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Ablation after 1 AF

Posted , 12 users are following.

steve35uk
steve35uk

Hi guys - I'd just like your opinion on the situation I'm in. I'm 35 years old and went into AF for the first time 3 months ago - I've just seen an electrophysiologist (private not nhs as nhs said they wouldn't give me an ablation for potentially years/decades) and he's said he will put me on the waiting list to have an ablation even though I've only gone into AF once (I was cardioverted) although I have struggled since then (probably psychologically more than phsically) so my question is would you have the ablation now or wait and see how things go over the next few years ? Thanks

2 likes, 46 replies

46 Replies

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  • mike_cummi
    mike_cummi steve35uk

    Posted

    I'm pretty surprised that they've offered ablation straight away. But maybe they think your symptoms are bad enough to warrant it. I would have thought some testing and further exploration would be in order though, so would seek a second opinion.

    Don't fear ablation though, if that is what is required. I'm afraid these days in the litigious world we live in, they have to highlight all the negative aspects of any procedure, and they end up scaring you witless. It's not that bad. Where would you be having it, who would be doing it?

    • steve35uk
      steve35uk mike_cummi

      Posted

      Thanks Mike, I was very surprised myself as the cardiologist suggested I'd be in and out of AF for years before they'd even discuss an ablation, the EP is called Dr Chalil and he's at Blackpool hospital.
  • mike_cummi
    mike_cummi steve35uk

    Posted

    OK, not heard of him. Mine was done on the NHS by a Dr Richard Schilling at Barts in London. Don't know if he's still there but he was somewhat of a pioneer with the ablation procedure, so I felt in safe hands.

    I first saw him around 2001 and didn't like the sound of ablation, and at the time my symptoms were well controlled by Flecainide. But the drug became less and less effective until by 2006 I was in almost permanent AF, so I decided to go for it. Everyone you see, and almost everything you read about it makes it sound really bad, but it really isn't. If it's what you need to do, then go for it. I wouldn't hesitate to have it again if need be. At the very least though, and provided you can live with it in the meantime, I would get a second opinion and see if you can find out a bit more about your condiution and what your options are. Only that way can you really get your head round it and make sure that you are making the right decision for you. It was easy for me, I suppose, as it was a no brainer in the end. It was either that or be in permanent AF, so an easy decision to make, albeit 5 years after ablation was first suggested to me!

    I still get bouts of AF, almost every morning I wake up with a bit of it, but it almost always goes away once I'm out of bed and going about my morning routine. When does yours seem to affect you most? When you are active, at rest, hung over, full after eating? Have you tried holding your nose and blowing, like you're trying to clear your ears on an aeroplane? Sometimes that can stop it.

    Above all, don't worry about it too much, and look after yourself.

    • steve35uk
      steve35uk mike_cummi

      Posted

      Thanks for your advice Mike, I guess I'm one of the 'lucky' AF sufferers as in it doesnt effect me that much - just when I'm hungover/stressed/tierd. The reason I want an ablation is because I don't see the point of waiting for things to get worse before I get it fixed ?

      Why would anyone not go on a waiting list for an ablation ? Yes there are risks involved but them aside it will either work or not wont it ? I.e it won't mKe my AF any worse ?

      Can I get another private consultation over the phone ?

    • renee47433
      renee47433 mike_cummi

      Posted

      Mike -  about to have my first albation and has become afraid after reading all of this information.  I am afraid that the albation will not solve this the problem or I will develop worst problems with my heart.  Hoe many albation did you have to have and did the albation solve your heart problems?
    • derek76
      derek76 renee47433

      Posted

      You should post this as a new conversation with more of you history rather than putting it in several others to get better replies. 
  • mike_cummi
    mike_cummi steve35uk

    Posted

    you are right, in that it will be very unlikely to make your condition worse, and that if you wait your condition will most likely deteriorate gradually. So from a logical point of view there is no reason to delay.

    if you are comfortable with that and accept the slight risks associated with the procedure then go for it.

    we all have our different outlooks on these things and I chose to wait. Maybe if I had come on a forum like this I may have done things differently.

    Best of luck.

     

  • adrian1303
    adrian1303 steve35uk

    Posted

    Hi Steve,

    I take it you are still in normal synus rhythm.

    When I was cardioverted it took me a little time to settle with it, but was good with it after a couple of weeks of normal rhythmn.

    Try to carry on as normal, but I understand where you are coming from with the Psychology element.

