Ablation vs. Medication

[pg1949]

I've had SVT for several years, but ended up in the ER this week and had to be converted.  My doctor has offered the choice of medication or the ablation procedure.  I'm 58, active and don't want to take medicine the rest of my life.  I am going to the Cleveland Clinic for a consultation regarding catheter ablation.  My family is against this.  I've been having an SVT episode about once a month now for 2 years.  I'm always able to convert, until now.  I just want to be rid of it, but I don't want to do anything foolish either.  I'm just confused and would like to hear anyone who also had to make this choice and how it turned out for them.

[Pumped]

Hi Hpopeful,
Sorry to read that your ablation hasn't worked out yet (note the 'yet' - keep hoping!)
I'm not sure what, if anything, is actually working for me. Typically, I feel fine between episodes of SVT. It takes me a couple of days to recover from a serious bout, but the last couple of times I've had the rhythm problems I described earlier. It could well be that I've simply gone back to normal - it just took longer this time.
My doctor has been nagging me for years to slow down. I have a habit of driving myself too hard. These last episodes of SVT shook me enough to listen and get some more rest - I think that's doing me so much good. The magnesium thing I picked up somewhere (perhaps around this site) and it resonated with talks I've had with my doctor about my electrolytes over the years. I take just one 750mg capsule per day.
I'm very active - I cycle a lot, run a bicycle shop, have a full-time job in project management (very stressful!) and I'm studying for my PhD. No wonder I occasionally fall over! It looks like fatigue can be a significant trigger for SVT. I'm trying to address each potential trigger. Fatigue and electrolytes this week. I stopped coffee two weeks ago (hate that!). I still smoke a bit but I'm nearly off the cigarettes too.  
Judging by people's comments here I'm a relatively mild case, with SVT rhythms around 230bpm and stable but have difficulty reverting, hence the consideration of ablation. I know that ablation or not I MUST make some lifestyle changes. My worry (which I suspect is shard by many people here) is that I just don't know when the next wobbly will hit and the constant feeling of being on guard is particularly wearing. That's the peace of mind I'm looking for from the ablation.
I do hope things settle for you, Hopeful. Keep posting :)

[hopeful 5]

I am seven weeks out from my ablation and am still struglling with lots of odd rythms.  The docs are not sur eif or when it will get better.  what steered you toward magnesium? and what does are you taking?  I am trying several alternate therapies.   i am wondering if anyone out there has had success with acupuncture.  I am at the end of my rope and am desperate to try anything. I have skips, flutters, junctional rythms and racing beats.

my case is very rare so I would not let it disuade you but getting as much info as possible is really smart.  

[Pumped]

Hi All,
I've bumped my EP study out to October 25. I wanted another consultation with my cardiologist. After reading through a lot of posts on this site and info on others I felt I wasn't a informed as I should be - I'll be pumping my doc for more information. I want to make sure the procedure is needed, not just a convenience thing.
I started taking magnesium supplements and getting a little more rest - I've been going on about 4 hours sleep a day for the past 12 months or so. My ticker i behaving itself sooo much better. No 'wobblies', no skips and no flubs for a few days now. Feeling good!
I'll probably still go ahead with the EP study, largely for peace of mind, but I wanted to send out a thank you to you all for sharing your experiences nd making me feel less alone and helping me get over my fear of someone fiddling about with my heart. I'll keep you posted as things progress...
Cheers,
Frank

[pg1949]

I guess so.  I'm only a week out from mine and surely hoping and praying that it doesn't return.  They told me there's a 10 to 20% chance of it returning, in my case.   I guess I'd like to know, from anyone with the knowledge, how soon they had another spell after their ablation.  I should have asked these questions last week, but I was just so glad to be alive, that I didn't think to ask.  

[2003katt]

is it possible after you've had an ablation procedure done for it to come back?

[pg1949]

I wish you luck on Thursday.  I know exactly how you've been living and it's not fun.  I never knew when my next ambulance ride would be.  Twice in one month was more than enough for me.  Honestly, my ablation experience was far better than what I had in my mind.  I experienced no pain at all.  I could definitely feel my heart racing off and on during the procedure.  Afterwards, I had no pain, no tiredness and I felt great immediately...I'm 58.  I've also have had a couple of flip flop feelings since then, but nothing to be concerned about.  Oh yeah, laying still for several hours afterwards was a drag.  Good luck.  Check in when you're back home.   PG1949