I had a cardiac ablation on 16 Jan 2024. It was the worse thing I ever gone through. I felt everything and told the consultant. He said I had a low pain threshold. The nurse in the ward congratulated me for not requiring much medication! ( I have done fire walks with less pain) I was totally traumatised by it all
4 days later I ended up in A and E 170bmp and a bruise from my groin to my knee. No treatment just monitored. . Two days later I was blue lighted with 180bmp and the ambulance man took me straight to cardiac ward where I was monitoring again for 24 hours. No treatment
Cardiologist rang and told me to reduce Flecainide by 5mg from 150mg to 100mg. On 5th feb. Within 24 hours heart on a party at 139bpm . I put meds back up and emailed consultant. I have no faith in the cardiologist as he did the ablation
I am getting weird sensations like someone is poking me in the back. It’s not painful. I am also getting a sensation on the left side under the clavicle , I can feel pulsing in my carotid artery and that my heart doesn’t feel right. Has anybody else had weird sensations and can you tell me how long it will be before I feel normal? Are my symptoms normal after an ablation?
Thank you
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Stefcon1
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Sorry you thought your experience was poor, I am assuming you had sedation but everyone reacts very differently to the drugs - I had no problems under conscious sedation but you are not the first person to post that they felt they didn’t have enough medication.
Everyone has different after effects and the most common ones are described in the ‘Recovering from Ablation’ leaflet on the AFA website. If you haven’t already, suggest you read it as it was written by patients, speaking from experience.
Bruises and mild bleeding and haematomas at the site of catheter insertion are perfectly normal, as are short periods of tachycardia - high HR. What you consider high others may feel is reasonable but it’s all comparative - so what was your normal resting HR prior to ablation?
It is normal to have a higher resting heart rate for quite some after ablation - mine didn’t really return to pre ablation norms until 9 months after ablation. Used to be 60-65 and it was probably 12 months before it came down to about mid 70’s were it has now remained.
Ectopics are common and sounds like you are much more aware of what is happening in your body and heightened awareness is also common. As you have been monitored and nothing unusual was found I think you need to wait and see.
Migraine with or without auras are also quite common - doesn’t mean anything is wrong.
You really cannot judge whether or not ablation was successful for at least 3-6 months and AF episodes are common within the blanking period.
It’s unfortunate you were not made more aware of the realities of ablation but do take care and plenty of rest, gradual, very gradual return to normal life and curb your worrying but know when you need to contact your clinic or go to A&E so get some guidance from your cardiologist.
I understand everyone’s experience is different, but I don’t think anyone should have to be in that kind of pain during a medical procedure. I felt the initial movement of the catheter under sedation but don’t remember much else. Certainly no pain. It’s important your experience gets fed back to the anaesthetist who should maybe have increased the sedative. It’s not good enough for a consultant to put it down to “low pain threshold “ like it was your fault. It certainly isn’t your fault. As to all your post ablation experiences, it sounds like you’ve had a rough ride but within the bounds of normal post ablation experiences. It’s a major procedure, the heart has taken a battering, and until the swelling has settle it can be all over the place. It’s just so SO important you rest and relax now. Do as little as possible. Do the breathing techniques. Talk kindly to your heart and send it love.
Thank you for your kind words. I’ve done the minimum for 3 weeks. No lifting, very little housework. Everything is so much harder when you live alone and stress /fear may be part of my problem. However, I feel things are on the up. Just time to heal. I feel that the medical staff are very blasé over this procedure. It’s not as simple as they make out.
Glad to hear you’re on the up now. It is a long sometimes bumpy process and I agree medical staff can be very blasé. And the printed advice so basic. Thank goodness we have our own excellent info sheets here with AF Association that tell the bigger picture and what to expect.
I’m in awe of people who get through this living alone - quite a few here in your situation though. Let us know how it goes and keep in touch - we’re all here for one another.
