Only one week to go - pre assessment tomorrow and I am a snippet away from pulling out, this is really getting to me now and I am so stressed and miserable 😣I was on prednisolone for polymyalgia until January 2024 (something my EP wasn't keen on). Having stopped it now my pain is returning but I am convinced my afib burden is much less. No episodes since January.
I suppose I am thinking the beast has gone, but I am sensible to know it's still lurking and can hit me at anytime.
My question would be "Am I right in going for the ablation at 66 years old and why do some of us get told this is the best way and others live with afib without ablation?"
Also, does anyone have a 'good experience' of ablation, I keep reading the horror stories and long recovery periods and I am concerned this is going to make things worse for me.
When I spoke about this to my EP he didn't alleviate my fears, he just said that post ablation some end up back in hospital, sometimes we have to open the chest because of bleeding etc, doesn't give me any vote of confidence.
Sorry for the continued posts around this subject but I am really running scared now and don't know what I would do without this group 🥺
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Karendeena
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We all felt like you are now as the ablation day gets closer, that is drive ourselves potty thinking is it the right thing to do. Were your AF attacks bad and how long have you had it?
Hi Jean, I was diagnosed in July 2020 but I fear I had attacks before but never really concerned myself with it.I did get them about every 4 months but they last for up to 36 hours. Heart rate fast for first 24 hours then slows.
Lately, the heart rate doesn't go so fast and hovers between 78 and 100 but still last the same length of time before reverting to NSR.
I have had a few episodes 2/3 months apart over the last year but nothing else changes.
I think Sotalol affects my sleep, I wake in the night with bad dreams and jittery/anxious feeling - I am on 40mg x 3 per day.
My EP says I am bordering persistent with episodes lasting that long.
I really am in that dilemma.
My EP did make a flippant remark by saying "Well, if you are on a flight to Barbados and it starts".....he knows I am very afraid and even more so being put to sleep. I suffer health anxiety and this is taking over my life especially as I am under so much stress with mum and brother 🥺
How long have you had to wait for your ablation? I'm in persistent AF and I get along fine. The body adapts to it, at the moment my pulse goes between 60-90.
I know that you will go for your ablation - it's a chance to be normal again and you have to take it?
Thanks Jean, I don't like it uncertainty and being out of control, that's why I don't like flying 😳Yes, I think I will be having it done, as you say it's a chance to be normal again, we'll at least for a while anyway if it works 🤔
You will find that most of the people here are suffering with AF, when people have a successful ablation they tend not to visit the forum, or don't visit as often, there are some exceptions to this though, people like BobD and Jeanjeannie that always seem to be offering great advice.
For me, I'm in the don't come here often category, I had an ablation 8 years ago next month, and I am still in NSR. My younger brother had an ablation 2 years ago and is now also in NSR and running 5k, 10 k etc.
I will definitely have another ablation if/when the time comes. I still remember how debilitating and scary an AF attack can be, 8 years of not having it ruining nights out or time with family or holidays has been wonderful.
I was scared before I had it done though, almost got off the trolley in the cath lab but so glad I didn't
Thanks a million so great to hear that you have been AF free for all those years.I am the same, always waiting for the next debilitating episode, it does tend to get you like that doesn't it? I am also fearful to go abroad. A friend of mine has AF and she has been in hospital in Majorca and also has an episode start in the departure lounge on the return flight, she said it was frightening to be flying back in AF.
I will go for it, even though I am scared. I think I will be like you ready to jump off the trolley 😜
I am told it's a general anaesthetic too and I hate the fear of uncertainty
I think only you can make that final decision, however, if I was in your position and after reading your post, I would be going for the ablation.
I’ve had Afib on and off for nearly 20 years now and my burden is still very low but I’m on the waitlist for an ablation. I too have read many stories on here that have made me question my decision and of course, I also worry that it’ll make it worse, like you. However, Afib just raises my anxiety levels significantly and I’m always thinking ‘will I have an episode today?’ I plan my life around the possibility of having an episode and restrict my life, it’s just the way I am. I know many people don’t, but I do. I want to go back to my old life and this might be a chance as I don’t enjoy things anymore. I want to come off Bisoprolol ( if I can 😳) and it sounds like you’d like to try and come off your meds too , if you can. If any of the above is how you feel, then I would go for the ablation, but ultimately it is your choice.
With your health anxiety, you can refer yourself on the NHS for CBT, though it can take a while. I did this about two years ago, when first diagnosed with afib ( it took many years to get diagnosed as didn’t know exactly what my episodes were, until I got an applewatch) and it did help me enormously. There are also some very good books on it that can also help - there is hope 😊
I’m glad it helps in some way. The anxiety can be awful I know. I’ve been waiting since late November, but I was told 4-6 months, but think the likelihood it will be May. I’ve seen your EP’s name on here before and he’s very well respected.
