Guys, I'm having my first ablation next Wednesday, having coped for about 13 years on Flecainide as it progressed from occasional to frequent to regular. For somec reason, in late September, it went berserk and I endured an awful 6 weeks of very frequent, long lasting episodes which made me feel very vulnerable indeed. I asked to go on the list.I'm a fit and healthy 72 apart from this. My consultant is very sure that I need this and I was up for it too after the above experience, though it's settled since (of course!) But I am terrified - that I'll bleed to death due to Rivaroxaban, that something will go wrong, that I will forget to keep my leg straight after the op etc etc.
I do NOT want to hear about complications! But were any of you as scared as I am??? Or am I the world's biggest wuss?? Was it ok?
Help a gal out please!
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scorp1o
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I had my ablation about two and a half years ago. Same scenario as yours, started out infrequent and moved up to more frequently. I was on Sotalol with a heart rate average of 55. It was ridiculous. Constantly worried about the next episode and when it would happen. Afraid to go anywhere by myself. I was 67 and was diagnosed at 62.
So, in answer to your question … was I scared? No
As soon as it was offered I jumped at the chance and didn’t look back. I tried to prepare by getting myself in the best possible shape I could.
I had a bad episode while driving myself and my husband to the hospital for the ablation. In the middle of traffic trying to keep my wits about me.
I have had a couple of episodes since but nothing in the past 10 months and it’s been wonderful. I would do it again.
I was dead keen when it was awful..since arrhythmia nurse increased meds, haven't had one! But it could all start again so trying to take the long view!
You are not a wuss! I’ve had 3 ablations. Before my first one I was terrified, like you say you are. So much so I convinced my partner we needed to redo our wills, and during my 4 month wait I organized paperwork and cleaned drawers in case the worst happened. All for naught, as it was a breeze compared to other surgeries I’ve had. Almost no pain, back to an almost regular routine within a few days (with lots of rest - full routine in about a month). When it came time for my next ablations I was about as nervous as I think would be expected when you are going to the hospital for a medical procedure, just hoping it’s successful. Because I knew what to expect! Knowledge is power…and that’s the beauty of this forum. I wish I’d been connected back then. Good luck scorp1o!
You won’t bleed to death! They check your clotting status anyway but your leg will be fine. I bled a bit afterwards but with a bit if pressure and tight bandaging it soon stopped. Just trust the process & do what everyone says - rest rest and then rest again. I’ve not noticed anything since mine so best choice I made! Good luck next week🎉
I was terrified! Lucky I was offered a cancellation so I only had a few days notice because I spent a lot of that time in the loo. Best wishes, even if it doesn’t go completely smoothly you’ll be pleased you did it ❤️🩹
It was OK! You will not bleed out, your anticoagulant will be stopped a day or so before and the medical team will manage your bleed risk by constant monitoring until you can restart your Rivaroxaban.
In fact I eventually found the whole experience fascinating as the Cath Lab looks more like a Sci Fi set than an operating room. Was I scared - yes - in fact I am so good at somatising my fear the night before I manifested all the symptoms of a bad cold so awoke the morning of the procedure saying I couldn’t possibly have the procedure. My husband persuaded me to go the hospital where they swabbed me, told me I had nothing and the procedure could go ahead. Waiting is the worst part but once you get there you will find that the staff are quite used to us Wuss’s and know exactly how to calm, reassure and if need be, give a mild sedative.
Your mind is going into overdrive because you are going into the unknown. Try some LSD breaths - Long, Slow, Deep breaths using your diaphragms at the same time as some reassuring, self talk - eg:- even though I am really scared, I have every faith in the team looking after me. Even though I think I might bleed out because I can’t keep my legs still, I know when the time comes I will stay still.
Visualise staying calm and having a calm heart.
The power of the mind can work both ways - make it work for you, not against you.
This team don't stop the antivcoagulant - they stress you must not miss a single dose for at least 4 weeks before it, which accounts for my worry. But I'll quiz them on it when I get there. Thank you for the helpful advice.
