Scared about Ablation

[aquamarine_moon]

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...

[kane3]

Hey, I just wanted to let you know that you'll be in safe hands and the procedure will be fine. Im 25 and Im going for one to hopefully end these PVC's that ive been battling for a year and a half now. I get over 10000 a day...and feel almost eveyone. I can't wait for mine, and hope i have great success with it. I was really anxious and nervous about the procedure too...but alot of people have helped me with that and re assured me that I'll be ok. So Im just passing it on to you. Let me know if you need any advice or info on the PVC thing...it's somewhat rare that people go for an ablation for them....and alot of people/doctors are stumped by these things...so any advice or info I can give you on what ive learned about them or have done to control them the best I can on a daily basis....let me know. Take care to all!!

[chuparosa]

I have only had an ep study but it was a very frightening experience for me. So much so that I absolutely dread the thought of going in for an ablation (although I need one and will get one when I can afford it). Maybe I am just a total wimp but being awake and feeling my heart flop around was awful. I could feel the catheter too. My doctor actually had to tell me to calm down, that everyone was there to help me. I did receive drugs to relax me but I sure wasn't relaxed. I think it is normal to be freaked out, scared or whatever. Just as the svt attacks scare me, so does the idea of ablation. But if you need it then you should get it and move on with your life.

[grendslori]

It is possible to have many ablations because sometimes the doctor can't find the extra pathway so he can't ablate it, or sometimes, the ablation is only partially successful. The extra pathway has to be electrically active on the day of the ablation or there can't be an ablation. They tend to not tell you that. We've been through 5-6 ablation with our daughter including an actual open heart surgery ablation when Houston was one of the only places in the world that was even doing the proceedure.

[questionnone]

I too am scared of ablation however it has not been discussed with me (cardiologist doesn't for sure know if it's SVT yet) but it is best for me to research now I guess. It seems like ablation is the alternative to medication and only is successful for a certain amount of time? I have noticed a pattern in all these ablation posts and noticed that after a while people end up going back for more ablations. It has made me think of ablation as this; either take medication everyday or get an ablation done and be worry free for a while then end up going back for more ablation to be worry free for a period of time again.

[aquamarine_moon]

Thanks Joe -
It sounds like you will have your procedure before I will - let me know how it goes??
Best Wishes!

[Joe2721]

Hi aqua,

same for me here.  I have been getting a racing hear for 13 years since I was 14.  This past Sunday was the first time I was able to get it documented and diagnosed with SVT, and they have scheduled me for my procedure on Friday.  I am freaking out!!  I only get it twice a year, but they say it does get worse as you get older.  It is comforting to read the postings, but I too am very scared and nervous about the procedure.  I just try and think about after the procedure and how I won't have to worry about bending over everyday and thinking to myself , "is today the day that my heart is going to act up". I still am scared and I just want you to know your not alone.  

Good Luck!!!