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
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sueoreilly5
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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.
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 .
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.
I had mine under a general anaesthetic last July. You don’t feel or know anything. You are in good hands and will feel relieved when this works for you. Good luck.
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.
I would go for it, think you know this but trying to convince yourself otherwise. It's unlikely that your AF will go away and no doubt come back with a vengeance and then you'll have another long wait for an ablation
I have been and probably will be in the same position again. Hard decision but what helped me was to ask myself would I ever decide on ablation again if it got worse and if the answer is yes then I would have it as soon as possible. If not then I would concentrate on medication route.
What also helped was to find out that in many other counties they have now decided that ablation should be the first treatment option rather than last resort. Therefore it must be relatively successful option otherwise it would not be offered taking into account the costs.
It's a pity New Zealand isn't one of those countries. I think ablation is 'down the track' here. I have paroxysmal afib. I probably wouldn't even end up on a waiting list here.
I would postpone and be optimistic that the problem has diminished to a tolerable level. Health problems can peak and just maybe your body has adjusted in some way to address the cause. Surgery should be a last resort imo. So many people on here have issues for months after an ablation then need another one 2 years later
I would definitely go for it Sue.I was told by my cardiologist that more than 4 episodes a year was too many and that I should have the ablation which I did. Also that it is more successful the younger you are. Therefore the sooner the better.
One year on all is well so far. So glad I had it although , like you, I was petrified.
I had the same issue and discussed it with my GP. She did the usual things ie listened to my chest, checked my blood pressure and pulse then sat me down for a 'chat'. All the time she held onto my wrist. I didn't really pay much attention as I was busy telling her why I was sitting on the fence about the ablation. 'Ok.' she said, removing her hand. 'Were you aware of having any AF while we were talking?' I said I wasn't aware and that's why I was questioning the procedure.
Lovely lady that she is, she laughed (kindly). She told me that I had been in AF throughout the consultation which was why she continued to take my pulse when we were talking.
She said it was 'all over the place'. I hadn't noticed it at all.
'That,' she said, 'is why I recommend you have it done. But the final decision is yours.'
know how you’re feeling and got to be your own decision. For me, if I need another I’ll be having it - 1st one a year ago in Dec 23 - problematic for a number of weeks afterwards but then settled and no AFib since 🙏. Highly symptomatic and was getting worse before I had it - Literally given me a life back - good luck with your decision Sue ☘️☘️☘️
If it was me, I'd go for it. No question. Knowing my PAF, it's unpredictability and the years I've had it, reinforces the fact that it isn't going away.
I would advise not to decide lightly to have an ablation.
It still is an invasive procedure with considerable possible risks and side effects, a far from stellar success rate and involving a serious dose of harmful radiation.
I would consider it only if my AF would become VERY symptomatic and permanent, thereby affecting my quality of life tremendously. And so would one of my best friends, a retired cardiologist with AF himself. He calls ablation ‘the cash cow of the cathlab’, which explains why it is pushed so hard by EP’s, hospitals and catheter manufacturers like Boston Scientific, these last few years.
Moreover, and that is a very important extra reason I don’t even think about it: it is guesswork. I’m not the gambling type.
This is what John Mandrola whites about it, himself being an experienced EP, who has performed hundreds of ablations:
“We don’t know why pulmonary vein isolation works; and we don’t know why it fails. Patients ask how I know where to ablate? This question always makes me smile. Because the true answer is that we do not know. We ablate the same area (PV isolation) in every patient”.
I know some of the members here despise me for this critical stance, and regularly urge moderators to remove my posts (god knows why?) but you’re asking for advice. And this is what I’m giving you: my honest advice and that of a very experienced cardiologist who is one of my best friends.
My advice therefor is: exhaust all the other approaches first, there are many, from supplements to lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques.
My AF frequency is like yours: about one episode every two months. And I take no rhythm medication, just an anti-coagulant. Plus a betablocker because I have had a massive heart attack 7 years ago.
