when ablations don't work??

[banglamom]

It's me here.. mostly I've been busy lately.  Tomorrow, I have another EP appt.  I have a list of questions for him.  Some of which I am almost too scared to ask.  After 2 ablations, he tried a sinus node modification which I would have loved to just be a sinus node total ablation.  The purpose was to get rid of the rhythms and then get the pacemaker.  After that we had to just get rid of the rhythms with meds and then get the pacemaker too.  Now.. the meds are just unravelling me.  I love the pacer.  I HOPE there is some way to get rid of the rhythms and just be totally pacer dependent.  It almost seems an odd question, but I need another plan.

Does anyone know of a great answer?  I am up for anything.  2 years ago, I wasn't even willing to try an ablation.  Now, after 3 and a pacemaker... and a code, and a few collapses...  I live connected to a backpack full off meds that I can not get away from.  They can cut me open now, no problem.  I'll eat 2 cans of alpo a day and howl at the moon.  Mostly, pray.  For those who might pray for me, thank you.  For those with any better ideas, thank you.  I'll check back in after the appt.

[Jerry_NJ]

Your struggle makes us all send our prayers and wishes, maybe they will somehow help, I hope so.

It is frustrating even for us readers to learn you have gone through so much and still have not reached a level you can live with.  

I hope you will have some good news to report after your appointment.

Jerry

[gwanda]

I WENT TO OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AND TALKED TO DR. SIRAK ABOUT  A NEWER PROCEDURER CALLED TOTAL THORACOSCOPIC MAZE I HAD AN ABLATION AS WELL THAT DID NOT WORK BECAUSE DR SIRAK SAID THEY COULDNT REACH IT IN THAT PROCEDURE THIS PROCEDURE IS A LITTLE MORE INTENSE THEY CUT 4 I FOURTH INCH SLITS ON WACH SIDE OF YOUR SIDES BEHIND BREAST THEY FEED THE EQUIPMENT THROUGH  THEM TO WORK ON THE HEART THEY DIVIDE THE HEART INTO 4 AREAS TO CHECK FOR AND ABLATE THE ELECTRIAL INPULSES THATG CAUSE AFIB YOU GET GENERAL ANATHETIC  AND YOUR COMPLETELY OUT FOR PROCEDURE IT TAKES 3 TO 4 HOURS TO COMPLETE YOU HAVE DRAIN TUBES IN STOMACH FOR 24 HOURS AFTER PROCEDURE YOU ALSO IF PROCEDURE GOES WELL WAKE UP AND TAKE NO HEART MEDS YOU STAY IN HOSPITAL 2-4 DAYS DEPENDING ON HOW YOU GET ALONG THEY KEEP YOU OFF WORK FOR A WEEK OR TWO DEPENDING ON THE PERSON. AFTER 3 MONTHS OF BEING REGULAR AND IN RYTHUM YOU WEAR A HEART MONITOR FOR A WEEK THEN 6 MONTHS LATER IF EVERYTHING IS STILL FINE YOU WEAR HEART MONITOR AGAIN FOR A WEEK  ANDTHEN AFTER 12 MONTHS IF THINGS ARE FINE YOU WEAR MONITOR AGAIN FOR A WEEK AND IF ALL IS WELL AFTER THAT THEY DECLARE YOU HEALED. HE HAS HAD GREAT SUCESS EVEN WIOTH PATIENTS WHO HAVE BEEN IN AFIB FOR YEARS. IM HAVING IT DONE ON JAN THE 9TH  THIS IS THE NEWEST PROCEDURE FOR AFIB GOING SO MAYBE YOU MIGHT WNT TO CHECK IN YOUR AREA AND SEE IF THEY DO IT THERE. GWANDA

[banglamom]

Thanks for some new info.  I actually don't always have a-fib, which is what the maze is for.  I have a garbage collection of lots of tachydysrhythmias including a-fib.  I will investigate.  For me, something to investigate is a bit of hope.

[banglamom]

The appt was... well, good and bad?  I guess the good news is, I don't have to have heart surgery.  The bad news is.. because he said they can't fix it.  So, med changes and pacer adjustments done and keep going as best I can.  I am disappointed.  There is no plan for being done with all this nonsense.  It is time for me to reconcile (at least better) that this is my life.  Time for God to work in my (stupid) heart.  Maybe tomorrow will be better.  As long as God is on the throne... and there is a tomorrow, there is still hope.  Thanks for your prayers.

[klacaze]

I am so sorry to hear about your trials. I do hope it gets better for you. I will keep you in my prayers