Scheduled for ablation

I am a 34 year old mother of two girls.  diagnosed with wpw in october of 08.  Put on flecainide in december, it may me feel awful and I think caused more palps.  I have seen an ep at jersey shore medical center in jersey and University of penn, they both recommended the ablation.  they think it is right sided and safe enough a distance away from the av node to not damage any healthy tissue.  I have been cutting the meds and am now down to 50 mg from 200.  I am scheduled at Penn for the 19th of this month.  I am so nervous but I really want my quality of life back.  I have been pretty miserable over the last three months, but I am so scared that I am putting myself at som kind of undo risk.  Can anyone please tell me of their experiences and what the recovery in the hospital is like.  Are you aware during the procedure?  Has anyone had an ablation take the first time?  Thanks so much!  Ikeep picking up the phone to cancel and I feel like I'm going to lose it.

[Topher7]

I think the best thing to do is to talk to the doctor and discuss everything you are afraid of. I'm not the best person to talk to because my ablation went wrong. However, I would do it again to get rid of A-fib, despite what happened. I truly believe mine was a 1 in 20000 chance and that it was more the doctor, etc. Overall the stats are with you but I find it best to get out all fears with the doc. Good luck!

[sick and tired 47]

Think about it, get more opinions if you must.I would do anything to be drug free. I had attempted ablation ( failed they could not find spot to ablate). Was it fun, no! But by far not the worse thing I have had in life. I would go in NOW if they told me I had a chance of getting rid of meds/side effects and improved quality of llife!!!
Good luck, God bless you,
  

[Topher7]

The questions I would ask deal with his method..by hand or robot arm...and how they will sedate you. Both are being shown as reasons why mine went so wrong and why I had to be cut on. They like to simplify it but sometimes they don't tell you all that they can. Just wear the person out with questions.

[twinbee]

I had one ablation for a-fib and flutter and so far it has been a success. It took me over 2 years to decide to have the ablation because I  was so scared. When I finally had it done I thought to myself "what was I so afraid of?".  I should have done it years ago. My procedure took almost 8 hours. I was sedated and do not really remember anything. I do remember waking up, but they put me right back to sleep. The worst part is the laying flat on your back for so long. My back killed me. The nursed gave me pain med and the back pain went away in a couple of days. I had no groin pain or bleeding like some people do. Overall my experience was wonderful. I would not hesitate to do it again if I had to (hopefully that won't be necessary). I've been in NSR for 13 months now. I also had my ablation done at Penn (I even consulted with a EP at Jersey Shore like you did).

[mabebesc]

Hi,  
I had a successful ablation done for AVNRT in Aug. 08.  I had a very positive experience and would do it again in a heartbeat ( no pun intended!) My procedure lasted 2 and a half hours . I was awake for the whole thing and I felt no pain at all. I , like you, was so scared before I had it done.  When it was over, I couldn't believe I had put it off for so long because it was no big deal to go through.

What a difference it has made in my life not having SVT.  I had dealt with it for 36 years so I feel like I am only now experiencing life to the fullest. I'd be happy to answer any questions for you.  I wish you the best of luck!
Betty