Waiting for my ablation on May 14th...can someone calm me down?

I also have had an ablation and will say it is the best thing I ever did for my health. My heart rate would jump to 209 instantly. It would scare me a lot. I felt the procedure wasn't difficult just long. Taking your medical history , preparing you and post op is tedious. After my ablation I did have a number of heart racing incidents which was very disappointing. But as time went on they started to disappear. It has been 10 months since the ablation and in the last 4 months I would say I only have had about 2 incidents. My doctor did insist I stay overnight in the hospital with my heart monitored. It really wasn't necessary but does reduce the stress.

I saw you post about afib and anxiety and wanted to suggest - tapping (also called Emotional Freedom Technique). It is self-help anxiety relief and it is working for myself (anxiety & caregiving anxiety) as well as my mother with afib, and anxiety & caregiver anxiety. More relaxed, better sleep etc .. There are a lot of videos out there, my favorites are from the Tapping Solution - but most any are worth a try... I like that you can tapp anytime you are feeling blah. I hope it helps! Cheers Kristin!

I have had both legs done. It was in the doctor's office. The first numbing needle hurt but after that it was a breeze. No pain. Everything went fine. You will be okay.

My husband was diagnosed with SVT about 6 years ago, when he was 62. He first took Metoprolol 50 mg once a day. Over the years, he started getting longer episodes more often, so they would keep increasing his medication. He had many doubts and fears about having the ablation, and he works in the medical field. But, he did not want to continue having his medication increased, so he spoke to a cardiac surgeon, that his cardiologist recommended. He decided to have the ablation, December 2020. He has not had an episode since and feels great. He was still taking a lower dosage of the medication right after, but no longer needs it.

I certainly understand your concerns, I too am very drug sensitive. I’m scheduled for heart tee version & ablation this Tuesday & I’m a little nervous. Heart has been in AFIB for about 9 months. I take Eliquis, Cardizem,& losartan.

Your afib is a big part of your anxiety, as it causes changes in cortisol joined etc. But, keep your focus on the good results to come from the upcoming ablation! It's a battle for the mind, take every thought captive and focus back on the good. This is a time to look to your faith and hope of goodness coming your way. God is for you and has provided skilled medical professionals for your good. Listen to your inner voice for calm direction

Thanks to everyone who responded to my question and reassured me! After taking my second Flecainide cut in half to 50 MG, I went back into rhythm. I always know when this happens. My whole body gets very calm. As I said in my post...I am aware and feel everything going on with my heart. I wear a heart link monitor under my skin and when I go into Afib I absolutely know it and my cardio team who monitors the heart link confirms it.

I am feeling a little better about the ablation. There really is no other choice and I want to live a quality life. I am only 66 years young and very active and still work. The upper part of my heart on one side is starting to get larger. This was noticed after my last echo.

Kristin...I learned tapping 15 years ago. It is great and easy to do. It actually does calm you down. I had forgotten about it. Thank you for reminding me.

I will keep everyone up to date and post about my ablation in hopes that it helps someone out there who is facing a decision or the actual procedure just like me.

This Mayo Connect has been such a blessing for me. Everyone is so quick to help and reassure.

Blessings to everyone and stay safe.

CeCe 55

Yippee!! I am so glad I mentioned it - I am using tapping to "manage" all my caregiver stress and I have even got my mother hooked on Tapping - too... it is so great to have something you can "do" whenever you are feeling stress and anxiety - tapping before bed is my new normal and WOW! the sleep I am getting - amazing!! Cheers! K

Hi there-
I might be able to shed a little light on the ablation process as I have had 7 cardiac ablations. I was suffering too many PVC's (premature ventricular contractions). While everyone has PVC's and most are not harmful, I was experiencing roughly 100,000 per days so my cardiologist decided to perform an ablation. When you arrive at the hospital the day of your procedure, you will be given an IV, your groin will be shaved as the cardiologist needs to access the femoral artery/vein in the groin for the puncture site. (On my last ablation October 2020), I had an arterial and two vein puncture on my right groin and two vein punctures on my left groin. When you are wheeled into the catheterization lab, the cardiologist will perform the punctures and then thread a "guidewire" from the groin up into your heart to map out where the trouble spot is. Once the trouble spot has been located your cardiologist will either use heat to burn the trouble spot or use cryotherapy to freeze the trouble spot. In either case, once that is done, the trouble area should be gone and the heart will reroute the bloodflow and rhythm. (The body is an amazing thing and I am shocked by all that cardiologists can do for us). After the procedure, you will be taking the recovery room and have to lay flat for 5-7 hours. I would love to tell you that this an easy process and for some it probably is; however, in my case, my ablations cured my rhythm issue for about 2-3 years and I had to have more of them. I am sure you will be just fine with one (that is my prayer for you). Overall, the process is not that bad. Prior to having my ablations I was placed on both Metoprolol and Fleccinade which horrible side effects. In addition, I also have a pacemaker- but I had my pacemaker placed when I was 29 and I am now in my mid 50's. My pacemaker was a separate issue from the ablations. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers on your surgery date as I will be have my torn rotator cuff surgery on the same day. Blessings, to you!
Warm Regards,
Sherry Kirby

Can You Have AFib and Not Know It? https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/atrial-fibrillation/afib-not-know