ablation successes? I'm very nervous...

[babyturtle]

Hi.  I'm scheduled to have my ablation in two days, and I am scared to death... not so much of the procedure, but of not knowing if I will have any long-term issues as a result.

I had one episode last year at 230 that lasted for about an hour... then nothing.  I had no idea what caused it, and since it seemed to be a one-off, I dismissed it.  However, last month I had four days in a row of SVT.  The first day, it lasted about 2 hours, and it scared me.  So, I googled.... figured out that it was SVT and learned the vagal maneuvers.  Second day, SVT again, but the vagal maneuvers worked after about 30 minutes.  Third day, the vagal stuff did not work, but - fortunately - the SVT only lasted about an hour.  My heart rate during those episodes was between 180-200. Then came day four. It started out as an arrythmia and transitioned to SVT.  I went immediately to 220-240.  I tried desperately to control it, but I couldn't, and by the time I "gave up", I was honestly unable to walk... so I was taken by ambulance to the ER.  While in the ambulance, the paramedic assured me that the IV adenosine would straighten me out right away.  Well, it didn't.  It didn't convert me at all.  He gave me a second dose, and that didn't work either.  By this point, I'd been over 200 for 3 hours.  After that second dose of adenosine, I felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest... like I was having a heart attack.  I asked the guy if I was... and he said he didn't know but didn't think so.  He was clearly nearly as scared as I was.  I really thought I was going to die.

Six hours after this SVT began, it "stopped" in the ER... well, I was down to 125, and that felt normal by comparison.  I did, however, have another 15 minute episode at 185 that afternoon.

I was discharged the next day and put on Toprol.  My blood pressure plummeted routinely, and I nearly passed out while driving.  AND I still had several milder (180) episodes.  So, then I was changed to Cardizem.  I only had one episode while on that, but it made me so very tired, and I'm normally full of energy.... and need to be with five kids and a full-time job.  I also had lots of palpitations with it.

So, here I am.  I want to be the way I was... so I've decided to go with the ablation, but I'm frightened.  I'm normally a tough gal, but I am concerned.  I am not worried about short-term palpitations or fatigue as a result of the HEALING process.  I am, however, concerned about long-term issues.  If I had been responsive to the adenosine, I wouldn't feel so desperate to have this procedure.  But it is scary enough having 230 for 6 hours.... knowing that I'm difficult to convert only exacerbates my fear.  At the same time, though, ablation is such a "permanent" thing.  It's not a med that you can stop taking if it doesn't work.  And the last thing I want is to feel fatigued, short of breath, etc. as a result of the ablation.

Reading so many things online, the stats seem excellent and comforting, but - more often than not - people post online about problems with things (including this procedure).... so I am hoping to find people who have been pleased with their results.  I need some reassuring right about now :)

[kerbear]

My first ablation (done at Yale was unsuccessful).  No matter what he pumped into my heart it would not produce the tachycardia.  He did not want to admit defeat since he promised us relief (came all the way up from SC) so he said the port-a-cath I had for 2 rounds of breast cancer was too far into my heart so they did surgery and pulled it back a little.  Said I should be completely fine.  It wasn't a week before the PVCs and tachy were back full strength.  Last year I had an ablation done at MCG.  Because I am very thin the EP/Cardiologist would only cryo the spots.  He was afraid if he burned (and burned too much I'd be stuck on a pace maker the rest of my life).  He also used children's catheters in my groin and I had no bruising.  A small piece of my heart was removed and he frooze four places.  At first it was wonderful.  I was able to go from 3 heart meds to one and the dose was only 1/4.  However, with cryo the tissue gradually thaws and heals and the problem can come back.  I am now at where I was before the surgery.  I would do it again without a thought but my esophagus and stomach have been eaten up by drugs for quite a while.  I am debating stopping the heart meds and getting either a pacemaker or a pacemaker with a defibrilator.  Don't know what is best?  You will do great.  Keep us posted.  I will be praying.