Hi, I had an ablation October 2023....never again, it was the worst pain I've ever felt and I did have heavy sedation. I dont think they topped up the Fentanyl because all was going well for a while. I also had a complication during the procedure and HR dropped to 29 so I came out of there with a pacemaker. I am very happy to say I've had no AF since and pacemakers not been needed so alls well so far but I would never do it again. That said, so many people dont share these experiences and have more than one ablation with no problems so seems it was just my bad luck.
Everyone I know who has had it done says it was nothing to worry about, so I went in confident that I would be in and out with no pain. How wrong I was. The radiographer hadn’t turned up so the team were running around like headless chickens trying to find a replacement. When they incised into my groin I screamed and asked them if they had sedated me. It just got more painful from there on. The schedule was 40 mins late and I felt it was rushed in and out.
They should have given you a local anaesthetic prior to catheter insertion. I think I would be talking to PALS at the hospital who did the procedure and make a complaint.
Was there an anaesthetist present? Some EPs seem to think there is no need if not a GA but other none qualified staff are very limited in what they can or not administer without an anaesthetist present. That would be my first question. EPs are not specialists in pain management so are not considered ‘competent’ to judge a patient’s experience.
I feel for you. It sounds like you've had a traumatic experience, made worse by your consultant's attitude.
I haven't had an ablation. I'm a candidate for it but some of the stories I've read on here, including yours, makes me wonder whether it's worth it when my PAF is generally well controlled with medication. I'm sure I'll get it done at some stage but will probably wait until pulsed field ablation is readily available.
Research your cardiologist /EP and make sure you can access him if problems. If it ain’t broken don’t fix it. If you are stable on meds keep going until you need ablation.
I had a pulsed field ablation in September 2022 and was told it HAD to be done under GA, which was absolutely fine with me! 😊 - having said that, I have had sedation for other procedures which have also been fine (away with the fairies) BUT I had a gastroscopy last year with inadequate sedation and it was unpleasant… which surprised me as a previous one was fine! I was last on the list and afterwards cynically wondered if that was related ☹️
Hello Stetson. Sorry to hear of your Ablation experience. I had my Ablation last Wednesday and recovery has been rocky. I also was blue lighted to hospital as Paramedics were concerned with erratic heart. Magnesium drips did the trick but didn’t last. Now in constant low level AF with spell of Tachycardia last night. Also visual aura Waiting to hear from Arrythmia nurse. I hope you get the advice and help you need.
It really isn’t a simple procedure. Everyone’s body reacts differently. It says in leaflet drive in 2 days back to work in a week. Hence you think you will be normal in a week or so. I’m still feeling uncomfortable in my heart area nearly a month later.
Hi I did not want to go through an ablation whilst awake so opted for a general anaesthetic so knew nothing about the procedure. Everyone is different with recovery I think, I had mine 8 days ago and have been free of any AF symptoms ever since with no other problems, it seems completely fixed. Just a small amount of bruising in the groin area only. Then I read your story and others who have lots of post procedure problems. I wish you well for a speedy recovery.
Sorry to hear about your horrible experience. Rhythm problems are not uncommon post ablation but they do need to be addressed if they persist. It sounds like the dr who did your procedure is perhaps not very experienced and / or certainly lacks empathy which resulted in a nasty expérience. But that is not the norm by any means. I had a general anaesthetic for my first Radio Frequency ablation as the Electrophysiologist said if he found problems outside of the pulmonary veins he could continue until he had dealt with the rogue signals (thus avoiding coming back too soon for a second) Something you can't do with Cryroablation under sedation. If you do need another ablation find an EP who is experienced in both procedures as they usually do more ablations and are thus more experienced ( and most certainly nicer!) You will get through this and I wish you a positive outcome. Don't let one unpleasant dr who perhaps lacks experience in the procedure put you off . Your experience is rare as techniques have improved along with the competence of drs performing the procedure.
