christinanunn82

I've had 2 catheter ablations (using heat) and 1 catheter cryoablation (using cold) and the cryoablation (freezing the faulty "wires") finally worked for my SVT (SupraVentricular Tachycardia). Even though on the 3rd procedure I had done I started bleeding a lot the first time I was allowed to get up (the hospital nurses stopped the bleeding and the doc prolonged my bedrest, which SUCKS when you have a bad back, trust me...it HURTS to lay still like that), and now I have had sudden pain in the right groin catheter site (several days later; it was done 8/28/13 and today is 9/6/13), I would recommend this procedure especially if you're having significant symptoms like I did (heart racing out of nowhere, even waking me up during the night, light-headedness, etc). The risks are very small, go for it...but PLEASE, whatever you do...make SURE they knock you out for the procedure! INSIST on it if you have to, and go as far as to find another provider who WILL put you to sleep for it. I've had one while awake (under "conscious sedation") and the other two while asleep; HUGE difference in recovery time, including less post-procedural pain. Not to mention this procedure is NOT very comfortable while awake; I would say "ow" or groan, only to hear the nurse let out a huge "SIGH" before giving me yet another dose of the conscious sedation meds. Myself in particular have been told that I require large amounts of medication for procedures and surgeries...lucky me...trust me, that's actually a curse. It's no fun dealing with the nurses' attitudes towards it or nearly waking up while still on the table. PLEASE take my advice and insist on being knocked out during this procedure, no matter what your doc tries to tell you! I have one of the best cardiologists in TX, and she said there's NO reason why the patient should HAVE to be awake during that procedure!