ablation

[lambretta1968]

After waiting for what seems ages , I was getting my ablation done this morning. Anxiety through the roof , all gowned up and almost ready to go when the nurse asked me if I was on blood thinners. I said I was but my local hospital had stopped them about 3 months ago . Then the consultant came through and said they couldn't go ahead as need to be on them . what a mess , left feeling so low and mentally drained 😪😡

[BobD Volunteer]

Why on earth did your local hospital do that. I would complain big time!

[lambretta1968 in reply to BobD]

I am complaining, unacceptable. have another one booked today for the start of the year

[MaryCa in reply to lambretta1968]

What was their reasoning behind stopping your blood thinners? My EP says AFib causes "devastating" strokes.

[RagdollRagdoll in reply to lambretta1968]

Really sorry to hear what hospital was it please.

[meadfoot]

My goodness. Where was the communication between your health providers to let this happen. I despair for you and others, many of, I dont doubt who are at the mercy of such inefficiency. Not to mention the total waste of medics time and scant resources available.

Not withstanding all the personal organisation and huge stress these procedures naturally bring for you and all going through such medical concerns. I am so sorry this has been your experience. Bet you have been waiting ages also for the procedures. There is little excuse for such ineffective communication. Wishing you well.

[lambretta1968 in reply to meadfoot]

thank you

[Cavalierrubie]

It just gets worse doesn’t it? Organised chaos. I can’t imagine how this ordeal must have affected you. Absolutely unacceptable. Bad ethics all round, l think.

[lambretta1968 in reply to Cavalierrubie]

yeah I agree , I've just had the consultant on the phone from my local hospital apologising. I've never formally even met him .

[Cavalierrubie in reply to lambretta1968]

It’s beyond apology. I am really sorry that you have had to go through this. We have a battle all the time without that sort of lack of care. Enjoy your Christmas now and relax.

[lambretta1968 in reply to Cavalierrubie]

thank you , hope you enjoy your Christmas too

[MaryCa in reply to lambretta1968]

Well if the local consultant was on the phone he just got his head eaten off by the EP.

[jeanjeannie50]

I see that you're 56 years old, that age are quite often not on anticoagulants. So sorry you had to miss your ablation. It's the fault of your EP for not making clear what was needed of you anticoagulant wise.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Anticoagulation for at least three months is normal prior to ablation even with a CHADS score of 0.

[lambretta1968 in reply to BobD]

cheers Bob

[Goosebumps in reply to BobD]

Every EP or cardiologist I’ve ever spoken to has said minimum 3/4 weeks of anticoagulants before a cardioversion or ablation. I’ve never heard of 3 months before, is that a typo Bob.?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Goosebumps]

Maybe things have changed but I had to start anticoagulation three months before. In fact I started well before that since they hadn't even thought of a date.

[petehughes in reply to Goosebumps]

I have had 3 episodes of SVT and had 3 cardio versions in an emergency room setting without thinners being prescribed before or after the procedure. I am 53. I have discussed with my consultant cardiologist about strokes, but have been told my score is O and I don't needs to be on thinners. I also had a stomach bleed 20 years ago and have been told blood thinners are a risk with this background history. Thanks

[lambretta1968 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

today has knocked the wind out my sails 😮‍💨

[lambretta1968 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hopefully the one in the new year will go better

[wischo in reply to jeanjeannie50]

100% correct, he is the one who should ensure you prepared and ready for your ablation. The consultant was not to know you were having this procedure.

[mjames1]

The consultant and his team we're negligent and not giving you proper medication instructions before the ablation. I would press them on that point and find out how long they want you on anticoagulation and emphasize. This was not your fault and you do not want to be put to the back of the list.

Jim

[lambretta1968 in reply to mjames1]

thanks Jim , I've been given a appointment for January

[Buzby62 in reply to lambretta1968]

I had to sign a form prior to my ablation that I had been established on anticoagulant for at least 21 days continuously so January will be fine I think. I was told about this so many times in the weeks leading up to my procedure. Unfortunately you are the reason for them asking so many times as you slipped through the net. It’s good diligence that they checked before proceeding but a nightmare for you.

Best wishes

[lambretta1968 in reply to Buzby62]

yeah, I'm glad the nurse picked up on it, could have been a nightmare for both sides

[sunlovah in reply to lambretta1968]

Often nurses are more on the ball than the Consultants.It's frightening that our health and well being is in the hands of some thoughtless people. The NHS isn't just broken it seems in some cases, to be manned by people who lack empathy and common sense. (Although I shouldn't need to, I double check everything, )

I can imagine the emotional turmoil this put you through , it's unacceptable, wishing you well for January,

[Cliff_G in reply to mjames1]

Except that, on the point of where you are moved to in the list, you need to be on it long enough, plus you may need a TOE unless they're doing the ablation under general and will do that when you're on the table.

[lambretta1968 in reply to Cliff_G]

thank you

[Peony4575]

I can imagine the level of anxiety you had built up before the ablation appointment being very anxious about such things myself , then to have the plug pulled at the last minute . Very distressing .

Am on the waiting list for an ablation myself , first step clinic appointment with the EP likely February with ablation to follow some months later . Did that happen to you ? Just wondering if you were anti coagulated at that appointment ? Just wondering if they thought that box had been ticked . Can’t imagine what your own cardiologist was thinking taking you off when you were on the ablation list and so sorry that happened . Try and enjoy Christmas and hope all goes well for you in the new year

We really do have to stay on the ball with these things , so thank you for sharing your experience will at least have helped others

[lambretta1968 in reply to Peony4575]

we asked the cardiac nurse if I still needed to be on them after my cardio version, she got back to me to say she had spoken to the consultant and it was OK to come off them . I had to chase my appointment up as my local hospital said they sent the referral in July and the main hospital said yesterday they didn't receive a referral until a month ago . I hope you get yours soon x

[Peony4575 in reply to lambretta1968]

I rang my GP surgery a month after the referral should have gone to be told that they had “overlooked” it and would send it that day . If I hadn’t chased it I would still be sat here waiting for an appointment that would not have come . You really have to be on your own case sadly these days.

