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.
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
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?
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!!!
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.
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