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.
I told everyone I would report back on my Ablation so here it is. It is a little long winded and I don't have very good writing skills. My wife and I arrived at Duke med center at 6.30 am on Wed May 21 in the Sub basement at Duke for a Cardiac MRI. We were the only ones there so we wondered if we were in the right place. Our appointment was at 7, and they arrived and took me right in. Being a little claustrophobic I asked how long I would be in there and they said about 45 minutes. Once in there they had a hard time getting the images because I was already in a-fib so it took 2 hours and 30 minutes. Since this took so long they told me to skip my next app for labs and go straight to Pre op. Once we got to pre op they said they had to have the lab work first, so after going back and fourth a couple of times we finally got every thing done. We killed about an hours time and it was time for my TEE. Things went smoothly for the TEE. We got it done and went back to the Hotel room for the night. I called a phone number and they said for me to check in for my ablation at 10:00 the next morning.
The next morning we checked in at 10. They took me back had me change into a hospital gown. Nurse came in to start an IV. Missed the first time, blew the vain the second time, called the IV team the third time. They numbed it and got the IV started. Not feeing very good after all that
Several people came in and told me what would be happening and I had to sign away all my possessions one more time. Finally after a couple of hours they came and took me to the EP lab. Once I got to the EP lab they had me sit up on the table and started hooking wires to me immediately. I was amazed at all the gadgets. Dr Bahnson came in and met me then told all the staff what he wanted for the procedure. Then the anesthesiologist told me she was going to give me some Valium to make me calm, I remember looking down to see her put it into the IV. That's the last thing I remember before the procedure.
When I woke up I was still in the EP lab because they were waiting for me a room because they were going to keep me in the hospital because they could not keep me in NSR. My wife said I lost it at that point so I just won't comment on that. I was real groggy from 6 plus hours on the table but they finally got me up to a room. Keeping my legs still was absolutely no problem. I actually waited a hour and a half extra just to make sure my legs clotted well. I have had no problems with the incisions on my legs. Taking the catheter out was about 15 seconds of bad pain but after that and I peed a couple times things were fine. The next morning Dr Bahnson came in and and told me he ablated the PV's and some other areas on the left side and also areas on the right side. They tried to shock me into NSR 6 times and could not get me to stay in NSR for more than 2 minutes. We discussed our options, we decided to keep me in the hospital and start me on Tikosyn and then try to cardiovert me into sinus. They had to get my potassium above 4 before the could start the Tikosyn. Four days later they took me down for the cardioverison. It worked. I have been in NSR since except for some pvc's and they seem to be diminishing. So now I am at home and currently in NSR. I am taking it one day at a time and expect setbacks. I know the blanking period just started. I don't think I could have gone thru this without the support of my wife, she has truly been my crutch.
As for Duke Medical Center, I have the deepest respect for these people. I truly believe they have you're best interest in mind and when something goes not according to plan like my case they put all the resources together and try to do what is best for the patient. (This coming from a Carolina fan born at UNC). I have the upmost respect for Dr Bahnson and his team. As well as all the nurses and staff on the Heart unit.
Trent
The next morning we checked in at 10. They took me back had me change into a hospital gown. Nurse came in to start an IV. Missed the first time, blew the vain the second time, called the IV team the third time. They numbed it and got the IV started. Not feeing very good after all that
Several people came in and told me what would be happening and I had to sign away all my possessions one more time. Finally after a couple of hours they came and took me to the EP lab. Once I got to the EP lab they had me sit up on the table and started hooking wires to me immediately. I was amazed at all the gadgets. Dr Bahnson came in and met me then told all the staff what he wanted for the procedure. Then the anesthesiologist told me she was going to give me some Valium to make me calm, I remember looking down to see her put it into the IV. That's the last thing I remember before the procedure.
When I woke up I was still in the EP lab because they were waiting for me a room because they were going to keep me in the hospital because they could not keep me in NSR. My wife said I lost it at that point so I just won't comment on that. I was real groggy from 6 plus hours on the table but they finally got me up to a room. Keeping my legs still was absolutely no problem. I actually waited a hour and a half extra just to make sure my legs clotted well. I have had no problems with the incisions on my legs. Taking the catheter out was about 15 seconds of bad pain but after that and I peed a couple times things were fine. The next morning Dr Bahnson came in and and told me he ablated the PV's and some other areas on the left side and also areas on the right side. They tried to shock me into NSR 6 times and could not get me to stay in NSR for more than 2 minutes. We discussed our options, we decided to keep me in the hospital and start me on Tikosyn and then try to cardiovert me into sinus. They had to get my potassium above 4 before the could start the Tikosyn. Four days later they took me down for the cardioverison. It worked. I have been in NSR since except for some pvc's and they seem to be diminishing. So now I am at home and currently in NSR. I am taking it one day at a time and expect setbacks. I know the blanking period just started. I don't think I could have gone thru this without the support of my wife, she has truly been my crutch.
As for Duke Medical Center, I have the deepest respect for these people. I truly believe they have you're best interest in mind and when something goes not according to plan like my case they put all the resources together and try to do what is best for the patient. (This coming from a Carolina fan born at UNC). I have the upmost respect for Dr Bahnson and his team. As well as all the nurses and staff on the Heart unit.
Trent
Trent
Kudos to your wife and you for a positive attitude through it all or almost all.
