Cardiac Ablation Stories

[joshuamom]

Hi there.

I am going for my ablation this Wednesday, I would love to hear stories about your experiences, good or bad, because not knowing is the worst.  I am slightly terrified!  I have PVC, PAC, SVT and one episode of VT under my belt.  I have had the procedure explained to me, but I want real life experiences.  Thanks so much for any help, it means a lot right now.  Have a great day.

Michelle

[mabebesc]

Hi ,  I had ablation for SVT 2 years ago.  It was the best thing I could have ever done.  The SVT is gone and I don't have to live in fear of it starting up out of the blue.  For me, the experience was a piece of cake.  Good luck!

[Janpes]

Hi there,

I had my ablation done 2.10.2010.
I was just as terrified as you are, but the procedure was a piece of cake.
I had no sedatives and no pain meds and it was over in 90 minutes.
The worse part was the numbing of the groin, hurt like nothing and I also told the cardiologist that...lol
I have to say it was quite an experience being able to be awake and watch the procedure on the screen.

oho guest came write more later

[joshuamom]

Thank you both!  It is wonderful to hear positive stories!  Online can be a scary place when you are looking for information!  Most people tend to post only if there are problems or complications.  I thank you so much for sharing!  
I do not believe I am to be given sedatives either, which I had mixed feelings about!  I don't want pain meds, they just make me feel sick.  I had 3 children without taking anything, so it can't be much more than that!  lol.
I hope I have the same experience that both of you had!  Thank you again for sharing.

[annie1724]

I also had an ablation for SVT and am very glad I did.  I was scared to death before I did it, but really I shouldn't have been.  I was also awake for the whole thing, and was surprisingly calm during the procedure.  I only wish I had had it done years ago......could have eliminated years of SVT!
Annie

[Janpes]

ok I get to continue now!
A bit of discomfort when they triggered the heart palpitations, and also when they were burning the track.
At least 6 hours laying totally still was boring but then again I hadn't slept much the night before so I was tired.
Bit of advice, pee before the procedure as the bladder gets shy after, especially if there is a male nurse pressing on your wound...lol

It is still uncertain whether my ablation was a success or not, cardiologist said 50/50 when coming out, but he has done something to affect the paps, he just didn't know was it enough.

Post procedure I have to say has been worse, loads of palpitations, but have to say they are getting less and less as the days go on. I still think I may have to go for a 2nd ablation as I am not convinced that it has worked. If I have to go then I will go with a good feeling as it was a  very tolerable procedure.

For me I just want to get on with my life and not be scared of an attack.

[SDalb]

I had an ablation in Oct of 09 for Aflutter.  They used a local and I woke up 3 times during the procedure.  That was the first real "heart burn" I had felt.  10 days later I went into Afib.  I was told I had Paroxysmal Afib.  August 31 of this year I had a PVI Ablation.  The first week after I experienced alot of arrhythmias.  It was better the second week, then back in to what I thought was Afib.  My cardiologist said it was not Afib but Atrial tachycardia. I had to be converted, which only lasted one day.  Meds were changed to Sotalol, and it took 3 days to revert to NSR.  I have been in NSR for 32 days now.  The first 3 weeks after the ablation were pretty hard, but it is getting much better now.  No arrhythmias but occasionally it feels like I am on the verge, with some skipped beats but the heart rate has remained in the 50 to 60 beats per min. range.  I started to ride my bicycle to work again 2 weeks ago.  Hope that helps.

[joshuamom]

Thank you all.  I do have one other question, starting tomorrow I am supposed to go off my Bisoprolol (beta blocker) cold turkey until the procedure on Thursday.  I always thought that was supposed to be a bad idea?   Well, I guess if it gets crazy I can go in early.  I think right now I am more nervous about stopping my beta blocker than the ablation itself, oh how I wish I was not such a coward!  I worry about everything!  Thank you all so much again for your stories.  

[kane3]

Hey, well i know i wished you the best in the other posting i had wrote, so ill wish you the best again and my prayers are with you. I dont believe in telling ppl how experiences are with procedures when their going days or hours before theirs (because i know when they give you that final countdown before your heading into that room youll be thinking of all these thoughts! and trust me, if you suffer from anxiety, it will be clouding you heavily! . So how about you tell me how your experience went afterwards, and then you can ask how mine were. Everyone is different, but most have the same success stories. Dont worry, youll be just fine!

[kane3]

being off the BB is normal for the procedure your going for. Its so the ep has a clear, funky working heart so he has a better view (pathway) to work with in hopes of finding the right area to burn. Totally normal, nothing will happen. You can start taking the bisoprolol later that day if he suggests other wise. Good luck, im excited for you!