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1160404 tn?1262934202

Scared about Ablation

I am new here, but am looking for a place to turn.  I was recently diagnosed with SVT and PVCs (arrythmias).  The SVT became debilitating, ending me up in the ER.  Laying or sitting, my heart rate was 70 - upon standing up and taking a step, it jumped to 180...then the PVCs started.  
At any rate, the docs have me on Metropolol (controlling the SVT, but not the PVCs), so they are thinking about doing ablation.  
Holy crap!  WHAT??  A couple of weeks ago, I was a normal girl just living my life and now I have a diagnosed heart problem that they want to do surgery on?  
I am so scared.  Can someone out there share their experience with ablation?  Should I do it?
Thanks so much...
38 Responses
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Avatar universal
I have spent 18 months in bed because of my utter terror of afib n pakps. I literally sit and wait fir the next attack-i have no life. Im terrified to bath or use the loo. Im sick of being told loads have it and ive got to deal with it. I cant! Its taken my head over and im a mental mess. Like you i was a nirmal girl, riding, karate... Nextim fearing death allday n night. Im terrified too if i have ablation i eill die on the table. Im so sad and alone- i had plans to move to Spain with my family but as im terrified of flying as it is , i cant go. Im sobbing because i cant deal with it anymore. I feel my heart is torturing me till the time comes... I dont know what to do... Why us, why is there no cure? The drugs dont work. Bless ypu xx
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1 Comments
Sorry fot the typos. Its hard to type when youre lifes fell apart x
Avatar universal
Has anyone had an ablation that was symptom free but heart monitor showed a high degree of fib
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1423357 tn?1511085442
Knowing that everyone that you'd want in a cardiac emergency is in that lab with you was reassuring for me.  The staff knows that it's a scary procedure and they'll take good care of you!
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Avatar universal
I know this post is 2 years old, but I am having an ablation next week.  Im in my early 50's,  in good shape, otherwise healthy but have had afib and arythmia for a while...not sure exactly how long.  I had a cardioversion last week and it didnt work.  I'm really terrified. Have never been sick a day in my life.....
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1 Comments
Read my comment further down... Its the most horrific thing i can think of that anyone should suffer.
1423357 tn?1511085442
Hi Jonesy.  Yes, I'm still here as are all the others that have had ablations for their SVT.  What you describe above is pretty typical for those who experience SVT.  I had a form of SVT called AVRT, which features extremely high rates; 200 to 260 as an adult.  Glad I got it fixed.  I just celebrated 2 years SVT free.
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Avatar universal
Hi, I'm a 51 yr old male diagnosed 5 yrs ago with SVT, I guess HBP goes along with SVT.  I had a failed ablation then.  I'm athletic and in good shape.  My normal resting pulse is betwwen 88-93 and BP is 130/90.  It's been that way despite various medications.  I've had 2 SVT attacks in 60 days (I average 4-6 a year)  The last two attacks were in public and scared people into calling for an ambulance.  My pulse can jump from 80-180 in a minute.  The last incident my pulse jumped 3 xs in the ambulance from 80-200 and another incident my BP went to 180/120 while my pulse stayed in the upper 70s.  There are times my pulse will be 123 and I don't feel or notice it.  I can push it to 155 on a treadmill wihout any distress.  The Electrophysiologist tells me I have an electrical problem ad not a plumbing problem.  He has a good reputation and wants to attempt another ablation though he can't guarantee it will work.  I would love to be off my meds and free of anxiety.  I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I am scared.  Reading this has helped.  I take it you all are still alive (joke).  My guess is that you all would recommend this procedure?  Thanks for reading.
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1423357 tn?1511085442
Good luck!  I was 60 when I had mine done for AVRT SVT and I was fine. I had it done on a Thursday, and was back to work the following Tuesday. I was under general anesthesia, and remember nothing of the procedure after getting up on the lab table.  I find the anesthesia used today, such as propofol is extremely pleasant compared to the stuff I received back 20 or 30 years ago.  I asked for something before going down to the lab and was rewarded with a syring of vallium in my IV drip line.  I doesn't hurt to ask if you're feeling anxious.  The gurney ride to the lab was quite literally a blur.  Let us know how it goes.
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Avatar universal
OH my, I can't thank you enough for your post here.  I am 64 and going in on thursday for the procedure.  I was totally freaked out until I read this.  Gracious, gracious thanks for your encouraging words.  ; )
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1807132 tn?1318743597
Do you have spikes of a high heart rate?  Tachycardia is a general term for fast heart rate.  There are different types of fast heart rates.  Mine was avnrt which presents episodes of a beat over 200.  Wpw has a slower rate around 150 so more likely what you have.  Well regardless, the procedure is not that big a deal.  I was awake but sedated as well.  The anticipation leading up to the procedure was worse than the procedure itself.  Some wind up having long procedures if there is some trouble finding where to ablate but mine went really easy.  They found mine on the first try so I was in and out in 2 hours.  Take care and I will think good thoughts for you tomorrow.
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Avatar universal
They said I will be awake but sedated.  I really don't want to go to sleep.  I think that's the part that is freaking me out the most.  I am getting it because my heart constanstly beats around 130 all the time.  I know there are a lot of people whose hearts will beat normal most of the time and then spike up really high but mine does it consistently all the time.  So they wanted to get me in asap to get it fixed.  I guess it's called tachycardia?  And it gives me really bad anxiety attacks as well so I'm hoping those will go away after this procedure as well.  Well I have less than 12 hours to go before my surgery.  Not sure how I'm going to sleep tonight.  :(  Will let the board know how it goes.  Thanks again to everyone.  
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1398166 tn?1358870523
The worst part is laying flat for so long.  I was on my back for 15 hours. My procedure was 7.5 hours though.

