I'm having the Ablation done in a couple of days. All I know is it has a high success rate.. But what does it feel like? is there ongoing pain or an awareness something is different? Or are you just back to who you were before it started? Thank you.
The worst part of my ablation was the stress leading up to it. Since I never had any symptoms of afib, I really didn’t feel any different afterwards. My goal was to get off the meds with their terrible side affects and the successful ablation allowed me to do that — with the exception of eliquis.
Glad to hear this as I am having it done next week. I have no symptoms for the most part other than on near faint episode...and going up steps..inclines. have to stop after a bit...I put it off but have a link and percentage of time in fib has increased so decided best to do it. I am wondering the same. Is there any difference since not mostly I feel nothing .
The medication for 9 months now has kept all episodes away. But the 50 pound weight gain is my nightmare. Im not too stressed about it. I should stop watching YouTube videos about it though. My blood thinner is pretty heavy duty but works well for me. That a life long consequence of afib. Luckily it can keep you living longer. I’m ik with that. Thank you.
Time will tell. I waited a long time to get this done and the weight gain from medication is well worth any stress about the procedure. Well see how we both fare. Good luck.
Mycomfyheart, I had had just a couple of episodes of Afib after significant physical exertion, April 2016 (cycling), Nov 2016 (high altitude trekking), and had my ablation in June 2017. Between Nov 2016 and the ablation I had virtually no episodes, and so it has been difficult to know how successful the ablation has been. All I can say is that I've had no significant episodes upon exertion since the ablation either, and I have continued to cycle.
Unfortunately, shortly after the Afib diagnosis I had a stroke, (Dec2016) and so have been on Eliquis since then.
Fortunately I did not stress prior to the ablation, and apart from a sore groin, no ongoing pain. I have my four monthly review later this week, so hope to have a better view after that.
I have only had to use bisoprolol once since the ablation, but that was middle of the night after a big, late meal (should know better) which sent my heart racing.....lesson, manage your stomach, and you should much better manage your Afib.
Not sure if that helps, but hope it does.
Sherpa Al
Irrespective of the outcome of my ablation review, I do not expect to get off the Eliquis medication, in fact I would take some considerable persuasion, having experienced the stroke.
Thank you.
I am aware and ok with lifelong blood thinners. Glad you have recovered well.
Thank you Mycomfyheart, although I have been very fortunate not to have been too affected by the stroke, my only regret is that my doct did not prescribe Eliquis upon Afib diagnosis, as opposed to my consultant post-stroke.......the reason was no significant risk factors, apart from being over 65, bummer!
Regards
Sherpa Al
I have gained weight over the years and always think from the meds. my eating habits much the same.
was your stroke before the ablation?
I have always been extremely active. But meds took care of that. I didn’t change eating so without my usual activity the weight just packed on. Circulation and metabolism seemed to halt. But the ablation will get rid of those mess keeping me down and slowly get back to my regular self. I’m very positive and optimistic about it.
I didn’t have a stroke. A fib diagnosed with a EKG then medication then shock ed 2 times that didn’t work then wait for the ablation.
Hi Betty47298,
I think your question was aimed at me, Sherpa Al; if I'm correct, the answer is yes, some time before the ablation, stroke Dec 2016, ablation June 2017 (NHS waiting time). The key point is that my stroke risk was deemed very low, but clearly now zero!
Regards
Sherpa Al
Should have read, "but clearly NOT zero"
I actually have been allowed to go off my blood thinners(Apixaban), but am still on 25mg of metoprolol & 2mg of perindopril twice a day (pretty low levels I believe?). Has been 18 months since my ablation and all is pretty normal.
However, I have noticed that drinking more than a glass or two of red wine seems to increase the amount of PVS (skipped beats in my case) that I get. The literature around AF strongly suggest that the skill of the Electrophysiologist doing the procedure has considerable impact on the success of an ablation. Good luck with it🙂👍❤️
Thanks..
My first, then second ablation failed fairly rapidly. The third three years ago now worked and I'm AF free. My first ablation was uncomfortable - very long 7 hours and I kept coming round and moving as I was in pain and discomfort. Kept pumping me full of sedative and did not come round until 3am in the morning after being first on the list in the am. I was very groggy for some while
By the time of the 2nd ablation the hospital policy had changed to a full general anaesthetic for which I was grateful. Unfortunately although I felt much better afterwards - not as long, I developed sepsis afterwards, precipitating more arrythmmias leading to an extended stay in a cardiology ward before the problem become very obvious.
The third attempt was brillant. Felt fine afterwards and recovered very quickly thereafter
The ablation does not mean the erratic heart beat will go away immediatly. It takes time for the heart scarring to heal so you may feel some lumps and bumps but dont take fright and think the AF is back. If after 3 months you still have a problem the cardiologists will take note. Up until that time they "blank" episodes you may have as part of the healing process.
So good luck. May the first time be successful! I was unlucky! Take it easy afterwards - treat yourself gently.
Sounds very scary to me ..your experience...I have few if no symptoms. doing it because time I am in fib has increased..really scared..Many drs told me to do it. I hope I have not made a wrong choice. I don't want to feel worse after since I did not feel bad before.Thanks ..
Even if you cant feel your AF Betty, it would be a pity to ignore what the docs are telling you. Your paroxysmal AF can turn into a permanent one and ablation is markedly less successful for this
Thanks . I know that..then what...do you know when a pacemaker is prescribed? I thought maybe for rhythmic reasons.