AV node ablation on Friday...getting ... - British Heart Fou...

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AV node ablation on Friday...getting a touch nervous!!

Naqlac profile image
14 Replies

Having had 3 years of cancelling just about everything planned. Being unable to walk and talk , get up the stairs ....etc. plus innumerable trips to Leeds LGI and York. I find myself A few days away from an AV node ablation, following a CRTP insertion at the beginning of January. In one way it can't come soon enough, as I am so symptomatic with this paroximal AF and Brachicardia . However I am getting nervous now, the AV node ablation being only a few days away.

Question : is the Pacemaker switched on before the node is ablated? I currently have it just switching on when my heart beat goes below 40.

Anyone who has had this second part of the pace and ablate.. I would love to hear from you.

Plus , how long does it take before you see any improvement in breathlessness and energy levels?

Thanks in advance for your input.

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Naqlac
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14 Replies

Hello :-)

I have not had this done others have and will be able to answer you but I can understand having had Bypasses done now you are just about there feeling anxious but you are in safe hands and focus on the outcome and how much life will be better

Wishing you all the best and look forward to your updates when you have been and had this done :-) x

Naqlac profile image
Naqlac in reply to

That's so kind of you to reply. I will definitely update next week.🤞

in reply to Naqlac

Hello :-)

You will be fine and before long you will feel like a new man :-) x

ahcm profile image
ahcm

Hello Naqlac,

I had pace and ablate last year.

I felt the benefit the day after the ablation.

I have got my life back now.

I'm sure you will too.

Naqlac profile image
Naqlac

That's very encouraging. Thankyou.

Deejay62 profile image
Deejay62

hi I had an AV node ablation 8 years ago. I would think that everything is different now. I had a bi ventricular pacemaker, (it as 3 leads) not 2 , fitted 2 months before, if I remember correctly, then I had the ablation. I think they switched the pacemaker on at the same time once they did ablation. These are questions you can ask. The last time I had a defibrillator added to my device everyone involved introduced themselves to me told me what their jobs would be then they asked if I had any questions. I didn’t, but maybe if you can’t ask before the ablation ask them then. I hope it all goes well and try to relax. You’ve had the device fitted that’s a lot more work than ablation. It took me a few months I think to feel settled. It depend on your body and if you follow the after care instructions. They use to come and visit you before you’re taken to the laboratory. I live in London so it depends where you are and what they do.

Naqlac profile image
Naqlac

That's really helpful. Thankyou so much for your detailed reply. The 3 lead was put in 9 weeks ago, I agree that took a while to settle. Onwards and upwards!

Superdreamer profile image
Superdreamer

I had a pacemaker fitted on November 28th and the AV node ablation on February 7th. There is nothing to worry about with the ablation, I was in hospital most of day and I can't remember much about the actual procedure so you can relax (no horror story). I certainly feel better and hope to improve even more, I get up stairs ok now. Good luck.

Naqlac profile image
Naqlac

Perhaps, I'm over thinking all this. I think the wait between device insertion and the ablation, gives too much time for contemplation. I really do appreciate your advice.

Golfing2022 profile image
Golfing2022

morning I had pace &ablate last year, pacemaker in December 3 lead av node ablation Feb. released from hospital the same afternoon. Pacemaker set to 80 for first 5 weeks then turned rate adjuster on, I went in approx every month for adjustment for 3 months until they finally set it to 130 high 60 low. I noticed improvement every time it was adjusted but it took 3 months before I noticed a big improvement, I remember the first of May thinking I wouldn’t be able to golf & then May 24th golfed 18 holes just like a switch was turned on. Since then I haven’t looked back definitely the right decision for me. Don’t rush the healing if you are like me I noticed slow improvement immediately but took 3 months before BIG difference. Hope this helps

Les

Naqlac profile image
Naqlac

Les that has been so insightful. My husband thinks I'm going to be like a Duracell bunny immediately. I keep trying to tell him it won't be like that. I will show him your reply. Which is by far a more realistic outcome. Thankyou so much!

ahcm profile image
ahcm

Hello again, I am that Duracell Bunny! That's how I felt after my AV Node switch on! Perhaps I was just lucky but it really was that instant with me.

I couldn't sit still, my poor husband had to tell me to slow down.

It's been 5 months now and I still feel energetic all the time. We all have different outcomes from this procedure. I am 73 by the way.

Naqlac profile image
Naqlac

Ooh! That's a fabulous outcome...As I hauled myself upstairs last night, stopping twice along the way ..I did think 'any improvement would be good at this point'.

Thankyou so much for letting me know.

Now if course getting to the hospital becomes an issue, we have heavy snow forecast, and I live in the middle of nowhere!!

ahcm profile image
ahcm

Yes, rotten luck with the snowy weather. I'm sure it will go ahead though, you'll make it.

My hospital is the Royal Stoke and I live about 4 miles away, so I am lucky.

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