Are you in the UK Teresa? Yes, Prof Ng is well respected in the UK and internationally I believe. I found him through an article featured in the Sunday Times where he pioneered the latest technology.
Yes, I’m in the uk. I have seen his name referred to many times in posts and good things are always said. It’s good you found him and are able to have him.
I’m going fairly locally for my ablation at Basildon hospital in Essex, it has a very good cardio thoracic centre with a good reputation, so I can only hope all goes well for me and I’m a lucky one 🤞
Hi Karendeena, I’m so glad I had my ablation. It’s good to give yourself some recovery time and not rush things afterwards - any medical procedure is a shock to the system. But I was back walking half hour a day in 3 weeks and at 3 months felt better than I had since first diagnosed a year before. Let us know how it goes and make sure to read the AF Association info sheets as these bring great reassurance 🙂
Yes, when I was diagnosed back on 2020 there was some questions whether I needed apixaban but Prof Ng wanted me on it. I am pleased in some ways as I think I may have had a TIA before as I noticed flickering eyes one day and I think my mouth wouldn't straighten properly. I also felt I mumbled. It all disappeared as quickly as it came so never thought anymore about it.My brother had undiagnosed afib and as a result had 4 small strokes, the last one took his left periferal vision so now he can't drive.
My fear is around the bleed risk as my dad was on warfarin, fell, banged his head and died from a brain bleed aged 60. It was 35 years ago.
It’s hardly surprising you have health anxiety, we’ve had quite some experiences with late elderly parents too and I would prefer to have my blissful ignorance back about some things. Put your trust in your EP team, you will be surprised as I was how easy they make it for you and the feeling when it’s all done is wonderful, otherwise you’ll keep beating yourself up that you could have would have should have.
My medication reminder has just gone off, time to change that.
I typed a message 10 mins ago which for some annoying reason has disappeared. I felt for you when reading your post so attempting again. I was in exactly the same position. as you before my ablation. Very fearful.
I need not have been. All went well and if I had to have another would not hesitate. Had a GA and wouldn’t hesitate about that either - aged 75 - woke on the ward and stayed overnight. This was over a year ago and I have been afib free ever since. I will be honest and say the first two weeks at home after the ablation were not great. I was in AF a lot and thought I’d made a terrible mistake. But after the two weeks it settled. on Apixiban. Would love to come off that but know I can’t.
This is just my experience but wishing you all the very best. x
Karendeena, I know only too well how you’re feeling being so close to your Ablation. I don’t think you will pull out of surgery but the run up to it is awful. I underwent my Ablation 6 weeks ago. Once at the hospital you don’t have time for nerves and I was cared for incredibly well. I am having all the things that the literature says, ie AF, Tachycardia, ectopics etc and more than I ever imagined but I’m halfway through the blanking period and am hopeful my Ablation will be successful. I don’t regret my decision but think if I had cancelled I would always be wondering if I should have given it a go. I had a GA and no problems. Good luck you will be ok. Regards
I wonder why your EP was so negative? Sounds a dramatic sort of reply to you. If you have the choice, can you delay a few weeks? Not because of the episode issue (I’ll come back to that) but to calm down maybe pay for a second opinion?
January isn’t long! I delayed my second ablation because I haven’t had an episode since September. My first ablation was much easier than I feared- cryo. Over before I knew it, slight visiual migraine abs tiredness for a few days. Rested a bit more for a while longer. Then the comfort of no more monster episodes (they were weekly) but I did have one brief one once a year for four years then last autum a six hour one after a brief one a fortnight earlier so EP wondered if it has crept back and put me on the list.
It is a frightening sort of thing to contemplate but diddly squat routine to the cardiac team who were excellent and supportive and attentive.
Hi Karendeena, I’m in a similar situation to you, in my 60s, recently retired, due to get my ablation under GA on Thursday. Like you, getting scared now. So it’s been really good to read all the encouraging replies from others on this forum. Thanks so much for your post.
Hi, I had my first ablation on Saturday, I'm 62, was in fast persistent AFib that was pushing me into heart failure. Drugs had settled it a little, enough to make ablation worth it. I was under GA and had a RF ablation. I was absolutely terrified! Shook constantly for the first hour in hospital. The nurses were fab, gave me time to settle and let me calm myself. The cath lab team were amazing, answered my questions and all had humour and put me at ease. It all went to plan, I'm now in normal sinus rhythm and had forgotten how good it feels. I'm taking it very easy as I'm a bit of a 'get on with it' person and having the brakes on is very difficult.
