OK, doc, don't mince your words

[50568789]

Had a review today with my EP who did a first cryoablation on me last year. The AF side seems to have responded well but Flutter has taken over and currently persistent. I'm now on his list for a second ablation to sort this out, he's very positive about a good outcome. However he told me this time it will be under general anaesthetic. I asked why, his answer was it would hurt too much under sedation. Fine, not going to argue with that, thank you. I appreciate plenty of others on this site have had a GA ablation - anybody care to share their experience?

[BobD Volunteer]

The only way to fly IMHO. I always prefer not to be there when people are poking around inside my body.

[wilsond in reply to BobD]

Hear hear,never doing 'sedation ' again

[Karendeena in reply to wilsond]

Nor me!!

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to wilsond]

Nor me! Had two ablations with sedation and the third with a GA far preferred that last one.

[Cliff_G]

I preferred my recent GA ablation to my procedures in 2002, which were a PVI then a flutter ablation "top-up", both under sedation but not anaesthetic. Not sure why a flutter ablation would hurt more, any sort of burning is going to hurt without sedation. My top-up procedure burn was started a little too early and before the sedation had got working properly, and did hurt for a second or two, but they just turned up the sedation.

The one big plus for me for a GA is that they can do the TOE whilst you're under. I found all my TOEs were worse than the ablations. You do feel a little more groggy afterwards forva while, obviously, but that's fine.

[Jalia]

I've had 5 ablations, the most recent 9 months ago was under GA as EP was approaching from an incision in chest as well as catheter entry through the groin. I've had one other ablation under GA and the other 3 were under sedation. I actually prefer sedation as recovery is much quicker.

I had TOE for my 3 procedures but not since. It depends on EP and your history I guess. I've had the same EP for all my procedures.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Jalia]

How is your heart now Jalia after 5 ablations?

Jean

[Jalia in reply to jeanjeannie50]

The last ablation didn't hold in the end. AF returned but surprisingly not fast. However still made me breathless and tired. I've now had the pacing part of pace/ablate strategy and will be having ablation of AV node in a few weeks.

I was hoping that the CRT P pacemaker might hold off the AF but no such luck. I'm having alot of arrhythmias so will look forward to part 2.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Jalia]

Sorry to hear that. I hope the AV node ablation is successful. x

[wilsond]

Well I can categorically say,if anyone suggests coming near my heart again with an RF gun( as when they did a 'quick' cti line for Flutter using RF after sorting my AFib with Cryo..the answer is Hell NO!In my opinion,the whole thing would have been better for them ,to get on with the Job,and for me.

I had to stop them 2 times. The pain..I honestly thought I'd had it. It was only when I shouted Stop,or I'm getting off this table! ( ambitious given the tackle I was attached to but they got the idea and I heard the word Fentanyl...ahh )

However, the deed was done and all OK since.

Few blips so still on clinic list. I have stated that I won't accept an RF touch up if needed unless by GA.

Good luck xx

[DawnTX in reply to wilsond]

oh my goodness you must have barbarians for doctors. Is it that common not to get GA? I cannot imagine for all of you that have gone through that I commend you for being so brave. I always tell them do whatever you want. I just don’t wanna know about it.

[50568789 in reply to wilsond]

I can imagine the last thing they (and I) want is me writhing around on the table while they do delicate surgery on a rather valuable organ. Happy to eliminate the risk and take the GA.

[wilsond in reply to 50568789]

I had no choice at my hospital, but if ever I need further work, I'll either insist or try to get to Leicester ,where they give GA. I agree

[Karendeena in reply to wilsond]

I was at Leicester Glenfield Hospital and I didn't get GA all was done under sedation! I was out of it most of the time though but did feel a few burns and the pain shot up the back of my neck! Not an experience I would like to repeat

[OzJames in reply to wilsond]

Sorry i had a chuckle…looking at their reaction after you read out the riot act!

[wilsond in reply to OzJames]

I used my best Teacher Voice / Angry Mum Voice 😆

[DawnTX]

I have had GA for all of my procedures. I’ll be honest I don’t recall very much pain or being uncomfortable following my ablations. I had aand RF and I actually thought it was great when I realized I wasn’t short winded anymore. Is he doing another cryo? Mine was not all that great. I went six months, but I had issues during the six RF lasted a year. pretty good during that time for of things are usually having trouble to breathe again. I was in the middle of moving which wasn’t helping the situation.

to be honest, I can’t imagine having an ablation without GA. I also had it with my I only had one successful one my doctors all use GA.

my atypical flutter has always been more of a problem than the a fib. I had a third ablation that was a nightmare. Now that I look back I was thinking he was wrong about everything. He told me my flutter was gone. in reality, it was not gone. It is the dominant one a pacemaker a fib is still know there is not a cure. It’s just quieter.

