Um I usually have a couple small very small (leas than 1 minute) attacks a month. Last big big attack I had was on September 1st 2012. Had to call and ambulance. Shot of adenosine. Fun stuff lol
Nice... how often do you have your runs?
I'm having my ablation for svt
What is your ablation for?
I had twilight sedation for mine. While I was conscious, it felt more like compressed time. It's very similar to when you wake up in the middle of the night, and then you try to get back to sleep. When you next look at the clock, it may feel like only a couple of minutes have passed, but then it's 30 minutes later...so you're kind of in and out, but technically conscious.
For me, I only remember bits and pieces...but don't remember experience any of the scary parts. I just remember a couple of conversations, looking at my heart rate on the monitor, and then talking to the doctor after it was all over. Kind of like bits of a dream if that makes any sense.
As for tips for the catheter sites, I was told to not do too much, too soon. I didn't have any soreness the first couple of days. I almost felt like I could go out and test this thing out...I'm glad I followed the advice, 'cuz it's starting to get a little sore now after a week. I can't imagine what it would have felt like had I gone out and pushed myself.
Remember, knowledge is power so ask any and all questions. You are taking the right approach by doing this and your anxiety will lessen as well. Keep us posted!
Thanks so much for the advice guys. I'm just so nervous and I don't even have a date yet. And since I have really bad anxiety its making this process worse. I'm so worried and I have so many questions for the Dr...
I had a shot of Vallium prior to being wheeled away, and I really didn't care what they did to me after that. I had general anesthesia so I was asleep the entire time.
Healing of the insertion site should be spontaneous. It wound should be just a red dot the following day. There are no sutures, cutting or anything like that. That said, the entire area will probably hurt like heck for at least a few days. I limped for about 2 weeks, and my boy "bits" hurt too probably from the applied pressure to seal the puncture.
I've had 3 ablations (stubborn arrhythmias) and each one was a bit different. but in answer to your questions:
1. For me the meds made me feel like I was watching things on TV. Like I wasn't actually there. And most of it I either dozed off or forgot about what happened (thank you Versed).
2. They say it's conscious sedation but I didn't feel conscious at all. They told me they could ask me questions and I would answer but I don't remember that at all. My first ablation I vaguely remember seeing the catheters go up into my heart on the monitor but everything else is gone from my memory. You may remember bits and pieces but over the next couple days, even those seem to fade away.
3. I didn't do anything special. They will tell you to avoid lifting or doing anything that might put pressure on the area. I did take along some very soft boxers and sweat pants because the incision areas will be bruised and tender. Other than that, they sealed up and healed quite nicely.
You'll have to lay very still for several hrs after the procedure...that will help with any bruising or swelling. My Dr gave me Versed and Fentanyl and although I was out, and I don't remember feeling anything, I woke up immediately after. I had a very good experience all the way through. I did feel a little pressure or tenderness around my breastbone so I did some deep breathing and it seemed to ease. it wasn't bothersome and I didn't feel it the next morning. Be mindful that the nurses are always there to make you comfortable, for me there absolutely was no pain. Good luck and keep in touch!