My Pace and Ablate Journey part 1

[Lymolass]

A few of you were interested , so here goes. No breakfast after 7.30 am. Checked in to non invasive cardiology unit at 11.30 for the pacemaker insertion, it seemed really quiet but they stagger admissions throughout the day. Usual round of questions, doctor appears with consent form but goes away again to speak to consultant as he could not answer my query as to whether this procedure would help my breathing (I have severe COPD). I was quite anxious not to proceed if it wasn’t going to help. The answer was yes, it’s worth doing because it will stabilise the heart rate, currently hovering permanently around 90-110 bpm and I won’t have to take beta blockers or digoxin for the rest of my life. But it won’t cure the permanent AF.

So off to surgery, having had usual pre med checks and the dreaded cannula/vampire port. Huge room with huge tv screen on wall, doctors perched behind a glass screen, a bit like referees. On to table, welcome sedative and local anaesthetic given via cannula. A kind of three quarters hood fixed over head and shoulders so I could see out to my right, but not to my left. Then doctor must have appeared as then felt lots of rummaging and pressure just below shoulder. Took about 20 mins but doc didn’t speak to me and had vanished by the time I was transferred back to my bed and the ward. They had done 10 of these that day, the nurse informed me, so guess he wasn’t feeling very chatty.

Felt wonderfully calm - thanks sedative. Despite the fact that it was a mixed ward. - and why is there always an old bloke in the bed opposite on his mobile shouting; “‘Hello Mate. I’m in hospital”?

Had a sandwich and a very welcome cuppa, even got pasta supper later. Lots of instructions on wound care and setting up the communicator device that looks like a modem and sits by the side of the bed.

Nurses lovely and. competent. Taken off for a chest xray. then allowed to go home around 6.30, local anaesthetic wearing off so beginning to be quite sore. But that’s first stage completed, bionic woman begins here! Will report tomorrow on any discomfort/limitations/restrictions..

[CDreamer]

Remember to not lift your arm!

Wishing you speedy recovery.

[RagdollRagdoll in reply to CDreamer]

You are really funny and very brave.Good luck 🤣

[Jalia]

Thank you for posting. As I have my pacemaker implanted in 4 weeks time I shall follow your journey with interest.

I'm having a CRT-P pacemaker and am told the procedure may take 2-4 hours although my arrhythmia nurse tells me that 90 mins is more usual.

Have you found any problems with clothing on the area .....I'm thinking particularly bra straps?

I hope this hood thing is not claustrophobia inducing??! (Expect the sedative will deal with that feeling ....)

Hope all goes well in coming days.

[CDreamer in reply to Jalia]

Find a bra without metal adjustments bars in the front of the bra as you don’t want metal touching the wound or over the implant. I found Rosa Faia make a brilliant bra with a tapered front wide strap and is most comfortable.

[Jalia in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks CD, very helpful.

[Lymolass in reply to Jalia]

Thanks. I am extremely claustrophobic but didn’t have any problems, it’s a very loose stand away hood, not a close fit.

And re bras, Uniqlo do some super comfortable camisole tops with built in soft cups and they are perfect as go on over your head or step in. Left arm cannot go behind back!

[Jalia in reply to Lymolass]

Thanks ! I didn't know about not reaching round the back. I shall have to practice 🙄🙂

[BobD Volunteer]

I tied my arm to my waist with a crepe bandage each night to stop my forgetting whilst asleep as I generally sleep on my side with arm above head,

[Jenmay]

thanks, if my last ablation doesn’t work or last my next step is pace and ablate. It feels like a drastic step to take and I’m not doing it lightly

[Lymolass in reply to Jenmay]

Yes I felt like that, but the alternative was remaining on beta blockers etc for the rest of my life which don’t work anyway!

[vbonariensis]

Great post - thanks.

Do give us an update when you are ready.

[JGBH]

Good luck for a prompt recovery. May I ask you how long the whole process took?

Just been diagnosed with PAF, confirmed on implantable loop recorder, after passing out again and going to A&E in September last year). I then saw an EP cardiologist privately who suggested I should have a pacemaker and AV node ablation. There then would not be the need to take Bisoprolol (2.5 mg/day, morning) which makes me feel exhausted and Apixaban (5 mg in morning and 5 mg in evening).

I am not sure about this procedure. I feel quite nervous as I have many other health issues (rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s, osteoporosis, gastroesoohageal reflux, hypothyroidism etc). I am 78.

