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Waiting for my ablation on May 14th...can someone calm me down?
Hello everyone...I need some help...I have had Afib for three years now. I am on Metroporal (25mg 3x a day) and Eliquis. My Afib appeared three years ago for one episode and then another two months later. I did not have a third episode until I took the Covid vaccine and now I have them every month. Last week I was cardioconverted after a week of being in Afib with an ablation planned for May 14th. Can anyone walk me thru the process and reassure me that this is a simple procedure? I have read alot on this site about the procedure but am still so anxious.
The cardioversion which I had last Tuesday lasted for a little over one week. I went into Afib last night. My doctor wants me to take Flecainide in addition to my other medicines. I am terrified of this drug and all the side effects. I am very drug sensitive and don't know how I will respond.
My Afib is a controlled Afib with normal blood pressure and heart rate no higher than 90. I am tempted to go the next three weeks without adding the Felecainide and just make it to my ablation. Thoughts? I am a little tired, stressed and very anxious. I have a full client load and find that if I can work while in Afib, my mind takes me away from all this anxiety. I might add that I am one of those people that can feel the Afib very clearly.
Friends...I really need some positive reinforcement now...so sad that the cardioconversion didn't hold me over to the ablation in three weeks.
CECE 55
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Go to Amazon music, its free turn on Judy Collins listen to Send in The Clowns by her, then Frank Sinatra. Trust me. Listen to the whole album. I had that procedure years ago, please relax. You are all worked up for nothing. Lay in bed, lights out, just relax.
I had mine in December 2017 and it is the best decision I've ever made. I still have some flutters but mostly under extreme stress or too much caffeine. Afib is much worse than the ablation. It's the fear of the unknown that was so hard for me before the procedure. Best wishes!
Since you are a person of faith, Id read the Bible and have people pray to calm you. Also do some yoga to slow yourself down and calm anxiety.
Hi CECE 55,
Can fully understand your anxiety! To date, I've had 5 cardioversions (last one held for 3 days) and two ablations, the second is working well for 5 months now. Getting shocked (I tell people it was like watching an old episode of Emergency when they used the paddles) but knowing they are going inside your ticker does and should bring about different feelings and apprehensions. One thing that really helped me was getting to know and respect my EP here at Mayo Jacksonville. I did a lot of research on how an amazing procedure it is in how they can locate and repair while the heart continues to work. Knowing all of this helped on the first and no reservations about undergoing the second one. Stay busy, know you are in the best hands in the world and look forward to being AF-free. I never had issues with Flecainide or Eliquis and thankfully off both of them now.
I had one 2013 when I got my pacemaker. PIECE OF CAKE!! Believe me bye bye afib!!!
I had one and couldn’t believe I instantly felt better!!
CECE 55, I used to have supraventricular tachycardia years ago. I put up with until it got to the point that my heart wouldn’t go back to normal rhythm without going to the ER for adenosine to stop the heart briefly and let it reset itself.
I was taking care of both my parents and couldn’t take the risk of having an episode while driving them to appts, etc... So I had an ablation done as an outpatient, where doctors thread a thin tube from the groin to the heart and “zap” the connection from brain to heart.
That was over 9 years ago and I’m SO GLAD I did it! No episodes since then, praise God!
If you’re having a similar procedure, don’t worry - it’s very simple and not painful at all!