Had first ablation 11 years ago at age 69 and it was really successful. But AF came back big time and I’vehad two cardioversions and one ablation over the past 18 months and none of them worked. In fact, the last cardioversion failed to get me back into sinus.
Have tried most of the beta blockers - they don’t work. Had a massive allergic reaction to flecainide which put me in hospital for 10 days last year. digoxin helps but only a bit and my kidneys have now decided they don’t like all these drugs so am being monitored for creatine levels. Oh, just for the icing on the cake, I have COPD as well. The respiratory team think my extreme breathlessness is more heart related than lung, so have now been given the go ahead for the treatment of last resort, Pace and Ablate ( doesn’t it sound cosy? Only it isn’t!) have just got date for implantation of pacemaker on 21/2. Is anyone interested to hear how I get on?
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Lymolass
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A member on this forum CDreamer felt so much better after just having her pacemaker that she never followed up with the ablate bit. By my putting her name here she will get a message to say I have mentioned her name and will hopefully reply.
Hi, I'm interested to hear how you get on. I've got the pacemaker but waiting for the ablate. I don't see pace and ablate as a last resort and neither should you, it's a good opportunity to feel better and enjoy life. Keep us posted! xx
I would love to hear how you get on. I’ve been on a waiting list to see an NHS Cardiolist since July 2024 but, on the advice of my Sleep Apnea Consultant, I saw a private Cardiologist 2 weeks ago. He is talking about fitting a pacemaker followed by an AV Node Ablation. I have to have an Echocardiogram and will see the Cardiologist again in 2 weeks. This was talked about back in 2023 when I’d also resorted to the private system. I was referred back into the NHS system but, after waiting ages to see an NHS Cardiologist, he just said, “Good luck with getting one of those on the NHS” and discharged me back to my GP. I also spoke to the Cardiac Nurse at the BHF and she said that she has never heard of anyone getting a pacemaker followed and ablate on the NHS. Now it’s become a matter of ‘last resort’ I had resigned myself to paying £25,000 for the procedure plus hospital costs, but you seem to be getting this done on the NHS. Is this just another case of postcode lottery.
I don’t think it’s a postcode lottery but the criteria are quite strict. I am lucky as ny local hospital is a university one and they have a dedicated Cardiac Rhythm team who have recommended this.
I will be interested. I keep narrowly avoiding the issue as my current medication is still just about working but I know that pace and ablate is somewhere down the line.
To be honest, from things I have read on here from other contributors, I won’t be worried when that time arrives.
I'm on that journey too. My doctor is recommending a leadless pacemaker. I've tried everything over the couple of years to get my heart rate, AFib and flutter under control...one ablation, 4 cardioversions, and many drugs. I've been on Amiodarone for the past three weeks. It's controlling the rate but not the AFib or flutter....Plus it's side effects are numerous...So I'm taking the next step, ablate and pace. I'd love to hear more about your journey as you proceed. Thanks
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pace and ablate
Pace & Ablate 2nd part
pace and ablate looming 
