Posted 3/16/2012 7:22 PM (GMT -6)
Ok...I cannot comment to WPW or guarantee that your ablation will be the same as mine which was for V-Tach.
I was very nervous as I went from being 100% healthy AFIK, to being ambulanced to the ER for dye test then another ambulance ride.......so you will of course be nervous, you have time to prepare.
First, the ablation was a cake walk for me compared to dye test because of better sedation, I was wide awake during the dye test.
Second, they cover you with pads and blood pressure cuff. Then they take you in a room that is cold and put a blanket on you.
They put me out, but told me they may have to bring me back around if they couldn't get my heart to act up, and they did have to. Even after I woke up, I didn't care.....so I wasn't all nervous, even though they were having problems with my procedure. I heard everything that went on, I couldn't see anything because I didn't have my glasses on.
I did feel my heart race during the EP study. It was a very strange feeling, but not too bad. When the found the places that needed ablated, I could feel it. I am not going to lie, it hurt. Felt like a hot poker sticking you in the chest, and about the time I felt I was going to yell it quit. They did 10 places on my heart. I didn't notice much discomfort at the groin area while they had the catheters in.
I was in for several hours, but didn't seem that long, I had an AWESOME anesthesiologist so I credit him for that.
The worse part was having to lie still for the 4-6 hours after, but mine was late in the day, so it was bedtime and that helped. I had to lay flat after the dye test, but they let me sit up about 30 degrees after the ablation so that helped.
I was sore in my chest for a few days after. I guess some folks have lots of pain, they offered me pain meds that I didn't take...said the doc had prescribed MORPHINE and/or percoset.
They tell me my procedures were a success, this was done on Feb. 2nd this year. I still have issues that I didn't have before....but that could be my meds, or a host of other things. I am back at work full time now. 2 or 3 days after I got home I was back to light duty work for 1/2 days, no physical work, just paper work.
Other than still not knowing (my docs say I am good) what brought all this on and if I am fixed 100%, has been a pretty easy procedure and recovery.
I hope that helps some.