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PVC's and unnecessary tests?
I am a 48 year old healthy female and I
Read your post .So you don't feel alone I've "suffered" from PVCs for almost 18 years and have chosen so far to live with them. Some days are Ok others are not.But I must say that thinking an abalation is not somewhat risky is probably being a bit too optimistic. People can and do develop other arrthymias after ablation.I'd sure make sure the EP has done other abalations just for PVCs and get his or her success rate, how success is determined, and long term followup success etc,etc.You don't want to fix one problem only to create others.If you do go thru with the procedure I'd like to know your results especially longer term.
HEY COMPUTER!! So, you're gonna go for it! WOW~
As far as the procedure goes, here is what I remember...Got to the hospital around 7:00 a.m. (yup, a.m.!!) They took me to a lovely dressing room where I was given a beautiful gown and a darling pair of footies. Next, I was taken to a "holding" area where I was hooked up to monitors and the I.V. was started. I mentioned (many times) how anxious I was and the nurses, nurse anesthetist, techs and doctors were wonderful. They gave me some versed before I was wheeled to the "lab" around 8:30-9:00. In the lab, I was hooked up to more stuff (monitors) and they applied a bunch a sticky patches to my chest and back (big ones). This is when they inserted the foley cathether (bladder). I do not remember any pain during either procedure. Both times I was also given fentynl for pain because demerol makes me nauseaus (sp?). Each procedure took about 6-7 hours. The first time, after the procedure one of the doctors was applying pressure to the catheter entry site and that lasted about 20-30 minutes (I was dozing). I needed to lay flat for 6 hours with a sand bag on my groin. That was fine since I was still sleepy anyway. I was able to eat, talk, visit...but no getting up. Oh,
Second time, at the end of the procedure, they inserted an "angio-seal" because they entered the femoral artery. That was a bit uncomfortable, but no real pain. I asked for Tylenol because of a headache, but I found out later that was because they induced the arrythmia with calcium carbonate (quite a bit I guess). I stayed overnight and went home the following day just after lunch. Recovery the first time was a couple of days. Procedure on Friday, back to work on Monday (too soon). Second time the procedure was on a Friday and I stayed out for a week. Much better plan for me...Good luck!! Keep us posted! Connie
As far as the procedure goes, here is what I remember...Got to the hospital around 7:00 a.m. (yup, a.m.!!) They took me to a lovely dressing room where I was given a beautiful gown and a darling pair of footies. Next, I was taken to a "holding" area where I was hooked up to monitors and the I.V. was started. I mentioned (many times) how anxious I was and the nurses, nurse anesthetist, techs and doctors were wonderful. They gave me some versed before I was wheeled to the "lab" around 8:30-9:00. In the lab, I was hooked up to more stuff (monitors) and they applied a bunch a sticky patches to my chest and back (big ones). This is when they inserted the foley cathether (bladder). I do not remember any pain during either procedure. Both times I was also given fentynl for pain because demerol makes me nauseaus (sp?). Each procedure took about 6-7 hours. The first time, after the procedure one of the doctors was applying pressure to the catheter entry site and that lasted about 20-30 minutes (I was dozing). I needed to lay flat for 6 hours with a sand bag on my groin. That was fine since I was still sleepy anyway. I was able to eat, talk, visit...but no getting up. Oh,
Second time, at the end of the procedure, they inserted an "angio-seal" because they entered the femoral artery. That was a bit uncomfortable, but no real pain. I asked for Tylenol because of a headache, but I found out later that was because they induced the arrythmia with calcium carbonate (quite a bit I guess). I stayed overnight and went home the following day just after lunch. Recovery the first time was a couple of days. Procedure on Friday, back to work on Monday (too soon). Second time the procedure was on a Friday and I stayed out for a week. Much better plan for me...Good luck!! Keep us posted! Connie
thanks for the comment.iv'e done alot of research.and to will be on meds the rest of my life for pvc,svt. but a well known dr. has given me a glimpse of hope.so i am trying to choose between the meds for life,or a chance that ablation "might" work.it seems its atleast worth a try.complications are rare supposedly.i've lived 8 long yrs.w/pvcs'daily.im borderline agoraphobic/panic attacks/anxiety.all due to how i handle my pvcs.im 31 and have a child and a great family and i do not want to put myself at greater risk w/ ablation. but we are living in a prison due to my fear.thats why my dr. thinks its worth the risk.he doesn't sugarcoat ablation.he said i might not get better at all.but its the "might"that im hoping for.....but i am scared to death of making things worse w/ ablation.
I read here, both by patients and the dr. that there is risk of developing another arrhythmia after an ablation. You might want to do a search here and find out for yourself. I, myself, would not be willing to take that risk unless the potential benefit far outweighed it. My cardio already told me I will be on meds for life, but...
I am getting a Reveal implant and that is yucky enough for me, but it is necessary at this point.
I wish you the best with whatever you decide.
I am getting a Reveal implant and that is yucky enough for me, but it is necessary at this point.
I wish you the best with whatever you decide.
HEY EVERYONE,I JUST GOT BACK FROM MY EP APPT.THE DR. WANTS TO GO AHEAD AND TRY A ABLATION FOR MY FREQUENT PVC'S.I, AND HE KNOWS PVC'S ARE HARMLESS BUT IM VERY TROUBLED BY THEM.THE BIGGEST RISK IS THAT,I WON'T BE HAVING PVC'S THE DAY OF THE ABLATION,AND IT WILL BE A WASTE OF TIME.I SCHEDULED IT FOR THE END OF MAY W/ THE OPTION TO CANCEL IF I DECIDE.IM TIRED OF TAKING MED'S EVERYDAY,AND THIS "MIGHT"HELP.IS THE PROCEDURE AWFUL?IM SCARED OF IT.I HAVE PANIC ,ANXIETY SO I REALLY AM SCARED TO HAVE THE PROCEDURE.BUT I'VE BEEN SUFFERING 8 LONG YRS. W/ DAILY PVC'S..
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Meg,
Thanks for the post.
1) Could the bruit have been something else or if it was a bruit, is that dangerous?
A bruit is abnormal. This is not related to your PVCs and would warrant a workup, which would involve some kind of imaging, usually either ultrasound or CT.
2-3) Why are the PVC
Thanks for the post.
1) Could the bruit have been something else or if it was a bruit, is that dangerous?
A bruit is abnormal. This is not related to your PVCs and would warrant a workup, which would involve some kind of imaging, usually either ultrasound or CT.
2-3) Why are the PVC
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