beeholeclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 22, 2025 10:01 pm

Whilst NHS have been brilliant ......... What makes matters worse is the waiting lists just for a consultation (let alone treatment) amount to almost a year in some cases.
BHC

ClaretDiver wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 23, 2025 7:05 am

This is genuine comment, have you looked at whether the procedure is available privately in Thailand? Bumrungrad Hospital in BKK is a fine hospital and may be able to offer the procedure at a fraction of the cost. It does depend on how long the recovery is/follow ups required…

mdd2 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:38 am

How old are you beehole and are they suggesting af ablation of av node ablation and insertion of a pacemaker
I guess you are already on apixaban to reduce the risk of stroke?

beeholeclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 22, 2025 10:01 pm

After 8 episodes / hospitalisations due to suffering from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in last 16 years the latest was most serious and rendered me unconscious for nearly 5 minutes.

Whilst NHS have been brilliant I now need to make progress by treating my condition with an ablation which offers the chance of a permanent solution as opposed to a succession of tablets and extensive tests every few years. I have received a referral list of hospitals in North West none of which provide a glowing grading / recoomendation from the Care Quality Commission. What makes matters worse is the waiting lists just for a consultation (let alone treatment) amount to almost a year in some cases.

Ive made tentative enquiries regarding the cost of private treatment and the ablation estimates on one site are between £10k and £20k which is way above the amount Im looking to pay even though it would improve my quality of life considerably. I had to miss last night's match and prospects for future are not looking too bright from my perspective.

What I am asking from you all is there anyone (or friends / relatives) who has had the ablation procedure carried out privately and if so where / who by / what was the cost.

Sorry to ambush this forum with a non football query but Ive always found the knowledge and experiences of others on here to be invaluable when needing to make decisions in the past.

Regards


BHC

Down_Rover wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 23, 2025 11:21 am

I was diagnosed with AF in May 2023. My GP told me there would be no chance of an ablation by the NHS in the required timescales

I was referred to a Doctor Fox at Spire in Didsbury. In October 2023 he performed a Cardioversion treatment on me, similarto ablation but non invasive.

Cost me £3000. I would not recommend the hospital . Administratively there were dire. But Doctor Fox was superb and worth every penny.

I have had no adverse symptoms since but still have to consume mountains of tablets

Good lick. I will find some phone numbers for you if it helps

mdd2 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 23, 2025 11:31 am

Well you have his name now Beehole.

beeholeclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 23, 2025 11:54 am

Thanks for your reply and interesting to read about your experiences.

Yes please could you post any phone numbers that maybe useful.

beeholeclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 22, 2025 10:01 pm

After 8 episodes / hospitalisations due to suffering from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in last 16 years the latest was most serious and rendered me unconscious for nearly 5 minutes.

Whilst NHS have been brilliant I now need to make progress by treating my condition with an ablation which offers the chance of a permanent solution as opposed to a succession of tablets and extensive tests every few years. I have received a referral list of hospitals in North West none of which provide a glowing grading / recoomendation from the Care Quality Commission. What makes matters worse is the waiting lists just for a consultation (let alone treatment) amount to almost a year in some cases.

Ive made tentative enquiries regarding the cost of private treatment and the ablation estimates on one site are between £10k and £20k which is way above the amount Im looking to pay even though it would improve my quality of life considerably. I had to miss last night's match and prospects for future are not looking too bright from my perspective.

What I am asking from you all is there anyone (or friends / relatives) who has had the ablation procedure carried out privately and if so where / who by / what was the cost.

Sorry to ambush this forum with a non football query but Ive always found the knowledge and experiences of others on here to be invaluable when needing to make decisions in the past.