Sounds like the consultant answered the question in relation to the cardioversion only and hadn’t looked at the whole picture.

I am on Edoxaban but at least thanks to you am sure I need to be on it ahead of the ablation at least . Can’t see mine happening before the back end of next year looking at the waiting list . Please keep us posted as to how you get on and try and enjoy Christmas ahead if that

[lambretta1968 in reply to Peony4575]

I will do , hope you get yours soon too

[opal11uk]

What was the reason the anticoags were stopped and why did those about perform the ablation read your notes before this???? I too would be both frustrated and annoyed to have got to this stage. It's not acceptable but it brought to mind when I went in for a facial skin cancer op, just about on the table when the surgeon said he had just been informed I was on anticoags and hadn't told him!!!! I said ' it's in my notes, didnt you read them'??? Bearing in mind he held the Scalpel lol he said that during surgery he needed to use Diathermy so, me being me said, 'well use less' lol so he replied that he would have to phone his boss, came back and I asked him what his boss had said.....his reply, use less!! I did reassure him that I hadn't taken any in 24 hours, the surgery went ahead and was a success, as yours will be. Good luck x

[lambretta1968 in reply to opal11uk]

thank you , I just don't think both hospitals have communicated as they should be

[Sailblue]

I am really sorry you had to go through that. You are right, it is totally unacceptable. You need to follow this through so they do it properly. It seems as though there is a lack of communication between GPs and hospitals too. I had to go to A and E a month ago on advice of GP. When I asked for him to tell them I was going he said they do not answer their calls anymore. When I arrived the nurse said the GPs are pushing loads on to them ( she instigated the conversation ). You can feel and see their stress. This has what it has come too after years of under funding. Thankyou for sharing your story. I hope they sort it out. Mine is due in February. I've been waiting a year and a half so far.

[lambretta1968 in reply to Sailblue]

thank you good luck too

[Fullofheart]

I really feel for you. Its a very big deal to get to that point and then to be told that at the last minute. I can only imagine the many emotions.Sounds like a few errors here, none of them yours.

I hope once today is done you can put it behind you for now and get back to this in January.

[lambretta1968 in reply to Fullofheart]

thank you 🙂

[Karendeena]

So sorry for you ❤️ Why on earth did the hospital stop your anticoagulants?? Did you not have a pre op assessment as this should have been picked up then?

[lambretta1968 in reply to Karendeena]

I think it's just been a complete shambles with no communication , I haven't even formally met my consultant. I work at the same hospital , I seen him in the staff canteen and approached him . fingers crossed for January. My consultant phoned yesterday apologising

[Cortis]

I was the same……Totally unfounded….It will be the best thing youve ever done!!!

[Alicant]

so more money wasted by the NHS and quite a lot and no one off waiting lists etc..the NHS must be run by the same people who run the trains!

[pusillanimous]

It's interesting how things change or maybe just differ from country to country. My son had an ablation nearly 20 years ago at age 34- he is a canoeist and so was the cardio who diagnosed him (I think he diagnosed half the canoe club, as the condition is prevalent among paddlers). Anyhow, we live in South Africa and in the province in which we live, there were no EPs. so he was sent to Cape Town. He was there for a few days before the procedure and he recalls that it was just for those few days he was given any medication. He was in hospital for a night, and flew home the next day. He is now 54. has never had a repetition of AF and takes no medication. He is aware that I suffer from familial A fib (my 4 sisters and I all have it, diagnosed in our 60s or 70s and virtually asymptomatic) ), and keeps a close eye on himself but still canoes (not competitively) runs marathons, cycles, hikes and swims a lot. So given his experience, it is obvious that you can survive the ablation without 3 months pre-op. anti-coagulation, unless he was just lucky. I'm aware of taking it routinely when diagnosed, but is it required before ablation because there are already clots seen, or is it precautionary?

[Soundmike]

Yes it's soul destroying to say the least, just a query did you have a pre assessment a week before your opp appointment.

[lambretta1968 in reply to Soundmike]

no pre op appointments 😢

[Jetcat]

sorry to hear that. It doesn’t fill you with much confidence does it.!!

[Windlepoons]

I do sympathise with you. A few years ago I was waiting in reception in hospital to be admitted for my ablation only to be told its been cancelled as you are anaemic. No one had let me know even though it had been cancelled weeks previously. The irony was that the anaemia had been caused by the anti coagulation drug I was on.I really hope they reschedule your op soon.🙏

[lambretta1968 in reply to Windlepoons]

thank you

[Desertflowerchild]

I am so sorry this happened to you. That's a really rough break. I got a phone call from the catheter lab plus email reminders that if I missed even one dose in the three weeks prior to the ablation, my ablation would have to be rescheduled. I'm glad they are getting you re-scheduled promptly.

[lambretta1968 in reply to Desertflowerchild]

me too, hopefully it goes well then

[mike1961]

4 weeks minimum AC prior to ablation. Appalling that you weren't informed as such !

[2learn]

Hi, didn't you get a pre op interview, perhaps a couple of wks before, they should checks all your drugs etc and advise on medication leading up to ablation to try to reduce any hiccups like yours which waste your and hospital time.

[RagdollRagdoll]

I'm so sorry to hear I've been told to keep taking mine.Hope you are OK.My procedure is tomorrow at 11

[lambretta1968 in reply to RagdollRagdoll]

good luck x