Ablation cancelled again

[Lefthook]

Hi

I had a scheduled catheter ablation cancelled at Nottingham City 3/7/24, the co ordinator quickly managed to get me a new date 1/8/24, all set to go, medication sorted, chest and other parts shaved, transport arranged, days off taken by family to look after me, then with 2 days notice cancelled again ! for Gods sake give me a break. My Afib has been persistant since January 2024, ectopics for 3 years, the longer it carries on being persistant, as I understand it, the less likely ablation is going to be successful. The medication causes me more problems than Afib, Felicinide 100mg x 2 a day, bisprolol 10 mg, Digoxin 250mg, my heart is as confused as I am sometimes very low heart rate 38 - 42, most of the time 48 -50, I am so dizzy and light headed sometimes I expect to fall over, maybe I will get an ablation at A&E ! As the medical experts advise I don't drink alcohol, I don't smoke, maybe its time I did. Losing the will.

[Gazzer8383]

Had an ablation 4 years ago. Unfortunately the connections sometimes reconnect. Going in for another one in October. Hopefully get another few years of relief.

[Lefthook in reply to Gazzer8383]

thanks, good luck

[Jalia]

How awful for you. Its all the planning that goes into it as well as the actual procedure. It makes you want to take to the bottle!

I've had 5 ablations and it was only my last one which was cancelled and that was when I was en route to the centre. I've got another procedure booked for 20 Aug...LAAO

Can you hsve a cardioversion to tide you over?

[Lefthook in reply to Jalia]

Hi Jalia. Thanks, I had a cardioversion in March which worked for a week, I am on the waiting list for another.

[Lefthook in reply to Jalia]

Good luck 20 Aug hope all goes well.

J

[Ppiman]

You won't lose the will. You will hang in there. What else is there to do? I am on a year's wait in Leicestershire. I know Trent is in a bad way NHS wise, so you are in the wrong county. Good doctors and hospitals, though!

Steve

[Lefthook in reply to Ppiman]

Hi Ppiman, Thanks for reply, the consultant and staff at Trent are brilliant, overworked, understaffed and underpaid. Third time lucky hopefully.

J

[stamelos]

Bisoprolol and Digoxin both affect your resting heart rate, pester your GP to try adjusting. Often standard doses are prescribed, if you don’t report symptoms, you’ll stay on it. (From personal experience of being on meds not needed, and quantity’s not suitable)

[Lefthook]

Hi stamelos. thanks will speak to GP again, they dont have the specialist knowledge and rely on consultants, my meds and dosage has been changed quite a few times I have stopped taking bisoprolol before and felt much better but Afib returns, put on felicinade and riveroxaban before scheduled ablation, seems to control Afib but they tell me I also need a beta blocker/channel blocker as well.

[Desanthony in reply to Lefthook]

Get onto the hospital and ask if you can be considered for a cancellation. The last cardioversion I had was one that had been cancelled by someone so I was able to have one earlier than planned. It's also worthwhile ringing the department and explaining your situation -they may have pity on you and be able to move you further up the list - or maybe to another hospital in the area where you could have it sooner.

Best of luck

[Lefthook in reply to Desanthony]

Hi Desanthony.Thanks for reply, I have spoken to the co-ordinator, already on list for cancellations, last time they cancelled they treated me as a priority and I got a second appontment in 4 weeks - now its been cancelled again just waiting for another date, fingers crossed its soon !

[Desanthony in reply to Lefthook]

Hope so.

[stamelos in reply to Lefthook]

In my case, after five years found out I could do without bisoprolol, felt less tired and a bit more active. But as I said, in my case. Quickly as encouragement, at the age of 69 I slowly started road cycling, peaking my fitness at 73, doing 20-30 miles a ride at a fair pace, also with a leaky mitral valve. Almost 77 and declining, but still out doing it. Symptoms improved after the first year so that at rest no longer noticed AF. Talk to your doctor first, and very slowly build up. Forgive me if you already exercise.

[Lefthook in reply to stamelos]

Stamelos. thanks for reply, i do still exercise, walking 3- 5000 yards every day, press ups, dips, weights for arms and shoulders three or four times a week, its very tiring and nowhere near what i could do two years ago. I hope after I finally get ablation i can reduce then stop bisoprolol and other meds and get some fitness back, I havent been on my bike or rowed for two years because of ectopics then persistant Afib. I am 66 and glad to hear you are still going strong at 77 ! there is hope for me yet.

[stamelos in reply to Lefthook]

Thanks for your reply and glad to hear you’re able to exercise, yes, in my case as well, I’ll never be the same either, just the best I can be after 21years of persistent AF.

Glad you’re being offered choices and wish you well for positive outcomes.

[Rainfern]

Oh darn it Lefthook. I had the same kind of situation last year with a long wait and then a cancellation. I had cancelled a holiday too in preparation only to have the whole thing delayed. I did obsess a bit about the extra time in AF, as if I was living on the edge of a cliff, but of course a few weeks makes no difference! Use your time to practice meditation and relaxation techniques- in the long run that will help your heart as much as any medication!

[Lefthook in reply to Rainfern]

Hi Rainfern. Thanks for reply and advice, we did the same cancelled holiday and made arrangements then it was cancelled again, I hope to get another date soon.

J

[Rainfern in reply to Lefthook]

🤞🍀