cardiac ablation

[Nellieevelyn]

I am just home after being unable to have the proceedure without medications
am scheduled now for Nov 17th with general anesthia
what is the difference?
which is better?
I take metropol XR 50 each night and for the most part this has keep the palpatations under control
reading all the stories of after ablation surgery and pain am I better off with out it?
I am now terrified to have the proceedure any hel[ is greatly appreciated thanks

[tom_h]

I'm sorry to hear this!  Can you tell us what's going on and why you cancelled?  What kind of cardiac arrhythmia you have?  Did you speak with your electrophysiologist or anesthesiologist to see if a sedative was going to be used?

[mrsgoat]

I have cancelled my Heart ablation twice, due to being absolutely terrified.

[Nellieevelyn]

Hope your thanksgiving trip was fun for you
we cooked and stayed at home but had a very good day felt much better
when I get to busy moving about I notice I get winded and my heart hurts  I guess it is still inflamed by the burn that is what my doctor told me would happen
if I take two motrin and rest for awhile it stops
I really dont feel like doing a lor anyway
so take it easy we have one to three months for healing
taking the low dose of metoprolol is keeping me steady I think
well have a restful weekend Nellie

[tom_h]

That's great to hear!  I drove to New Jersey this morning with my wife to spend the long weekend with our kid's families.  Feeling great except for an occasional PVC or a very short run of tach. My heart literally aches at times.  I'm trying Advil for the pain.

[Nellieevelyn]

Hi all
had my first outing today driving climbing stairs and of course the hairdressers for a cut and uplifting
some pain after sharp had been told it would happen from the heart being inflamed from the inside out  took two motrin to reduce inflamation and it stopped
My doctor did tell me it is a one to three month healing processes
I do have to take 25 mg long acting metoprolol daily to keep blood pressure down
so have not had any episodes of racing do get winded with any exercersion but I am in wretched shape esp since all of this started havent done any exercise will see my cardiologist dec 3rd and will talk to him about that and dieting (oh no not again)
actually I am feeling much better will be cooking turkey tomorrow and back to work Monday hopefully we all keep on recovering speedily.  Nellie

[LindaTX]

I'm 8 weeks out from my PVI ablation and am having constant a-fib episodes.  I'm fine when I'm in NSR, just tired from being in the a-fib which comes with chest tightness and breathlessness.  I can only hope this goes away soon.  I don't know how much more I can take it.  They said up to 3 months can be normal but this is getting hard to tolerate.

[joshuamom]

I get out of breath easily too on my walks.  I am now 5 weeks post ablation, and had a scare just yesterday morning, very short and quick run of something!  I honestly think it may have been my very first, actual panic attack!!  I am not usually terrified with my SVT, and with this I was.  It was so quick too, just minutes, where as my SVT used to go on for hours!  All those years they were telling me I was having panic attacks, and I think I actually had one! lol.  
I feel very out of shape, so maybe if I keep the walks up, my shortness of breath will go away!  
Take care everyone, it is good to see everyone doing so well!!!

Michelle

[Janpes]

So glad to hear that you are doing fine Nellie. I am now 7 weeks post ablation I think. The first 4 were the worse and I couldn't take anything for it either as BP was too low.
Around the 4 week mark they started easing up and suddenly I was 7 days with nothing, then ended up on antibiotics for a Strep B infection and had some paps. Then they went away when the meds stopped. Started another lots of antibiotics today as the last lot didn't clear it up...still no paps though as of yet. Sometimes I feel a short run of SVT, not as strong as before but still it is worrying me that it may have grown back. I will discuss this with my cardiologist at the weekend when he calls.
I am now very active, aqua jogging 3 times a week and walks with hubby in between. Was minus 5 today and 2 walks in the evening with hubby and dog. Have to say though do get out of breath easily when doing hills though, has anyone else had that?

[Janpes]

LOL ...don't forget the chocolate and chardonnay ;)

[tom_h]

.. I forgot to comment.... I take pretty good care of myself already, Nellie.  I'd like to drive this old body until the wheels fall off, but like Janpes, I'd like to keep them on long enough to go sliding sideways into the pearly gates.  I do enjoy life!

[tom_h]

It's great to hear your story, Nellie.  Hopefully, ours and other's stories will be helpful to those compemplating ablation.

I went back to work yesterday and feel fine.  I do have a gigantic purple area on my leg though that continues to spread southward.  If you look up "Hematoma" on Wikipedia, the picture they show there is similar to mine except mine on the inner thigh and wraps aroudn to the back of the leg.

I saw the cardiologist yesterday and he said the before and after EKG's look remarkably different.  I could even see the difference.

Glad to hear you're up and at 'em again Nellie, and I hope your recovery continues without problems.

