To ablate or not to ablate? Alternative treatment options?

Heart health and blood vessels
1

Hi, all

Firstly, thank you for all your contributions to this forum. It's great to be able to read others' experiences and to feel less alone in this struggle.

In short, I'm 20 years old, having recurring severe episodes of SVT, trying to decide whether to have the catheter ablation or not.

More details below...

I've suffered from SVT for just over ten years. I am only 20 now, and it started when I was 10. I had my first episode at school, if I recall correctly. The episodes continued with increasing severity, but always resolved on their own.

A few months ago, I had an episode that wouldn't resolve on its own. So, somewhat against my own will, I went to the hospital. Upon reading my ECG, the doctors immediately administered Adenosine intravenously. It was a mind-bending experience! Never have I had such a strange few seconds. For those of you who have not had Adenosine (to restart the heart to a normal rhythm), I can tell you it feels like quickly dying and coming back to life. I saw blackness everywhere and my head kind of dropped into my chest. Then I felt extremely hot, and extremely cold, or some kind of either heat or rhythm sensation. At least it felt that way for me. I was already quite light-headed though, so that might have played a part in the wonderful weirdness of my Adenosine adventure. But it didn't hurt, and it wasn't a negative experience at all... just extremely strange!

Now, I've kept my SVT a secret for most of my life, fearing/anticipating lack of empathy from the people in my life. However, in recent months, following my hospitalisation and Adenosine, I decided to open up about it to certain people, namely my university, so as to explain why I sometimes withdraw from certain activities or I am sometimes absent from class (due to having an episode).

I've been offered to have the catheter ablation done. To be quite frank, it scares the hell out of me.

At age 20, should I have the ablation?

Has anyone here looked into alternative treatments, such as stress reduction, dietary changes, etc.?

I can say that I live a very healthy life. I have an immense interest in health and nutrition, so I eat very healthily. I follow a whole-foods plant-based diet, containing almost no sugar and gluten. I've eliminated all animal products, except occasional high-quality meats, but never pork or red meats. I'm also mindful about alkalising/acidifying foods, so I stay away from tomatoes, and try to eat plenty of lemon. Following Ayurvedic teachings, I also try to eat more warming foods than cooling, as I've identified my dosha to be vata/kappa.

I also take Magnesium to reduce my SVT. It worked wonders at first - I had no episodes in the first year of taking magnesium - but now, it is less effective. 

But I don't buy into any and every health claim; I do thorough research to the best of my abilities. Then, my opinion regarding health is effectively "don't knock it till you try it".

And funnily enough, despite all my dietary cautions and attempts at mindfulness, I keep getting episodes of SVT. They keep getting worse, and interfering with my life. For instance, I am part of a music group that is planning a group trip to China. As much as I would LOVE to go to Chine, as much as I love to travel, I can't imagine going on a 20hour+ journey by land and air, in fear of getting an SVT episode. And even if I did get to China in one piece, I'd still be scared of getting an attack in the middle of a performance, or in some rural city, far away from a high-standard hospital. (Side note: has anyone here had experience of heart treatment in non-Western hospitals?)

This had led me to the conclusion that perhaps it is better for me to choose ablation.

But, at the same time, it irks me to think that I am "allowing" the SVT to dictate my life, seeing as I've always done a good job of hiding it. But an ablation would be a kind of "victory" for SVT, yet, simultaneously, the ablation would spell the end for SVT! How complicated... Anyone ponder on these matters like I do?

In short, I'm 20 years old, having recurring severe episodes of SVT, trying to decide whether to have the catheter ablation or not.

Is the ablation worth the risks?

I'd like to heal my SVT naturally, but is that at all possible?

I am currently taking Verapamil 120mg (x2/day) and Atenolol 12.5mg (x2/day).

Is there any other Calcium Channel Blocker or Beta Blocker that might be worth trying? I feel like I need something even more effective. What medicine is working best for you all?

Anyone have any experience of alternative treatments?

Supplements, life changes, therapy, medicines?

Thank you! <3 <3 <3

Thoughts?

Advice?

Experiences you'd like to share?

PLEASE HELP !!!!

2

Hi Agi,

Have the ablation.  At your age you want to be able to live a life free from the scourge of SVT.  Ablations are not life threatening and a good cardiologist will not take risks.  If it's anywhere near the area which could cause the need for a pace maker if damaged he would freeze rather than burn which is safer. 

I've had two.  Be aware that it doesn't always work first time because an attack needs to be triggered before the cause can be found. In my case the first time they couldn't trigger it and nothing could be done during the procedure.  However they tried again a few months later and managed to induce an attack which was ablated.  I haven't looked back!  Still get the feeling that it's going to start but never does.  My attacks were awful.  Heartbeat went up to over 200 and went on for hours leaving me drained for days afterwards.  I couldn't find a trigger and could never manage to convert them either.  I didn't go to hospital as I knew the attacks were not life threatening though very frightening.  I had them for over 30 years and it's wonderful now to be free and not needing to take beta blockers either.

I'm sure others on this site will tell you the same.  I have yet to meet someone who regrets having an ablation.

Good luck to you.

Mary

3

Hi Mary, thank you so much for your thoughtful words! Stories like yours make me less nervous to go ahead with it.

Like you, I never used to go to hospital to have it converted, but I finally had to. Still, I admire your courage in simply waiting them out. Maybe more of us SVT-sufferers should learn that kind of resilience.

Would you mind sharing where you had yours done / how you chose the hospital?

I am now based in a country where they don't offer proper ablations. I am thinking to go to either the UK or the US to have it done. I've lived in the UK before, so it might be easier, and perhaps cheaper, but does the NHS provide these ablations? I'd imagine in the current financial hardship they're facing, there'd be a waiting list.

Just wondering.

Thanks again!

May you be healthy and happy,

Agy

4

I'm in the UK and had my ablation done under the NHS.  I live near the city of Salisbury and was automatically sent to my nearest NHS hospital, there was no choice involved.

 If you qualify for treatment under the NHS you would not have to wait longer than 18 weeks from the time of referral until the procedure, this is a legal requirement. If they were not able to see you within that time frame you would be sent to a private hospital to have it done instead.

 If you don't qualify for NHS treatment but still want to have it done here there are plenty of private hospitals which could carry it out for you.  I'm sure the same goes for the USA; I have no idea what the cost would be though in either country.

Wishing you all the best and success in whatever you decide to do.