hi again all. I haven’t posted on here for ages but I read all your posts and have really learned a lot from you all. I’m now on the waiting list for an ablation at the Papworth but there are some questions I’d love to ask you all. The first one is, has anyone had an ablation done there recently and if so, could you please tell me how it works. Not the procedure itself but the lead up to it. Because of covid I waited a year for my first appointment there- I saw a dr called Peter fynn, who I know some of you hold in high regard. Maybe I just caught him on a bad day but I found him a little overpowering, and he didn’t really answer any of my questions . Two years later- thanks to the nhs problems and strikes- I had my second consult. A lovely dr this time who actually looked at me and answered my questions , but time was short and I still have things I’d like to ask. Both drs were convinced I’d be back to normal within a week, and made it all sound very simple- which I don’t think is quite correct. Does anyone know if I’ll see a dr again before the ablation, or is that it and I just wait for the appointment. I’ve just had the CT scan-. Many thanks all- and a happy and peaceful Easter
madgrannyBeth: hi again all. I haven’t... - Atrial Fibrillati...
madgrannyBeth
I'm going to add two links to our fact sheets on Preparing for and Recovering from Ablation. These might be useful so I suggest you read them carefully.
Here is a search link for “Papworth” on this forum
healthunlocked.com/search/p...
You can also use the search bar yourself at the top.
Best wishes
It's probably correct these days to assume that you wouldn't normally expect to see your EP again before your ablation. Having an ablation may seem like a big deal to us but not so to the operator . They are performed so frequently these days.
I had the 1st of my 4 ablations in London in 2009 and was invited up to a pre ablation Q& A morning session at the hospital with one of the EPs beforehand. Not so now. If you felt that you really would like to speak to someone you may like to seek out the Arrhythmia Nurse at the hospital. They are, on the whole , very knowledgeable and approachable .
I was amazed by how open to phone calls my arrhythmia team were, and how knowledgeable they are here in Exeter. Although I didn’t see the EP after initial consultations (one of which I paid for to have extra questions time) I’m still on their books for a year or two and can call with any issues relating to the ablation. Obviously I’ve used this minimally as they must be very stretched for time. Good luck, I’m sure it will all be just fine, and keep the questions flowing here - there is nothing quite like hearing from experts by experience!
Hallo Rainfern
Zoomed in on yr location - Exeter!
Diagnosed Oct 23 after. Emergency admission from GP Surgery to AMU at the RD&E. Had dccv 8/2/24 - it sadly only lasted 3 days! Keen to try again. Also chance of ablation if dccv fails again
Like you I paid for some services thro R D & E private scheme to save time.
ie my first appt with Dr Kotecha at Nuffield & my echogram at R D & E. But dccv was NHS offered out of the blue by phone!
I have a near neighbour with AFib travelling the same road . Both grannies but I live alone but she has hubby & local, close family.Really good to compare motes & share knowledge.
I do feel the pressures on NHS are currently overwhelming.
Regards Asparagus lover
Hallo Asparaguslover
Good to hear from you, always good to hear from other south west folk. First of all it’s a really good sign that your cv lasted 3 days. It means an ablation is very likely to be successful. My first cv lasted 3 (glorious) days, and the second (with short-term dose of amiodorone) lasted 7 days. My ablation was successful despite having persistent AF - which I can only put down to the skill of EP (Dr Lovell) and team, and of course deep breathing and touching wood every day! 😂
Happy Easter and some good seasonal asparagus 🐣
Let me tell you a story....
Outcome of a staged hybrid convergent ablation
Happy Day!
Checking in - feeling like there’s a lump in my chest/throat! 
Questions to ask Electrophysiologist