[Nellieevelyn]

Hi to all on the blog
I am into 6th day past the proceedure which did take 6.5 hours to locate the problem but MD said it was an extra neural pathway and tom called it Wolff ParkinsonWhite syndrome (thanks Tom) I looked it up and yep that's what it was or is? dont know if it will come back but for now I am free of palpatations and fears around racing again
The stay at Baystate Hospital went very well they were great to me (wondered with it being my second attempt) Nurses Doctors all very caring and responsive that first night when I was uncomfortable  had tostay a little extra time to stop the bleeding in left groin but went home late day Thursday just slept for two days grateful that is over now what I wonder? did set up follow up appointments for december.
Tom how was going back to work?  Are youextremely tired?

I took off until next Monday but then have afull week scheduled
still taking 25MG Metoprolol XL as blood pressure has been up
seems to be working fine and no itching this time very low dose
This forum has been so very helpful as no one I know has this problem and I was so afraid of anything to do with my heart
I am good thank God and the Doctors and grateful
Thanks again for everyones encouragement and prayers
Tom take care of yourself dont overdo rest relax enjoy Turkey Day
Did you start a healthy heart diet or anything I am considering it plus I would like to walk on my treadmill  dont know when to start?
Nellie

[tom_h]

I just spoke via messaging with Nellieevelyn, and she had a successful burn on Wednesday!  Woowoo!!!  Way to go, Nellie!  She's been pretty sore and rsting for the past few days.  I'll let her tell you the details when she's feeling better, but like mine, it was an accessory pathway.  Congrats, Nellie!!

[tom_h]

Nellie! How did you do today?

[Janpes]

Good Luck Nellieevelyn

Hope everything goes well for you! Fingers crossed xxxx

[Nellieevelyn]

I am scheduled for nov 17 at 8 am please say prayers for safety and healing and thanks to all for your good words Nellie

[LindaTX]

Yeah, jRANT....be afraid, be very afraid ;)

[jyant]

Go tAKE Your meds...your like a stalker now...tisk tisk

[LindaTX]

Lisa , it seems as though heated discussions and jyant travel arm- in- arm, from thread to thread ;)  I think he should change his name to jRANT....just sounds so much more appropriate, ha-ha-ha!

[Nellieevelyn]

Way to go!  You will be using them soon take care Nellie

[jyant]

I don't want to take up valuable storage on this blog so let me just say. All good.

I have a new pair of NB 1224's sitting in the corner here I hope to strap up soon.

[littlegreenman1]

Regarding, "did I get the wrong surgery first" or did my training beget my SVT... no and no.

I've been aware of the SVT for years. Prior to breaking my nose (hence need for septoplasty). Prior to a good running routine.  I'm not a hyper guy. I'm not paranoid. I don't get anxiety. There was no cause (by me) and effect here. Bend over/stand up too fast - tachy. Watch TV... tachy.

Could there be contributors?  Oh yeah: mad caffeine intake, non-drowsy cold meds, lack of sleep, alcohol use, EXERCISE... I spent plenty of time adding/eliminating all these factors from my life... bang spontaneous tachy.

So, what I do know: I had "spontaneous" SVT. It was becoming uncontrollable. So, options:

1) drugs
2) ablate
3) quit running and deal w/ mild SVT.
I chose #2. And have had ZERO SVT since. Ablation works. Subject-verb, simple sentence, fact.

Now... that being said are docs-facilities pushing people toward ablation? Youbetcha. It's relatively safe. At a gross billing in the 6 figure ball park, it's a good revenue source. That cath lab has to pay for itself and turn a profit. Docs like Porsches just as much as the next guy. Medicine is a business full of smart, confident, competitive folk with huge egos (not all, of course)... hence the shortage of family docs.

Is ablation cost effective vs. drug therapy vs. "deal with it"?  Depends. Is that considered? Depends. Should expensive options be taken off the table from an insurance actuarial perspective?? Ha! I'm taking the 5th. Probably why, the math, business, science and philosophy departments at most universities are in their own buildings!

[Janpes]

Hi Nellie,

I was so scared as I was walking to the EP lab with the cardiologist, trying to make small talk about the cold weather. I think he thought I was nuts. The procedure itself, Yes I was shaking on the table so much so that the nurse asked me if I was cold.
I am glad I did it without anything though as I hate waking up from a general, that groggy feeling stays with me for days.
Yes I also wonder how they can induce the palpitations while being under especially as they won't give sedatives during the awake procedure.
The procedure is not at all pleasant, but it is tolerable. Rather have an Ep study than swallow the gastroscope tube anyday. I had to do the tube twilight as I just couldn't do it!!

I am almost 4 weeks post ablation and it hasn't been easy but I hope to get back to work next week and start getting back to normal.
Still waiting for the cardio to call as having some blood pressure problems and low pulse. Cardio didn't want me on beta-blockers as they are low as it is.
I hope that your ablation goes well
Take care
Jan

[Nellieevelyn]

How are you feeling now after the ablation without medications you are brave
I was so shakey and scared and the doctor said no medications so between the anesthestist me and MD decided to have general anesthia Nov 17
I wonder haw they can do it under general but not with mild meds or twilight cant seem to figure that one out ?
anyway I hope you are continuing to do well  Nellie