Attempted ablation - but not possible as too close to AV node - any words of comfort!
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hey all - I got through to having my abalation as an urgent case as I had had lots of hospital visits over the last few months with SVT (heart rate 180 - 220 ish).
I've had my EP study but they can't ablate as it is too close to my AV node (I think that's the name) I feel absolutely fine now (probably because I didn't have the ablation just a few wires poking at me and playing with my heart) physically, just psychologically I feel rubbish as I thought I would be able to go SVT free.
They've now precribed me bisoprolol at the lowest dose but it has made me feel pretty terrible as my resting heart rate is around 60bpm and my blood pressure is pretty low normally. I went to the docs today and my blood pressure was 90/60 (I think). Anyway, the low blood pressure is making me feel dizzy and really breathless. Is that a normal side affect. I'm not sure I want to be on tablets for the rest of my life to control these things.
Sorry this is a bit ranty - I just really hoped that the ablation would solve this - I hate going to a n e and getting adesonine!
Any words of wisdom would be greatly received.
0 likes, 16 replies
mary90 Eddie_acorn
Posted
Hi Eddie, So sorry to hear about your experience. I too had a failed ablation initially because they couldn't trigger an attack during the procedure, and I know how disappointed you feel. Luckily I was able to have it successfully done at a later date. I was told that if it was too close to the AV node the consultant would freeze it instead of burning it, apparently that is safer. Perhaps you could go back and talk this possibility over with him/her.
Best of luck - I hope they can do something for you.
Eddie_acorn mary90
Posted
Thanks mary -good to know it isn't just me that had a tricky placement of the issue. They have mentioned the freeze option - they have started me on beta blockers as I haven't actually been put on them yet. They put me straight through for an abalate as my episodes have been quite nasty. I was also wondering why people have a tilt table test? As I feel really faint when I get up and stuff, should I ask for one of those too. The specialist has booked me in again in three months. In the mean time I'm going to try and get used to the beta blockers and having a low 50s heart rate!
ema38991 Eddie_acorn
Posted
Hi I am so tired about SVT, I had an ablation three years ago, apparently it doesn't work or they did not doing well,
because I am still dealing with it, first I was prescribed Metroprolol every day since then I started not going out because I am always afraid if something happens to me outside while I am walking or in a store or whatever place, so that created me anxiety and my cardiologist prescribed me Propranolol, all of these blockers make me sick is too many side effects, nausea, disizzness, nightmares, that causes me svt, and so many things that you have to deal with this medications. I asked my doctor that I am very tired about the medication and that I want another ablation, and he says that is going to be worst, what everyone thinks? An advice for me? It supposed ablations are for cured people not to make you feel worst.
gene91169 ema38991
Posted
Keep reading everything you can, Ema, and I don't understand the negative comments from your doctor. Ablation for most of us is a difficult but acceptable experience, and the strong possibility of a cure makes it well worth considering.
gene91169 Eddie_acorn
Posted
Eddie, you're not ranting.You're expressing honest and understandable thoughts. My first ablation was not successful due to a similar problem. In fact, I had much more frequent SVT after that ablation. I felt deeply disappointed, depressed, picked on, angry, and more. A newer "mapping" machine allowed an electrophysiologist to tell me that she thought she could cure me. I'm 5 weeks away from my second ablation, and doing well. My first experience left me cautious, but I'm entertaining the possibility that I might be cured. There could be a similar experience in your future.
Just in case, you might want to read about a drug under development in Canada that, so far, is promising. It's delivered as a nasal spray, can be used anywhere, and could keep many SVT people away from emergency rooms. Not a bad "back up" possibility. Adenosine and I were never good buddies.
Hope this helps. Take the best of care of yourself.
Eddie_acorn gene91169
Posted
That all does sound promising - I forget the medical advancements mean things won't always be the same.
I'll look up that nasal spray as, if anything, I felt guilty for taking up the NHS time when it isn't life threatening - I just cant get it to go down on my own!
Good luck for your ablation, sounds really promising. They said they may be able to do the freeze procedure rather than burning but they want to see how I am on the drugs first. A great mess, is the answer as I naturally have low everything!
Let me know how it all goes - you'll rock it. My partner and I laughed at the amount of times the poor nurses had to ask to see patients groins!
If you can't laugh, you'll cry
ema38991 gene91169
Posted
dad2alex ema38991
Posted
Anxiety over heart conditions is real, and then sometimes in increases your heart symptoms. We're a crazy concoction of nerve systems trying to interact. Try meditation and maybe some cognitive behavioral therapy to see if they help.
gene91169 ema38991
Posted
Ema, I suspect your therapist will quickly tell you that you can get back to a calmer and happier place. And, when you do, you'll appreciate that place more than before.
dad2alex Eddie_acorn
Posted
It's unfortunate that your location was too close to the AV node. They do have to be careful or they can hurt you in there, too. If they zap the wrong place, you could become pacemaker dependent. So, they're being cautious. Hopefully techniques will improve in the future. Also, too many ablations can make you pacing dependent. While I don't have your particular case, I have A-fib and V-tach with an implanted defibrillator and I've just had to accept that I'm always going to feel wobbly from the medicines. It's better than the alternative. Best of luck!
Eddie_acorn dad2alex
Posted
Can I ask how old you are Alex? That seems like a rough hand you've been dealt. Admire your strength at just getting on with it.
A huge part of my life is cycling and keeping fit in the outdoors and I'm worried the medication is going to hamper some of that. I suppose it is all a period of adjustment.
dad2alex Eddie_acorn
Posted
I'm 58, but I got my first defibrillator at 45. Batteries wear out, so I'm on my third and getting close to needing a fourth. My doctor just wants me to walk at least 1/2 hour per day. Obviously, I'm not in as good shape as you, but if you've got clearance from your doctor, then by all means try to stay in the best shape you can.
gene91169 Eddie_acorn
Posted
Eddie_acorn gene91169
Posted
Hahaha I started showing my partner my groin aswell, just so she didn't feel left out! She wasn't impressed
Lolasmom Eddie_acorn
Posted
I am sorry to hear of your experience,
I too had an unsuccessful ablation. I left the hospital feeling so down and upset., I actually had a meltdown in the car on the way home.
I started with SVT Feb/16. At that time, I was put on Bisoprolol. That was a nightmare. My heartrate was very low, and the same for my blood pressure. I felt completely drained without an ounce of energy. My hands and feet were always cold
So I decided to have the ablation. That was June /16..
Prior to the ablation I was told to stop the Biso 5 days prior, which I did do actually 6 days prior. EP specialist said it was just fine to stop the betablocker. Well it is not fine. I went through terrible withdrawl for a very long time
At the time of the ablation I was also taking a benzo for my anxiety
My ablation was also unsuccessful. The dr. thought he could not locate the irregular circuit because of the benzo i was on. So that was that.
Yet I still had to deal with the horrible withdrawl from the Biso.
I never went back on the Bisoprolol after. I just said that I would deal with the SVT
So since march I have been slowly weaning off the anxiety med in order to have a second attempt for the ablation
Looking forward to hopefully be SVT free
Chin up !!!!!