Ablation - worries

[Karendeena]

Hi everyone. I am on the waiting list at Glenfield Hospital in the UK for an ablation I have paroxysmal AF diagnosed in 2020 and I take Sotalol 40mg x 3 a day and Apixaban 5mg x 2 a day.

My episodes have been infrequent around every 4 months but more recently every 2 months, having said that the last 2 were triggered by viral infections and COVID.

My EP thinks the best course of action is an ablation but I am getting more concerned about this having read that some of you experience more afib after an ablation so thinking 'is this for me'.

Also, I have not had a holiday abroad in 5 years and want to book one, can't wait around not knowing when this ablation will happen having waited over a year. Has anyone managed to get insurance whilst on a waiting list?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

[wilsond]

HiYou are at one of the best cardiology hospitals around, a centre of excellence for arrhythmia especially. Proff. Ng is renowned and trains others, including mine at UHCW who also has an excellent reputation.

There are many more success stories than reported on here generally people wander off after successful ablation. There are of course people who have not been able to sustain or achieve NSR after ablation.

In any case ,there is no 100% guarantee that AF will be defeated forever.

But for many,it is a great option,including me!

I had a long wait for various reasons, including

Covid lockdowns,broken shoulder and personal reluctance. In hindsight I'd have not put it off for personal anxiety or doubts.

If your team think you will benefits id say,go for it! It's not cheap,they don't dish them out randomly.

Of course,its your decision though.

Travel insurance will be tricky or expensive as you are awaiting a proceedure and that makes them all very nervous .

[Karendeena in reply to wilsond]

Thanks for your reply. I feel I need a holiday, it's been tough for me for the last few years, mum 95 and 'challenging'. Only sibling, one brother who had 4 mini strokes from undiagnosed afib, early Parkinson's and now bladder cancer, spiralled mentally. Partner who has had hip replaced and just finished radiotherapy for prostate cancer so it's all around me and the pressure is on!! Prof Ng is my consultant and I believed he was one of the best, you have just confirmed that, thank you ☺️

How are you doing post ablation, how long ago?

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Karendeena]

Why not have a holiday in this country. I can recommend a nice 4 star hotel in North Devon that has friendly staff, a beautiful restaurant and great food. Often has good deals. Great museum opposite and just cross the road for the town. I can only manage 3 days there as sadly can't cope any longer with all the eating - much as I enjoy it.Jean

[Karendeena in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jean, yes that sounds lovely. What's the name of the hotel please? I used to visit Cyprus every May and November, maybe leave it until the latter

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Karendeena]

Have private messaged it to you. Can't tell everyone or I wont be able to get in there myself in a few months time.

Jean

[Karendeena in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks a million Jean x

[wilsond in reply to Karendeena]

Hi, had it done June 2022. Still on meds as had a couple of episodes, but hopefully not for long. The 2 episodes were accountable for ( one dehydrated ,the other wrong med advice.)

know how you feel about needing a holiday, and I had family problems healthwise for a long time,sympathise!

What about a lovely 5*hotel in the Uk, with a spa, get a fancy room too.

recommend The Wild Pheasant Llangollen, a beautiful Welsh town, hotel in beautiful setting, great place, short wlak into town with lots to see, nice restaurants of you fancy a change from hotel. Steam trains, horse drawn canal rides,stunning scenery,1 hour from the fantastic beaches.

Also the Diglis Hotel in Worcester, set on the river, by the Cathedral,gorgeous, all the convenience of being able to walk to sightsee, but tranquil at night.

[Karendeena in reply to wilsond]

Thank you so much x

[Buzby62]

Waiting for or having an ablation did not affect my yearly travel insurance, I checked the wording and any change to treatment for an existing declared condition only needs updating at renewal. Ablation is a treatment for the existing condition, so you declare PAF and your medications, there are questions around how many times you’ve needed A&E for condition and have you had an ablation. Just answer the questions truthfully for now. What insurance companies don’t like is if you are under investigation for undiagnosed conditions. You have to check the policy wording, I’m with LV.

Hope this helps

[Karendeena in reply to Buzby62]

Hi, what insurance company do you use please?I have never (touch wood) had an unplanned visit to hospital for afib since I was first diagnosed in 2020.

[Buzby62 in reply to Karendeena]

I use LV, I also have my house and multi-car policy with them at the moment.

I didn’t have an ablation planned when I took it out in May 2023 so I had no planned treatment changes at the time. I checked in December when I had the ablation and they make it quite clear in the wording (surprisingly) that I only need to update existing conditions at renewal. I was surprised how easy it was to declare AF and it doesn’t seem much more of a problem than my wife’s high blood pressure treatment as far as insurance is concerned. No doubt the answers to those questions is where the loading is. Ours was around £90 last year and £120 this year, joint yearly policy for both of us for Europe.

