Ablation agony

[Wum1t1gs2s]

I had a Cryo ablation last week. I don’t know if anyone else was in agony during the procedure. From start to finish I felt pain, and the said hiccups was really excrutiating, I felt like I had been in the boxing ring….I hope this works first time because I will not be having another one.

[BobD Volunteer]

Did you not ask for more sedation and pain relief? Most people are quite unaware of goings on and if discomfort sets in a quick mention to the team usually gets more drugs.

[jeanjeannie50]

Were you sedated?

[mjames1]

Sorry about that. Here in the US, they knock you out cold. And while that prevents experiences like yours, it can presents another set of issues/problems caused by heavy sedation or general anesthesia. For those reasons I sought out conscious sedation, but no one offered it here 😀

So how do you feel now, a week past?

Jim

[Bailey2004]

yes I was extremely uncomfortable during my first ablation and didn’t cope very well with it all so at my latest one I was given a general anaesthetic which was much better.

[Maggimunro in reply to Bailey2004]

same here Bailey. My first ablation was supposedly under sedation but I was in tears by the end of it. I didn’t think to ask for more sedation or to up the pain relief. I think I assumed they had it under control. The EP did admit afterwards that I should have had more pain relief.

[wilsond]

Yes I had a section of awful pain when they did the flutter element. I had to stop them ,they upped pain meds ( I was not sedated even though this was discussed and agreed. I didn't realise I wasnt sedated until well into proceedure) . They had to do it 3 times.

I did say after 2,Stop or I'm getting off table.3 worked fine ( Fentanyl)

Very successful ablation but if I need further work,will discuss GA as this was not pleasant.

[Ossie7]

morning , yes when I had cryoablation I felt severe pain when they ablated the pulmonary veins , it was down my arm , in chest , back of neck , jaw and head as if mimicking pain of a heart attack . I was sedated but they wanted me to be able to respond to them when they asked questions . The whole process was horrendous and it sadly wasn’t successful . I had radio frequency under GA for my next one which was great as I was asleep !!

[DawnTX in reply to Ossie7]

so sorry they hurt you so badly and did not sedate you. I don’t think many cryo-‘s last. Mine lasted almost 6 months before another area popped up. It’s not usually that it didn’t work. It’s usually they didn’t quite get it right. You only have to be a millimeter off and have problems. My RF lasted a year. I did not realize how good I had it for the most part, I still had a fib events, but it was mostly sweating and overall not feeling well and of course palpitations. It’s a very long road living with a fib, and there is no city of Oz at the end of it right now. Best of luck going forward.

[Jafib]

Here in the US they put you all the way under, which is good and bad. Good in the way that you feel nothing during the procedure but bad in that there can be complications. I personally hate the transition from GA to waking. I remember them telling me to breathe and it was like they were bringing me back from the dead. It haunts me honestly. Not sure what I will do if I ever choose to get a second RF ablation. The first one left me feeling like Mike Tyson worked out on my chest and ribs (lasted only a couple days) and afib was back within 9 months. Do they still run a catheter when they do partial sedation?

[DawnTX in reply to Jafib]

I remember the old days waking up from GA but I must be very lucky now it’s just like waking up from a nap. No one calling your name. Suddenly, your eyes are open as if you did not sleep. I no longer get sick to my stomach either because I always remind them to put the medicine that stops that. They added to your IV and knock wood being sick is no longer an issue. They also slip pain meds in before I even ask for it. I love my doctor and team

You lasted longer than mine. I only had six months with a cryo- and my doctor called me one day to tell me I was going in for an ablation the end of the week. My loop recorder had contacted him.

if you have aching in your chest or Back etc for too long, you need to let your doctor know because I evidently am prone to Pericarditis and I have had it after each procedure no matter what it was I do not think I am the only one that gets this it’s not that big a deal medication once a day for a month. It’s unpleasant, and there’s no need to suffer with it. Reach out to your doctor. Not sure what type of catheterization you mean the one through the groin or to go to the bathroom? They still do the groin , wrist or the neck my most aggressive. They went through all three, including both legs through the groin. All that, and it was the procedure ever, and sent me spiraling down until this past October with a new doctor

oh, if you mean the other type LOL they have a new one for women now

[kkatz]

I think you might have been unlucky.The only pain I felt was when they were pushing the wires up.lower abdomen to waist.Would have no qualms having another.

[dmac4646]

I had one 2 weeks ago and apart from a "bumping" sensation when freezing I felt nothing at all.

[Dippy22]

WHAT! That’s awful, so sorry for you. That must have been an horrendous experience. I’m booked in for one in a coupe of weeks and they said it will be general anaesthetic!

[DawnTX in reply to Dippy22]

GA is the way to go

[dedeottie]

A mixed bag for me.

Ablation 1: heavy sedation and don’t remember a thing

. Ablation 2. Aborted before any ablating done due to rare complication. Was mildly sedated, felt and heard everything…. Horrible.

Ablation 3: cryoablation under GA felt nothing but took a week to get rid of a bad headache.

Ablation 4 and last one. No sedation or painkillers till the very last part. I knew this was going to happen as EP said he needed me awake for the EP study part and so I used previously learned meditation techniques. It was completely bearable and I remember everything. Recovery was much faster .

Sorry you had a bad experience. I feel that if they communicated with us in a better way we would have a chance to prepare and put our wishes forward. X

[Blueflags]

Hi, Wum1t1gs2s,

Yes I’ve had a similar experience. I’ve had two radio frequency ablations on the four pulmonary veins. First one I had no issues and didn’t feel a think as I had good pain relief and sedation, But on my second one (different consultant) I had sedation and pain relief but felt a lot of pain so they stopped the procedure (which I was unaware of till I had my discharge letter. Hopefully won’t need another one but will be asking for a GA. Different EP I suppose, hope you’re well now! 😊

[DawnTX]

Wow don’t they put you under with some type of sedation? I have had general or twilight for everything. The only local I ever had was putting in my loop recorder. You need to speak up if there is a next time and they probably will be whether you want it or not you’re probably gonna need one with no cure for a fib, we all go through this but shame on your doctor not sedating you

[Hopey]

no I felt nothing as I was put under a general anaesthetic I was in pain when I awoke in my back I think it was laying on it for so long but they gave me pain medication which eased the pain, I wasn’t aloud to move for about 7 hours afterwards and had to lay completely flat but had no AF or chest pain and ablation was a complete success.

I had a great cardiologist that told me before I went under he has a success rate of 98% after 1st ablation of not needing a second one so that was comforting.