All the best form here on in NSR. From others reports after ucessful ablations there maybe some ups and downs for a time.
Annette
Take care,
atp
I am glad you are home and doing well today. One day at a time for all of us!
Thank you so much for your detailed account of your experience. It is so helpful for so many of us to know what we might expect. It was also helpful for us to get to know you. You are a valued part of this group, your participation is appreciated. Your honesty and attitude in facing disappointments is awesome.
Group Hug!
I understand your frustration through all this.And feel your pain.
I'm 62.1-1/2 year ago I was riding my bike 90 hard miles /week.I have accumulated over 100,000 miles since 1986 and have also been very active hiking,&snowshoeing.
I was on a routine bike ride and was about to climb a moderate hill. I got half way up and had to stop.I called down to the engine room for more power and no one answered. I have no artery disease or blockage.
I went to my cardiologist..(EKG) He said I had cardio myopathy. My resting heart rate was around 30BPM He said I needed a pacemaker and said I needed it tomorrow.
Our jaws dropped.Not a good day!
I got my pacer and all was good..for a month.I was again hiking my 3 mile route at times pre pacer implant and feeling stronger everyday.Then I developed an infection at the implant site.. Went in and they said the pacer had to be removed in fear that the infection could spread down the wires to my heart. And again they said we need to do this tomorrow.
They then decided to put me in the hospital and flood me with antibiotics for 5 days to see if the infection would clear up. After 5 days they said the pacer would have to come out. The next day they removed the pacer and put a temporary one taped to my neck for a day.The next day they removed the temporary pacer and implanted a new pacer on the right side.
I went home with a wound vac attached to the first incision that comes with a 3 lb box strapped to my side 24/7, plugged in to the wall socket while trying to sleep.I had to sleep on my back due to the wound vac on the left side and the new pacer on the right side of my chest & a pic line on my left arm for 5 weeks.I had to self administer antibiotics 3 times per day. A home nurse came in three times /week to change the wound vac dressing where the first pacer was implanted and take blood samples once/week. The first implant site was healed..so I thought...
I now have had 3 surgeries in less than two months.I had a brief time in A-Fib before being released from the hospital.
I eventually got in A-fib full time.I firmly believe it was the stress from the three surgeries as the cause. I strongly objected to Warfarin. I was put on Predaxa. Two months after my second implant I developed another infection at the first incision site. I was sent to a general surgeon. When she opened up the site she found packing material the size of my thumb nail had been left in the site.It was removed and I was sent home with packing material and antibiotics to change the dressing and clean the wound myself.A painful procedure twice/day for another 3 weeks.
After the infection cleared..Oh! no one at the hospital would take responsibility for their negligence .
I went in and had a cardioversion.I am fortunate in that my doc puts me out during the TEE procedure.After the cardioversion I was out of a-fib for less than a day. I had another one a few weeks later..Same results.I was then put on Warfarin ( Coumadin). Over lapping Pradaxa for a day. I got a call at 1:30 in the morning and the doc on call said my INR numbers were off the scale at 11 and I should go to the emergency room and get a shot of Vitamin K to bring the numbers down..It's supposed to be 1.5 - 2 . I didn't go and was taken off blood thinners for a week until the numbers came down. Then back on Warfarin, which requires I had to go to the lab for blood draw once a week to check my INR numbers. Another 3 weeks.
I then had an ablation.I was on the table about 5-1/2 hours. I went home the next day..exhausted from the procedure and was on the couch for a week. After that I was in and out of a-fib.I would have a good week and then I was back in A-fib. I never knew when I would go back into a-fib but it certainly is a distinct feeling.I was really getting frustrated and tired of dealing with everything.
It's now been an 11 month ordeal that was supposed to be a "see the doctor once every 6 months". I am now out of a-fib but I am having trouble with energy or lack of to be specific.I suspect it's the medications And I might still be in recovery mode.I am trying to build up my endurance to get back on the bike and ride more than just around the block.
I don't go through a day without asking myself "What would my life be like had my first pacer not gotten infected." A lot of money has been spent after the first pacer got infected. It's been tough on my wife too.Heart disease takes it's toll on everyone around you. emotionally, physically, and economically.
I was known for being the poster boy for Murphy's Law. If it could go wrong it will.
I've started a gentle Yoga class which is helping me recover from being a couch potato for 11 months.How fast your fitness level goes downhill when you can't exersize. It's discouraging. My flexability is now like I've aged 10 years. I've put on about 20 lbs during all this but my diet has never changed.
I'm now off Warfarin and back on Predaxa , and hopefully for only 3 more months.I'm out of a-fib and don't have to schedule a weekly blood draw, don't need to see the doctor for a few months and I'm pushing myself out the door daily to build up my strength whether hiking, biking, or using my stationary rowing machine.
I haven't given up. But I have to be able to be active.That's my goal.All my friends are cyclists and I haven't seen them for a long time.
There for a while it seemed I would take 1 step forward and 3 back.I think now I'm starting to move forward.
My words to you are to keep the faith, don't give up.The alternative is not better. There are a lot of people worse off than us. Life is not a cafeteria .we don't get to chose our path in life.
I wish you the best for a successful and rapid recovery.
Stay in touch.If you have questions or like to talk,I'd be happy to try and answer.
Jon
Your progress is encouraging too!
Trent