Ablations?

I'm scheduled for an ablation on May 23. I have at least three bad electric circuits in my heart that are causing me to go in and out of atrial flutter. I'm told this problem is common for adult congenial patients who had surgeries as a child. From what I've read and have been told by my doctors is that the success rate for such a procedure is high. I hope so! I want to get back to feeling "normal" and off my blood thinners or should I say rat poison.

Does anyone have information or experience with this they can share?

Thanks,
Blake

7 Comments

Ablations

by gaby - 2007-04-06 10:04:53

Yes the success rate can be very good with ablations. I have had 2 ablations in the past. The first one was in 2001 and the second was in 2006. I would be very suprised if they take you off the blood thinners. Event though the ablation eliminates the problem pathways there is still a problem with reoccurance. This is typical if you have alot of scar tissue from previous surgeries but also they can eliminate the pathways they see but that doesn't mean that there are not others.

Hi!

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-04-07 01:04:28

Blake,
Ablations are not that bad like any surgery you have risks but they aren't horrible. I think all get a little nervous when they are going to have surgery but overall it may be the best thing ever to happen to you. I will keep you in my prayers as you go in. Take care and if you have questions ask away. Blessings!
Tammy

Blake's ablation

by maestro - 2007-04-07 08:04:28

Blake,

Please read a recent post on the AFIB support group site. A fibber posted his experience at the premier ablation place, Cleveland Clinic. He said it was unsuccessful and resulted in stenosis and other problems.

I've had 3 unsuccessful ablations. I was given the PM for arrthymias, and got progressively worse even after the PM. With the help of the AFIBsupport group (a Yahoo Group) I learned what caused my arrythmias and solved my problems completely (except being PM dependent for life).


Please investigate the AFIB group. It is a great resource and questions receive good answers. There are many ways to deal with arrhthmias. One of our young fibbers finally discovered that hemochromatosis is a factor in his AF. Most of the fibbers credit a Magnesium supplement with solving or helping their arrhythmias. Most of us have dietary deficienices of minerals.


BTW, if you research the fibber annals, you'll see that ablations are hardly the success the surgeons claim. That's my experience.

Hi Blake!

by Rewiredaussiegirl - 2007-04-07 09:04:06

Hi Blake
We all wish you well.You have been so good to us all with this website.I know nothing about ablations except what I have read about here.
You only deserve the best and we are all plugging for everything to go OK for you-Regards from Kay

Hello

by lenora - 2007-04-07 12:04:33

And speak of the devil, here she is! Did you have heart surgery as a child, Blake? There's a lot of data about people who had ASD repairs developing atrial arrhythmias as adults. Scar tissue redirects the atrial pathways eventually and the atrial arrhythmias develop. The first arrhythmia I ever had was atrial flutter (out of the blue) and I passed out at work one day. You have my sympathy if you're in flutter because it's the awfulest feeling, you can't breathe or think and it feels like you're trying to haul around a great big rock on your back. No fun at all. My cardiologist was trying to treat my fib and flutter with meds because at that time we didn't have an EP. Dr. David Arnold came from Baylor in Texas and the hospital built an EP lab just for him which was a stroke of luck for me too. I'd like to tell you my afib was stopped but it came back after 3 months. Dr. Arnold thought that if I'd had ablation earlier in the game it would have stopped it. Sounds like they're doing the right thing getting on top of yours early. You'll certainly be in my thoughts and prayers for May 23. Lenora

rat poison

by jessie - 2007-04-07 12:04:34

you are right blake it is. i have never had to have an ablation but i believe lenora has. i will be thinking about you and praying for you that everything goes well. as far as the blood thinners i have not had this experience either but many have and hope the response will be good for you. i think this site is more secure now and working well. take care blake maureen

ablation and pm

by stephanieann - 2007-04-08 02:04:41

i received my pm 3 years ago and had the ablation about 6 mo after that because i was still having such irregular heart beats. i had two bad circuts.they were able to get both of them while in surgery. its quite simple and got out of the hospital the same day .no scars they just go through the arteries. just a few bruises . it has enabled me to be off all meds and i feel so much better. it is a scary surgery i had to be awake as with the pm being installed. it took 6 hours its been .three years and ive had no other problems. it was definately worth it . i use my pacemaker less now hopefully you will get as good of results as i did

You know you're wired when...

Your device acts like a police scanner.

Member Quotes

So, my advice is to go about your daily routine and forget that you have a pacemaker implanted in your body.