don’t know what to do

[sueoreilly5]

This is my first time writing on her although I follow every day.

I was put on the waitlist for an ablation last May, at the time my afib was really bad. However for the last six months it’s been minimal and I’ve been feeling really good. I’ve now received a date for my ablation 28th March and really don’t know what to do. I know it has to be my decision but wondered what other people would do in my position . Do I cancel or go ahead. I keep thinking I could go back into afib at anytime but then I think I’ve been so well for a while why risk the procedure. My family think I should go for it but I’m really scared. This will be my 2nd ablation, the first was during lockdown which make the experience that bit more scary.

I’m 70 years old, fairly active . Some of you must have been in this position and I feel your thoughts will help me. Thanks

[Buzby62]

I wonder what you mean by minimal. I think it’s quite common to feel as you do when the date comes, I had a quiet couple of months before mine and had similar thoughts. Someone said to think how you would feel if your AF had progressed and you were no longer a candidate for an ablation.

Best wishes

[sueoreilly5 in reply to Buzby62]

When I say minimal I mean probably only 3 episodes on the past 6 months, however I do get a drop in heart rate most days, it ranges from 40 to 130 most days and the drop to 40’s is brief .

Thank you

[BobD Volunteer]

Just do it! AF is a mongrel bu**er and does this to fool you. Cancel the ablation and boom back it comes! This is the most common question we see so you are not alone.

[Cliff_G in reply to BobD]

Totally agree, especially as your AF was bad at the time. The only predictable thing about AF is that it is unpredictable.

[sueoreilly5 in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob I know you’re probably right, I think it’s just fear stopping me although this time I’m having a general anaesthetic .

[BobD Volunteer in reply to sueoreilly5]

Great. Always best not to be there when they do it.

[wilsond]

If you look up.my previous posts on this very subject,might help you to decide.Exactly the same,dithered and fretted whether it was warranted given that AF seemed to gave settled. 'Seemed' is the word,as it then came back with a vengeance. Glad I was on the watch and see waiting list for ablation by my request.

So glad I had it done!

[sueoreilly5 in reply to wilsond]

Thanks for you response . That’s what I’m afraid of, cancelling and regretting it !

[wilsond in reply to sueoreilly5]

Courage Sue. It's natural to worry about it,especially when things seem stable xx

[wilsond in reply to sueoreilly5]

Ps if I need another I am going to insist on GA. Xx