I replied to this already, but it didn't go thru. I will try again. Let me test run one and see if it will go first.

Ok, so glad your second day was so much better than your first, rfreeze!! That was scary about your chills. I wonder if it's just your body's reaction to all your heart went thru. Did you ask the doc before you left the area?

I tell you, I'm getting more and more nervous about my ablation on the 23rd. Ever since March came, I've been a nervous wreck. So many complications...

rfreeeze-glad you are done with yours. Now rest and relax and recup really quickly!!

heart2222: I felt nervous too, especially when I first started learning about the potential complications. Later in my discovery process I tried to understand what my doctor/provider does in their procedures that helps to prevent those things from happening. This made me more confident in my decision and I was actually really excited and looking forward to it when the time came, because my goal is to eliminate the need for the Amiodarone. I think that by focusing more on the safety aspects and your goals you can increase your comfort level. The unknown is the hard part, I hope my experience can help you know what to expect. If there is anything I can do please let me know.
- Rick

Rick,
Thanks for your encouraging words. You are totally right, I should do just that.

Do you have any a fib after your ablation? Was it a success?

I need to keep my sites on the possibility of no a fib and getting off these drugs.

I have a mysterious bruise on my hand and I don't remember hurting it. Complements of Pradaxa!!

Keep improving, Rick!!

Heart2222:
It will take some time to determine if my ablation was a success. I haven't experienced A-Fib since starting Amiodarone late last year. If I don't have any A-Fib for the next 3 months (the ablation healing period) we will stop the Ami and see what happens. If still no A-Fib at 6 months, we will stop the Atenolol and after that consider stopping the warfarin. So far things are going well and nothing bad or unexpected has happened. That's my definition of success right now. I think I will measure success one step at a time.
- Rick

Good for you on Day 2. Am so glad things are going pretty well. I am surprised that you appear to be on your own and in a hotel. I would have thought they'd keep you under observation for a few days in the hospital. Ahhh, modern meds. Probably saving someone a few thou a day.

Glad to hear you are doing better today. My ablation is scheduled for Wednesday, March 8, and to be honest I've been second guessing my decision twenty times a day. I'm just not sure I'm doing the right thing.

I'm really glad to hear you are feeling better now. I hope everyday just gets better and better and you stay afib free.

Hi there - never posted here before but have appreciated all of the information shared. Just wanted to say I've had two ablations and have experienced exactly what you have - the pain when taking deep breaths, chills/fever etc. It only lasted a few days. Just take it easy, even when you think you are feeling "back to normal". There's a lot of healing going on :) Good luck and hope you are fib free!

RFreeze thanks for sharing your experience in such detail. It is so kind of you to let us understand what this is like. Be well. Hope all evens out for your soon.

Thanks all for your comments.

Denikae: Is there some information you are missing in your decision process or are you just having some last minute jitters?
Wishing you the best.

nangirl: Thanks for sharing your experience regarding the chills/fever. I didn't know to expect this and there were no references to this in my discharge instructions.

So happy you are feeling better! I am glad that you are sharing your story so others that have upcoming ablations scheduled will be able to relate to your good experiences thus far. Take good care and thanks so much for keeping us in the loop as your recover :)

Rick:

I have alot of respect for you and your strength to research, decide, and move forward. Glad things are getting better for you. Remember that after the first 3 months, things will increasingly get better. To me, you are like Chief Bromden, the native American guy in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" who busts out of the mental ward. Well, this isn't a mental ward, it's an afib ward. The best to you!. -petey

It is good to have an intelligent moment by moment report and thank you R Freeze for this. We all potentially face this and it feels good to know.

I think I'm just having last minute jitters over this. I really appreciate your detailed report of your procedure and recovery. I think part of what has me scared is that I'm kind of going through all this on my own. I live alone and my family all lives out of state. My sister is coming up to be with me the day of the procedure and to stay for a couple of days after it, but then I'm on my own. As stupid as it sounds I hadn't considered how I was going to feel after the procedure. I guess I'm worried that I'm making a decision that may make everything worse than it is right now. I've done all my research, but as it's getting closer I'm just starting to think maybe I'm being foolish to take this risk to fix something that everyone says isn't life threatening.

I'm really impressed that you are able and willing to share your experience with all of us. It means a lot to be able to talk to others who understand how hard it is to make decisions on how best to handle this condition.

My thoughts and prayers are with you that you will continue to have a speedy recovery.

I feel like denikae. My jitters are not last minute, but the countdown has begun. Have to report my meds to the doc this week, start doing the things 3 weeks prior.
I second guess my decision all the time too. First I just want to get it over with, then I think could I be making myself even worse?

Thanks , rfreeze for posting SO quickly after your procedure and sharing your experiences.
I oscillate between wanting to know what to expect and trying to turn a blind eye to the whole entire process!!
Rick, I hope you continue improving by leaps and bounds every day. HOw is the chest pain now?
You mentioned oozing at the catheter site. How do you know what is normal and what is not?