I had my pacemaker fit 5 months ago and my ablation 3 months ago .I still don.t feel 100% am i just impatiant how long before feeling normal

[BobD Volunteer]

I think we all rather hope that things will be the same as before we were diagnosed but that seldom happens I'm afraid. Sure we can do things to lessen the symptoms and control our hearts to some extent but there is little LONG term data to see how well or "normal" we become or stay. My view is to accept the way we are and strive for better but never to give up. Things do take a long time to stabilise.

From your comments I am presuming that you had an AV node ablation post your pacemaker. The PM controls your ventricle to maintain a regular heart beat but will not control the atria which may continue to fibrillate at will giving you the sensation of AF without hopefully the symptoms of weakness and such. I know several people who have had pace and ablate and still feel the small furry animals rushing around in there. There doesn't as yet seem to be a solution.

BobD

[Offcut]

I am in the decision stage at the moment to go for a pace and ablate. My cardiologist has said that with the scarring and my other problems anything else could make it worse. He did say that it will mean I will be off my tablets which are not making me feel great (I think?) However it was the flutter that caused a vortex that led to a heart attack. So do I stay on Warfarin?

You do not say how long you have had your problems but I would think the longer you have them the longer it takes to settle and get used to?

Be well

Phill

[MissL]

I was offered this, had my pacemaker in a year ago, and then and was put on bisporolol and in all honesty didn't find much relief, and I was in a bad state (how I carried on so long I have no idea ) so was told the next step would have to be ablation, but I don't know why but the thought of having this done terrifies me, and knowing that it would need doing several times as I've been in permanent af for over six years, so was given digoxin well the combination of the two drugs nearly had me on my knees but have persevered and at this time things have calmed down nicely, but it took a while to settle, so if it's only five months I really think your body will find its own time to heal just accept that and you will see that slowly you'll gain a little more strength.

[Hidden]

Thanks Phil i started with symptoms aug 2012 but while having tests was also found to have a heiatus hernia and a duerdenal ulcer which hasn,t helped .I kept myself quite fit cycling and mountain climbing done the 3 peaks 4 times so it isnt down to lazyness but must admit i do feel better now and as you get older things do take longer to get better

[Hidden]

Thanks MissL I think your right it takes time especialy as you get older.Iv,e been advised to take long walks every day to get my heart working properly again so iv,e been doing this and do feel better for it

[Hidden]

Hi BOB my ablation was for AF its just maddening that you do the right things keep yourself fit and things like this happen but i,ll plod on things can only get better

[Hidden]

It is still quite soon after your ablation. I have had three pace and ablate procedures, and only after the last one have I felt anything approaching 'normal'. Bob is right, it's probably too much to expect that you will return to being as fit as you were before. Making the best of the current situation is the best option. After all, if you had broken your leg and after some months it had healed, it would probably not be quite as good as the other leg. Personally I'm just thrilled to be so much better, never mind the rest. Good luck.

Carrie

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Carrie you,r right i,m just not used to being unable to do things as before im to impatiant i,ll just have to give it time argzxoni61

[Cupani]

Hello. I had a pacemaker in February followed by an AV Node ablation in May. It is only now that I am starting to feel better 5.5 months later. So, with the benefit of hindsight Be Patient, Take it Gently and Be Kind to Yourself. I still get tired and have some funny pains but they are less than they were (fingers crossed). However, the whole experience was more traumatic than I'd expected and shouldn't be underestimated.

I developed thyrotoxicosis from Amiodarome and also Diverticular Disease neither of which helped. My GPis v good and I also see an excellent homeopathist for the Diverticular probs.

Good luck with your recovery but it does take time. Cupani.

[mumknowsbest Volunteer]

Hi Carrie

I am curious as to how you have had 3 pace and ablates. Surely they can only put the pacemaker in once and when they ablate the av node there is only a small piece left to conduct beats to the ventricles which is why one becomes pacemaker dependant.

Pacemakers alone only stop the heart from beating too slowly and do not do anythng when it is beating fast. I had my pacemaker in 2008 and my av node ablation in 2009. I am still aware of the palpitations but if I take my pulse it is between 75 and 80 which is what the pacemaker beats at. The thing is I am asymptomatic from the af, which is worth its weight in gold.

Eileen