Hi all. Thank you to everyone who sent me "good luck" messages etc for my EP study/probable sinus node modification & ? pacemaker procedure yesterday.

Amazing news!! In January my EP couldn't map my arrhythmia so couldn't do an ablation. While he has always thought I had IST, there has always been a query over whether I actually have an atrial tachycardia, due to a treadmill result last November.

My EP was fantastic yesterday. He was brilliant! The whole procedure took 5 hours! But when he did my EP study he DID find an atrial tachycardia which was coming from near the sinus node but NOT from the sinus node itself. Which means NO sinus node modification. He was able to ablate the atrial site with great success & he says my risk of a pacemaker is now VERY low.

I had lots of morphine, maxalon & sedation during the ablation, plus heparin. I had to stay in hospital overnight & at midnight my catheter site started bleeding heavily....due to all the blood thinners (I had more in recovery). Plus my blood pressure dropped very low & I was trying to drink lots of water, lying flat, through straws!

I got home at lunchtime today. My leg is quite sore (catheter site) but otherwise I feel fairly ok. My EP said I should feel much better very quickly from all my arrhythmia symptoms. While I have felt weak & wobbly today, I have NOT had any breathlessness & that was a HUGE symptom of my arrhythmia. So I'm really hoping he has "cured" me! He also said I should be able to return to work in a few weeks....you may remember my employer told me they would dismiss me if I wasn't back by October. I told my EP this yesterday & he was horrified at their total lack of compassion! He wants me to have a few weeks off to recover & gradually build my strength & level of activity up...I've not been able to do anything much since June due to symptoms of the arrhythmia.

I'll keep you all posted on my recovery....

Best wishes
Janey

 

 

Hi Janey,
Sounds like you could not have wished for a better result - glad they got you sorted and wish you a speedy recovery!
Andrew

 

What a wonderful outcome, Janey, I'm thrilled to hear everything's gone so smoothly and already you're feeling the benefit of a successful procedure. I'm sure the catheter insertion site'll very shortly heal - don't use soap on it or put body lotion near it or talcum power, etc. Just clear warm water and a nice soft towel to get dried with. In a day or two you'll be feeling as bright as a button, but don't rush it - let your body heal at it's own rate. That's a job well done, Janey, and I'm so glad for you. I send heaps of love, Sheila

 

So happy for you!!
Liz

 

This is wonderful! I'm so pleased for you. I've been my fingers crossed that everything would go well for you, and this sounds like the best possible outcome. Sure you'll be feeling a better version of your old self really soon, and so glad you've had such a good experience.
Genie xx