First ablation outcome.

[adx46]

Had my first ablation six weeks ago and outcome so far is not good. Only had very occasion AF before the ablation with very clear triggers (vigorous exercise followed by alcohol), but have been getting progressively more and increasingly worse AF since the op, triggered by almost anything. Its really getting me down and I'm still feeling completely worn out and tired, with big impact on my work. Talked to my EP who thinks that the ablation hasn't worked and that it needs redoing. Any advice on whether this is normal and if things will improve (when?)? Thanks.

[MickN]

Depends if you are getting AF or lots of ectopics and what meds you are on post ablation.

My first ablation was FEb 17th and after six weeks my heart was good, had a couple of iffy days with runs of ectopics, but not AF and I was and have been much better the pre ablation, still get odd iffy days but not sure if AF or not, by all accounts have to wait for a 7 day monitor to be fitted 31st July, only then will I know if another ablation is required

If EP thinks it has not worked then you probs need another, good luck anyway oing forward.

[adx46 in reply to MickN]

Thanks Mick. Its definitely AF as I had a 48 hr monitor last week and it picked up two runs of AF of about 3 hours each. I'm on Bisoprolol 5mg and Dabigatran (and Ramipril for blood pressure). Hope your first one works out OK for you.

[mrsg46]

Sorry to hear about your experience, adx46, it's very disappointing for you to feel worse now than before your ablation when you must have hoped for an end to the AF by having it done.

However, as has often been said on this site, it can take from 3 to 6 months for things to settle and to be sure whether the procedure has worked or not. Sometimes although it does feel as if things have gone haywire it can just be the heart reacting to all that's been done in/to it.

I'm waiting for my third ablation just now, but there was at least a year inbetween my first two so there was plenty of time to assess whether or not the previous ones had worked or not.

I hope you have an understanding employer since you say this has impacted on your work, which I'm sure it has. It doesn't help to have the stress of feeling you must carry on working no matter what. However, resting as much as possible after your ablation is very important, and if you need to take time off I think it's important make your employer aware of why. As others have posted you do have employment rights as AF is, I think I'm right (others will confirm or deny) a 'disability' and as such you shouldn't feel pressured into carrying on working when you don't feel well.

I sincerely hope things get better for you, adx46, and eventually you will be AF-free for many years to come.

[BobD Volunteer]

This is often the case. My first did the same and made me worse but the second improved things no end and the third got rid of it 7 years ago. AF is a long journey with few short cuts so hang in there it will be worth it all in the end.

Bob

[Jason1971]

My symptoms were very similar to yours prior to my ablation. At my 6 week period I had runs of AF, as I did at 10 weeks. I'm now 14 weeks post procedure and things have been pretty steady. I'm still on meds, so when / if I come off them that may change. As people have stated 6 weeks is still early and the heart is still healing. Hang in there, as things may improve. I kind of expect further procedures, as part as the ongoing treatment of AF, but hopefully one day we'll have a cure.

[adx46 in reply to Jason1971]

Jason, Thanks for you helpful words and those of others - its good to hear that 6 weeks is early days and other people had worsened symptoms for a while. I saw my EP yesterday and he thinks it needs redoing, but wants to wait until August before deciding, which is good. I'm OK with having another procedure if required - I just want some relief from the AF. Felt a bit more positive last night so we went out for a meal and I had one pint and, 4 hours later, pow, I was in AF for 3 hours. I've come to accept that I won't have the freedom to drink whenever I want any more, but I would hope that one pint would be OK.... Nigel

[Bob56]

Hi. I can't give you any advice but only sympathise. I had my first ablation only 3 days ago and have already had my first AF experience ( still in it!). I hadn't had a bad one for weeks so thoughts of an instant positive effect need to be forgotten. Judging from my own experience and reading this forum, I'm not sure quite enough time is spent exploring what can and may happen in the first few weeks after the ablation. We are all told it will take time to settle down but clearly many of us are not reassured and inevitably the first thought is that's it has failed. I might be worse than before etc etc. Trying to stay positive is the most difficult task and obviously giving the healing process time to work, but not sure my EP was all that engaged post op to take me through this. I dare say I will be revisiting this forum a few times over the coming weeks. All best wishes with your recovery

[Hidden]

Dont despair I too had an ablation last October and became worse directly after. I was told I healed too well in one place and it requires a 2nd go. I started back onto my Verapamil which has kept my 2 weekly A&E trips at bay and my 2nd blast is in August. I do know how frustrating it is but feel harkened by your fellow AF sufferers, you are not alone in this trip

[jeffer]

Hopefully, you will have similar results to me. After about 6 weeks post ablation, my AFs were more frequent than prior to the ablation. I will say that in my case, the duration of each AF was less (1 or 2 hours rather than 8 to 10 hours), but I was definitely experiencing more of them. My EP talked about the possibility of a 2nd ablation but he said we needed to wait at least 6 months before anything like that. He also said that people's recovery from the ablation procedure were quite variable and not to get discouraged after just 6 weeks. I can say he was right. Now that I am 11 weeks post ablation, I have not had an AF for the past 4 weeks (at least none that I can detect). The EP took me off flecainide at the time of the ablation. Good luck and hope you have similar results.

[bayfield]

I was a mess for the first 10 weeks - many more episodes that prior to ablation. I too considered mine a failure. After 10 weeks everything seemed to improve. I had mine on January 6th and I now take no meds and have had only 2 episodes within the last 55 days.

That said, I fully expect that sometime in the future - weeks? Months? Years? I will have to have another ablation to touch up. Something I am more than willing too do.

Hang in there - you may still have a shot at NSR!