I don’t know about your doctor, but my doctors are very careful with the timing of GA and don’t keep you under any longer than necessary. The only thing I discovered with my last one was the horrible headache. quite but I did not get it before so if you get one, you may have it several days and they say almost everyone gets it so don’t worry. I know that sounds foolish. Any sort of pain makes us worry.

best of luck hopefully he’s right and it will help at least for a while. Just remember pretty much. Everything is just a Band-Aid. There are people that haven’t realized that most of these will stop helping in a time. I think it’s better to realize ahead of time so it doesn’t make you feel upset. I had not been told I would still feel my flutter and a fib with a pacemaker. that’s a terrible thing because it’s scary. You’re thinking everything failed. Just because someone forgot to tell you. Once you know OK then you can go on. I’m hitting a few bumps on the road right now after two years but for the last two years, I almost forgot I had anything going on with my heart. I felt so normal think positive they are working on all kinds of things for us. You are very brave to not have had GA.

[50568789]

I see it as horses for courses. I've had GA in the past for two hand surgeries and a gall bladder removal, no option for those. When it comes to "procedures" like ablation, cardioversion and all the "oscopies" I've enjoyed in recent times, sedation has always worked well for me. But if the EP says he needs GA so he can get on with the job properly, I'm with him.

[Whataperformance]

Had mine under GA last December.Thank goodness all done without me knowing anything.

My only issue post Ablation was the unbelievable sore throat where both the GA plumbing and TOE probe were put down my throat.

Personally, no other way.

[wilsond in reply to Whataperformance]

I had no choice ,its not offered at my hospital, sadly. I'd have much preferred it!

[Speed]

All 3 of mine under sedation, 2 RF, 1 Cryo. First one needed a bit more sedation which was given when requested. Preferable to GA as quicker recovery.

[30912]

First RF ablation was sedation. Felt burning sensation in my chest during periods of lucidness then for the EP to to say "give him some more happy juice", then out for the count for the rest of it. Felt like I'd been run over by a bus the next day with chest ache and a bit puffed out.

Roll forward 10 years for ablation number two where I had GA - bliss. Much better and much better recovery without issue. Apart from the wound site in my groin, I felt quite normal.

[manabouttown]

I've had two ablations under GA. Both ablations in the morning , home by 7pm.There is nothing to worry about here.

[wilsond in reply to manabouttown]

Yeah. IF you get GA. If not,definitely a LOT to worry about believe me

[Karendeena]

I had RF ablation last March for Afib and Flutter under sedation, it was not a pleasant experience and yes it did hurt! Successful outcome though. I understand that flutter is easier to treat and success is around 95%. Lucky you having GA

[Ongreendolphinstreet]

I’m surprised that you had a cryo under GA. Both my cryo and RF we’re done under GA at Hammersmith. It was never suggested that it could be otherwise.

[Hugheart]

Hi 505678789

Interesting problem but not uncommon. My story is different as u may know I developed a protocol that converted my asymptomatic long standing persistent AF ( usually unable to convert by all therapies) of 2 years to sinus rhythm (SR)now almost 19 months. During that time I have had 5 transient episodes the longest for 2 days. Two were caused by my reducing my dose of Mg which reversed back to SR when I restored the dose; one occurred when I needed more potassium; an 2 occurred when I became dehydrated from bronchitis with fever and the other occurred because I Ididn’t drink fluids during a convention. All reversed back to SR. It told me my protocol was not a cure but it is controlling my AF. I do not know if my protocol will help others but I don’t believe I was selected to have a miraculous remission. I believe in science and I don’t think I am a unicorn or an alien. I believe my protocol based on underappreciated scientific observations is why I have been able to avoid cardiac ablations , medications and electric cardioversions.

Here is the bottom line of my message to anyone interested. If someone is implementing my protocol they first need to show it to their health care provider to be sure they are a candidate for it.If approved to implement it then they need to be monitored with some tests listed in the protocol.The question is can my protocol prevent recurrences of AF , and anyone interested should discuss it with their cardiologist or EP to determine if they are interested in giving it a trial. I don’t know if it did work for at least one human being -me.

I hope this helps and my BIO.explains more.

‘Hug your heart and someone who needs ac hug’

Hugheart

[Hugheart]

the last sentence shoukd be

I don’t know if it will help anyone but it at least worked for one human-me.

[ForensicFairy]

My husband had his under a GA. His EP said if they tickled the right spot and his AF couldn’t be stopped they may need to cardiovert. Thankfully it was a GA as they hit him a few times to stop his AF, and they knew precisely where to do the zapping of his ablation.

[MaryCa]

It was grand. No bother at all. Went to sleep and woke in my bed. My EP won't do any ablation without general anesthesia.