Hi. I had an ablation 3.5 years ago for flutter as I was already on PIP for fibrillation. Spent a week in hospital while they tried to control the flutter with drugs but eventually squeezed me in to the surgeons weekly clinic on the Friday morning for an ablation. On the morning I expected them to stop the apixaban but was dismayed to find out that they had prescribed my regular dose so believed that they wouldn’t carry out the ablation. They didn’t and the ablation was carried out in about 45 minutes and my heart started beating normally immediately. Back on the ward for an hour on my back then 4 hours sitting up but not allowed to get out of bed with no bleeds whatsoever. I was discharged following this and haven’t looked back with no episodes since then but it did take me approx 4 weeks to get back to feeling normal as sometimes the Vagal nerve gets disturbed and takes a while to settle down again. I’m sure that you will be fine and it’s a procedure that they carry out regulatory and swiftly.
They don't stop it now. Mine wasn't stopped and I had no problem whatsoever. This limits the risk of blood clots and strokes. You will be fine. I didn't even have a problem with the wound in my groin, not even a bruise!
I believe the protocol has changed now (well it has at my hospital) they don't stop the anticoagulants so to minimise clot risk. I am on apixaban which wasn't stopped and I had no problem whatsoever with bleeding, in fact the wound in my groin was as perfect as can be ,not even any bruising
I’ve had 3 ablations, 2 for AFlutter (took a 2nd top up one to fully resolve) and one for AFib. All under light sedation. I wouldn’t think twice about a 4th if I thought my quality of life was suffering from the symptoms of AF. I’m currently getting episodes of 6-8 hrs, approximately weekly that are sorted by PIP flecainide. I can thrive with this but if it becomes longer lasting / more frequent/ doesn’t respond to PIP Flec, then I’ll be straight on the phone badgering my consultant for another ablation.
I wasn't the slightest bit worried when I went for my ablation and I was right to feel that way. The time after going home the next day was a bit rough as I felt drained for a few days and tired quickly. After about 2.5 weeks I was back at work.
Now if I were having open heart surgery that would be a different matter and I think I'd need sedation from the moment they told me.
You are normal . Lets get that out of the way. I have had four for various things (three AF one Atrial tachycardia) and am a devout coward but the procedure is fine. The antcoagulation is good as it prevents the possibility of micro embolii forming during the ablation which might otherwise affect cognitive function (brain fog )durng recovery. Yes you might bleed initially but if so they use a femstop which is like a giant G clamp strapped round your pelvis. Happened to me the first time in 2005. No problem at all if a little messy. Saves some poor nurse having to sit with her thumb in your groin for half an hour.
As you can tell from my irreverent jokular response it really is a non event. As I have said many times I'd rather have an ablation than go the the dentist!
Almost exactly my story. I actually post poned my first ablation as I had convinced myself I could manage as I was.I was convinced I'd have compliications of some kind
Then out of the blue,2 x5 week and 6 weeks of non stop AF and AFL showed me the error of my ways 😑 and I begged to go back on waiting list as meds just making no difference.
But I still whittered and dithered posting on here about whether I was doing the right thing. Endless weighing up of potential risks etc etc.
Wrote goodbye letters to my family( yes really)
Eventually got there on the day and still nearly did a runner!
Somehow they must have knocked me on the head or slipped me a Mickey Finn and I had it done.
Since then no flutter ever since. Still occasional.AF but meds now work very well.
So did I - was down to one tablet per day and happy to cope, so when date came through at the same time as a holiday took the plane! But as you say, it got so much worse so fast, I couldn't wait to go back on the list. Now I'm under control again, dithering ! Glad to know I'm not the only one! And I shall still be writing a 'what if' instruction sheet tm!! Thank you!
