Hi Louise

I am a 47 mother of two and I had a heart ablation in November in the Royal
Bournemouth Hospital. I have had palpitations for about 7 years and had put up
with them but they began to get worse.
Then I managed to get to the GP while in mid attack and they did an ecg. I felt
better that they actually had some proof of what I was saying! I then had an
echo cardiogram which showed that I had an extra pathway near the av nodule (I
think that is right) and they offered me an ablation to burn it away.

I was a bit of a wuss and scared of them burning away too much and I would end
up with a pacemaker or worse dead! But I did put my name on the 5 month waiting
list and went in November 2008.

I was OK and kept saying that this operation has a great success rate etc but
when my 13 year old daughter started crying so did I. I cried all the way to
hospital in the taxi and through the admission process and even thought about
not signing the consent form when the doctor explained about the 1 in 200 risk
of a pacemaker.

BUT I am very glad I had it done. I was only sedated so could see and hear all
that was going on. The local anaesthetic in my groin to put in the catheters was
ok - I asked for more as I think he hit a nerve and it tingled a bit, but that
was ok.
The actual burning felt like a little warm sensation and a little tight on the
chest but no more that running up stairs. Then I was out of the operation on the
ward. I went in at 8am (operation was 9 - 11am) and was home by 6pm - a little
woozy but felt fine.

I had a week off work (because you can't drive for a week afterwards -dvla
rules).My girls were very pleased to see me and I was spoilt for a week! I had a
big purple bruise in my groin where the catheter went in but that was it.
I have just had my 3 month check up and I am cured. I have had no episodes since
and I am free of pills and the constant worry of waiting for an attack to begin.
I didn't realize how stressed I felt before. Now I am not always anxious that an
attack will happen (I had them when I was driving the kids and I agree that is
scary).

I can't advise you what to do but only tell you of my experience. I am very glad
and thank God each day. I really wish you well in what you decide.

Sandra

--- In heartrhythm-AA@yahoogroups.com, Louise wrote:
>
> Hi, I have just joined this group, hopefully for a bit of moral support and
advice.
>
> Im 41 years old and have had tachycardia/palpitations since I was about 15.
Went to GP and specialists several times over the years. Nothing abnormal has
ever been recorded on a heart monitor. I have been told to ignore the
problem/get on with my life and even that I may be imagining it!
>
> I have syncoped a few times when having tachycardia. This has been frightening
and I had to stop driving for a while as I passed out at the wheel of my car
(thankfully with no serious repercussions). At least this has prompted a bit of
action with doctors - I am booked in for a cardiac ablation in April.
>
> If anyone has had an ablation I would love to hear about it. I am very
nervous. I want it done but I'm worried that they won't be able to find the SVT
(that is the diagnosis based on how I have described my symptoms) and I am also
worried about the risk of death, which I know is very small but it's nagging at
me. I have 4 children who need me around!
>
> Any advice would be fab. I am having the ablation at the John Radcliffe in
Oxford.
>
> Thanks for reading,
>
> Louise.
>