I excercise with weights daily, do hot Finnish sauna’s and ice cold showers, swim, sail, work-out and enjoy life to the fullest at 75. The only ‘scar’ on my heart is the one caused by my heart attack. I plan to keep it that way! 😉
have the ablation. The risks are small compared to the benefits. And you are likely, sadly, to have more AF. In many places in the world ablation won’t be an option. I would grab it with both hands. Good luck 😉
Hi Sue. I completely understand your anxiety but as many people have already said, AF is so unpredictable and often gives you a false sense of security....that maybe you've beaten it on your own with lifestyle changes etc. They all help, for sure....but AF is always waiting in the wings. I opted to go ahead when two separate EPs said the longer you leave it, the less likely it is to be successful especially if you end up going in to permanent AF. So waiting for it to get worse doesn't seem like a good strategy. It's like driving a car and hearing a funny sound, ignoring it and hoping it will just disappear...and then you break down in the middle of nowhere! Go for it and definitely go the GA route. Good luck.
Go for it Sue. I have had one last June and on the waiting list for the second. My Consultant put me back on the list, even though it had been minimal episodes, because as he said better to get rid of it all together.
My first reaction was that having just celebrated my 2 years in NSR I would not hesitate but then I think? 6 months minimum problems.My life was terrible in my 2 years of permanent Afib.Qol,unable to carry on with my quite active life.Bowls 4 times a week, excercise classes.One day I could walk 2 MLS,next couldn't walk 200 yds to the bus stop.So yes I personally would have another as I am sure it is just waiting to return.I am 76 and would happily have it done before I was considered too old.And refusing it could mean a long wait or cuts could rule out a 2nd ablation.
I always picture Afib as a little stick man that jumps up and waves his knickers in the air shouting "I am here"
Can you discuss your doubts with your Arrythmia nurse or EP.
I was exactly in your position a few weeks ago .I was even thinking I might have Covid and an excuse to cancel !My first ablation was done under GA , absolutely nothing to worry about ,I didn't know a thing until I woke up and was so relieved I had gone ahead with it
My second was done under LA , and as others have said , a different experience altogether
I worried about having the procedure under sedation but decided it could be interesting to observe.However I was out of it once they started inside the heart.I would take an ablation rather than a wisdom tooth extraction I had without sedation
Chances are it will not be as extensive.Again discuss is this likely.I said in previous post discuss you doubts but maybe discuss your fears and ask if the procedure is the same.
When I had mine I posted here when I was waiting at the hospital & felt as if people on here where holding my hand.
AFib is indeed a trickster! Like Bob said I bet if you did cancel then straight away it would strike again in its horrible banging, pausing and quivering way!
I had my second ablation a couple of weeks ago (under sedation) and so far so good.I would have the ablation while you can,it is so unpredictable and given the chance it will revert back to more frequent episodes just out of spite.
Have it done, the AF hasn't gone away, I was very aware to keep my AF under control and still ended up with heart failure, wished I'd had an ablation, now it's too late.
I am pleased that you have gained the confidence to post on the Forum for the first time. It is natural to feel anxious ahead of a procedure, and I am positive your fellow members will offer you great advice based upon their own experiences. You may find the attached information sheet of help: Preparing for an Ablation information sheet: api.heartrhythmalliance.org...
hi Sue, I was in exactly same position last year. AF controlled with 100x2 Flec a day and the odd bisoprolol if I felt heart beating bit fast. Apixaban etc My original first 2 ablations worked for couple of years but AF now on other side.
My husband was unsure about rocking the boat but I thought, what if my AF got worse, I would kick myself. So ablation August 24.
Ablation was quite intense and EP confident of success but offered 4th ablation if unsuccessful as I assumed, a tidy up. And could be a month wait instead of a year.
Ended up in A&E week later with bad AF episode and cardioverted.
All well till I weaned off Flecainide to 25g a day (5months post ablation) then a really bad episode, back to A&E. In/out AF and no Cardioversion as resting ECG in NSR so home with increase in Flecainide and bisoprolol. Tried to explain that if I stood up I went into AF with breathlessness but other than cardiovert me standing up I was sent home.
Since the 3rd ablation my AF is different.
Pre ablation HR was 60bpm, now 90bpm and in rythmn sometimes.
Go into AF and HR could go to 180bpm, jaw/chest pain.
Have added bisoprolol to try reduce heart rate but I’ve never tolerated well as breathless, so no stairs, limited bending up/down, my walks now limited, and cancelled various outings as bad days seem to overtake the good.