Don't be scared. You're probably in as much danger driving home from the procedure.
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1807132 tn?1318743597
I had an ablation in September and it was easier than any medical thing I have ever had done.  The ablation itself was the only real discomfort I felt but over all not bad at all.  Good luck and let us know how it went.
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1423357 tn?1511085442
Good luck with your procedure tomorrow.  You'll do fine! The odds are definitely in your favor. Do you know if  you will you be sedated?  What are your going in for?
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Avatar universal
I have an ablation scheduled for 8am Wednesday morning.  Have just been up for the past 2 hours reading all these posts on my Ipod in bed because I am so scared for the procedure.  It may sound stupid but I'm not scared for after, I'm scared I'm going to die on the table.  :(  Reading these posts has helped but I just can't wait for this to be over with.
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1423357 tn?1511085442
I think we all have a high level of anxiety leading up to it.  It's not a "simple operation", but the pain associated with it is fairly low.  Plus if you get some sedation, it'll be over before you know it.

The procedure is "surgery" in the most broadest sense.  The Insertion of the catheters is done by a puncture, very similar to the size of the needle used for donating blood.  There's no sutures, the wound is covered and allowed to clot and heal on its own.  Most places use that "Saran Wrap" material to cover the punctures, and you can shower the next day.  The covering begins to pull away in the following days.  I limped around for a few days, but within a couple of weeks, I was motoring around like nothing happened, and I'm 60 y/o.  If you have any further questions, ask them in a separate post, and there are a number of us here who've had the procedure done that would be happy to answer them for you.  Good luck!
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Avatar universal
Hi Everyone, I have SVT and going in for an ablation september 13th. I am very scard. even though everyone keeps saying, oh it's a simple operation all i can think of is yeah easy for you to say it not your heart. I was to have it last friday but it was rescheduled for sept 13th so no I even longer to worry... I am concern  about the after surgery recovery.
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1423357 tn?1511085442
Yah, the foley catheter was a little surprise that I didn't expect. It was like "WHAT THE.....!!!" for me.  I was not permitted to preshave due to the possibility of infection, but the orderly that the deed was really nonchalant about and it put me at ease.  It's funny how you lose the inhibitions after only a couple of hours in the hospital. I got a hit of Vallium in the drip line just before wheeling me down.  I remember saying, "it's not working, it's not working!" but the overhead lights started blur as I was wheeled under each one, so I knew it was hitting me.  I barely remember scooting onto the cath table. A whiff of gas and I was gone.  
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Avatar universal
I had a catheter ablation done about a month ago for A-fib.  In Minnesota we are very lucky to have two top heart centers (Abott Northwestern/Minneapolis Heart Institute and Mayo Clinic).  Before I decided to proceed with having this surgery I did lots of research( I think that's why I was so at peace with the proceedure, even though I am terrified to even go the dentist).  One of the key things I found was having a top heart center(one that does many of these proceedures) and a Dr. at that center that has done many.  the Dr. I had do my surgery does more of these proceedures than anyone in the upper midwest.  That's all he does on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

I did not do well on all the medications that I was put on to control my heart.  That was my main reason, besides being fairly young (50) to go ahead with the proceedure.  With the high success rate and the very low rate of problems(this is maximized at top centers with top Dr.s) I felt very confident in success and freedom from A-fib and medications.

