I'm really really scared about an operation. Reassurance please?

[Oisin227]

I'm having an RF Ablation procedure done to (hopefully) cure me of my AVNRT. I've had it for 10 years now and I'm only 16 so I don't really remember a time when I could do things that everyone else could do without fear of my heart acting up. I've already had two failed ablations and I'm more terrified of this than I was for either of the other two. I'm mainly afraid of something going wrong and me ending up worse off than if I hadn't even gone for the procedure in the first place. I just want this to be over. I've had two attacks a month, every month a for the past decade and its really affecting my life. Please, if you can, try to reassure me by telling me your ablation success stories. Thanks :)

[Oisin227]

Thanks so much to both of you for your posts :) My ablation is scheduled for the 13th April so I have less than a month to go now. I'm glad that both of your ablations were successful and that your both living normal lives now. Hopefully I'll be able to come back here in a few months after an successful ablation and help people who are in the situation I'm in now just like you two did :)

[cindy707]

Hi i can weigh in too...i had my ablation over 4 years ago and mine was successful too...sometimes the heart decides after an ablation or two to open up new pathways which is fairly common and so sometimes it may take a couple of tried to get it. You need to think about the possiblities of a successful ablation this time around and like Tom said..the 3rd time is a charm.  I was diagnosed in Jr. High School with mitral valve prolapse and am now in my mid 50's so obviously am older then you are and my heart stuff really didn't pop up until years later.  You need to remember that ablations are pretty much risk free because they are considered non invasive  and one of the easiest things to go thru and thats why most people can go back to work or school within a week or so.  I would say no worries...you made it fine thru the other two and you will no doubt breeze this one as well..sounds to me by what you posted that it is definately worth a try and try to imagine what your life will finally be like if it is successful without all the stress and maybe just maybe for the first time in years to not be able to feel your heart.  I know the first time i didn't feel mine i about fell over i was so shocked that i went a whole day without any issues ...if you get some random things pop up after the ablation don't panic it can take up to 90 days for the docs to even know if it was successful or not and possibly up to six months for all of the random issues to go away...good luck....and Godspeed to you and i hope this will be the last time you need to have it done ....i will keep my fingers crossed for you................<3

[tom_h]

I had AVRT for 54 years.  For the last decade, my episodes had increased to 3-5 times per month.  I finally decide to go for an EP study and ablation.  Fortunately, mine was successful and I've been free of episodes for 4 months.  But this is about you.  Being an "old pro", you know what to expect this time.  Remember, this is an electrophysiology study, and your specialists will only burn if they know it won't put you at risk.  Also, easy in knowing that specialists are there to insure your safety.  Hopefully the third time will be the charm.  When's your procedure scheduled?