Hello everyone this is my first time writing on this site. I'm an 82 year old lady with heart failure and I have been impressed by how helpful and supportive everyone is so decided to ask your advice. I had a pacemaker (CRT-P) fitted in November following years with AF and expected to start feeling a lot better. I was told that the PM was only working at 65% and I would need Meds, I was prescribed Sotalol but unfortunately I had most of the side effects and had to stop and my Bisoprolol was increased. Since then I have been breathless, no energy and struggling to do any normal housework, shopping or walking.
I had to wait for a consultants appointment, which took over 2 months. I was disappointed with her attitude, she said that she didn't have a magic wand to wave and what did I expect at 82 (which I thought was very rude) She told me that I had 3 choices - do nothing - take Amiodarone (which can cause a lot of problems) or AV Node Ablation. I felt that I had to make a decision so said I would go with the Ablation.
I would really appreciate if anyone has had this Ablation done and how they have been. Many thanks for any advice.
O am so pleased you feel you can post because of how members are so supportive
I think your Consultant was very rude indeed with her reply and I would have been most upset like you felt
I really wished I knew more about your condition and had some wise words but those that do when they read your post will share their experiences with you
I wanted to say Welcome to the Community even though not one we really wanted to join but a very supportive one which is a positive x
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Thank you for your reply and kind words, I will keep my fingers crossed that someone has an answer - not that I wish this on anyone x
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Hello
I am sure someone will have some answers when they log on x
Welcome to the forum mag09So sorry about how your consultant spoke to you how insulting! I hope you can get some answers to your questions this is a very helpful and supportive group Im sure someone will have the answers your looking for, sorry that I don't but I wish you all the best! 😊☺️
There are quite a few people over on the AF Association forum, who feel that pace & ablate has changed their life. It took the ablation part of it for them to come off the medications - apart from the anticoagulants of course.
Such throwaway comments about age are really horrible. I discovered last week that my A Fib had progressed very rapidly to persistent. I knew my ablation hadn’t worked, but rate control is my only option. So when I expressed surprise, the only reason given was my age - 68. (AF runs right through my family - so age is the only risk factor apart from a few pounds into the overweight category.) I think we all know that we age, but the way it’s put it makes us feel on the scrap-heap!
I am getting used to the idea, but having seen how one of my sisters went downhill with AF, I am desperate to try to stay as healthy as possible. So I’m trying not to feel angry about it all, as I think that I’m making myself worse. Easier said than done!
I think you might get some really helpful answers about the ablation in the AF Association forum healthunlocked.com/afassoci...
Using the search box will also bring up some good replies. Good luck with the ablation! I had the much longer left atrial ablation, and it wasn’t nearly as scary as anticipated - even though it didn’t work out. AV node ablation is more straightforward, much shorter and it works almost all the time.
Hello Gumbie_Cat Thank you for your message, I am sorry to hear that your ablation did not work and I know what you mean about the age comment. I felt as though I was too old to bother with even though I have always been a very active person. Good luck with trying to stay healthy and fighting back, with the summer months heading towards us it does get easier. Take care x
Hello Nannysue1 Thank you so much for your message, it is a relief to hear that you have had a really good outcome and will make my decision that much easier. Take care x
Hi I had AvNode ablation after I had CRT-P fitted because of atrial tachycardia and supra ventricular tachycardia. After that those tachycardia’s went but years later as my heart failure progressed I began getting atrial fibrillation so I was fitted with a CRT-D I think that was in 2018, my memory isn’t too good.
The ablation was quick because they knew what they would be going in to ablate. But once it’s ablated that’s it the pacemaker takes control of that job. I hope they follow up with you and you get a different cardiologist next time, if at your hospital they work in teams, because they need to explain the procedure to you. They should never have spoken to you like that it’s disgusting. You can mention that next time, if you feel comfortable doing so.
Since I’ve been seeing cardiologists I’ve grown in confidence because you do get the odd rude one, but mainly they are all very nice. I usually tell them how I’m feeling and they would arrange another session. After all we’re the people keeping them in work, and they’re keeping us alive, but they’re not God.
Thank you for your message. Hearing how the ablation is done from the patients point of view makes it seem less scary - thank you for that.
I think the consultant that I saw was a one off as the other ones have always been supportive and explained in detail what needed to be done. They do amazing work and I am grateful for all their help and advice. Take care x
Hi there - just to add, I have a step gran who is 90 on Friday and she had the av node ablation this year. She's doing well! Hope that adds a little reassurance.
