EP study and ablation for atrial tach

[LynnSB]

After years of trying to find out what caused my brief but scary and lifestyle-if-not-life-threatening arrhythmias,an event recorder revealed atrial tach.I am amazed that a 2 lead recorder could reveal so much info but my doc says I have"very frequent PACS,atrial runs, non-sustained for along atrial tach, and inappropriate sinus tach, rare PVCs." In consult with an EP doc,he says the focus of the atrial tach appears to NOT be reentry but ectopic and coming from the pulmonary vein and is, they believe , amenable to an ablation.
I'm very excited about having the EP study/ablation and they think there is a "good chance" of a cure for my problem which would eliminate these horrible feelings ( the a-tach and atrial runs make me feel momentarily scared and sometimes weak).
Questions: 1.isn't a pulmonary vein focus a more difficult location for a successful ablation?
2.In general,what's the recovery time like for an ablation?
3. I live alone and just wonder what i have to avoid or watch out for afterwards.. how soon i can go back to work, etc. I know i need to talk to my docs about this and will when i see them but for now, any info in general would be greatly appreciated.

thanks so much!

Lynn

[LynnSB]

I DID IT!  I had my EP study and an ablation for what turned out to be SV node reentry tachycardia -- my heart went up to 209..

I had no pain except the pain of getting the iv in... everything was really easy. I wasn't sick afterwards .. slightly tired. that's all ! was home by the afternoon.. just want to believe I'm "fixed".. almost scared to but SOOOO glad I did this. and can't believe I was so worried!

Lynn

[ValerieL]

Hi Lynn

I just wanted to wish you the very best for your procedure Monday! I am excited for you!! Just imagine finally feeling better! Yay! That is something to celebrate!!

Best wishes and please post again and tell us how it went!

Valerie

[arthur]

The procedure is just wires in your blood vessels, so it really doesn't take much out of you...it's just the anxiety, the lack of food (required prior to the procedure), the careful walk (to insure good healing in that sensitive groin area).  By the next morning, I was not groggy from the meds, just exhausted from the lack of sleep (lights, noises, usual hospital careless chatter).
Once at home that next day, I just took it easy getting around...and in a couple of more days got back to work.  I play soccer, so I was anxious to get back on the field...that took a few weeks more.

Take care! (and relax)  -Arthur

[LynnSB]

Well, there's absolutely no one to come stay with me so that's that. But can y'all tell me how you felt the next day? how long do you feel groggy? Are you pretty much ok the next day?

thanks so much!

Lynn

[Anne 35]

I agree with Arthur, sore and groggy sums it up.  It would be possible to be alone afterwards, it just would be easier to have someone there to  fetch things for you.(soup, water the remote, etc...)  I felt a few bumps and twinges in my heart (I assume PVC's), but nothing that caused any symptoms like my atrial flutter and afib did. Just a bump every now and then.  

Like I said, it will not be horrible afterwards, I just wish you had someone with you.  I'm sorry.  

Let us know how you do.

Anne

[LynnSB]

thanks, Arthur! I actually wish they'd let me stay at the hospital over night, but with insurance and such .. it is not to be ( barring some unforeseen complication, I guess).. so I will just plan on taking it easy around here for a few days.

Thanks again for taking the time to write and offer encouragement.

L