Regards


BHC

mdd2 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 23, 2025 12:17 pm

Yes it is Down_Rover's post.
As I said if you want to chat we can arrange it once both on line on here.
Looking at WL on NHS for this in my Trust.

jjclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:21 pm

Hi BHC,
In 2007, whilst recovered from my 3rd heart attack, it was noted that I was suffering from Tachycardia (fast heart rhythm), following further investigation I appeared to be switching between that and Bradycardia (slow heart rhythm) with pauses and stoppages, overall known as Sic Sinus Syndrome. I was fitted with a pacemaker, set at 60 Beats Per Min to prevent the Brady and prescribed Sotalol (now switched to Bisoprolol) to control the Tachy. During the following 2 years I was admitted, with very fast AF, on multiple occasions, to coronary care at RPH. During one such visit, I was sent to see Dr Waktare at Broadgreen Hospital in Liverpool and underwent a Cardiac Ablation, fully awake. All good until 2014 when during a routine pacemaker check It was noted to be in AF for 50-60% of the time. I have since, in April 2015 had a coronary artery bypass graft at Blackpool Vic. By 2019 I had worn my pacemaker out and have had a new on fitted. I am due my next pacemaker check on 11th March and I expect to see that I have been in AF 100% since my last check(12months ago).
I think I am reasonably fit, much fitter than I was at the start of this story, for 75, I watch Burnley a lot, and manage to take my 2 pooches out for 2/3 miles walk every day.

In summary I believe that the ablation worked at the time but no one knows why the AF returned. All I can say to you is that it's amazing what these guys can do and sometimes you have to trust someone and put your life in their hands.

Hope that drivel was more helpful than boring.

TonbridgeClaret wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 24, 2025 8:38 am

Hi BHC. My AF started just 4 weeks ago, and for the first few times, only when I was exercising hard. Now however, it's happening even when I'm relaxing, and the episodes are increasing. The consultant has already referred me for shocking (although I'm 68 and might be too old for the procedure), but ablation hasn't been mentioned. Has this treatment option been offered to you, or have you already had it done?

beeholeclaret wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 24, 2025 8:57 am

I had my first episode at age 49 and just thought I had tight chest with a cold and GO sent je to hospital where it rectified itself.

Subsequent episodes saw me treated in hospital with anti arrhythmia drugs on drip which brought bpm under control and I was discharged with tablets. I stated on meds until 3 years ago when my rate was deemed too low and my meds were phased out. The cardiologist said I may be better with ablation (Tony Blair once had it same with Alex Ferguson and they were back to work promptly).

I’ve pushed for a referral for ablation as I’ve now had 8 up of such episodes and the stress these cause for self and family is significant. Sadly the waiting list appear to be lengthy hence looking at options.

I think the ablation procedure has greater chance of success but reading comments from posters above there are varying success rates apparently. I think the age of patient comes into discussion but your GP should know this.

Good luck with your condition. Keep us updated as there are a good number of people affected by this issue.

beeholeclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 23, 2025 7:56 pm

Yes mdd2

A chat online would be useful possibly in a few days time?

I’m going to grill my GP if I can get an appointment in morning. There are a few unanswered questions at their end before I make any decisions.

What did you have in mind ? Simply arrange a mutually convenient time and post messages back and forth on here? Or arrange a chat in some other format away from UTC site?

Appreciate your help and to all the others who have come up with useful and thought provoking ideas. I’m in a better mood this evening having absorbed everyone’s supportive comments. Thanks to all.

mdd2 wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 25, 2025 7:00 pm

Sorry Beehole had a domestic problem and had to go to hardware store and missed the 5pm as then had a car problem which took a time to sort to get me home and online.
Free most of tomorrow if you want to try again.

TonbridgeClaret wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 24, 2025 8:38 am

Hi BHC. My AF started just 4 weeks ago, and for the first few times, only when I was exercising hard. Now however, it's happening even when I'm relaxing, and the episodes are increasing. The consultant has already referred me for shocking (although I'm 68 and might be too old for the procedure), but ablation hasn't been mentioned. Has this treatment option been offered to you, or have you already had it done?