I change opinion every week.
Should I go for 4th ablation, I’ve heard of atrial flutter after an ablation and EP that did 3rd had mentioned flutter on his notes but my original EP dismissed it and thought forget bout 4th ablation as very hard to treat when AF moving to other side.
Cardiologists in A&E were dismissive of all ablations and recommended accepting AF with rate drugs.
I can’t tell you what to do as I am so undecided myself but initially I so regretted ablation as I am now a different person.
The 3 month blanking period is pretty common but I’ve also read about 6months-1 year so I’m praying that’s me if my ablation was intense.
Or do I go for 4th if there’s a chance it is now flutter and more chances of success..
We are all so different.
If we could order up an ablation within a few weeks we could hang off but the year wait on NHS is a deciding factor.
I hope whatever you decide works out and I’m sorry if my post is a bit off putting but wanted to give another perspective.
Personally, I would wait—but only if you’re on an anticoagulant. Only you know how bad you feel with AFIB. Some don’t know and some have awful symptoms to go through. I had to do the cardiac ablation almost 2 years ago due to me being in AFIB most all the time that ramped up over 3 years and not being a good candidate for medication (and I was not put on an anticoagulant until a month before the scheduled ablation). I have found listening to “my gut” is actually a good thing. The unfortunate part is that you have to go on a list, which also needs to be a consideration. If you have other health issues, including fibromyalgia, they also are things to take into consideration. If you choose to wait, has your dr discussed using a PIP with you when AFIB comes? Your recovery experience matters as well in your decision to undergo a CA. My recovery experience was so long and painful (the fibromyalgia flare up only added insult to injury) that it was traumatic for me. I made the right decision under the circumstances but those circumstances will have to be what they once were before I agree again. My AFIB stopped for about 3 months after a few months of the CA, but has returned to about 1 episode every 2-3 weeks with awful symptoms (generally lasts from 2-4 hours). I take Xarelto. My dr told me it is up to me to decide when is the right time for me to undergo another ablation (next time will be a pulse field) and that I can still live a long life without the ablation (with the anticoagulant), so I think general heart history and heart health comes into the consideration too. Everyone is different.
Bottom line is that there are risks if you do and risks if you don’t, and only you can reason out through the fear with your cardiologist’s help whether you can wait or not based on your medical history, your heart history and your history with AFIB.
Don't tempt fate by cancelling, get it done! Murphy's law dictates that if you cancel it, wham bam you will get the AF a lot more frequently and then wait a long time for another ablation appointment.
I would go with it I missed out on mine because of Covid in the hospital and then found I was no longer suitable after waiting until the hospital was able to do it. At the time I was in NSR and had been for 15 months after my 3rd Cardioversion. Initially I was down to have the ablation in the April after lockdown started. The n nothing g happened until the following September/October and the. The initial had 15 cases of Covid so cancelled. The following June when they called me again. I had to have all tests and scans as last I’d had were over 2 years old and they found my heart has remodelled itself so any further cardioversions or ablations would be unlikely to work not long after that I went back into AF!
I had afib last year and was booked in for an ablation (still waiting) at the same time my EP booked me in for a cardioversion which I had in October. I have been feeling fine since having it done and have considered cancelling the ablation but speaking to both my EP and Arrhythmia Nurse they both advised me to still have it as whatever the problem was that tripped me into afib will still be there and could trip me out again.
Go for it! I had had AF episodes of varying severity and longevity (approximately every 3 months but two ended up with a 3 day stay in hospital). Initially I quickly opted for medication without giving the ablation a second thought - but that didn't always work and bisoprolol made me feel tired and reluctant to exercise. When I found out more I regretted not taking it more seriously. I had my ablation a year ago; one bad episode 3 months later (but resolved quite quickly with help of Flecanaide pip). Haven't looked back (touch wood!) since. Strongly recommend it... An acquaintance had very serious AF episodes (rendering him unconscious) - his ablation was repeated 4 times before it was successful. That was 11 years ago (and must have been exceptional, even then - and possibly unknown now). But he hasn't had any episodes since so worth it!
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What to do? Advice needed please.
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