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Typical Recovery from Ablation

I am slated for an ablation to treat SVT.  1) I neglected to ask my doc whether there is typically any pain involved during the recovery.  As I am sensitive and/or allergic to the more commonly prescribed pain meds, I wanted to inquire.  2) Are any other drugs typically given following an ablation?
Many thanks for your input!
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HI,
I had ablation a week ago today.  I havent felt any missed beats and my HR has seemed to slow down.  I usually have a fast pulse , close to 100, and it has been hanging aroun 80 since i got home.  The only thing I am having is once in awhile an uncomfortable feeling in my chest , like breathless , for just a bit and then it goes away.  I assume it is just healing going on.  Other than that, I feel pretty good.
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21064 tn?1309308733
I have had two very successful ablations for frequent pvcs.  Hope you have the same great fortune.  Wishing you the best outcome.

connie
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Avatar universal
I'm 75 w/ablation for irregular atrium scheduled in a few weeks. AFib has not been much of a problem even though it is constant. Take coumadine plus meds for high bloodpressure and have a pace maker. Off of irregularity meds as I have been in constant AFib anyway. BUT I have had no palpations lately and feel good, just not the energy I used to have. I've read about a few difficulties that post-ablation patients have had. Anyone out there that can comment, I would appreciate ASAP.

trombonej
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21064 tn?1309308733
I was also very nervous about the sedation.  But, I gotta tell ya, that stuff was grrrrreat!  The nurse anesthetist gave me the medicine (in the IV) and I ever so gently relaxed.  Next thing I know, I'm awake and being moved to recovery.  I was not sick to my stomach and was hungry.  The fentynl seems to be much easier on the stomach than demerol (what they used to use).  I bet you're gonna be very surprised at how gentle the medicine is.  You'll wake up and be ready to go home.  I was so hungry after the colonscopy : )

Good luck.  Keep us posted!

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177337 tn?1310059899
thanks for your feedback.  I will try not to worry.  Like I said, if they use it for ablations and ablations are to fix irregular heartbeats then it must be pretty safe.  I'm just not looking forward to whatever feeling it brings on.  I've never been sedated for anything in my life.  Thanks again!!
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21064 tn?1309308733
Yes, I am free (except for occasional skips) of pvcs after having thousands upon thousands of them for many years.  

I had the ablations in Cleveland.  Dr. Kara Quan was the doctor who did the actual ablations.  I have a cardio at Cleveland Clinic and also an EP at Metro (Cleveland).  Dr. Quan was selected by my EP.  Are you near Cleveland?  
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Avatar universal
Are you free of PVC's now after both your ablations? Where did you have them done and by whom?
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21064 tn?1309308733
My palps revved up now and again, but the doctor said I could take Inderal if I wanted to.  I had the second procedure early Nov 2003 and on Christmas Eve I was in bigeminy for about 6 hours.  I thought the ablation didn't work, but that was the last time I had it for that long.  

I'm so sorry to hear you are still struggling.  Any word from the doc on why?
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21064 tn?1309308733
OMYGOSH!!  I had a colonscopy (June 2003) before I had my ablations (Aug and Nov 2003) and had versed and fentynl - no problems : )  Like you, I was pretty worried about the meds!  My heart LOVES versed.  The doctor said the pvcs were soooo quiet, but I can't stay on that stuff.  It is a great medication for the colonscopy.  In my opinion, you should NOT consider going it without sedation.  My BIL did that and regretted it!!  OUCH!!!!
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Avatar universal
My ablation was for SVTs.  The doctors does not know if it will get better or not.  They have not given me a lot of info on this so I am searching on my own.   I am very discouraged at this point since I have not returned to my normal daily activities.  Did your palps get better or worse with anything?  I really appreciate your input, thanks.
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177337 tn?1310059899
okay, I'm sorry to bust in on this post and I did ask this question on the patient to patient forum but as my date draws nearer (not ablation but colonoscopy) I'm worried about the versed/fentanyl (not the procedure).  My doctor assures me that it won't make my heart flip out (I get PAT and PAC's).  I imagine that if these drugs are used for ablation that they are  pretty safe.  I'm thinking about trying to go without any sedation.  My doctor said he is happy to try that with the drugs on stand by.  Am I worrying over nothing??????  Isn't it always something with these crazy hearts.
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21064 tn?1309308733
Sorry to hear about your post-ablation discomfort : (

It took several months before the doctor would consider the procedure a true success.  I was able to work and go about my daily life within a few days.  My heart rate was faster than I was used to, so that felt weird. The change in my HR was never given a name, but the rate did slow down within a couple of weeks.  Does your doctor think your post-ablation "flutters" will resolve on their own?  

Oh, when I would exercise and try to lift my hands above my head, it also felt weird.  The palps would stir up again.  That took awhile to stop, but eventually it too resolved.  

What was your ablaiton for?  Hang in there!  Hope everyday is a bit better : )

Connie
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Avatar universal
You mentioned it took you a while to adjust to your "new heart rate", did it ever go back to what you considered normal?  I had an ablation done 10 days ago and my heart feels like it is constantly fluttering.  It is very uncomfortable and seems to get worse with exertion.  I am still resting, hoping it gets better.  When did you start feeling like yourself?  I am getting anxious as I need to go back to work soon.  The doctor said it is an acclerated junctional rhythm, was yours ever given a name?
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Avatar universal
Thank you to everyone for sharing your experience with the ablation procedure.  I am 26 years old and I am having an ablation the 2nd week of September for lone a fib.  I am VERY nervous about it.  My runs of a fib are usually about 45 mins at 190bpm...I haven't had one since May 24th (but who is counting).   I have one child and would like to have another as soon as I get the green light from my doctor, but I am willing to take how ever long I need to have a safe pregnancy.   I am trying to stay optimistic that I will only need one ablation to be successful.  Does anyone have any advice for me?  My doctor requires one night in the hospital following the procedure.  How long did it take for you to feel like yourself again? Thanks again for the encouragement from your experiences!!!
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Avatar universal
I had an ablation about a week ago to treat SVT. The procedure took about 4 hours, and I remember very little of it. I had no pain during the procedure, but I was given Darvocet about 5 hours after the procedure due to pain in my groin. I was told to take ibuprofen for discomfort and aspirin to thin my blood at home. I've been very sore and have had some bruising, but no signs of SVT. Hope all goes well for you.
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21064 tn?1309308733
Helloooooo!!

I have had two ablations, both were for frequent pvcs.  Each procedure was 6-7 hours and required an overnight hospital stay.  I was pretty nervous and worried over what to expect, but it turned out to be fine (both times) and I couldn't be happier with the results.  

Each time, I was given versed to relax and fentynl for pain (discomfort).  For the first ablation, I had absolutely NO pain, but a little discomfort.  The discomfort was very tolerable and was a result of having someone apply pressure to the entry site.  The assistant had his hands clamped down on the place where they inserted the catheter, so that caused a little soreness.  Other than some bruising, I was fine and back to work in a couple of days.  

The second procedure was a tiny bit different in that the doctors had to enter my femoral artery (didn't feel a thing) so when it came time to close up everything, they inserted a "plug" to close off the artery.  That was a bit more uncomfortable, but again, manageable.  After the second procedure, I stayed off work a few days b/c my leg (groin area) was kinda sore and I was tired.

All in all, the procedures were very manageable and the recovery was just a matter of catching up on some sleep and adjusting to my "new" heartbeat.  After the procedures, my HR increased for a few weeks, so that was a little weird, and kind of unexpected.  

Nothing more than Tylenol for discomfort if I needed it....

Hope the ablation goes GREAT!
Connie
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