First Ablation - the Big Day

[scorp1o]

Thank you to all who encouraged and supported me. I got home from hospital c8.45pm but the day was not without incident. As promised, an update.In order to be there for the requested 7.30am, an alarm of 5.15am was needed. Just under an hour's journey on -2° roads is it exactly calming. But we arrived and I checked in, disrobed, the usual and was sent to sit with others in the waiting lounge.

Unfortunately, there was a lack of communication and I wasn't told that, for reasons I don't fully understand, I'd still be waiting there 5 and a half hours after check-in. As one already nervous, you can imagine.

I didn't get my book out as I thought the next call would be me. As it was, all those who arrived with me went and so did 4 who arrived as the morning went on. By 4 hours, the staff could see I was agitated and began to try to reassure me. Eventually the surgeon came out and talked me down - I was seriously feeling like running tbh. He was excellent and I trusted him implicitly. About 45 minutes after that, I went in.

There was another, more understandable, delayed of c30m and the surgeon explained that a problem next door necessitated his presence. No problem with that.

We had agreed in our earlier talk that sedation would be such that I wouldn't remember the procedure and I don't. After the local, that was it and I'm grateful for it. There was apparently a serious drop in BP but they sorted it and I awoke on the ward, very cold, shaking (no food or drink for 21 hours by that stage) and feeling sick and very shivery. Later, when they removed the femoral sheath, I had a significant bleed - my biggest fear as my team operate without stopping thinners (for perfectly valid medical reasons) I had the fist in groin and G clamp and am rather nervous about removing the final strapping so won't touch it yet.

Staff of all grades have been resoundingly wonderful. My only issue was the initial lack of communication. So I'm now on the other side, waiting to see the result.

Thanks again all. Much appreciated.

[Buffafly]

Poor you, same happened to me initially. I somehow missed the morning last moment when I was allowed to drink water so I was very dehydrated - couldn’t remember my weight when asked and felt quite confused. I had to be in the ward by 7.30 and expected to be ‘done’ fairly early but due to an emergency it was mid afternoon before I was taken to sit in a corridor for more waiting at which point I was presented with the form to sign after having a very quick run through of all the awful things which could possibly happen! None of them did thankfully and the ablation was a success which I hope yours will be ❤️‍🩹 Btw, I did say to the nurse that I couldn’t understand why, when I’d previously had a very big and dangerous spinal op without a shred of nerves, that I was terrified at the thought of the ablation and she replied simply ‘It’s your heart’.

[scorp1o in reply to Buffafly]

I think she's right!!

[Nezzera]

So glad you came through it. I had forgotten that it was a bit of a wait for me too. In at 8:00 am and last one out at 6:30 pm

I found the number of other patients there for the same thing reassuring and humbling at the same time.

Now treat yourself well for the next few weeks and get plenty of rest.

[Peony4575]

Thanks for sharing and glad it went well for you. Very useful for those of us waiting for a first ablation

[babs1234]

I had a call yesterday offering a cancellation for today. Only to discuss an ablation. I bottled it 🤦‍♀️ to short notice. Need time to get my head round things

[scorp1o in reply to babs1234]

A discussion might have been helpful. But I'd have bailed on 24hrs notice of a procedure for sure!

[Vonnegut]

Sad that by calling it the “first ablation”, you are not expecting it to put an end to episodes. I thought that was the point of the incredibly invasive procedure! Flecainide has virtually put an end to mine.

[scorp1o in reply to Vonnegut]

I called it that because my original post was entitled First Ablation and detailed my fears so I wanted those who'd responded to recognise the follow up. I certainly hope it does the trick.The surgeon explained to me how the percentages for first ablation success work. I was familiar with the up to 75% success figure but he explained that a 30second episode counted as failure. If you disregard that ( it wouldn't even register with me) the figure rises to 85% which was highly reassuring.

I've had this for 15 years and at the start, pill in the pocket worked for the occasional episode. Over time it increased, as is typical. I have resisted ablation strongly as I felt flecainide did the job. In August, I was down to 50mg once per day - great. Enjoyed a summer holiday eating and drinking previous trigger food/drink. I was on top of the world. Then a stressful weekend flicked a switch and I began to have episodes 6 days out of 7, lasting up to 70 hours, which left me feeling as if I was ancient and unable to exercise (2x weights pw, I yoga, I pilates) and basically feeling awful almost all the time, unable to plan etc etc. I endured over 6 weeks of that and asked to go on the list.

An increase in dose put a stop to it after that (when I finally got to see arrhythmia nurse) but also affected my sinus wave intervals so I felt I ought to go for it. I know how suddenly things can change, I know how helpless I felt and how vulnerable. I also know my OH may not be here if that happens again and I couldn't have coped.

So if Flecainide works for you now, that's great and it was me for a long time. Just don't expect it to always work. There may be a time when you too will do the cost/benefit analysis and go for it. At 72, it was time for me. I don't want to be in that situation again.

[Vonnegut in reply to scorp1o]

As I’m almost 81, I’m happy to take the Flecainide, especially as the first dose of the day still mostly works fine at 50mg, keeping the 100mg at night. Don’t think I could cope with the op and it hasn’t been offered anyway! Hope it works for you. I was still fit, healthy and active at your age so I have been fortunate overall!

[Barblou720]

i had my ablation Jan, 7. Had to be there very early, got in soon after 7 am. Thrybsaid my heart is back in rhytym but I don't feel any different. Doc said some people take 3 mos. or so. Great.

Main problem I've been having for quite awhile is shortness of breath. Just walking short distance and I am gasping or at least uncomfortable, depending. I need tomlose weight, but still, before Afib I worked in my large garden and now I can't do much at all. I'm wondering if it could be related to one of my meds. Only got to talk to the doc for a few minutes and he had no answer!

This lack of stamina is frustrating and causes me embarrassment if I have to stop for a minute to catch my breath. Aerobic has never been a strong suit with me anyway. I am 78.

[scorp1o in reply to Barblou720]

I'm glad you're on the other side of it. As you say, it's a waiting game now. I've had an 18 hour and a 4 hour episode, despite being on evening meds of 100mg Flecainide. I have contacted my consultant to ask when I should leave it off - nursery said after a month (ie next week) but the 2 episodes have made me feel that's too soon. Awaiting response.I think you should contact yours as shortness of breath could be a continuing issue or something else. The best people to advise are your team - use them!

Like you, I'm starting to rebuild stamina and that's frustrating. But we shall get there. Good luck!!