Cardiac Ablation

[EcclesCake]

Is it as uncomfortable as the BHF website makes it sound?

I acknowledge that everyone has different pain thresholds but patient in question has found previous sedations for sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy inadequate.

[MallyJ]

I had one 2 years ago .... not particularly pleasant but not dreadful. ! was awake and can't stand those face masks with the gas and air so took that off. There was a painkiller injected into my groin so I felt nothing when the whtaits name was put into my artery and moved up to my chest. I was zapped 3 times... rather like a slightly long bee sting each time. As I said really not nice but I have often found that if you do not relax it hurts more so a bit of deep breathing helped.. they had told me I could watch it on the monitors but my specs were removed so that did not happen. Back to the ward to recover...no pain at all but the best bruise ever...groin to knee!! Then I went home. The anticipation is a major pain factor I feel.

[EcclesCake]

Thanks for that, BHF did mention potential bruising. I'll pass the warning on.

I recall having all four wisdom teeth out and during my pre op survey I ended up with a major haematoma that reached from below elbow to armpit. I had a vaguely apricot coloured bruising on my actual face, with mild swelling. When I exposed my arm all my friends were agog!

[ethandron]

I have had a number of sigmoidoscopies and colonoscopies and found them terribly painful. As I have to have them on a regular basis, my gastro consultant put me on the 'anaesthetist supported list' for my latest one. It was a doddle, no feeling of going under (it was deep sedation rather than an anaesthetic) and no feeling of coming round, and no recollection of the procedure.
I would suggest that the patient makes their fears known to the consultant who will take it on board and make the necessary arrangements.
There is a vast difference between sedation, and anaesthetist supported sedation. I have no fears about having any further procedures providing they are done under anaesthetist supported sedation. I would refuse if this wasn't available.

[MallyJ]

I also think the procedures are rather different ...... !!

[ethandron]

Of course they are Mally but the powers that be need to know a persons fears and try to dispell them if they can.

[EcclesCake]

Whilst acknowledging the difference between procedures I have no idea about the sedation used for the two procedures.

I will pass on Ethandron advice.