I'm looking forward to being able to resume most of my normal activities at some point (I'm a keen walker, have 4 dogs, 3 horses and also enjoy skiing)
I know that I'll still be on some drugs for life and that I have to keep my lifestyle clean and healthy but it's better that the possible alternative (Mum died from Afib related problems)
If/when this ablation fails I'll be very happy to have another
I can't tell you not to be nervous because you're human and we all get like that before a procedure.
I'm so glad I had my ablation, it was nothing like as bad as I'd imagined, and two years on I'm in Sinus Rhythm and enjoying life. Before I grasped the nettle my quality of life was poor and now it's good!
I've said before on here: I'd rather have an ablation than a big filling at the dentist.
Would I have another? Without hesitation.
I walked into the cath lab, met the team, who were very chipper and relaxed, lay on the bed, got some sedative, which I was grateful for, and let them get on with it. There was some discomfort of course, but no real pain, and an hour later I was back on the ward wondering why I'd been so anxious. After a cuppa and a sandwich I was checked every now and again before being told I could go.
My advice is go get it done, and look forward to it being all done and dusted.
I hope it proves as successful as mine, good luck!
I had an ablation done yesterday. I had been in irregular heart beat (about 60bpm) for 6 years. Im in regular rythym today. I’m 58. I let it go for years because it didn’t really bother me. My cardiologist recommended it because she said it was decreasing my heart function. I had a cardioversion about a year ago that didn’t work. I understand your thinking. I was nervous about it and didn’t see the need frankly. I called one ablation off about 3 months ago and almost called this one off. (My family wouldn’t let me). Feeling good today.
I am 65 and waiting for an ablation. I have been fit all my life and played various sports since I was a boy of 5, football, rugby, swimming, cricket, boxing, cycling, parachuting, ran marathons, rowed competitively into my 60s. Then somebody pulled the plug and suddenly I had no energy. I dont drink much apart from the odd glass of red wine, I dont smoke, I eat a healthy diet.
At 63 I started getting ectopic beats, my heart rate has always been like clockwork at 58 - 60 resting, suddenly I was missing 20 beats a minute and my pulse dropped below 40 and I was exhausted I couldnt walk 200 yards without being shattered, I am told the ectopics are 'just' extra beats and quite normal! My GP prescribed beta blockers and a angina spray, neither had any effect apart from making me worse. I was sent to hospital 3 times by ambulance GP was worried I was having heart attack. I was told everyone gets ectopic beats stop worrying. I felt terrible, exhausted and lifeless for over two years. I paid for a private angiogram and echogram which told me my heart was in good shape, heart of a 40 year old ! I asked a consultant if the ectopic beats would damage my heart and was told no I had nothing to worry about. I disagreed and quoted research that states if you are having over 12,000 ectopics a day it will cause long term damage - I was regularly having over 20,000. Doctors dont like patients doing any research.
As a result of two years of untreated ectopic beats In December 2023 I went into Afib for for 3 days, then it stopped for two days and came back for three days, this continued to January 2024 when I went into Afib and to date it has not stopped, sometimes my heart races at 165 when I am sat in a chair. Exhausted all the time. I saw a consultant in February, they said yes Afib puts me at risk of a stroke and heart failure so I was put on digoxin, rivaroxaban and bisprolol, I am having cardioversion next week, from what I have read I dont think it will put me back in sinus rythm for long, I asked the consultant if it would be better to have an ablation, she agreed to put me on the waiting list - a year perhaps January 2025.
I think everyone worries about surgical procedures, it is a serious thing. For me its my only hope of getting some of my life back and a chance I have to take. Afib seems to be dismissed as being quite common, lots of people in their 60s get it your expected to just live with it. No thanks. I seem to remember Tony Blair being dignosed with Afib in 2007 ? and he had a successful ablation on the NHS pretty quick, no waiting list for him, the famous Welsh rugby captain Alun Wyn Jones has recently had it done as well.
Best of luck I hope you can make a decision that is best for you.
I had an ablation last Thursday (14th), everything went well. I rested totally one day and then was able to start walking the next and I’m back driving 3 days later. I have still got to take it easy for a couple of weeks, no lifting etc but feel good. A little discomfort in my chest on the first day, nothing really. The team that looked after me were all excellent.
I guess I’m like most people leading up to the procedure, I was thinking of the things that could go wrong but in the end I just thought these guys know what they are doing and I’ve just got to trust them.
I’m now in NSR but I’ve been told it could be up to 3 months before I properly know if it’s worked. Would I do it again, definitely yes, but that’s me.
Btw I also had 2 cardioversions last year that only worked for a few weeks each.
Apart from after the cardioversion I have been in permanent AF for over a year.
Not sure what else to add but feel to ask any questions about my experience.
Sounds like you didn't read the excellent advice sheet on here giving advice on how to manage your recovery from an ablation. I do hope you aren't undoing the good work!
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