Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
Good Evening,
I have an appointment with a second EP tomorrow to get a second opinion on if I should try an ablation. My first EP told me that because I am young, (45) the odds are in my favor that the ablation would be sucessful. He said that the sucess rate was 50 to 65% and that if any doctor tells me a higher rate, they may not be being 100% honest with me. The odds of having a mishap was about 3% or less but that number scared me. The EP I was speaking with does about 2-3 a month so i thought I should talk to someone that possibly does more... Maybe even talking to the Clevelend Clinic.
Tomorrow, I meet the lead EP at the University of Rochester hospital and I hope I hear a bit more encouraging news. I am scared because I don't know what to expect. I am almost afraid to ask but I want to relax a bit.. Can anyone reassure me that the proceedure itself is painless? Can they put me completely out?
I don't mind discomfort once its over but the anticipation drives me crazy.
My Afib usually comes frequently for a month or so and then tends to leave me alone for a month... no real pattern but when i have it, i can really feel it. It sucks!
Anything to help comfort me would be awesome!
Jim
I have an appointment with a second EP tomorrow to get a second opinion on if I should try an ablation. My first EP told me that because I am young, (45) the odds are in my favor that the ablation would be sucessful. He said that the sucess rate was 50 to 65% and that if any doctor tells me a higher rate, they may not be being 100% honest with me. The odds of having a mishap was about 3% or less but that number scared me. The EP I was speaking with does about 2-3 a month so i thought I should talk to someone that possibly does more... Maybe even talking to the Clevelend Clinic.
Tomorrow, I meet the lead EP at the University of Rochester hospital and I hope I hear a bit more encouraging news. I am scared because I don't know what to expect. I am almost afraid to ask but I want to relax a bit.. Can anyone reassure me that the proceedure itself is painless? Can they put me completely out?
I don't mind discomfort once its over but the anticipation drives me crazy.
My Afib usually comes frequently for a month or so and then tends to leave me alone for a month... no real pattern but when i have it, i can really feel it. It sucks!
Anything to help comfort me would be awesome!
Jim
Its just me I guess... I am always second guessing myself lately.
I just can't wait until its over! :)
I am praying daily for everyone here!
JIm
I think that what you are expereincing is what we all experience but in different degrees. In reading your posts it seems to me that your anxiety is worse than your illness. My suggestions are:
1. find an ep that inspires confidence in you. I have had 2 consultations, one with Dr Natale and another wiith Silicon Valley Cardiology, see there statistics in http://siliconvalleycardiology.com/wp-content/uploads/AF-Ablation-by-Silicon-Valley-Cardiology.pdf
that inspired confidence if I chose an ablation
.
2. clear your mind,. live in the present and do no think about your afib for at least 1 day; if your mind wanders and you start thinking about afib quickly focus on something else like your breath which will put your back in the present
3. Learn more about ablations; I suggest looking at youtube videos to get actual doctor and patent expereinces
4. Decide if your symptons bother you enough to have an ablation. You might want to give yourself a deadline for making this decision to avoid "paralysis by analysis" syndrome
5 After deciding don't second guess your decision; instead go on with your life, enjoying every moment. If you find yourself thinking about your decision tell yourself not to go there and focus on your breath again.
Hope this helps,
opsyn
Thank you both for your thoughts. I am certian my anxiety adds to the problem! :)
Thanks to the many people here who have helped by sharing their own experiences, I am more relaxed with my decision to get my first ablation. I know I will be ok and I will try to push it out of my mind until my date!
What a great group of people I met here!
Jim
After your successful ablation, you are going to have to find something else to worry about. My suggestion is asteroids! No matter how healthy you are or how much money you have, asteroids are always something you can worry about. Me... I am going to wait till after we get past the last day of the Mayan Calendar, then I will look into ablation a little more.
Made you laugh! :-)
petey
I'm sure everything will go well, whatever you decide to do.
I think you may be right! My worry has been a good portion of my problem. Trouble is I haven't found a great way to set it aside EXCEPT laughter. Laughter helps alot!
Thanks for making me laugh!
Jim
:)) Chandless