Symptoms better after AV node ablation?

[rach666]

My mum has chronic a-fib and is considering AV node ablation.  I'm concerned that she may go through this procedure and still have bad a-fib symptoms.  Can anyone comment from experience?

[PikaPika88]

Did the Dr say after the AV node ablation will put in a pacemaker?  As far as I know, AV node ablation is just cut off the electical circuits which passing from the Atrial to the ventricle.  The A-Fib is remained in the Atrial.  I don't know am I correct or not.  I hope someone will come in and explain it to you in more detail.

[Thinline]

I had an AV Nodal Ablation when I was 25 (I'm now 36).  It is the best thing I ever had.  My life changed from being almost an invalid to being almost normal.  I am totally unbothered by being pacemaker dependent, which your mom will be, but it really isn't an issue for me.  Unfortunately I will probably have to have another AV Nodal Ablation as my AV node has started firing again and causing problems, but really from my point of view, my AV Nodal Ablation gave me my life back and I'd do it again in a heart-beat.  Good luck to you and your mom and feel free to ask any questions you like.

Just so you know, I even had a very healthy and happy pregnancy and gave birth to a wonderful son by c-section 4 years after my AV Nodal Ablation.  I went back to riding horses, playing tennis, swimming and teaching swimming to toddlers.  The symptoms I suffered went away immediately after the ablation and only returned after about 8 or 9 years, so its definitely worth it.

[rach666]

Thanks so much for your comments. I will pass them onto my mum.  May contact you again if that's ok?

[Thinline]

Pleawe contact me anytime at all and I'll answer any questions I can.  I'm one of those horribly honest people so you will hear the good with the bad, but I'm not going to lie about the bad bits.  I don't seem to recall all that many bad bits though.  The first six weeks are horrible because when they implant the pacemaker the leads have to implant themselves into the heart and you have limited movement.   It's a bit sore, but nothing unbearable.  As I say, don't be shy to contact me, I'll answer to the best of my ability.

[rach666]

Thanks everso.  My mum already has a pacemaker which was implanted about 10 years ago to try and control the a-fib.  If anything it seemed to make it worse!  At least she won't have that discomfort.  She is just worried that she may go through it and risk MRSA and then still not have reduced symptoms.  I have passed on your story to her and she said how good it was to hear from someone who felt it had been a success - so thanks ever so.  Hope you are out of hospital soon and feeling much better

[kris05]

I was 25 when I had my first av node ablation. I had to have another one last year. My doctor said that it was uncommon for someone my age to have to have an av node ablation. He said he usually does not see anyone with an av node problem until at least around 40 yrs old. Is it common for someone my age to have this problem? I have 4 children and would like to have another one. I had alot of small episodes while pregnant with my second child, but did not know what it was. Just kinda threw it off as being pregnant. I had a bad episode when my third child was 12 days old. Then I went to the doctor. No trouble with my fourth child. It has been four yrs since my last child and 6months since my last ablation. Is it too early to try for another child? What are  my risks of trying to have another child? I have been trying to exercise and eat right.