Guest guest Posted January 12, 2006 Report Share Posted January 12, 2006 Hi Everyone, I haven't posted for a while so here's an update. I've had 2 x failed ablations followed by pacemaker insertion and av node ablation-I was advised that the pacemaker would give me exercise tolerance etc but....no dice! I am still really symptomatic although no longer have the wild palpatations I have all the other symptoms and can't even go for a walk without going into afib. I have the odd day when I feel normal and really take advantage of those days but they seem to be getting less and less as the weeks go on. Afib has stolen many of lifes joys from me as the outdoors was my life. Heck even my husband retrenched me from our company, so now I don't even have a job! Sorry I was wallowing a little there but you get the picture, this thing really, really sucks! I read a post from an afibber on another site who suggested just to sort of carry on regardless and try to ignore it so armed with my newfound sense of bravado I grabbed my trusty surfboard and headed for the beach. As I was walking towards the water I felt a few flutters but forged ahead. Paddling out I started to fib but kept going, finally made it out to the break by this time feeling really bad but determined to win over this thing, anyway caught one wave and was by this time unable to breathe and was so weak I couldn't paddle. I hauled myself up onto the beach to recover and chastise myself over my overt stupidity. I have now given up on the lofty ideal of just working through it or 'carrying on regardless'. There seems to be many people like me who have had failed ablations and I agree that the success rate is much lower than advertised-also (this is my opinion only) I believe that my afib was made much worse by the ablations. So there you go I hope someone else can gain something from my experience. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2006 Report Share Posted January 12, 2006 - where did you have your ablations and by whom? Also, what was your status before you had them? Paroxsysmal, persistent or permanent afib? What made you decide to go for the first? I'm sorry they haven't worked for you and that you're in such a state now. Have you tried consulting with a facility other than the one that did your pacemaker? stef success62211 success62211@...> wrote: Hi Everyone, I haven't posted for a while so here's an update. I've had 2 x failed ablations followed by pacemaker insertion and av node ablation-I was advised that the pacemaker would give me exercise tolerance etc but....no dice! I am still really symptomatic although no longer have the wild palpatations I have all the other symptoms and can't even go for a walk without going into afib. I have the odd day when I feel normal and really take advantage of those days but they seem to be getting less and less as the weeks go on. Afib has stolen many of lifes joys from me as the outdoors was my life. Heck even my husband retrenched me from our company, so now I don't even have a job! Sorry I was wallowing a little there but you get the picture, this thing really, really sucks! I read a post from an afibber on another site who suggested just to sort of carry on regardless and try to ignore it so armed with my newfound sense of bravado I grabbed my trusty surfboard and headed for the beach. As I was walking towards the water I felt a few flutters but forged ahead. Paddling out I started to fib but kept going, finally made it out to the break by this time feeling really bad but determined to win over this thing, anyway caught one wave and was by this time unable to breathe and was so weak I couldn't paddle. I hauled myself up onto the beach to recover and chastise myself over my overt stupidity. I have now given up on the lofty ideal of just working through it or 'carrying on regardless'. There seems to be many people like me who have had failed ablations and I agree that the success rate is much lower than advertised-also (this is my opinion only) I believe that my afib was made much worse by the ablations. So there you go I hope someone else can gain something from my experience. Cheers Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com List owner: AFIBsupport-owner For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 12, 2006 Report Share Posted January 12, 2006 I agree with that . It's not until recently that we've been hearing about all these " failed ablations. " One EP told me he " suspects the cure rate for a PVI is probably more like around 50% especially " long term " but there just isn't enough long term data to confirm it. There's so many variables like persistent or paroxysmal...heart disease present, past surgeries. Dr Natale of the CC told me that depending on how much scarring I have on my heart from previous surgeries my chances might only be 50%. Another good EP told me that it would be 70 to 85% regardless. It's a depressing thing to hear about a story like yours but then it's encouraging to read about many people who've been made whole again by a PVI. P There seems to be many > people like me who have had failed ablations and I agree that the > success rate is much lower than advertised-also (this is my opinion > only) I believe that my afib was made much worse by the ablations. > So there you go I hope someone else can gain something from my > experience. > Cheers > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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