Ablation Questions, please help!

[rosetoes]

I know that many of you have had ablations to resolve your SVT and I would appreciate any feedback that you can provide.  I have had my 3 SVT episodes within the last two years and I am currently on Toprol 50mg per day.  I have not been successful in breaking my SVT and end up in the emergency room with an adenosine drip which resolves the problem.  I have AVNRT and my cardio dr. says its safe to have an ablation.   Nevertheless, the thought of having catherters in my heart and creating the SVT scares me into an anxiety attack.  I guess my questions are:

How do feel during the procedure?  Do you get anxious when the dr. triggers the SVT and do you start to feel nervous....I feel like jumping out of my skin when the svt episode begins....how do you handle that or are you so sedated that it doesnt' matter.

If you can give information regarding the procedure and what to expect, that would be helpful.

How do you feel after the procedure....any pain or chest discomfort.  Do you schedule a follow up visit with the EP doctor or cardio doctor.  

If you currently take beta blockers, do you continue to do so after the ablation?

Ive made 2 appointments with EP specialist and will look to schedule my ablation once I've made a decision on whom will perform the procedure.  

The thought of the procedures consumes me and I would surely like to hear other experiences.

Thank you!

[Barbmag]

I had an ablation in '93 when it was a fairly new procedure so I was petrified. Plus,my cardio had the worst bedside manner so talking to him was like talking to a brick. But, I was sedated and so I did not feel a thing, did not rem anything about it and was home the next day. I felt sort of tired for a couple of days but nothing bad at all. I was just so relieved not to have tachy anymore!!!! I had been having them for 40+ years.
Let us know how it went and I wish you stress free days ahead!

[Momto3]

I've had two ablations and I don't recall being restrained.  I remember having an IV, being moved to a cold table (brrr) and someone putting big pads on my back (I think they were for a defib shock if it were ever necessary).  After that, I remember the very end of the procedures when the medications were wearing off and the doctor was closing up the incision sites.  

Hope your procedure produces a great outcome!!  Good luck!

connie

[rosetoes]

Thanks so much for your feedback and comments.  I go to my ep specialist this Friday to get things started.  It is very scary, but I know that I dont want to continue with the episodes of SVT...it is dibilitating and it has drained me and made my life hell...with the ER visits and nervousness of when the episodes would start.  I will keep you all posted.  

By the way, do they restrain you doing this procedure...I have ready that some were restrained, I guess to ensure no movement during the procedure/ablation.

[ireneo]

I guess if your arrhythmias make you nervous now, feeling any during the procedure may make you nervous then as well. Typically they start some of the medication right at the beginning. During my first ablation I was a bit groggy at first but awake enough to feel the tachy - the racing heart. But it didn't bother me at all. I was too busy looking at the monitor and seeing my heart beat. And the tachy didn't hurt, it was just the usual stuff I get anyway, nothing new.

I had small incisions in both groin areas. They're very tiny and sealed up in no time.

The other 2 ablations they used more meds or something because I don't remember feeling anything. After the procedure there was some tenderness in the groin with bruises. I felt a bit tired for a couple of days. I did have some vague aches in the chest but not bad enough to bother me. Your heart may hiccup and flutter now and then but that's part of the healing process. That may take up to 3 months. I don't take any meds - my choice.

[Sunshine47]

Hi. Everyone is different. What you may feel may be totally diff. than what others feel. I had ablation 6 years ago for PAC's,PVC's and SVT's. The SVT's is what scared the **** out of me. My heart was beating 332 when we arrived at the ER. They did emergency ablation the next morning.They found I had 2 A-nodes. The ablation was a success as far as the SVT's but my PAC's and PVC's returned after 6 years and that I battle with on a daily basis. Like others I was not sedated and knew exactly was going on every second. No lies to tell when they send your heart into diff. rhythms it is scary. My doc. did not tell me that this was going to take place so you can imagine how I must have felt. By the way for everyone that has had ablation most people have said that they opened one leg. I had both of mine open. Is that standard. From the post I read I haven't heard of many speaking in terms of plural only singular. Rosetoes your will do fine. It is forgotten when those nasty SVTs are out of your life. Good luck and when you feel those weird things going on just know that they are behind the drivers seat when it comes to them.They are very experienced and have total control. The pleasant days after the procedure make it well worth it. Just know that we are all thinking about you and try to relax. The more tense you are the more you will notice and remember. I am looking at a second ablation. So if it was that bad I wouldn't even consider it. I am a big chicken.
Karen in Tennessee

[mommyto4]

hi there,  i want to wish you all the best!!! I  had to wait for one month(from the time i scheduled ablation as you can't have your cycle in case they have to give you blood thinners, and waiting and thinking is the worst!! i never found this site before
anyway my doc said he couldn't give much sedation due to the many sites of arrhythmia i had so my experience was not the best
however we do believe it was successful, so i am trying to put the experience behind me and think of how great it will be to not have to live the way i did before
best of luck ask you doc many many questions till you feel comfortable beforehand~~~
maria