For someone who has problems going to the dentist I can honestly say that I would do this surgery again in a heartbeat (no pun intended) if needed.  I showed up the day of surgery at 5:45 AM, waited a few minutes and was brought to a pre-op room.  They had me get undressed and get into a special gown.  They shave your chest and groin area and wash it.  I waited a few more minutes and then in quick succession I had visits from the Anesthesiaologist, the Dr. and seveal nurses.  They all explain what will be happening and what to expect.  The IV gets inserted and at the last minute they informed me that I would be having a urinary catheter, fortunately that got inserted when I was sedated and before I could freak out to much about it.  With all the preliminaries out of the way it was go time and my bed got wisked into the operating room.  I remember a mask getting placed on my face and being told to inhale deeply.  I did this twice and that was the last thing I remember before waking up in the post-op room.  I had two nurses keeping an eye on me, one that was with me constantly.  I was a little nausous and my throat was sore from the breathing tube that they insert during surgery...........no problem she gave me something for both and I felt great and groggy.   After a while they removed the five different catheter tubes one at a time, but needed to apply pressure and wait until everything was O.K. before moving on to the 2,3,4 and 5th.  After that I was suppose to get transfered to a room but as they say....... there was no room at the inn.  I got to spend my laying flat on my back time with all the nice nurses in post op.  When a room finally opened up in the hospital I was past the bed rest part of the proceedure and got to spend the rest of the day and night in my room.  One other side note......I was always apprehensive about being naked in the hospital..........after getting shaved, washed and having a urinary catheter all that fear is out the window.  I think I could walk around naked in the hospital now if they wanted me to.  It really was no big deal.

I was put on a blood thinner called Pradaxa for 45 days and was released the next morning.   Besides a weight lifting restriction for a week I didn't have to change anything in my life.  I was back to work after the weekend(I had my surgery on a Thursday).  I have about 15 more days of Pradaxa and have a follow up with my Dr. in another two months.    So far no pain, no A-fib and no complications.  If everything is still good when I see him the hope is to ween me off all my meds.  

I hope this helps anyone considering having this proceedure.
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Avatar universal
I'm getting ready to have my ablation this coming Friday, and want to tell everybody Thank You! from the bottom of my heart. I was so scared Oh my God, you have no idea. Taking time to read everyone expirience wz the ablation procedure, it really give me a lot of courage and streght. Thank you all you are all wonderful people
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503607 tn?1275671579
I had my ablation a year ago this month,  I was a wreck and when it was over I wondered by the heck I worried so much.  I did it without any meds and I can say it was easy.   The time on the table flew.   My heart was easily provoked and I was ablated in a few areas and I was done.  I am on Atenolol since the ablation becasue they could not ablate the area where my pvc's were coming so I was a little disappointed because my pvc's were the real issue.  They were 24/7.  With the help of the Atenolol I only get a few here and there.  They were able to ablate my Afib and SVT.   Try not to get yourself all worked up, you will be back here telling us how easy it was.  If your receiving meds it will be even easier.   Good Luck!  Keep us updated.
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1465650 tn?1316231160
Had my ablation done 3½ months ago and I don't know what I would have done without this community. They are the living angels that have guided me through my most desperate times especially with post ablation issues.
With such a warm and generous community like this one, I will never be scared again.

Good luck on your ablation, remember we are all here to share advice and if needed just to read (listen) to your issues and share your anguish.

Take care  
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1423357 tn?1511085442
Good luck on Friday.  Check my journal entries for my experience.  It was very positive and I didn't have any problems.  You'll do fine!  I was under general anesthesia, so I don't remember a thing!
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Avatar universal
Hi - I'm so glad your ablation went well!  I have one scheduled for Friday.  I am 43 and have had svt since I was 16.  I feel good about having the ablation done but for some reason I am the most worried about the fentanyl and versed that they give.  My body is hypersensitve to drugs and I am going to ask for a small dose.  What was your experience with this?  Thanks!
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Avatar universal
My case  fib is always been caused by improper prescription ,and i am fine  if i stay away from drs.somehow  every time they change meds  i suffer . and they go back  to what i had . How can one tell if ablation  really is going to  resolve the problem . now i dont think ablation will help me  i have a new  problem  morning HBP .nevehad it before  started after this last  misdianoses,i was told ablation would help ,how ,why?
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