Hello LadyZ13 Thank you so much that is really reassuring. Hope your step gran continues to do well x
I am 73 and had a CRT P pacemaker in June 22 and the AV Node ablation in October 22. Now I feel really well and have my energy back. After trying Amioderone (big mistake, made me very ill) an ablate and pace was the only choice left. No regrets from me! I have my life back after 6 years of afib and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. I had an excellent cardiologist and I'm so grateful to the NHS, if I was 82 I would have no hesitation in an AV node , it's a fairly quick and simple procedure. Good luck with whatever decision you make
Thank you so much for your message. I did not want to take the Amioderone after having a bad reaction to Soltalol and seeing your comments I am glad that I decided against it. Like you, I just want to get my energy back and not be sitting down all day. My daughter and I used to go for long walks which I have not been able to do this year.
The information that I have received on this site has been excellent and informative for which I am really grateful. Take care x
Hi I think your consultant must have been having a bad day! I feel a bit confused by all the different kinds of ablation there are but hope that your's works for you. I have had a fib and flutter for 4 to 5 years. I cannot tolerate beta blockers and fleccanaide has no effect. I am now on the waiting list for a catheter ablation, whatever that involves, and just keeping fingers crossed. I hope that next time you see a different consultant and don't have to wait too long for your ablation. Best of luck. x
Hello HiliannaThank you for your message. It can be rather confusing with all the different terminology but hopefully it will be explained to you before any procedure is done.
Hopefully you will not have to wait too long either and that everything goes well. Take care x
There are some really good information sheets on the AF Association website for both types of ablation procedure - with very useful helpsheets on preparing for and recovering from an ablation heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...
The type you are getting will be the one to try to stop the atrial fibrillation. That didn’t work for me, but it does for lots of people! It tries to get rid of those rogue electrical signals in your left atrium, around the pulmonary veins.
The AV node ablation is a simpler procedure - and basically stops those quivering atria affecting your main heartbeat where the ventricles contract. The atria carry on fibrillating, and of course you still need anticoagulants. The pacemaker sets the rate of your heart.
I was so worried about getting my ablation, but they really put your mind at rest and it wasn’t scary. If they ever suggest pace & ablate then I will go for it.
Good luck! Even though mine didn’t work, and any more are not likely to, I am still glad to have tried it.
Your message is really informative and in language that I can understand - thank you. I am sorry to hear that it did not work for you, but with the leaps and bounds that medical research moves they may come up with something that will work for you in the not too distant future.
I will definitely look at the AF Association website, thank you for sending the link.
What a "charming" consultant. I don't suppose you could change cardiologists? I am the same age as you but have never been made to feel that it's my age that is the cause of my exhaustion, or anything else for that matter. I'm on the maximum dose of bisoprolol, as well as other heart meds - your body does get used to it and you don't feel so bad, if that's any comfort. Your health system might be different - I'm in Queensland and go through our public hospital system where you see the consultant for a couple of visits then you are usually handed on to one of his team. I do have private health insurance where I could choose my cardiologist, but I was taken to the ED at our first class public heart and lung hospital and wouldn't get better attention privately. I do hope you feel better after your ablation. 🌺
80 in October. Pacemaker and AV node ablation late last year. Still breathless and was so disappointed but after further check by pm clinic I’m now in 100% AF and needed one lead switched off and new programme.
Have been able to walk and talk for several miles at a time something I haven’t been able to do in months 🤸🏻♂️💃
Hi I am due to have it in the Autumn, so I am advised, a long waiting list, nearly a year. Thank you for details of help sites to explore. I read all these advice sheets but struggle to remember them. I think my interest wanes because of all the waiting and other health issues creeping in, like an arthritic knee which requires replacing. Waiting on NHS lists becomes a way of life - but at least a light at the end of the tunnel. Take care. x
That was a disgusting remark to make about your age. I had similar just 3 weeks ago from a GP. I was asking for help with really bad breathlessness which could have been anything from heart to a chest infection. She wouldn't even see me, just said well goodness what do you expect, you are almost 75. I immediately made an appointment with another GP and was seen face to face, chest checked and now having tests for possible heart failure , blocked stent or two other blockages that may have got worse. A polite complaint has gone in about the first one's attitude. Totally unsuitable. Age should NEVER be used as an excuse. You are entitled to treatment no matter what age.
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