[Joe]

Hi. I'm new to the forum and have been finding some comfort in all your comments.I'm going in for an ablation at the end of this month - very scared! I've had palpitations for over 40 years - they'd come on and lasted from minutes up to 7 hrs - the longest time I've ever had one. In the past, once they're over, my heart would beat normally until the next episode, brought on through tiredness, alcohol or coffee or simply by tripping up a step. When an ECG caught them in my 30s I took atenonol if I had an attack. Lived like this until 6 months ago when suddenly my heart stopped beating normally and I've had arrhythmia in between bouts of palpitations and the palpitation episodes are far more difficult to handle. I'm on 50mg of atenonol daily but it doesn't really do a great deal. I'm hoping the ablation will help. I just wonder though why the sudden change and do other recommend an ablation over drugs?

[DaniRae]

What type of palpitation were you having and why type of arrhythmia? What is your cardio hoping to fix using ablation?

[CMoore416]

I'm not sure what would make a Dr decide ablation is best. Do you have something besides PVCs? maybe because they are so bothersome to you? I'm sorry I can't be of much help or advice but I can offer support!

[Joe]

Well, the palpitations are regular and very fast and when they stop my heart beats irregularly sometimes missing a beat, then a little fast then slower - very odd. Sometimes there are a few seconds of very fast and then I feel faint. When I was in hospital in Sept, the nurses called my condition Wooff Parkinsons White but the doctors have never called it that. The ablation may stop the regular palpitations (I may need two of these procedures though) but the consultant is not sure about the irregular beat but will know more after a PS study where they look into your heart before ablation. Thank you for your support - it's good not to feel alone in this horrible condition!

[Joe]

Just remembered what the consultant called the fast regular beats - AVNRT.

[DaniRae]

Ahhhh yes and ablation can help AVNRT from what I understand. But it does not usually help with PVCs / skipped beats etc. So they will probably go in and try to help the fast beats I have heard the procedure if very safe, very advanced and that you should be just fine

[bypeep]

Joe,

I haven't had an ablation, but I have had an EP study so might be able to alleviate some of your fears about the procedure up to the point of the actual ablation.

I'm assuming they are recommending ablation because as you noted, the drugs are no longer controlling your rhythm. Atrial tachycardia's that last for a long period of time are usually treated more aggressively than those that self-terminate or are of short duration. I'm guessing that this is what is causing them to take your treatment to the next level. The good thing is that Rx therapy often masks your symptoms, or lessens them, but this ablation may be an actual cure.

No worries though, the catheterization part is a piece of cake.

[Joe]

Thank you to everyone who replied - it really does help!
Had palpitations yesterday pm - I had quite a sugary cake the day before - sugar does seem to bring them on. Lasted for over an hour, stopped for ten minutes only to return for another half hour. The thing that is of concern is that 5 days before the EP study/ablation I have to come off medication - dreading hours of palpitations that won't stop. Anyway, after the ablation at the end of the month, I'll let you know how things went - I'm not expecting a miracle cure but if things improve that would be wonderful!