Last question, I promise!! (Ablation)

Hi, again! :)

I was just wondering, for those who have had the ablation, how long did your groin area (quite a large area I might add!) hurt, and I mean hurt!  I did go see my regular doctor today, and she said it looks great, no swelling, redness, just some bruising, but not a horrible amount, but wow it hurts!  I assumed this being day 4, and they tell you that you should be right as rain by day 2, that this should stop hurting soon?  I think there are a lot of nerves in there.  I am supposed to start some training for work next Monday, and I just hope it is better by then.  Did anyone else have pain past the 2 days?  I think it is nerves, because it seems to spread...
Well, thanks again everyone!  I just was wondering what a realistic recovery time is...or maybe I really am just the biggest wimp ever!!
Thanks so much, and have a wonderful night!

Michelle

[tom_h]

Don't stop with the questions!  We all learn regardless of how trivial it may seem. I'm going to be wondering the same thing if a few weeks, except I'll know already.... if someone answers it.....

[ireneo]

I've had 3 ablations and only one time did the discomfort last for awhile (probably a couple of months). I think they bruised a nerve in there and it ached to sit down or walk for any length of time. So I stood up as often as I could and if I had to sit, I stretched my leg out in front of me. It was only my right leg. The other 2 ablations was just normal bruise tenderness and I wore boxers and soft pants for a week.

[Amy343]

The first time I went in for an electrophysiology study I had very bad bruising on one side.  I walked with a limp for almost 2 weeks.  The doctor was concerned about the bruising and even had me go back in for an ultrasound of the area. It was even difficult to sleep because I usually sleep on my side.  

The second time when I had an ablation I was expecting the same thing.  I was amazed when I got home that night and could walk right up the stairs with no problem at all.  I only experienced a very minor amount of soreness and I was good as new a couple of days later.  This time my procedure was done by a different, more experienced doctor.  Perhaps the 2nd doctor was more careful than the first?   Who knows but it was a nice surprise not to experience the pain and bruising I did the first time.  

[cindy707]

I had the pain in the groin area off and on for about a week i think.  I do know i called my doc and he told me to do the ice pack thing...twenty minutes on and twenty minutes off and to do a cycle of 4....it took a couple of more days but it helped...i think it dilates the veins and i specifically remember him telling me not to put heat on it....i found it helped when i elevated my leg on the side of the insertion.  It was a weird pain that i remember...not throbbing, not intense...just an interior type of irritating pain that went beyond an ache but less than excruciating pain...good luck

[joshuamom]

Thanks everyone.  I have exactly what ireneo describes.  It doesn't hurt near as much when I lie down, but when I get up or walk for too long, then it hurts quite a bit.  I think it is a nerve as well as it radiates, down my leg, up my side...hard to explain.  I just need to be better by next Monday, and if I am not, well I will have to just soldier through it!!  No more time off for me!  My regular doctor said the femoral nerve (which is big) runs right beside the femoral artery and vein, so it would be easy to nick, or even hit with the freezing needle.  I know when he was freezing me, I felt a few "shocks" running up and down my leg.  Good times! (as my 9 year old would say)  Thanks again everyone,  it is so good to have somewhere to go to ask these crazy questions!!  
Michelle