So any information would be appreciated. I understand we are all different and have different reactions.

What does need to be done while recovering from such a procedure? I live alone and have limited mobility and in much pain because of the arthritis in my very deformed hands, so feeling rather nervous.

I hope you are not in too much pain today. Best wishes.

[Lymolass in reply to JGBH]

it’s just the first six weeks that you have to be careful of. Cannot reach left arm over head, or swing it round your back, or carry anything heavier than a kettle of water. I think you will be ok and it could help with your other issues too. Good luck.

[JGBH in reply to Lymolass]

Thank you so much. How interesting and surprising (perhaps not) the cardiologist never mentioned this to me, especially more so because I live alone, family live a long way so can’t pop round so often to help… and my mobility and independence are rather much reduced…. One would have thought he could see how I was struggling … but NO. He only said I would have to stay overnight in hospital then go home the following day. So how can I trust this cardiologist? Will need to write to him.

Of course it would not be too difficult coping if I could use my hands and walk better… I still walk upstairs to go to bed which is rather difficult as I need to use my arms to ‘drag’ myself upstairs and downstairs… plus showering… and cooking, lifting saucepans, putting didhes in the oven, all requiring using both arms and lifting arms. May I ask you how you managed to do so? Did you have any help?

Also how sore/painful was it while healing took place?

Sorry more questions … I feel quite stressed by it all.

How are you feeling now? Thank you again.

[Lymolass in reply to JGBH]

oh dear, didn’t mean to stress you. You will have a pre-admission chat with a nurse before you go in and you should mention all these things to them, particularly your mobility probs. You can use use right arm ok and think about simplifying your cooking. A shower chair is a great help too. And maybe get a friend to pop in to check on you once you’re home? I;m sure you will be fine.

It’s not sore today ( day 3) just itchy around the dressing, no pain or discomfort.

[JGBH in reply to Lymolass]

Don’t worry, YOU have not stressed me.. but am most grateful to be made aware of what to expect. It’s too late once you go to a pre admission chat to organise anything. These doctors really need to think more about the patients’ circumstances, not just their job… ticking a box… Sorry I feel quite angry he could be so blind, especially when I saw him privately, meaning having more time to discuss things. I now feel I do not want him to carry out the operation but it seems he has a good reputation regarding doing the operation so might have to put my anger away.

The problem is I do need to use both arms in order to carry out everything… my independence has been very reduced because of the RA unfortunately. And I definitely would need to use my left arm to dress and undress… can’t just use my right arm as often it is too painful… so another problem. I feel rather vulnerable (which I hate).

Same with cooking, if I use a microwave with precooked meals I can’t just use my right hand which is weak and painful, needing my left hand to support it.

Unfortunately, my friends moved away years ago (nothing to do with me!) so no one living nearby who could pop round from time to time. Some of them have become ill as well, age doesn’t help.

Pleased you are getting better slowly. Best wishes.

[Lymolass in reply to JGBH]

Honestly, you can use both arms and hands, just need to be very careful of the left shoulder so you don’t dislodge anything.

[JGBH in reply to Lymolass]

Thank you. That is reassuring…. Must try to get more information from the cardiologist and anyone else who has had these procedures so that I can put things into perspective. It’s the not knowing that causes worries, on top of losing my independence.

Please do keep us updated on your recovery. All the best.

[Lymolass in reply to JGBH]

although I was in hospital 11.30 - 19.00 the actual procedure took, they say, 19 minutes. They work to a very precise timetable at our hospital, timing things to the minute. Wish I could say the same of their pharmacy.!

[OceanPaddler]

thank you for sharing this.

[shorttail]

Well done. Did you need to be accompanied in order to go home?

[Lymolass in reply to shorttail]

Yes , someone has to collect you and you’re not allowed to drive for a week.

[heagleton]

Thanks for your post. I appreciate your sharing your experience. I'm happy to hear that it all went well and that you are feeling better.

I'm having an ablate and pace tomorrow with a leadless pacemaker. I'm 76 and have done tons of reading about the procedure, have had multiple talks with my doctors, and am satisfied happy with my decision to go for it. I've been struggling with AFib, flutter and a high heart rate for over two years. Cardioversions, ablations and drugs, the last being Amiodarone, haven't worked and the long term side effects of Amiodarone are scary.

Your post is definitely reassuring.