I was nervous of the ablation like you but the experience was really positive, it’s too early to ring any bells, six weeks today, but I feel good at the moment 🤞

[Karendeena in reply to Buzby62]

Thank you. Did you have your ablation under sedation? That's what I am having apparently

[Buzby62 in reply to Karendeena]

Yes sedation for cryoablation. It passed so quickly, so I was obviously less aware of what was going on than I thought and remember even less. They really look after you, a chat with the guy before me as we passed on trolleys, he said nothing to it, enjoy the attention, I remember the conversation but he doesn’t. The only thing I remember is having a period of involuntary hiccup like symptoms from the diaphragm but I think that’s normal as they stimulate the nerve, I asked if that was ok and yes it won’t be long now, then they must have given me a little bit more of the nice drug. It was 1.5 hours but felt like 15 minutes. It’s your choice but I would get it done if they say you’re a suitable candidate, imagine how you would feel if they said it was too late and didn’t think you were suitable.

Hope this helps, good luck.

[Karendeena in reply to Buzby62]

Thanks again, Prof Ng said it would take up to 2 hours if straightforward or up to 4 hours if more complex. That seems a hec of a long time to me unless it covers prep etc....very scared I am but get what you say, I would be gutted if they said it was too late.It's easy for me to say I don't want it done when I am not in afib but when I am I would do anything to get rid of it 🥺

[Nan1 in reply to Karendeena]

Hello Karendeena, I’m due for my Ablation in February. The last one was cancelled. Like you I’m so scared of the procedure but having gone into AF last night and still have it this morning with HR around 125 I realise I really don’t want to continue like this and now feel, as scared as I am, I want it done in the hope of a better quality of life. I wish you well and we will both be ok

[Karendeena in reply to Nan1]

Seems like you suffer like me. When I go into afib my heart goes fast and it lasts for up to 36 hours. Like you I would do anything to get rid of it at the time.

[Buzby62]

As on my document

From my document

[TracyAdmin Partner]

Hello and thank you for your post and sharing your concern about having an Ablation, it is a question our Patient Services Team receive often. If you would like to have a chat about it or seek further information, do not hesitate to contact our Patient Services Team: [phone] or heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

[secondtry]

Before going for an ablation I would make sure I am in peak health, no vulnerable physical body issues and have a fully positive mindset.

[Karendeena in reply to secondtry]

Thanks, but easier said than done when I am stressed out with trying to deal with my 95 year old mum who has turned aggressive towards me and a brother who has all of these issues and living with her in my house! I have never been this stressed and anxious to be honest, it's horrible but not much I can do about it 🥺

[secondtry in reply to Karendeena]

I am no expert on reducing anxiety - a battle for me over the last 10 years - but what has been increasingly helpful for me has been closer interaction with Nature, new hobby and prayer.

[Karendeena in reply to secondtry]

Thanks, yes, I have started volunteering at a horse rescue near me so hoping that will help. Hard work for a 66 year old but horses have always been in my life. Shame I can't ride now because of the apixaban 🥺

[secondtry in reply to Karendeena]

Perfect, I know an excellent one near Guildford 👌🙌.

[Karendeena in reply to secondtry]

We rescue a few that travellers abandon 🥺Rescued a few from the floods.

One foal picked up at the side of the road, only 2 weeks old, had to bottle feed it night and day for months. It's very sad 😢

[Lizty in reply to Karendeena]

I have had some similar problems in the last eighteen months..... the secret is to tell yourself that you need some time out for yourself. I just had a couple of procedures before Christmas and told family it was 'me time.' They respected that because without me life would become more difficult for them! You must organise days out and trips away or your stress levels will impact on your health. Had my ablation for fib and flutter some years ago now... complex procedure in my case but almost bounced out of hospital afterwards. Would have another tomorrow if necessary but am so much better overall. Good luck. Your turn to be first for a while.. spread the news!

[Nakesero]

I had my PV ablation at Glenfield in May and found the staff and and treatment excellent. The ablation appears to have been very successful and I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity - although one recurring theme on this site is that everyone reacts differently. Having said that, NHS time and resources are extremely tight, why would they offer to expend those precious resources if they did not think that it would achieve significant results. If you do go ahead do make sure that the follow up arrangements (listed at the bottom of your discharge letter) are adhered to - especially if they want you to have an echocardiogram after 3 months - this deadline may slip or disappear altogether unless you chase it up.

Glenfield served me well, good luck!

[Karendeena in reply to Nakesero]

Thank you, I understand it's one of the best hospitals in the Country. Which consultant were you under?