Hey allJust had a call from my consultant asking my permission to put me down on the list for an ablation due to his worry that my ICD will deliver a shock which he doesn't want.
I am now worrying about this. I know it's performed in the same manor as an angiogram but I had a very bad experience with that.
What are others experiences good or bad?
Thanks in advance x
Hello 
I had an angiogram and was ok but can understand why you will feel apprehensive because of your experience but because that happened the does not mean it will happen with this procedure even if similar
Explain to them your fear and they will do all they can to support you but sounds like you are been well looked after and you should go with what they advise your Consultant certainly has your best interests here what is best for you
Others will be able to tell you more that have had it done but please let us know how you get on I am sure you will be ok x
Thank you for your kind words as always. I will post an update x
Hello
You are going to be ok remember that and I shall look out for your update x
Thank you. I have said yes to the ablation in the hope it works in my favour. I have struggled with medication as my body tends to reject then lol. I'm difficult to treat. But thank you very much for replying x
I'm going to follow this as my husband is having an urgent ablation next week following a VT storm & loss of consciousness! I've been trying to find info on ablations for VT's but the info all seems to be Afib!
Oh bless him. I hope it goes well and he recovers nicely. Keep us updated too x
Thank you & yes, I'll update once he's had it done. Do you know when/where you'll be having yours? My husband's is having his done at Papworth.
Don't know when as only informed this morning but it will be at Worcester Royal x
Hopefully you won't have to wait too long X
Thank you. It's getting a bit closer now so nerves are starting to kick in a bit!
My husband had his 1st ICD fitted in 2012, he'd had a previous cardiac arrest but that was 15 years before he had the ICD fitted. He had a new ICD fitted in 2021 & up until October last year neither ICD had ever had to do anything other than pace him due to low HR. And from October to the end of January all it had done was pace him out of some VT's but then things went really crazy!! The cardiologist is concerned about the frequency & increasing severity of the VT's, loss of consciousness several times hence the urgent ablation. It's just a shock (no pun intended!) that having had an ICD for nearly 13 years & it's not been needed, for it to suddenly be kicking so much in & basically saving his life. Although his cardiologist will quite rightly say, that's why it was fitted!
Hi
I would strongly recommend that you check out the AF Association forum which is specifically designed to give information and support to people facing an ablation. They provide useful information sheets explaining the process and what to expect afterwards.
I had two ablations over past two years and they’ve significantly improved my quality of life.
Everyone is anxious about it but the process is normally carried out under general anaesthetic so you don’t feel a thing. It takes sometime for things to settle down afterwards but looking back I am really glad I had it done.
Best wishes
Jeff
Thank you for that information. I will check it out. I'm hoping it will help me as the other alternatives scare me even more. Thank you again x
I’ve had 4 ablations and an ICD fitted - I think the ICD was the worst. 2 of my ablations were done under GA and the other 2 were quicker and done under sedation and it was fine. Anytime you feel it’s not fine, ask for more drugs and you’re blissfully unaware.
I'm in the understanding I will just be sedated. I was ok having my ICD fitted. I'm just worried as I know it's done in the same manor as an angiogram, I had one if those attempted for 2hrs with no success of them being able to get the catheter in and I ended up looking like I'd been butchered. I'm sure I'll be fine just getting into my head because of a bad experience. Thank you for your reply x
I had an ablation for an SVT about 15 years ago and I'm very glad I did as it completely eliminated my SVT and improved my quality of life. I only had local anaesthetic in the groin for mine (I chose not to have sedation) but most people are sedated so you don't feel anything.
It's daunting and I can understand why you are nervous with your previous experience but it's a pretty common procedure done regularly. They should be aware of the difficulties with your catheter insertion last time so they will be able to take that into consideration and plan for it.
Thank you for the reply. I'm very grateful xx
I have had seven ablations over the last 10 years or so, 4 AF ones and 3 VT ones and possibly another one on the horizon after my next consultants appointment in April. I have had no ill effects from any and obviously, things improve with your health, till the next time. The only time I had a small problem was when I was on the table for ten hours and then had to lay still for another six hours until the wound had sealed and boy did I have backache, but otherwise everything went well. I have had mine done in Bournemouth Hospital and I cannot praise them enough for what they have done for me. That proof is in me being still here. I wish you all the best and good luck.
Thank you so much xx
It depends on the percentage of the ablation. I had the max done all at one as an emergency to save my life. It hurt like a bugger for about 6 weeks before it started to settle down. So it really does depend on how much they intend to do.
I know mine was extreme but just ask. Always ask questions. Don't just accept what they say.
Kind regards
Gazzer.
Thank you I will definitely be asking some questions. I haven't been told much. Just that my device picked up an extreme heart rate which made me ill again and at risk of my device shocking me, so they want to do it because of that. X
Attempted to send you information on ablations, but not very technical so may have failed?!
It isn't the most fun, but I had general anesthesia so I did well. The worst part was having to lie almost flat (head raised 30 degrees) for 2.5 hours afterward but everyone was very kind. to be honest, I was glad when they told me I could get up and go home!
A few people have said they have had it done under general. I will have to ask that question when I meet the doctor doing it xx