    Adrian

    • steve35uk
      steve35uk adrian1303

      Posted

      Thanks Adrian I am still in nsr, and things did settle down after about 4 weeks (physically and psychologically), I've still only had the one case of af although I've had lots of strange feelings and 'flutters'. I'm booked in for an ablation tomorrow so hopefully I've seen the last of af although I'm expecting the next few weeks to be tough.
    • adrian1303
      adrian1303 steve35uk

      Posted

      Hi steve,

      A work colleague had the oblation last week and its his first day back. Hes feeling a country mile better. Hes a bit sore in the groin area but other than that he is good.

      Good luck with your procedure and let us know how you are after.

      Adrian.

  • don35aus
    don35aus steve35uk

    Posted

    Hi Steve, im in a similar boat to you. Im about to turn 35 and in the last 12 months have had 2 episodes of AF. The second time I was cardioverted while awake and it has kind of traumatized me. I saw the specialist today and we talked about ablation. She is able to book me in for November if I want. Im not sure what I should do. I have been on flecainide for the last 2 weeks but im not a fan of taking meds daily. I also am thinking that this condition is probably only going to get worse and not better so leaning towards getting the ablation. How did yours go? You feeling better?

    Cheers,

    Don

    • steve35uk
      steve35uk don35aus

      Posted

      Hi Don - my ablation was about 6 weeks ago now , I'm yet to have my post ablation check with my ep but I've been told to not think about it too much as it can take 3 months before the scar tissue has formed and its that scarring that stops the AF, as far as the procedure goes I was scarred to death at the hospital but the procedure went well, when I got home there was no AF just mild "flutters" but the main pain/discomfort was from the wound in my groin which wasn't too bad and went away completely after about a week, I was on no meds to control my AF prior to having the ablation (ep put me on blood thinners 4 weeks prior to surgery but that's all) so I didnt have the ablation to get me off meds - my thoughts were that like you said the AF will only get worse so why not take a very small risk for what could be a massive benefit ? The mild clutters have continued and the blood thinners did make me feel tired all the time but for the last week I've felt great so I'm feeling quiet positive at the moment - I would never tell anyone to have it or not have an ablation as that's something everyone should decide on their individual experience's but I hated the feeling of having a ticking time bomb in me and that was the number one reason I went for it - yes the AF could come back tomorrow or in 20 years time but that's the nature of the beast unfortunately :-/ il update you if anything changes but for now I'm glad I did it - good luck to you, the last bit of advice id give is that in my experience the psychological side of AF is as big if not bigger than the psyical effects of AF so you need to control the anxiety it can cause and just chill out and remember it's just a pain in the arse it's not going to kill you ;-)
    • don35aus
      don35aus steve35uk

      Posted

      Hi Steve,

      Thanks for the really quick reply man. Yes, the emotional side of this condition has been really beating me up over the last few weeks. I've been having a lot of trouble dealing with it and feeling sorry for myself as I am still a young fellow. I will hopefully get better over time. Please keep me updated on how you are doing mate. Best of luck!

      Cheers,

      Don

    • steve35uk
      steve35uk don35aus

      Posted

      Do you live in the UK ? I saw my GP who referred me to local psychological services (sounds worse than it is) basically after going through something like AF people can become very anxious that AF is going to strike at any moment so what might be a bit of heart burn may be perceived to be AF so you start to panic which increases your heart rate, makes you feel nauseous and generally makes you feel like s**t, I found it helpful to speak to someone who helps people who have anxiety or panic issues - this can then help you to determine what is AF and what is anxiety and can then help you to break the vicious cycle that can have have such horrible effects on people ?

      A few other things that may help - alcohol and lack of sleep were big triggers for me, i found that the day after drinking a lot I would get palpitations/flutters - I think the psychological side of things also plays a part as anxiety can be worse when you are feeling rough, I defiantly feel worse now if I don't get a good nights sleep and I find that if I'm having a bad day with AF an hour or so power nap really does help to reset the heart in some way - again I think this is psychological as if you can get to sleep your anxiety will stop and your body will just chill out for a while - hope this makes sense as some of it has hard to put into words

    • don35aus
      don35aus steve35uk

      Posted

      Hi Steve,

      thanks for the advice. Im finding the anxiety is the biggest trigger of my symptoms. After i had my first episode i didnt think too much of it and carried on with life for a year without any issues. Then suddenly bam! 12 months later had another big episode and was cardioverted and it has left me shaken. Im sure if i can get through a few months without much drama i will feel alot better. Definetly going to see a psychologist as i have been referred to one. The gp wants me to take antidepressants but i havnt started on those and dont know if i want to. Still umming and ahhing about the ablation. Would be good if they just made some breakthrough in atrial fibrilattion treatment!!!! Keep me in the loop as you progress Steve. Thanks again for your support.

    • renee47433
      renee47433 steve35uk

      Posted

      Hi just read your comment - helpped me to calm down a little.  I was wondering if you had a pace maker placed?  Did you have to take any time off after the albation?  
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