Hi Everyone!
Am posting an update as promised!
Second ablation to treat Atrial Tachycardia due to first one to address AFib…
I was with the Nuffield as a St Barts NHS patient and live in Somerset.
A few differences to note about this second one as a help to others and a question too, that perhaps only Bob can help me with?!
I was delayed for four hours and my anxiety grew - maybe especially because I was alone in a very nice room (spoilt in that way!)
I was told to drink water at 3:00pm which I didn’t understand and questioned (I was told I’d be going into theatre soon) I did drink a glass because I hadn’t had any water since 9:30am that morning, but I was confused and concerned.
EP came to chat at 4:00pm and advised against a GA in my case (had a GA for ablation one) She said that it could be switched if necessary.
I agreed but before getting on the table I asked the staff to please reassure me re the water one hour before situation. It seems that the ‘water only up until two hours before’ is old hat now?!!
Anyway, even though I’m certainly not a female Rambo I got through the three and a half hour procedure with sedation ok. So hard not to even be able to move a finger, let alone a hand though…
Recovery was different. Very. Lots of groin pain (later told they’d gone in via my artery) don’t know if that’s why?
Trying to wee flat on back, just as tricky as before, but after an hour in the recovery room my whole body felt sore and quite painful. This wasn’t the case after my AFib ablation.
I was given a painkiller via my cannula which really helped,!then back into my room.
More back lying! Have to say that when I pressed that button a nurse came so quickly this time around!
I wasn’t expecting the pain though.
Cannula had been put in at 11:00am after failure in other arm (apparently it ‘popped?!)
It wasn’t like any I’d had before in that it was a bit painful all the time it was in, the pads burnt my skin on my chest more than any time before. (previously had 6 cardioversion s too)
Oh, but it was my groin stitches that had me climbing the walls. Last pain relief at 7:30pm, stitches out at 11pm. Yes, I know it’s only one longer stitch that’s cut first, but anyway, my threshold is pretty high but this brought me to tears.
Was given pain relief afterwards, but WHY oh WHY?
Given really good care there on the whole though ie checks through the night, Ech in the morning etc, however, (here comes my question) the EP was not available for me to talk to before being discharged yesterday afternoon and so all I know is that it went well!
How to find out exactly what was done? Shall I open the letter to my GP?
I did see a doctor and asked that now it was done, was did he predict for my future?
No more AFib, no more atrial tachycardia, might I get another new arrhythmia next?
He said nobody knows, which wasn’t very helpful!
Bob (because you’re only one who posted re this kind of ablation last time I wrote about it) What can I expect during this blanking period? I can find anything online and wasn’t told or given any information in the hospital?
Should I contact my St Barts team to ask?
Thank you to anyone who has stayed all this long time reading this! 😀
PS Excuse any typos, too tired and lazy to do an edit today!
2nd ablation done!
Ablation - Second Procedure
Ablation
Cryoablation and recovery so far - my experience 