Yes a dr with no empathy destroys our confidence. Poor you. My cardiologist was not the Dr who performed my procedure it was a Electrophysiologist ( who obviously trained as a cardiologist and specialised). Perhaps you mean you will change Electrophysiologist ?I wish you a speedy recovery.
Yes I had a similar experience. I mentioned it at my review and on my notes it says I had no sedation and only 1mg of a possible 10mg pain relief. I had to stop them towards the the end and said I was getting off the table!
However, I did then get whacked with fentanyl.
I think a feedback via PALs might be an idea,as you should have been better pain managed than that once it was apparent you were in pain.
As CD says its often a bit rough afterwards, more then they tell you to expect. Bruising is spectacular usually. Arnica cream is fantastic stuff to soothe and heal.
You have had an unexpected experience in theatre and I can relate to it bit shocking.
Naturally you will be taking time to get back to settled mind but if you can, follow the anti anxiety tips on here,they can do no harm and often help .
Our leaflet is great too.
Moving forward, I am on a possible ( but probably not now needed).touch up ablation but have insisted that I be sedated and full pain relief. I will be quizzing anyone pre theatre ,and also in theatre before getting on the trolley!
I asked the research consultant ( not the one who did it) at review and he said ,even if you have requested it if you walk in looking calm and collected they sometimes make a decision not to! Basically the more responsive you are the better they prefer it!
I considered gripping him by a certain part of his lower anatomy to see how responsive he was but thought better not.
So my message is,it will get better and hopefully AF has had a beating 💓
Hard to do but try to focus away from it as anxiety/ stress hormones will add to the party
I teach meditation 😂 if it wasn’t for meditation I would have jumped of the table 3 times but I was so worried about them puncturing me I stayed still. The whole thing was a shambles from beginning to end. The nurses were discussing the cock ups the week before on the ward ! My nurse took my blood pressure and temperature incorrectly and another nurse had to redo it. No radiologist turned up, so everyone panicked until a replacement turned up. . They left me in the corridor for 30 mins with no explanation, at this point I was going to go home but my logic brain kicked in. Oh I wish I had listened to my intuition. I had booked a private ablation for the end of this month as I was so ill and cancelled it when NHS appointment was brought forward 9 months when I told the cardiologist secretary I was going private.
If I have to have it done again I will pay and choose someone who has empathy.
Such bad luck Stefcon! I would imagine at least some of your symptoms now are PTSD - even under normal circumstances the body is in shock post-ablation . Thank goodness you meditate and have a sense of humour!
Remember you can always elect to use another hospital if need be in the future. I was lucky to find a good EP for private consultation who carried out the ablation on NHS. It took a bit of persistence.
I’m just trying to enjoy the positives. No alcohol, no sugar, no wheat, no cake no biscuits as they all set my af off. I’m loosing weight though and I will look radiant in my coffin 🤣🤣🤣
I think the bruising is mostly related to bad post management by the medical staff. I had a compress and a tight bandage and had to lay flat for 6 hours . There was also a stitch which was removed before I went home. Boring but it did the trick! I had a hard time trying to find where the catheter had been inserted. No bruising at all and no pain. One poor lady on this forum was discharged with no advice on the same day and started to bleed profusely and had to be rushed back to hospital. Love your description of considering " gripping him in a certain part of his lower anatomy ". Made me laugh out loud 😄
You’re lucky. My bruise was enormous and I could see 4 pinprick marks where they’d put the catheters. Took ages for the bruise to disappear. I had to stop the Sotalol heart medication, but not the anti- coagulants, which is probably why the bruise was so big.
Thanks for asking.I’m doing ok. I think my ectopic beats have settled. I haven’t noticed them quite so much just lately. I have my follow- up appointment on Friday, 2 months later than they said it would be.Not sure if they’ll tell me to stop the Sotalol, which I’ve been on for a long time. I will stop it very slowly, my way. The copy of the letter they sent my GP, says I’ll have to stay on anti-coagulants for life though.Hope you’re doing ok.
