SVT ablation

I have suffered with what I now know to be SVT for over 30 years , to a greater or lesser extent . Sometimes I would have 2 or 3 episodes a day , and for no aparent reason , suffer no more for weeks or a month . There appeared to be no particular pattern , until the last couple of years (i'm now 54 ) when the increased frequency and longer periods of up to 30 minutes became a real problem . The medication prescribed by my GP did not control it and in April of this year dizzy and feint spells came with it . A spell in hospital and referal to a cardiologist who prescribed propaphenol finally gave some relief , until an ablation last week . Only a day in hospital , a little discomfort , and so far so good ! If your specialist advises ablation try not to be afraid of it . It isn't the most pleasant way of spending a day , but no worse than a dental appointment .

Good luck ,

Will.

Thank you Will

I really appreciate your reply and find it encouraging. I am going to see the cardiologist in October for a final discussion as to whether the ablation will be the right thing for me. Based on my own experiences and feelings about it I and the comments I have read on this site I feel confident that I would like to go ahead.

At which hospital did you go for the op?

Do you know whether the condition - if left untreated - is more problematic / dangerous as you get older?

Thnaks again

Jay

Hi Jay,

I was treated by Dr Todd and his team at Broad Green hospital in Liverpool . I cannot praise them enough . they were supportive and friendly as well as compassionate .

I was told that each case is different , but its a condition that seems to become more of a problem as we get older . I don't know if its actually dangerous in itself , but a heartrate of 200+ can't be a good thing and to be rid of the condition if possible was an easy decision for me .

I'm sure your doctor will look after you .

Please let us know how you get on .

I'll be thinking of you ,

Regards,

Will

Hi All

Thanks for your replies. I thought I'd let you know that I have the op planned for 3rd Dec. I am still really nervous but have taken great strength from this site and am going to go ahead.

I will post a message as to how I get on

Thanks to you all

Julietee

Hi I am having an ablation done at Leeds General on the 18th March, I can't beging to explain how frightened i am, I fear ending up with a pace makers or worse. Please could you tell me if you had the same fears and what should I expect with the ablation. Mine is a overnight stay too.

I hope all goes well for me and I don't have to take any more tablets. I live in fear most of the time of an svt attack.

Regards Helen

Hi, I would just like to say good luck to everyone who is going for an ablation. Unfortunately mine on the 31st jan was unsuccessfull but I have every intention of having it done again. I was really scared but the staff were fantastic and the professor spent so much time explaining the proceedure and answering any questions. It was a bit uncomfortable and although it lasted 4 and half hours it didnt feel like it. I was kept in overnight and home the next afternoon. I bruise very easily and had excessive bruising. I also developed a haemotoma and an inferction in my groin. Not very pleasant as you can imagine. 3 weeks later and almost cleared up. This doesnt happen often but I wish i had been aware that it could happen as I would have gone to my docs sooner. This isnt to put you off or scare you only to make you aware. I am now on flecanide but still episodes of svt. I am going to remain positive and not let it get me down and I know that it will work the next time except I wont have the after effects cause I will be a step ahead!! I hope this has helped you and that things work out for you.

[quote:9ef8a7c2d0] :D Just had ablation last week after 50 years of suffering SVTs I had the opportunity 10 years ago and was so scared I decided just put up with the ever increasing numbers of episodes (6 last year of which 5 ended up with me visiting the local a& e)...you know the ones panicky sweaty palpatations light head fluttery feeling in your chest wondering whats happining to you wondering if they will ever stop thinking (wrongly as it happens) that your heart might just give up etc! My only question now is why did I wait? Id tried all the vagus nerve techniques to help stop them before but only ever manged once (worth talking to your doc about giving these a try but Ive never found them to be particularly successful)The whole procedure was painless the staff caring and supportive and all over in a couple of hours (less than the usual length of an episode for me)far less worrying and uncomfortable than a shot of adenosyne if youve ever had that to stop the SVT. I really cant quite beleive how toatally relaxed I was while having the procedure and although I as awake for the ep survey (the bit where they locate the faulty pathway but really nothing to worry about)my cardiologist sedated me for the ablation itself and i really wasnt aware of any sensation at all. Im told 95% success is the order of the day and so without any question would recommend anyone with straight forward AVNRT) to have an ablation if offered and dont even think about being scared as I was there really is no need..honest[/quote:9ef8a7c2d0]

Hi Julietee

I was just wondering how your ablation went?

Mine is scheduled for May 27th at Royal Brompton in London. I'm nervous but looking forward to eradicating this awful condition!!

Matt

I had my ablation yesterday and its been a very unpleasant experience with the sedation I have been very sick during the night with vomitting and diahoreia and my period has started 2weeks early due to all this, I then collapsed when trying to stand and have a drip put in my arm and continuous blood sugar and pressure tests done, by experience wasn't a good one so be aware that this experience can be awful for some people :cry:

My husband had this procedure last August and he too was very scared, but he was equally as scared waiting for an attack to happen. Although he had only had about 3 they were getting worse and more frightening each time. Medication made him feel awful so he felt he only had to gain. The waiting for the op was hard but the staff at Papworth are fantastic and really took care of him, before, during and after. I think during the operation he too was a bit scared as he was conscious, he felt some discomfort and they kept him topped up with pain relief. He needed some time after to recover as an operation causes emotional and physical stress, however 5 months on he's glad he had it done. He came off medication and has not had an attack since. He says he sometimes has the feeling that it going to but then it just goes away. It is certainly better than worrying all the time about when and if an svt attack will happen and how bad it will be.

How are ALL you guys doing?

I am super scared! Sometimes i think i'm going to... The pain at times are unbareable. Then sometime it's ok... I'm sick and tired of being tired and weak. I'm a very active male and have been for a long time.But now I can't even work out or spend a long evening with my family without getting sleepy. Again I'm tired! But I'm also scared to have the ablation surgery done. Can anyone please tell me if their doing ok after their surgery. I need to know what should i do? Help Me!

Thanks Will! I will go for it! Im still scared. But I will keep u posted