av node ablation . Help

Hi I'm having an AV node ablation done next week im 35 following 4 unsuccessful catheter ablations two of them last year . I need to know what impact does an av ablation have on your life as I work full time and am on my feet all day . Also I would like to know is it still possible to go away on holiday ,all the usual sort of stuff . I'm really scared and worried about the impact this will have on everyday life . I already have a pacemaker icd which I think paces me all the time . Thankyou
Vicki .

7 Comments

av node ablation . Help

by heart3 - 2014-01-30 02:01:03

Sorry should have explained a bit more I have had AF for about 15 years and have tried many medications to control the rythem but nothing really works . I had my first ablation in 2006 my second in 2012 and then 2 last year so my heart is pretty battered . This is the last resort . I was also born with a hole across my main chambers which was patched up . I'm currently in the heart hospital in London . Just really freaking out as this is a long line of problems with my heart and I always feel as though it wins in the end. I guess im being paranoid about the whole holiday thing . Ive seen more of the insides of hospitals in the last 3 years than I have my own home . I don't like the idea of being dependent on anyone . I want to go on holiday on my own travel and explore . Excuse my rambling but as I said im freaking out .

why

by Tracey_E - 2014-01-30 02:01:12

Why are they doing the av node ablation? Have you tried meds first? Ablating the av node is considered last resort.

We have quite a few members who have had the same thing, hopefully they will jump in soon and tell you about their experiences. How you feel after depends on why you are getting it but most end up living full, active lives. Why do you think you wouldn't be able to go on holiday? I was born with 3rd degree av block, so I've basically lived my whole life with what you are going to have after the ablation. It doesn't affect me at all.

no problem

by Tracey_E - 2014-01-30 04:01:47

Ramble all you want! Get it out, we understand here. Afib is really frustrating and you've had more than your share of problems. You are overdue for a break! I wish some others who have been through the same thing would chime in here, there are some great stories.

Have av node ablated - by mistake!

by SaraTB - 2014-01-30 06:01:24

Hi there: I initially suffered from tachycardia, and after failing to manage it with pills, opted to have an ablation. Alas, the ablation damaged my AV node, and put me into permanent 3rd degree heart block, so had the pacemaker implanted the next morning.

You already know what it's like to have a pacemaker, so that isn't something to get used to. It will presumably need re-setting to deal with the av block caused by the ablation, but that's pretty straightforward. I guess you're worried about being pacemaker dependent? Please be assured that many of us here are 100% paced and continue with our normal lives. I had mine at 42, only a little older than you are now. I flew off on holiday abroad 5 days after the procedure, and travel back and forth to the UK (my original home) and the USA a couple of times a year.
As Tracey says, "Get it out!" - we really do understand here, so keep talking about your worries with us, if it helps.
Good luck and let us know how you're getting on.

Oops, see you're already 100% paced

by SaraTB - 2014-01-30 06:01:55

My mistake! I'm pretty sure there are other members here who've had ablations for AF who will chime in. You're amongst friends here!

AV-NODE ABLATION

by Vinnie - 2014-01-30 09:01:18

Vicki, I'm 76 years old had AFIB off and on since I was a teenager -- I took all the usual pills from 1990 until 2009 then I was on amiodarone and a dual chamber pacemaker---2009 after 4 ablation attempts I finally did the AV-NODE ablation--all went fine but did not have much energy-----in June 2013 I received a Medtronic CRT-P pace maker----energy level went way up, however I'm still in the process of getting the CRT-P tweaked a little more---- otherwise I feel good; energy is at a 76 year old level---- more or less I rarely think about the pacemaker, I just keep on moving along. For me I feel 100% better than when I use to go thru those AFIB episodes. Don't worry there are a lot of us that had the ablation and things worked out just fine. Good luck and God bless
Regards
Vinnie

Had AV node ablation

by janetinak - 2014-01-31 12:01:02

(in the olden days 2000) when current ablation procedure was deemed too new & risky. So after almost 2 yrs with permanent AFib & fatigue, SOB, etc I had the AV node ablation & PM inserted & am 100%-er. I felt 100% better after the procedure & altho completely dependent on PM, I have never been sorry. Yes, I have to be on Coumadin but that is all I take for AFib & feel great. I have traveled to WA,CA, Mass. & HI via air w/o any problems. I live in Anchorage, Alaska so these are long flights 3 hrs minimum.

Hope that helps,

Janet

You know you're wired when...

You always have something close to your heart.

Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.