Alcohol Ablation

[Kay Julius]

My doctor has been discussing with me the possibility of Alcohol Ablation. My gradient is not very high. It's at the lower end of candidates at a 56. She is thinking about doing it because I have been having a pain down my left arm during carrying laundry up and downstairs or just long walks. This occurs at least once or twice a week. Has anybody else been having this type of symptoms? I am currently taking 75mg of Toprol XL. My blood pressure is low 94/64 so she's don't want to up my meds. I am going in for a cardiac cath next week to make sure there is no blockage. If there is no blockage and the cardiac cath shows a higher gradient than a 56, she may do the alcohol ablation while I'm there. I guess my question is, is there anybody else out there who has had this procedure with the lower gradient? I'm just wondering how necessary all this is and a little scared. Does anyone have any thoughts?

[Lisa Salberg]

Again specialist ... thats my thought... look at the WHOLE picture before you move forward.
Lisa

[connie]

:D Hi Kay......I have just had a SEPTAL ALCOHOL ABLATION Jan 21, 2003. I did not have a very "HIGH" gradient as the scale goes....but I was on a lot of meds and I was very symptomatic, chest pain, left arm pain, swelling hands and ankles, asthma type breathing spells, feeling of a thick full chest ect......my quality of life was slowly slipping away, I did not make this choice of the ABLATION lightly or quickly...I did a lot of research and checking and just plain talking to people. For me so far it is wonderful....but it is still early yet. Like Lisa said....look at the big picture and check out "ALL" your options and make sure you see a HCM SPECIALIST.....this is very important!! And good luck to you....please feel free to contact me if you like.......Connie
CCaldw4107@aol.com

[Kay Julius]

Thanks Connie for the info. I talked to my doctor this morning and told her I was uncomfortable with the idea of alcohol ablation and that I wanted to wait. She is going to do the cardiac cath next friday the 7th but will wait until after those results. I will get a second opinion from a specialist before I go through with the alcohol ablation. The quality of my life is ok for now and I don't want to mess with a good thing. I have the left arm pain and swelling hands but so far can do most of my everyday activities without problems. Thanks again for the information and I will update you on the results of my cardiac cath.

[Sarah]

Dear Kay,

Ablations have become "popular" and you should evaluate this very carefully. If you are a candidate for a myectomy, then you would also (barring complications) be an ablation candidate. However, many doctors are performing ablations for people they would not say needed surgery.

While your bp is an issue, there are other meds and a specialist consult is definitely in order.

I'm not saying that ablations are bad, good, ineffective or anything. I'm just saying that they have become trendy and --just like any major procedure-- should be considered very carefully.

keep us posted,

S

[Kay Julius]

Thanks Sarah for the information. I am going to get a second opinion from a doctor that Lisa recommended here in St. Louis. I am going through with the cardiac cath next Friday, but am waiting to do the alcohol ablation. You guys are all so helpful. I feel so blessed to have found this website. Thanks again for everything.

[Kay Julius]

My cardiac cath went well on Friday. No blockage of the arteries. However, they did find out that my gradient goes from 50 to 130 on exertion. They again talked to me about alcohol ablation, but I told them I wanted a second opion. I haven't talked to my doctor about the outcomes of the test. I have an appointment with her next Monday. I should know more then.

[Sarah]

Dear Kay,

Um, I would talk to Lisa about the gradient on exertion thing. I seem to remember hearing something about this, but can't remember what.

Keep us posted on your status. Nice you know the pipes are clean, though!!!

S