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.

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MarkJames696 02/26/2013

As I was getting ready for the procedure the next day, I kicked into AFIB at about 11:30 until 4:00 am. One more show of love. It was as if my heart new what was going to happen. So, being up all night, I get to the hospital at 6:15am and thanks to that episode I had to do a TEE test. Not so bad except for the numbing stuff they sprayed in my throat. I didn't get back to the lab until around 1:30pm. So, by the time I got to move around at 11:00pm, I laid on the bed for 15hrs. My lower back was and is killing me. They gave me vicodin, so I liked that part. When I got back to the lab, everything I was going to say I for my own assurances I forgot. Such as I didn't want to be cathed. Now I'm paying for it. It feels like a razor blade coming out. Is that normal? Otherwise, I was completely out. The insert sites are pretty sore, but all in all, not so bad. No chest or heart discomfort.

Im not sure how long it took, as I can barely remember anything he said, but it was about 7:30pm when I looked at the clock. I will be clarifying all at my follow up. He went in and isolated the Pulmanary Veins. After that, my heart still kicked out and he said he saw a pretty major "driver" in the right side. It may have been the Tachycardia. He ablated that and then did another ablation on the left side for Atrial Flutter. I surely didn't expect that much. From 7:30-11:30 I had nothing. I was thinking wow, all that and I don't have one skipped beat. It was great. Well, now I'm getting a bunch of PVCS. My heart rate is about 85. Hopefully, those subside. Thanks again, wanted to let you guys know.

tcaepayguy 02/26/2013

Wahoo! Congrats! It is a WONDERFUL feeling when you first realize that the operation is over, and you are ABOVE ground! Hopefully this is the beginning of a LONG and ENDURING period of NSR!

Bill

CLane 02/26/2013

Thanks for the update Mark. I was wondering how you were doing. Sounds like you had quite a long day! It also sounds like your EP was very thorough. Get plenty of rest and I hope your heart stays calm. Take care, Carrie

lchandless 02/26/2013

Hi Mark, glad things went well. My husband also had what he thought were PVC's post ablation, but they turned out to be PAC's. He caught them on the at home monitor and sent a reading in. He just went in for his 15 week post op and they caught them on the echo. His EP said that in time he won't notice them at all and that they are benign. Take care and take it easy while your groin heals! Chandless Family

pacyetep 02/26/2013

Congrats Mark! Did you ever think you would be on a forum where everyone was talking about your groin? Vicodin huh? That's what Michael Jackson used to take. Next gig you will be going into a chorus of Billy Jean...

"Billie Jean is not my lover
Shes just a girl who claims that I am the one
The kid is not my son
Billy Jean is not my lover WHOOO!!!!"

I figure until your groin heals all the way you should be able to hit the high notes! WHOOO!!!!

:-)

petey

sautee 02/26/2013

Yay for you! Thanks so much for updating us. Please keep us posted on how it's going.
Cheryl

yogacat 02/26/2013

What a relief...I like what Bill said!!!

I hope your back is starting to feel better. Seems like everyone says their rate is high for awhile. You have been through more than your share of Afib crud, I sure hope Everything is going to be Good for you now!!!!

deleted_user 02/26/2013

Just had my ablation on January 14th. For the first few weeks, I was having lots of extra beats. That has really improved for the most part, but every now and then I will feel like 15 weird beats in a row. Then amazingly... it just clams right down! I am so aware of how great I feel! Hang in there, you will feel better by the end of the weekend!

Kelly

heart2222 02/26/2013

Mark,
So glad to hear your good news!! Hope you stay in NSR and are rid of the a fib forever.

Take it easy and hope you heal quickly!!!

deleted_user 02/26/2013

Congrats, wishing you a speedy recovery and NSR for always.

Steveinnsr 02/26/2013

So glad you're ok Mark, isn't that a relief you won't forget? I made phone calls from my room after mine to tell family and friends I made it through, some I don't even remember making. I was surprised how long the anesthesia lingered. It's interesting that you had your TEE while awake or semi-awake with the numbing spray. I had mine as well as the catheter insertion after being sedated for the ablation(curtain came down on the way to the TEE) so I have no recall of either. The removal of the catheter, now THAT I remember -Yikes!

Rest up, it's best to go easy for a while.

Steve

deleted_user 02/27/2013

Mark I am glad you got through it. 2 more weeks fo me and it will be my turn.I am still thinking it over. I have been diagnosed over 2 years ago. I hope you recover quickly and your ablation is a success.

MarkJames696 02/27/2013

I was sedated for the TEE test, Steve. Another doctor sprayed my throat a couple times, and then I was out. I didn't know they were putting me out. He also did RF Ablation. The "one" problem has resolved itself and it is a pain I will never forget. Pretty much everyone said it's usually not like that. His office staff said that I could refuse the foley cath and if there is a next time I think I will. I'm just now getting rid of the effects of the anesthia and my lower back is still killing me. All in all, for a 5-6 hour procedure done on my heart, it's really not that bad.

Now, last night I had a 6 hour episode. I was devastated. I lost my vision for a little over a minute.Ii could still see light and stuff, but everything was distorted.I looked on Xarelto side effects and vision problems is one of them. Any case, I'm calling the doctor. I sure hope tonight is better as I haven't slept in 3 days!

pacyetep 02/27/2013

Mark: Welcome back. I hope you get settled with your anticoagulant. petey

deleted_user 02/27/2013

Having now gone thru the procedure and having endured it so well I'm betting on Nsr FROM NOW ON. Wishing you a speedy and full non event recovery NSR to all Rick

heart2222 02/27/2013

Remember, as they say the first 3 mos you can have a fib. I know how devasting it is to get it after going thru the ablation. I never heard of the visual from Xarelto. Have you tried Pradaxa and couldn't tolerate it?

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