain in that area. That is where I seem to have my most discomfort and I don’t mean from the catheterization.
oh yes my very first get up after the ablation took my breath away with the pain there. It lasted weeks. Maybe we are just unlucky as no-one else seems to mention it!
I agree no one else seems to know what I’m talking about but it is more than an ache. If not there, I could probably walk much better. Until the pacemaker, I thought, perhaps lack of oxygen in blood. Plus I am not a Barbie doll.
BobDVolunteer
Never felt a thing but a few aches afterwards for a couple of days. Our fact sheets are helpful preparing for and recovering from.
A lot depends on whether you have sedation or a general anaesthetic. If it’s a GA, you will be out with the fairies and only have some moderate discomfort during the early days of recovery. Sedation can be more difficult but as long as you let the team know if you are uncomfortable, they will probably tweak the dose so it’s largely up to you to speak up if necessary. Good luck and please let us know how how you get on……
Lumps in reply to
Thanks for all your replies do you have a choice of sedation or GA?
I had sedation for AF and drifted off within a minute then woke up as being moved back to trolley bed. No pain that day but felt discomfort in chest for a couple of days. Certainly nothing to worry about I found. However everyone has slightly different experiences. All the best
DawnTX in reply to
You helped me with the fairy juice when I had my first cardioversion lol. my doctor knows I need to be sleeping then he can do what he needs to do and I won’t be a problem lol. Interesting when they did my pacemaker, they actually restrained my hands and arms because it was such a delicate procedure. They were aware I am Italian, and I talk with my hands. I guess they were afraid I was going to talk in my sleep lol.
Normally discussed at the pre-procedure meeting. I believe most Cryoablation’s are done using sedation and GA’s tend to used for RF ablations but that’s only a guide…..
A successful outcome far outweighs the horrible feeling of AF, you may feel a little uncomfortable with a sedation but the recovery period is quicker than having a GA. If your EP says you’re ok to have the ablation go for it, it isn’t bad as your mind perceives it to be. The alternative is a life of meds. Good luck !
I've had 4 RF ablations, 3 by sedation and one by GA. I much prefer sedation. If you are being sedated and have a pain breakthrough let them know and you will be "topped up'! At least this was my experience. Pain was not really an issue. A bit uncomfortable mostly.
In the hospital for 8am, had sedation, out by 6pm in the evening. I would have been out at 5pm but still had a slight bleed where the catheter's went in. No pain only a funny sensation as the catheter went up into your chest. The big benefit of sedation is that its not as risky as an anaesthetic and you don't have that awful sickness feeling or walking around like a zombie for days after.
Hi I had ga last May no sickness or Zombie feelings.Guess everyone reacts differently.
I used to get sick from anesthesia, but there is some thing they can put in it through the IV so that you don’t deal with that at all. Just talk to the anesthesiologist when they come in to talk to you before the procedure. It is now down in my charts but I’ll make sure they use it anyway I take nothing for granted.
it depends, I was blissfully under general anesthesia. No pain at all. I got the Farapulse and it is a blessing. I had to drop the Flecanide, still on all other meds because I had AF for a long time, so my heart is damaged. The good news is that I am no longer dizzy and I can exercise for 70 minutes instead of 10. Good luck🌷
I had sedation, and although I did feel some of it, it really wasn’t bad at all. I got a massive bruise on my leg and across my tummy but it wasn’t painful at all. I did retain fluid for about a week, and had a slight tight feeling in my chest.
The staff put your mind at rest so much, the worst for me was that I felt a bit queasy after the sedation, but was given an injection to sort it out,
I've had 3 ablations, no pain. You'll be sedated for procedure, doubt it would be GA as that would require intubation. Not much in the way of actual cutting with ablation. Mine were all done via catheter in groin. You'll be fine. Minimal pain, if any, more like a bit of discomfort and most likely you can have meds if you have pain.
I have had four ablation over the last 12 years.a little discomfort in my chest and groin area but no pain. A quick easy solution to an nothing problem of AF. don't worry and enjoy the rest for a week or so.
Good luck
Mine was with a general anaesthetic and there was no pain of any consequence at any point, including afterwards. I think this is generally the case.
Steve
I had an ablation under general anaesthetic and on coming round the chest pain was so excruciating that had to be knocked out again with intravenous fentanyl. I had pericarditis and oesophagitis caused by the procedure, I spent 5 days in hospital went home for 2 and then readmitted for 6 days more.
