I am 23 years old and I have Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome my heart surgery date is coming up and I am scared out of my freaking mind; so my question is how many people here have gone through this surgery (cryoablation) and how did you handle the feeling of panic and any advise you might give me? How did your surgery go? Just in other words share your story I have had this same procedure done 6 months ago.
Firstly let me tell you I haven't had an attack since.
Now for how you feel... I felt the same as you do. and it's okay to be worried, It's your heart and anything to do with the heart causes anxiety.
I went into hospital the night before, by 7AM I was being wheeled in for the procedure. I was so scared I was crying. They stripped me off and tied me to the bed, that took about 20mins.(tie you to the bed so you can't move, because they dont want you jump around while they're in your heart) then the Dr said he would start the drip and I remember feeling sleepy. That is the last thing I remember until waking up in recovery. Aparently I was semi awake the whole time but i have no memory of it. I remained in hospital overnite and then went home.
As for where they went in, It was a little tender for about 3 days. And a week after I felt so well you wouldn't have known I had anything done. I went back to work 2 weeks later, fit, well and with no more symptoms of WPW.
I wish I could tell you a easy way to face this. the best way is just to do it, it is so worth it.
Talking to a trusted freind will save you from bottling things up. Even if your repeat your fears to them over and over, that's okay...
Keep as busy as you can in the lead up before you go into hospital. But don't forget to rest too, take special care of yourself.
Try to remember... These Dr's do these procedures everyday, they're miracle workers. If something did go wrong and most likely it won't, you will be in the best hands, they will automaticly know what is needed to pull you through.
Personally I found the stress of waiting much worse than the procedure, it was all over before I knew it and the best part is, I can live again. You will soon be enjoying the same results, I'm sure of it.
Life with WPW isn't living, after this procedure you will be amazed at all of the new and wondeful things you can do.
I'm sorry for the stress you're feeling... Just don't be too hard on yourself, it's normal to feel like you do.
I hope this is soon behind you and you can relax and enjoy some good health for a change.
Best wishes you need to let your surgeon know about the anxiety. I have WPW also and finally underwent the same procedure after years of failed medications. Unlike the other poster, my procedure was done as an out patient. I had it done early in the morning and by that evening I was at home. Don't worry, you are usually given something to relax you prior to the procedure so there is no problems with anxiety. I was semi-awake during my procedure because at times I had to move a certain way so the cather like instrument could be threaded through my arteries. However, I felt no pain and it was over very quickly. I had to stay laying in a flat postion for several hours because they put a sand bag on my femoral artery to stop the bleeding but other than that, I felt no discomfort at all. Afterward, it felt great not to have those annoying flutters and racing all the time. I don't know about you but mine felt like I was riding a horse that was loping along. It would wake me up at night. Good luck and I know you will feel much better after it is done. My cardiac heart ablation was in 2001 (17 years of age)
Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome is a rare disorder involving irregularities in the heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmia). Patients have an extra circuit or pathway, called the Bundle of Kent, through which electrical signals are conducted to the heart, allowing excessive stimulation. Palpitations (sensation of rapid or irregular beating of the heart), weakness, and shortness of breath may occur.
I have had the exact same thing happen to me. I know it is different for everyone. But for being such a wuss at everything, I actually didn't get scared or anything. They do strap you down so you can't risk hurting yourself. They sedate you but can't put you out completely, because during the procedure when they burn off those extra passageways you have to tell them how much pressure and pain you will feel on a scale of 1 to 10. Since I have small veins they went though my groin area and also my left arm in the elbow crease. The procedure it self takes about 2 hrs or so, but since they give you good meds it seems like half hour or so. After the procedure you will have to lie flat for 6 hours, they will make you walk after that. Most places will keep you overnight for observation but after about three days you will be good as new. I had mine done on a Thursday and was back in school Monday.
Now 7 years since my ablation, and high stress I have PVC's (Premature Ventricular Contractions) where the bottom ventricle beats off from the top ventricle. Makes me short of breath and a pressure feeling on my chest.
If you have WPW then after 2 years you will have that rapid heart rate again (same symptoms as before) if it doesn't then you truly don't have WPW (according to my doctor) it is supra ventricular tachycardia look it up webmd.com very good info on that website. www.webmd.com/heart-disease/tc/supravent...
I hope this helps and eases your mind. But I wouldn't get to worked up, it's a very simple procedure. But don't get me wrong, yes it's your heart and very serious. I have no doubt that you will do great. |
