Any input about ablations-cryoablations (Good or bad)

[donna4140]

My question is for anybody on here who has had either rf ablations/cryoablations.How has it effected/changed your life? Has it gotten better/worse? Im 3.5 weeks away from my cryoablation. Thanks  ☺

[Suzie2127]

Sorry again. I figured that out also. Should have tried everything before I asked!

[Suzie2127]

Sorry. . figured it out, but still don't know how to find the Afibbers on Facebook.

[Suzie2127]

Chris--what is "fb"?

[Divermon]

Hi Donna.  I have pvc's and a mitral valve prolapse.  2 years ago I had afib and they did a catheter ablation.  No complications afterwards and I was "jumpy heart" free up until 6 months ago when the pvcs started again.  My cardiologist said that sometimes they can start in a different area then before, but because my first was so close to my "circuit board", he may not have gotten it all for fear of zapping my sinoatrial node and giving me a pacemaker at age 40.  So he put me on a 30 day halter monitor and caught some episodes.  Last week he did an EP study, but was not able to find the area.  He said that my legs were moving so much that he had to deeply sedate me and that my heart may have been too relaxed for him to get it to do what he needed it to.  He put me on 25mg of Metoprolol and said if that does not help, we may have to do another EP study in a few months and not sedate me so deeply.  Today I've been having pvc's on and off.  Figures.  

BUT - I had no complications with either the first ablation or the last EP study, and the ablation DID make the pvc's stop for close to 2 years (I may just be an anomoly because mine originated so close to the sinoatrial node and the doc didn't get it completely.  

Good luck with yours.

[donna4140]

hi,your ablation didnt cure your afib?My doctor seems to think that my svt can cause my afib. Are they doing cyro because its near the av node? Where r u getting it done? I had a ep study last year,but he couldnt do the ablation because he said it was too close to the av node.He said cryo is the way to go.I hope soooo!

[chrisb1023]

Hi, I have had an rf ablation for svt in april. It was a breeze, and now going to have cryoablation for afib in August. Go on fb and join the support forum for Atrial Fibrilation. It's a great group and you can find people that have had rf, and cryo.. And very supportive. They can answer your questions and concerns. And it's just a group of good people.

[cindy707]

Well you know how i feel and Jannie411 i loved your post......sounds like you were telling my story......

[Jannie411]

During the first couple of weeks post-ablation, it felt like an SVT attack was going to start up a few times, but then it fizzled out completely.  Scared the crap out of me when it happened.  The EP had warned me in advance to expect this for a few weeks though and said that it would settle down as my heart healed.  And as usual, he was right.   Other than that, a few flutters.  All gone now.  I am lucky to be one of the fortunate ones......and I have my awesome EP to thank for giving me my life back.
Jannie

[ksig]

I have had 4 ablations and each one made me feel better.  I, too, feel they were successful.  I have a rather pesky case of AFib but I am so much better off than I was when I started treatment.  I have so much more energy compared to the begging of this journey.  My only regret is I should have done it a couple of years earlier.  I still have AFib but it is manageable.  I do not have the 24-72 hr events any more... just small events with reasonable HR.
ksig

[tom_h]

Hi Donna.  Although I'vle had some recent trouble with arrhythmia, I too think it was the best decision. I haven't had an actual SVT episode since the night before my ablation back in mid-November  last year.  It restarted my life and I hope it does the same for you!

[donna4140]

Thank You Jannie, I hope so too. I always read your journal entries,and Im happy your doing well. I think you were one of the fortunate ones. I read some posts by tom and It gives me alot of doubt about whether Im doing the right thing?What were your minor issues you had after?

[Jannie411]

Had an RF ablation nearly 4 months ago.  I still think this is the best decision I ever made.  Very minor issues in the few weeks post-ablation and for the most part they are gone now.  A very occasional "thump" that doesn't go anywhere.  

The ablation has definitely changed my life for the better.  I now know what it's like to lead a normal life.

I hope your ablation goes as smoothly as mine did.

Wishing you all the best!  

Jannie