I have had pericarditis after each procedure. I know I have a weakness in that area. Just like when I get a cold and I tend to get bronchitis or pneumonia. For me, it was more of a horrible ache and they did an echo and diagnosed it right away. Some people get fluid, that may or may not go away with diuretics. If it doesn’t they may have to remove it in another way. I I have a medication for pericarditis. It is one pill a day for 30 days and the funny thing is the pharmacist questioned the medication the first time because evidently it is made for Gout. My pharmacist was wonderful and very careful to watch out for his customers so he checked it out and found out that. Yes it is off labeled now for pericarditis. I had no problems with the medication and about halfway through the month. I felt much better. Again, as mentioned, we are all different and some of us have weak spots. It is just something to look out for.
Yes I was given colchicine. The echo showed pericardial effusion. That was 4½ years ago and I have just had a repeat ablation whilst having OHS for a replacement aortic valve and left atrial appendage clip. Must less painful than the previous ablation!
yes, that was the name of it. I can never remember it. Lol. I had my two oblations the first six months of a fib. The third was a vein of Marshall as well as other spots last April and that one was a nightmare made me worse. What I hope is my final one was my AV node just a couple of weeks ago. I had quite a bit of discomfort, but not what I would call pain. It was more aching in the center of my chest then of course the area of my pacemaker pocket. Structurally my heart is OK but I also have a typical flutter so my pacemaker is not the standard. It is something new recently approved. I have a doctor appointment with my EP on Wednesday I am not 100% as I hoped I would be, but I will know more after the appointment. of course I have managed to get myself a kidney and bladder infection on top of everything else. Sometimes you wonder does it ever end. Best of luck.
Not painful during but you will feel the groin wound for a week at least.Good luck.
Part of mine was ,when they did the cti line for my AFlutter. I stopped them and they upped the painkillers then carried on .Little uncomfortable when they put the catheter in.
I was totally unsedated although had asked for it. I would insist on it if I had to have it redone.
9 months on ,still in nsr so far so worth it!
wow you are very brave. I would’ve passed out.
I didn't expect it! Had discussed sedation and said I wanted it. Certainly not ever happening again if I need another! Xx
Poor you 😢 I have noticed it seems somewhat common there. I have only had sedation which they called twilight when I had my cataracts done and the first time they did a heart Kath because both times they wanted me awake. I did not feel anything though I must say, but I have an actual procedure. OMG shame on them.
I kept thinking..this is weird I can hear them all clearly,talking about their plans for The Queens Platignum Jubilee next day. When I asked my GP few days later ( getting prescription for bruising) he said" well,you present as a person who can cope well. They try and get away with as little as possible to get the best results,as you react better"Say what?? Tell you what young man,I can react even quicker with a sharp slap if you don't move away quickly!.
Never again, I will be quite clear in my intentions IF I need more.
Fingers 🤞 it has been 100% success
Hi Lumps, I’ve had two ablations, both cryoblation , first one got sedation and pain killers, so drifted off to sleep didn’t feel a thing, and woke up in the ward, felt a bit queasy but was okay, but second ablation (by a different EP/consultant) had sedation and painkillers, again fell off to sleep, BUT I woke up in a lot of discomfort and unbeknown to me the procedure was stopped, I went back to the ward and yes! was nauseous but that stopped quite quickly. The second one was in Covid and I wonder if it was rushed to get people out of hospital asap, I wasn’t told about the procedure being stopped until I got the discharge letter and read it. I think it totally depends on your EP, so as been said by others be aware of any discomfort and tell the team, generally they will address your problems (if any) and they will adjust your medication. I think I was just unlucky, I didn’t like my second EP so if I have problems again I will ask for my original EP, good luck with the procedure,
Wow another brave person going through something awful. I don’t understand them stopping your procedure. My first ablation was cryo-and in the beginning of Covid where everyone was freaking out but they were very professional and I never felt rushed out although my doctor did not want me to stay over. He felt it was healthier for me to go home and I have no problem with that. I hope you are doing better now. 🙏🏻
I’ve had two ablations both under GA in past two years. I wouldn’t describe them as painful at all. Groin tender afterwards from cannula wound and tight dressing to stop bleeding caused bruising - nothing a couple of paracetamol didn’t solve. Felt v fatigued afterwards but buoyed up by relief it was all over with. Bit of a sore throat for 24 hours from device used to view heart from inside stomach but again hardly noticeable. I took it very easy for a couple of weeks by which time all post procedure symptoms had gone. If I am honest worrying about it was much worse than the procedure itself and was in at 7:00 and out by 5:30 same day. The fact sheets produced by this group are really helpful.
Would I have a third ablation if I needed it? Absolutely!
Best wishes and good luck.
Jeff
I am so impressed with the fact sheets here. I only recently have seen them because unfortunately, or fortunately, my procedures are behind me now. To people just starting out I highly recommend they get their hands on his many of these fact sheets as they need. The information is clear to understand. It reminds me of my doctor, who speaks to me not at me. It is so important that we understand what is being done to us and what to expect.
