Ablation, Pacemaker and Worry.

[circusflea]

I had an ablation procedure performed  days ago for possible PSVT.  I also had a pacemaker inserted.  So far, I've been having episodes of tacycardia (pulses can be as high as 160 after a short walk), and facial flushing.  I am taking Multaq 400 mg with Cardizem 30 mg BID. I've also been informed that another ablation procedure may need to take place due to the  location of a possible ectopic node.  
I wasn't expecting to feel this way after the abalation procedure.  I was also not expecting that I would be one of the people in a small percentage who would require a pacemaker.  
Could someone please let me know if this sounds familar as I am reaching the point of feeling very frustated.  Any information will be incredibly helpful.
Thanks.

[ksig]

As Cindy007 has stated, it takes time to heal from an ablation. Your heart was put through the paces and agitated, burned and prodded some more.  IT is quite normal to have arrhythmia after your ablation.  The doc was being cautious by telling you that you may need another ablation... I did.. 3 more. I have AFib and AFlutter.  I had a pacer implanted between ablation 2 and 3 as I developed a slow heart beat (Bradycardia)  The pacer does not get rid of AFib.  It simply paces my heart as I do not conduct any longer and am 100% dependent on it.  I feel comfortable knowing that my heart will never beat below 60 bpm. Whe I have AFib, the pacer switches modes to pace me out of an AFib event and sometimes there are an incredible number of switches before it is successful. You did not mention why you have a pacer.  Was your AV node ablated?
ksig

[circusflea]

Thanks for answering my email!  I am new to this forum and I am not sure if my first constructed response was received or not-so forgive me if this sounds like a repeated "thank you".
I also had a pacemaker inserted and posted another question to the "medical forum" of this web site sincee the pacemaker on top of the ablation...is very frustrating since I don't feel any change...although your email helped me understand after effects of the ablation.  I was also told (did not mention this earlier) that I may need to have a second ablation performed.  
This is all very much to take in on top of having a pacemaker inserted.  
But, it sounds like you have gotten a handle on your tachycardia and a pulse rate of 300 must have been very alarming.  But again, glad to hear that someone out there has had success.
Hanging in there....
CF

[cindy707]

Yes what you are feeling is perfectly common this soon after an ablation.  All of us that had one done goes thru exactly what you are now.  It can take up to six months for the episodes to completely subside however as each day moves forward in most cases the episodes become less and less.  I know its scary...no one want to feel like the procedure was a fail and it definately doesn't mean it is this fast after the procedure.  Most docs say that they don't accurately know if its a fail for the first ninety days.....i went thru that two a week after my ablation...went for a walk uphill and went into tach that i was sure was worse then before the ablation....called the doc right away and what he said was a no brainer...well now you know what not to do for a couple of more days....duh....I chose to go on antenolol after the procedure to keep the episodes at bay....the first one definately wasn't the worst one....i had one a couple of months after that drove my pulse rate up into the 300's and that was no picnic believe me...once i powered thru the episodes i was good to go and in October it will be my 4 years anniversary after the procedure.  Since the day i had it done i have had i think 5 episodes and i'll tell you what i can deal with one a year compared to one every couple of days.  Don't get frustrated circusflea...what you are experiencing is pretty much the norm.....i know what it feels like and patience is what needs to happen now....we all thought that right after the ablation that would be it.....not so...it takes time for the heart to heel......just give it a little more time and try to divert yourself when it happens to you and keep thinking that in a half an hour it will be gone...in an hour it will be gone....listen to music, call someone and don't talk about your heart, clean out your closet, do the laundry...diversions i think work best.....don't be afraid we've all been there.....