Nervous about ablation

[rcslone]

I am 34 years old and have been suffering from rapid heart rate for the past 7 or 8 years. All but two episodes have happened while at work. I have been to the hospital several times and have wore a heart monitor, but they never have been able to catch it. Once it happened at work, (I work at a major retailer) and I was able to get to the pharmacy and check my pulse and blood pressure on the free monitor thing they have set up there. My heart rate was over 200 beats a minute.

My doctor has me on a couple of medications, Metoprolol 50mg and Lisinopril 10mg a day. I have took these for a few years now and they help, but are not a cure all. My doctor says I have SVT and has recommended I have the ablation done. He says it is not a life or death matter at this time, but I should go ahead and have it done while I am still young and just get it out of the way. I did see a heart specialist a couple of years ago and we discussed having the ablation done, but I have just been to darn scared to go through with it.

Well, last Monday I had another episode at work (I work in a meat department and they most always occur when working in the cooler, bending over to pick up a box seems to be a trigger). This was one of the worst and longest I have had and I went to the hospital. Of course it had stopped  by the time I got there. Well, I have had enough. I see my family doctor in two days and I am going to tell him to go ahead and get things in motion to set up the ablation. Since taking the medication, episodes have been reduced to about 3 or 4 a year, but I am tired of also being worried when one is going to strike and having to pace myself so as not to trigger another episode.

I am just scared to have such a thing done, as I have never had any kind of medical procedure outside of a colon scope and xrays done. The colon scope was due to IBS I also suffer with. I was just wondering how other people's experiences were when having this done and look for some words of encouragment from other folks who know what its like to have this.

[RNRita]

Were you the one who told me that they CAN give versed during an ablation?????

[c_tone]

I just came from my 15 year old sons cardiologist appointment he has spent his whole life with SVT  Up until the last couple months episodes have been 2-4 times a year but recently it is almost every time he runs..  problem is he is football and soccer player!   So we are now on track for ablation in the next 90 days.  Reading your posts answered alot of my questions.. and i am excited for him to read them as well to maybe ease any anxiety he may have!

[rcslone]

Luckily, no foley cath for me. They just told me to go to the bathroom before prepping me to take me back there. And when I was brought back to my room and had to go, they kindly brought me one of those little urinals to use. That was a real relief, in more ways then one!

[littlegreenman1]

The catheter and the laying flat for 6 hours after the procedure were the worst for me.  Catheter removal made me scream. I've had more kind things done to me down there... I'll just leave it at that.

[cindy707]

Congrats on the procedure i have been following you and tom thru this....pretty normal to have random episodes immediately after the ablation so relax there...ice is the thing for the pain in the groin area and elevating whichever leg is bugging you.....can't speak for the cath experience (thank gawd for that one no thank you) and i stayed overnite too at the hospital and was the best thing i ever did for myself.  I'm gonna enjoy reading your and toms posts you guys always put a smile on my face when i read what you post and remember we are all here for you if you have worries or questions cause as the saying goes...been there done that....

[rcslone]

I'll give you guys a detailed report about my experience when I get home tomorrow. Very sore where they put the cath in, really hurts to walk. Went into SVT very shortly after getting started. My doc keeps his ablation patients overnight in the hospital. I look foward to getting back home. Talk to you later.