Good luck Wilsond, I hope you won’t need another ablation but at least you know now not to look so calm and collected! I seem to remember they whacked up the sedation for me when I wouldn’t stop talking and trying to watch the screen!
I had an ablation in May last year. These weird sensations were experienced by me for about three months. I do believe some of these sensations were only made worse by anxiety and the medications I was on for these three months may have contributed to the problem. Things do get better, hang in there.
So so sorry for your bad experience. I sure would be looking for a new EP. I am glad you are. I had a bad ablation but I don't blame the doctor. I was under GA so didn't feel a think. When I woke up they told me the ablation was incomplete and that I had a drain in my heart. During the ablation I had pericardial effusion. Afterwards in the cardiac critical care unit I had terrible pain and they gave me a little morphine! It helped. Like you, I now have bouts of tachycardia and a high resting heart rate. Afib has come back but doesn't stay long. The EP put me on a 250 mcg of Tikosyn. I sometimes have chest pains in the evening and night. My "failed" ablation was Dec. 20, 2023. I am hoping things will settle down in time. BTW I am 85 and live alone. I trust my EP who has encouraged me to exercise more. I think he forgets I'm an old lady! Best to you in the future.
You are doing really well. Going through this procedure is hard on your own. You just want someone to rub your back and make you a drink. My dogs are useless, they are so selfish, it’s all about them. 😂 Keep going you will get through it. One day at a time. X
Gosh your experience sounds awful. I must say, when I entered the Cath Lab, I felt like jumping off the trolley and running out the door, but worst part for me was when they gave me the sedation and pain relief, not sure which it was that made me feel awful. Really dizzy and peculiar. The Dr said it would wear off in a bit, which it did a little. I did feel some pain, but the Dr did warn me when it was going to be uncomfortable. Haven’t got any complaints about the way I was treated at Glenfield hospital, in Leicester.The Dr said it went well and he’d done over 2000 ablations, so was very experienced. I have been getting palpitations, quite a lot, which have gone off a bit in the last few days. My heart rate was high for a while, but has settled now. I had my ablation last September. Just hoping AFib doesn’t show it’s ugly head again. Hope your AFib stays away.
I certainly understand the position you were in but don’t feel mine was quite so bad. On my second ablation I had sedation and pain killers but really felt the pain and told them it was really painful, I was told that they were going to stop. I thought they had finished. The following day, at home, read my discharge letter and it stated that the procedure was halted due to the fact that I couldn’t tolerate the pain, ughhh! Wasn’t happy and explained that if I had to have another I wanted a GA. I told them before the procedure that I had a low pain threshold so it seems they don’t always listen. I hope you’re okay now 😊😊
We must both be a pair of wimps NOT! We should have been given the correct sedation. No one else I know who had had the procedure went through what we have been through. It’s traumatising. I’m a proper chatterbox but I couldn’t get a word out for 4 hours. I still couldn’t converse the next day. I was in shock. I felt like I had been physically abused. However it’s onwards and upwards. I’m not going to complain as the saga would go on and on.
I would be putting in a complaint about the lack of extra sedation or pain relief if only to make sure they listen and don't do it to anyone else. To attempt to blame you for having a low pain threshhold is shocking. Everyone's perception of pain is different and if someone complains of pain then they need more help. How does the surgeon know what's bearable or not? Has he had the same procedure done?
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Like you, I now have bouts of tachycardia and a high resting heart rate. Afib has come back but doesn't stay long. The EP put me on a 250 mcg of Tikosyn. I sometimes have chest pains in the evening and night. My "failed" ablation was Dec. 20, 2023. I am hoping things will settle down in time. BTW I am 85 and live alone. I trust my EP who has encouraged me to exercise more. I think he forgets I'm an old lady! Best to you in the future.
Pacemaker fitted
Increased heart rate after AF ablation
Recent Ablation 
Two days post ablation 
Touch up ablation 