[kim62]

I had the common ablation done via both groins. Then they punctured two spots right below my sternun and then thru the pericardial sac...continued the EP study until they located 2 of the spots. I still have 4 left... which are only"minor" as they say. I will at some time have to go back and have those ablated also. I was initially diagnosed with SVT and treated for SVT for about 1 1/2 years, until I was referred to an EP doctor who said it was VT. The EP doctor did my 1st EP study/ablation attempt, but aborted because he thought the area was too risky. (The whole VT experiance for me had been nothing but a living nightmare! ) He then referred me to the Cleveland Clinic...in which this place is an incredible facility with the best of the best doctors!

[sueinns]

I had an ablation 2 months ago.  Symptom free of SVT since.  No regrets and the procedure wasn't scary at all.  I too was concerned and had it explained to me this way - think of a lone tree in a huge desert.  That tree is your ablation site.  So, as you can see, the spot is very small compared to the area of your heart.  That's why we can tolerate many ablations.  The burns they do are teeny tiny.

Without the ablation, living with SVT can be difficult.  It comes and goes but tends to be chronic and you have a slightly increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation.  

Good luck and keep us posted.

[dredg]

I noticed you said you had ablations on the outside of your heart.  How do they ablate the outside?  Did they have to do an open heart surgery?

Thanks

[kim62]

While reading your notes on your ablation... I felt as if I wrote it myself. I had an ablation myself on 02/18/08... This was my second attempt to solve my problem. The first time (10/18/07)my local EP doctor aborted the ablation/EP study due to the area being to risky and referred me to a more high tech facility. I was also a nervous wreck the first time, but alot more relaxed the 2nd. I would like to know if there is anyone out there that has had VT with (polymorphic) which has hit 300-320 beats per minute. Also...I have had this problem for about 5 years... and never passed out. I have went into VT at least 50 times over the years and at first it would convert on it's own (on;y 150-190bpm)but as time went on,  my VT would  not convert on it's own, therefore had to go to ER each time. They recently found 6 areas of these were coming from and so far, they have only ablated 2 of them on the outside of my heart... waiting to see how to deal with the others. I also had an ICD put in aweek after the ablation... The best thing they could have done. I am very pleased with it so far, 4 weeks...and NO VT...broke a record!

[dancinheart03]

Hello

Please dont worry, I have had 2 ablations and honestly they arent bad. (piece of cake) :)
When its over, you will be glad you went for it... You will have your life back!!

Please let us know how you make out

Good Luck!!!
Robin

[ireneo]

Well, I've had 3 ablations (my heart is a stubborn little brat) and I'm happy I had them done. Between all 3 there were 38 burns to my heart. You'd think that would do something terrible. But I'm doing just fine. I work with wildlife and that requires some fast action and heavy lifting and wrestling with these creatures. No, I don't do the big things like rhinos LOL. But a protesting 45 lb beaver with diarrhea can be a challenge to carry to the pool.

I think you'll be thrilled after the ablation. I can't imagine having hours of tachy over 200 bpm. That's not good for you, physically or emotionally. I'll be thinking of you and let us know how it goes.

[dredg]

I'm having an ablation in 3 weeks, I'm pretty pumped up for it.  I can't wait to not have to worry about this anymore!  I've researched this for about a year and have heard a lot of good things about it.

To those who have had the procedure.  How long did it take to heal up to go do regular activities ie; go back to work, exercise, drink some wine with friends etc....

Thanks

Brandon

[Momto3]

Hi "babyturtle" (love your screen name)  : )

I can definitely hear the fear in your words.  Please don't be afraid.  Just think, in just two more days you can be entirely free of SVT episodes!!  You'll have your life back and more energy than ever.  

I have had 2 ablations, not for SVT, but for frequent PVC's.  Like you, and many others here, I was scared outta my mind. I had two ablations in 2003 and I'm still enjoying the success!!  Right after the procedures, I had a little bit faster heart rate and some flutters, but as my heart "healed" from the procedure, the after-effects wore off.  Today, I have occasional irregular beats, but I no longer live with a chronic arrythmia.    

There are a few people here who have had recent ablations for SVT.  Hopefully, they will stop by today and tell you about their experiences. Please don't worry.  The kids are gonna have to keep up with you next week : )

Connie