Totally normal... give yourself a break on that one! Many of us have had multiple, and we wouldn't so if it was tough! Apprehension of the unknown and inexperienced is normal. I loved watching the setup and the screens (light sedation). See if you can just stay "curious" and less afraid - it helps! BEST wishes for a brilliant outcome.
I took ages to make the decision and was scared for sure. A friend said to me…don’t u think it would be weird if u were not at least a little scared. Made me feel better
Bobs list of the post op is excellent and better than what the hospital told me
I’ve led a much better life since I did it just over a year ago
Good luck. It’s worth it in my view.
Ps I’m rarely on this forum now. It’s changed my life alot for the good
I had an ablation 6 years ago after AF episodes progressively became more frequent and longer. To be honest I was scared about the whole procedure but all went well and the EP and support staff were superb(Bristol).So far, I am very pleased with the outcome -I may have one or two short episodes per year and some ectopics but I can live with that.
So, don't worry about anything-I am sure you will be fine.
OMG you could have written this for me!! I was so terrified that I was going to die that I nearly jumped off the trolley on the way down to the cath lab. I was convinced I was going to have an oesophageal fistula as I had read this is the most serious (yet rare) complication. I read and re read everything, frightening myself to death. But guess what? I went through with it after many tears and it was the best decision I ever made. My ablation was in March 2024 and I haven't had an episode that I know of since. I have got my confidence back and been abroad on holiday twice this year, I was always to scared to fly before in case an episode started on the flight. You will be fine ❤️
I adopted a stance of ‘having’ this procedure whilst ‘out cold’ was better than feeling wiped out constantly and knowing problem willNOT go away of its own accord! 4 attempts later I had AV Node ablation and got sort of sorted! I don’t regret any of my procedures and am happy I made them. They were not painful if very briefly uncomfortable but people had my back and worked very proffesionally to offer me the best of treatment and outcome. All I had to do was turn up on time on the day! Having been offered this procedure my view is go for it in hope of better days ahead. Borrowed that from Captain Tom…Good Luck
I had 3 ablations in 2022. No complications. Takes a while to recover from them, but all fine. I've been in NSR for 20 months now after 20 years of AF, mostly persistent.For me I had little choice as I was in heart failure, in high rate AF, meds weren't working and I was too young for pacemaker, though this was being discussed as an option down the line. If your AF burden is not that great then you need to consider what is right for you. It's nit a one size fits all.
Because of the type of AF I have, and the duration of it, I'm likely to need another ablation at some point which I would absolutely do. But that's based on my experience of AF and my experience of meds and procedures.
Read the AFA factsheet to be prepared for the procedure and the recovery if you are going ahead. An important read!
Hi, think anyone who wasn't worried pre ablation would be unusual, I put myself on the waiting list thinking I'll decide when I reach the top of the list. When I did I'd just started flecanide and things had settled but I decided it wouldn't improve on its own. I'm now off flecanide and going to try and come off bisoprolol. I didnr bleed to death although when I first stood some pooled blood that through gravity left the wound was a bit disconcerting just take it easy for a while (not advice I took very eell) and you will be fine
I had my ablation in September 2023. I was scared too.I felt like jumping off the trolley and running off when they were wheeling me down to the Catheter lab. It’s the fear of the unknown and I’m sure most people are scared. I had to come off the Sotalol, but not the Edoxaban, which surprised me, but I didn’t bleed to death. If it was to cause problems, I’m sure they wouldn’t keep you on it, while they did it. I did get an enormous bruise though, where the catheter went in, but it didn’t cause problems. I don’t like lying still, but I managed it, even though it took about 2&1/2 hours in the Cath lab and then you had to lie still for 3 hours, I think it was, afterwards. They looked after me well and reassured me and the time went quite quickly. Idid feel it a bit on the odd occasion, but they will give you more local, if necessary. Take a book and your phone and you’ll be able to pass the time. If necessary, I would go through it again, but hopefully, the awful AFib won’t return.🤞🤞. Good luck, I’m sure you’ll be fine.
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