Afib Questions: Is it too late to have an Ablation?

Hi
A good report but ...

WHICH PROCEDURE ABLATION DID YOU HAVE?

I can thik of 5 different ones.

Side effects can be low BP and H/R.

It will be interesting how successful your one ? was.
cherio JOY. (Tuckie)

Cardiac Ablation Procedure Update

On Feb 13, 2024, I had a cardiac ablation done, This is how it went.

Checked in at 7 am and went to the waiting area. About 5 minutes later, the nurse came to take me to the Pre-Op/Prep room. There she had me get into one of those gowns that everyone loves to hate. I sat on the side of the bed while the nurse asked me 9000 questions and had me sign 500 more forms. Next came my blood pressure check followed by an EKG. Next she shaved the incision area. Now I get 1000 stickers put all over my side, back, and chest....wonderful. Now I get to lay back for 10 minutes waiting for the Doctor (EP) and anesthesia Doctor to show up. Next, I was taken to the Cath lab. I was met there by a very nice and friendly staff.
Once in the lab area, I was put on the op table where a nice nurse applied more very cold, very large stickers on me. Shortly after that a nurse put the oxygen mask on me and instructed me to breath normal. While this was going on, the lab staff was getting me ready...off went that nice warm blanket, up went the gown, and there I was exposed to all the people in the lab. Now, normally this would have bothered me a lot,,,,but I was mentally prepared for this and I was very comfortable. The staff kept talking to me in a very calm and reassuring manner.
Then, I was instructed to start taking deep breaths and was told they were starting the meds. Took a whole 10 seconds and I was deep in LA-LA land. Took about 2 hours to do the complete ablation.
I had a little bit of a hard times coming awake after the ablation. Was moved to a recovery room for a little over an hour. I again was blessed with a wonderful staff member who took care of me. Then it was back to the pre-op room where I had to lay flat on my back for 2 hours. At 2 pm, the nurse got me out of bed and we went for a walk. She was satisfied with how well I could walk and said, I can go home.
Now I am at home. I am feeling NO pain in the chest until around 8 pm. Throat was sore as expected. Had very little bleeding from both incision sites but not real bad. The right side hurt more than the left side. Sleep was on and off which I expected.
When I checked in for the procedure, my anxiety level was about a 5. The staff in the pre-op room really put me at ease and made me feel very good about being there. Entering the lab area, it was a 1. I can not say enough great things about the entire staff from check in to discharge. If there was a rating higher than EXCELLENT, I would give it to them.

Now, a little history here. It took me many years to agree to doing the cath. I depended on several of my medical providers that had my total trust for their support and input. I am very happy I did do this.

Again, I will rate the entire staff as excellent in every area and will recommend this staff to anyone who needs a cardiac ablation.

OK. Thanx.
It matters as all those reading your very clear report will be wondering as I was.

Very successful until now it seems.

cheri JOY. (Tuckie)

Cardiac Ablation Procedure Update

On Feb 13, 2024, I had a cardiac ablation done, This is how it went.

Checked in at 7 am and went to the waiting area. About 5 minutes later, the nurse came to take me to the Pre-Op/Prep room. There she had me get into one of those gowns that everyone loves to hate. I sat on the side of the bed while the nurse asked me 9000 questions and had me sign 500 more forms. Next came my blood pressure check followed by an EKG. Next she shaved the incision area. Now I get 1000 stickers put all over my side, back, and chest....wonderful. Now I get to lay back for 10 minutes waiting for the Doctor (EP) and anesthesia Doctor to show up. Next, I was taken to the Cath lab. I was met there by a very nice and friendly staff.
Once in the lab area, I was put on the op table where a nice nurse applied more very cold, very large stickers on me. Shortly after that a nurse put the oxygen mask on me and instructed me to breath normal. While this was going on, the lab staff was getting me ready...off went that nice warm blanket, up went the gown, and there I was exposed to all the people in the lab. Now, normally this would have bothered me a lot,,,,but I was mentally prepared for this and I was very comfortable. The staff kept talking to me in a very calm and reassuring manner.
Then, I was instructed to start taking deep breaths and was told they were starting the meds. Took a whole 10 seconds and I was deep in LA-LA land. Took about 2 hours to do the complete ablation.
I had a little bit of a hard times coming awake after the ablation. Was moved to a recovery room for a little over an hour. I again was blessed with a wonderful staff member who took care of me. Then it was back to the pre-op room where I had to lay flat on my back for 2 hours. At 2 pm, the nurse got me out of bed and we went for a walk. She was satisfied with how well I could walk and said, I can go home.
Now I am at home. I am feeling NO pain in the chest until around 8 pm. Throat was sore as expected. Had very little bleeding from both incision sites but not real bad. The right side hurt more than the left side. Sleep was on and off which I expected.
When I checked in for the procedure, my anxiety level was about a 5. The staff in the pre-op room really put me at ease and made me feel very good about being there. Entering the lab area, it was a 1. I can not say enough great things about the entire staff from check in to discharge. If there was a rating higher than EXCELLENT, I would give it to them.

Now, a little history here. It took me many years to agree to doing the cath. I depended on several of my medical providers that had my total trust for their support and input. I am very happy I did do this.

Again, I will rate the entire staff as excellent in every area and will recommend this staff to anyone who needs a cardiac ablation.

My AFIB and getting off drugs story:
I had AFIB, severe left atrial regurgitation, atrial valve not opening properly, no comorbidities.
Everyone is different, but here is my experience for what it's worth. I had mitral valve repair, ablation, and LAAC at 78, over a year ago. No more AFIB (it can work permanently). I exercise and eat smartly (low in calories, sugar, salt, and caffeine). When I walk, I meditate by well-wishing for others. I also visualize my RNA, DNA, and all body systems being in good order. (I love order.) I got off of Eliquis after four months by wearing a heart monitor for 30 days to be sure AFIB was gone. I had to push my cardiologist to put me on the monitor. My last vital stats while sitting were 116/66, heart rate 66. I have also now weaned myself off of 12.5mg metoprolol daily and 81mg aspirin daily. (Read recent JAMA article that said low dose aspirin causes brain bleeding over time. Now it is recommended only for stroke and heart attack victims as I understand it. I have also read that metoprolol interferes with sodium and sugar levels. Too low an amount of sugar or salt can cause dizziness as I read it.) Vitals and alertness are better than ever. Daily, I do take a magnesium glycinate supplement containing 29% of RDA. Pure Encapsulations is the best brand I have found. I have read that magnesium and moderate exercise help folks to stay out of AFIB). I had a great surgeon at WakeMed in Raleigh, Dr. Boulton, who did all of the heart stuff. That was key of course. He also supports magnesium supplements. Overall, I feel extremely fortunate.
More: After a dizzy event about seven months ago, where many tests found absolutely no signs of anything abnormal, my cardiologist wanted me to have a loop recorder implanted (standard recommendation I guess). I said no for a host of loop recorder concerns and have been fine as wine ever since. My best research indicated that the probable cause of my dizziness was the metoprolol I took, combined with too low sodium and sugar intake that day as I cut the lawn and also did a full exercise regimen. Off metoprolol now as I said and doing fine seven months later. Hope this helps. Also, everyone should read "Undoctored": Why Health Care Has Failed You and How You Can Become Smarter Than Your Doctor." I'm not saying that doctors are all wrong or all bad, just that you likely have the time to sort things out better than they can for your particular circumstances. Lastly, be sure to read "The AFIB Cure".