Stopping beta blocker for an ablation

[joshuamom]

Hi, again!

I guess I am sort of driving myself a bit crazy.  I am having my ablation done on Thursday, as I just posted yesterday!  I have been told by my EP doctor that I have to stop taking my Bisoprolol tomorrow, I thought you were not supposed to stop Beta Blockers suddenly?  Did anyone else have to stop their meds a few days prior to a procedure?  If so, how did that go?  I wish I had asked him more questions, but it was Friday afternoon, and of course, I didn't think of any of this until this morning, and of course his office is not open on Saturdays.  Thanks so much for any advice...

Michelle

[joshuamom]

Thank you all so much.  So far so good! lol.  I think we get smart, when I look back at how I was when I was young, it is amazing I made it this far!  Now I appreciate that a whole lot more!  
Again, thank you for all your replies...

[cindy707]

LOL i guess you are right Tom.....who would have thought just yesterday we were all in school huh?  I never in a million years would have thought that the word "cautious" would be applied to me but here it is......and you are very right...life is very fragile and i guess at any age...we only get this chance once.......

[tom_h]

".........i swear as grown ups we are sometimes such babies......"

Probably because we've come to realize how fragile life really is.

[cindy707]

Ditto w. everyone else.....my doc had me stop mine a few days before my ablation and had no issues....i am not sure of what the time frame for rebound is but do know that i went thru it a couple of months ago when i got so caught up w. family issues that i forgot to take it for like 5 days and then hit rebound and had to be converted.....must be more than the 72 hours i am guessing..... good luck on your ablation and i'm sure like the rest of us you will be kicking yourself when its over asking yourself why you didn't do it sooner.....i swear as grown ups we are sometimes such babies......

[tom_h]

I'm not yet scheduled for mine, but the EP told me to stop them prior to the procedure.  But my cardiologist told me to ramp down.  I'm going to ramp I think being that I have the time.

[joshuamom]

Hi there, thanks so much for your replies!  I am just super nervous about the whole thing, it makes me feel better knowing other people have gone off there BB for a few days and not had any major problems!  Today is my first day without!  I will post after the procedure.  I have so many episodes, and am so symptomatic, that for me not getting it done is just not an option anymore.  
Thank you all again, it helps me so much to hear from you.  

Michelle

[PikaPika88]

Me too.  Stopped all the heart med 3 days before the EP study.  But they put me into the hospital 3 days before the procedure.  Guest what, 3 days no med and NO palpitation at all.  Just very bore at the ward.

[kane3]

hey good luck with the ablation, i wish you the best! Yes it's absolutely normal for your Ep to order you to stop any medication 3 days to the last 12 hours of your procedure. Its like Tracey had said, an easier pathway means an easier and quicker ablation. I myself wasnt on a BB prior to my procedures, but other medications, yes. Its the same thing. They want your heart to be as funky as possible so it leaves them with less tampering with the wires, which leaves for a less irrated heart after! Keep us updated on how the procedure went! Prayers are with ya

[jaspers]

Hi

I have had two ablations in the last 2 years and both times I had to stop BB 3 days prior to surgery in order for the EP to find the pathway easier.

I too was concerned about this but did not really notice any weird arrhythmia resulting from this.

Not sure if 3 days is enough to cause such awful symptoms and they hope that after the ablation there will be no need for medication.

Also it may the fact that the does of BB currently being taken would not have such a major impact than those on a high does that may need to be weaned off slowly.

Regards

Tracey