Give me some questions to ask for my next opinio for Ablation?

[kbug1013]

I am going to a Doctor that had left town, but has returned and he was the 1st EP doctor in my area. I want some questions to ask him. I am going in the morning at 10:30 . If you can think of some important questions it would be great.


thanks

[tom_h]

Michelle, i'd like you to go here: http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/281881/Jannie411s-Ablation---Part-2---The-Actual-Ablation-Procedure--Pre-Ablation-Notes--and-Notes-for-the-Ladies and read the journal of user Jannie411  She give a very complete description of the entire procedure.  If you'd like to read the before and after, here's a portion of her journal list: http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/list/1642095?page=3&personal_page_id=2100263&sort_by=date
She's a very good writer!  You can also look at mine, but there's a big gap during the procedure as I was under general anesthesia, while Jannie411 was wide awake.

[Michelle5050]

I have been told I need to consider an ablation due to an AVNRT. My HR went up to 250 and they had to give me adenosine to bring it down. I am very frightened considering my other health problems. Can you please describe what the procedure was like for you? How awake were u? How long did it take? & anything else u can think of? Thank you.

[tom_h]

Yup, what he ^^^^^ said.  Mine told me the same thing.  Said he coud concentrate on the task rather than worrying about the patient's comfort.  ALthough, he did give me a choice.

[littlegreenman1]

Yeah-  somebody asked - if they do full anesthesia ask why they prefer it over twilight or vice verce.  (My doc did full b/c patients move too much in twilight and he has to reposition too often after a burn.)

[littlegreenman1]

The questions to ask YOURSELF first are:
How bad is this condition for me? (risk vs rewards - albation risks are LOW)
Do I want to try drug treatment?
(here I come people) What is my maximum out of pocket for insurance? (Be prepared to pay that amount. - NOT deductible - Max out of pocket.)

Questions for the doc:
Based on the problem I have, how do you rate your chances of success on the first try?
What would you do in this situation? If I were your son/daughter/spouse? (probably won't answer that one right out)

Good luck. If you've found yourself landed in the ER quite a bit lately and they know you by name (it can happen!) - then it's worth it.

[merileegal]

I know you'll read this after your appt. and I hope that went well. I had my ablation a week ago today for AVNRT. I had lots of fears and anxieties about it. The more educated I became about it, the better I felt thanks to people on this site and my own research. AVNRT is extrememly successful to ablate. Of all the arrythmias, if you have to have one, this is the one to have because it has such a high success rate. The first time I saw my ep he said he has people come to see him all the time and he can't help them, but he could fix mine. It is important to get an experienced ep with  a good track record. If your ep has been doing these for 13 years, he should have plenty of experience. Did he offer to tell you how many ablations he's done successfuly? I know there is  concern over getting too close to the AV node and needing a pacemaker. I discussed this with my ep before my ablation. He said that they have learned a lot about the av node in the last 10 years and now have more successful ablations now than they did 10 years ago.

I found a really nice video yesterday that I would have liked to have see before mine. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ4qTSAOvbc&feature=related   Hope this helps.

Anxious to hear how your appt. went.

Hop

[ireneo]

So you're considering an ablation or just going in for help with arrhythmias? If he suggests an ablation ask what type (Radio frequency or cryoablation), ask how many ablations he's done, what's the likelihood that you may need a pacemaker, how likely will this cure the problem in your case. Be sure to have him explain exactly how it's done or at least give you a printout explaining the procedure. Ask which medications will he use to keep you comfortable during the procedure. Those are a few I can think of at the moment.