No pain here, just uncomfortable at times laying on the hard theatre bed for 4 hours hours didn't help, that was nearly 5 years ago been AF free since.
I agree about the bed. I had to stay on one while waiting for my room in the ICU and it was the bed that gave me the most discomfort not the procedure. Those things are not made to be used as a regular bed. Between that and the table for the procedure I had a terrible time with aches and pain for several days. I felt terribly beat up and it had nothing to do with the actual procedure. It was my arms and legs and back.
just had my abalation. Only 1 Tylenol right after procedure. Went shopping day after discharge. No pain. I realize others might have a different pain threshold.
I've had three, with no pain whatsoever -- in either heart area or groin. The only discomfort I had was a mild heaviness in the chest for about a week.
No GA or sedation. Painless procedure with slight groin bruising. Declined pain medication and was back to normal next day.
I had a Cryoblation under GA, i was first on the list and I did have some discomfort in my chest that evening, a bit like a crushing feeling. I also had a saline drip and by the following morning I was OK to go home. Having it done was the best decision I have ever made!
Zero pain. I’ve had 3 ablation, 2 under GA, 1 under sedation.
No pain at all.
Thank you for all your response’s I appreciate them all and have felt reassured and much more positive regarding the procedure again thanks
This is the place to come when you need support. The knowledge of the people on here is amazing. Everyone on here has had some form of what you’re feeling. I was terrified about my cardioversion the first time I was sure I was going to be dead lol. I love my doctor and oh my goodness his staff must’ve come from heaven because they were amazing. I wanted to cry when I left them. I had Crohn’s so attached. I don’t know how I would’ve been if the people on here have not talked me through it. I did have one person send me a video of them doing the cardioversion to a man sitting up in his bed. I don’t think there was a need for that and that’s certainly not the way they did it where I was. I was swaddled in safety and kindness. Everyone seemed to care about me. I was also anti-pacemaker. Tomorrow will be five weeks since I got one. If not for people on here, I may not have opened my mind the way that I did. I am still having a few issues, but I have no regrets in getting one. I see my EP Wednesday I will know more. What is happening. There has been nothing normal about my afib from day one FYI so this is not the norm. When you get a pacemaker, I am discovering there are many things you need to learn about it, including what is normal to be feeling in the different stages of healing. It’s not black-and-white. The first stage of healing is 6 to 8 weeks. That includes everything such as stretching your arm above your shoulders, etc. Things you are not supposed to do. However, there is another stage that can take up to six months for our bodies to adapt. When I think about what a mess I was in there between my a fib and atypical flutter, it does not shock me to think about needing time to heal. I am in the beginning of heart failure among other things. We didn’t get this overnight and it’s not gonna go away overnight whether we like it or not. Just be aware there is light at the end of the tunnel and many people on here are already in that light. 😊
No pain in access points in groin afterwards. Had some sore throat and some soreness behind breast bone that EP said was pericarditis. I was put on meds for that for six weeks. Other than being tired and taking time to rest and recover it was a doddle. So glad I did it. 3 months since the 21st March and I walked nearly three miles yesterday at the beach with zero breathlessness. The only thing I found uncomfortable was the lying flat afterwards, but then again I have five bulging discs in my lower back. I was in the Cath lab at 8.30 and back in my bed at 10.30. I wasn't allowed out of bed until 6.30 but I had no bleeds around the insertion sites. A small bruise on each but no haematoma's. Nsr since except for 1 minute last week. A few minutes of AFib every three months is totally doable. Way more energy. The only way I can explain it is that I didn't realise how awful I felt until I didn't feel awful. If that makes sense
Hi. You don’t mention if you are going to have general anesthesia or what. I always am put under. Depending on the procedure, they can change the depth of the sedation. I think it’s more nerves than it is anything else about an ablation you will be sore wherever they enter such as the groin area but honestly I never found it to really hurt maybe just a little ache if you walk too much. within a couple of days she’ll be fine. Sometimes you will get an ache in your chest, which is normal. You may not get it. We are all different. I find that once the nurses take me by the hand and hand me my gown I get swept away by all the attention and everything is fine. If you were to find yourself with actual pain make sure you let your nurse or doctor know ASAP. Sometimes we can get an inflammation. I would rather get an ablation then go to the dentist lol.
I can see that you have had lots of responses to your question. I had my ablation in mid February. It was not painful at all with just some discomfort afterwards (nothing more) in the groin area. I had a local and sedation, something I was not sure about ahead of the procedure. However, all was well and were I to need another ablation I would go down the same route. The NHS team were excellent, all introducing themselves and what their role was at the beginning of the procedure. I think I was awake throughout the time but I must say it all went rather quickly and it is quite possible I was asleep for some of it. My digital wearable recorded the whole time as a nap so I must have been relaxed.
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