Advice.2nd Af episode in week since ablation.

[blackcat123]

Feeling down in the dumps. I woke at 5 with heart racing and then into AF. I know it's supposed to be normal for this to happen but most people on here complain of some ectopics or a few palpitations after ablation, don't hear much about actual AF episodes. Can't stop my mind telling me it's a bad sign that it isn't going to work. Still on meds and they're obviously not even keeping it away. Has anyone had AF episodes soon after ablation but gone on to be AF free?

[Rellim296]

Exactly the same as you, just two weeks after ablation. Very disappointing. I have to say that the AF I've been having has been different and nothing like as fast nor as long lasting as before. I'm seriously happy about the way I am currently. The ablation moved me a long way forward, so although disappointment is inevitable, don't see it as too downward a step. It's not necessarily going to continue either as it takes time for the ablation's full effect.

[PeterWh]

Sorry to hear that and i know that it will be a big disappointment to be in AF even if it is temporary. I know it will be difficult but try and relax as much as possible because that may help. I seem to recall that some people hold their breath for as long as they can and also take long (slow) breaths. I am in persistent so didn't take too much notice. If it is over 150 then certainly call 999 or 111. Hard I know

[PeterWh in reply to PeterWh]

But try thinking what will be will be so as to try and reduce stress as that may help in the long run

[PeterWh in reply to PeterWh]

Look at it as another step on your journey. When I had my ablation I went back into AF less than 72 hours later. However some aspects of my symptoms have improved from before ablation. I know that this is your second one.

[SRMGrandma Volunteer]

I completely understand how discouraged you feel. I went back into raging , full blown AF 48 hours after my ablation because of a potassium depletion. Two days later a cardioversion failed to keep me in NSR for more than 2 hours. It took another full week and another cardioversion to achieve lasting NSR (on meds). It's been 4 months now, and I have an ectopic beat here and there, but thankfully, NSR continues. Try to remember that your heart has been burned (or frozen) in a multitude of areas and it has to heal. It's not like you can put a soothing cream or bandage on it. It's angry right now, and over the next weeks and months as all those ablated pathways heal, you can expect improvement.

One thing that helped me to visualize how much healing had to happen is that I had to have parathyroid surgery a month after my ablation. Seeing that scar heal on my neck reminded me of the healing that had to be going on in my heart that I could not see and it made me much more patient with how I felt.

Do your healthiest lifestyle to help your heart along in the meantime. Be gentle with yourself as you recover during the blanking period. Be well!

[blackcat123]

Thanks Rellim and PeterWh and SRMGrandma. It does help hearing from people that know how you feel and understand your disappointment. I'm glad your ablation has at least moved you forward Rellim. Grandma your visualising technique is a good idea. I had cryoablation by the way. I'm also trying to be healthier. Peter it is my first ablation but 2nd bout of AF since ablation last week. My fear is the ablation will make things worse as I had a lovely 3 months without AF before ablation. Now 2 in a week.

[Rellim296 in reply to blackcat123]

Three lovely months you might have had but perhaps you were building up for a big one. AF tends not to improve on its own - quite the reverse. You've grasped the ablation nettle, now it's time to let it take effect and see how you go. As Peter says, you are on a journey. Try not to be discouraged. We know that's not as easy as it might sound.

[PeterWh in reply to blackcat123]

I confused you with someone else!!! Sorry. It is even better then as it's your first. Better still you have gone back into sinus, especially on its own. It takes 3 to 6 months to heal and stabilise so you will have flurries.

It is even more important that you do very little. When I had my ablation the hospital told me first week only remote controls and iPad and second week not very much more!! You need to speak to consultant or arrhythmic nurse but I suspect a third week of doing almost nothing will be the best for the love never term. I was told not to do anything that cause the heartbeat to incr ass to much. However in the event as I lasted less than 72 hours in sinus that was less of an issue although when I spoke to them they said to maintain the two weeks nothing in any event even though they thought it was very unlikely that I would go back into sinus.

Keep your chin up.

[PeterWh in reply to PeterWh]

It should read "heartbeat to increase too much". Predictive text and phone's small keypad the culprits (including taking 3 parts for original reply.

[blackcat123]

Thank you very much Rellim. After a run of massive palpitations just now my heart has gone back into NSR. I guess the palpitations were my heart trying to get back into rhythm. 5 hours is good for me as normal episodes were anthing from 12 to 20 hrs!

[blackcat123]

Thank you too PeterWh. Sorry to hear that you didn't last long in sinus. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply. I think I have maybe tried to do a little more than I should. I will definitely try to take it easier and get hubbie to help out even more. He will be pleased!

[Devine75]

I'm day six post second ablation and am having symptoms but not as strong or as often. I was told symptoms can be same or worse than before for up to six weeks. I'm hopeful it will settle I have also been told to come off my beta blockers day five cold turkey so am slightly terrified but after everyone including you sharing your experience and concerns I am comforted knowing I'm not alone in my worries and fears! I hope you improve as days and weeks go by try and take it easy I think sometimes we forget what a major procedure this is because we have only a small puncture wound to see if only we could see inside I can only imagine!! Think how long standing time is after we microwave a meal for it to cook properly that's how I think if it... This is our standing time before healing. x

[Dodie117]

I had lots of episodes after my ablation. They were pretty severe and lasted a number of hours. It took 5 months before they stopped and now 2 years later I am still AF free. So give it time as it is very early days.

Stay positive and good luck

Marie

[blackcat123]

Thank you Devine75. Very intrrested to hear what you were told about about being the same or worse for six weeks. Quite reassuring. I liked your microwave analogy! I have been told to stay on all my meds for 3 months. I take flecainide, bisoprolol and Apixaban. I hope your recovery goes well.

Thank you Marie for your reply too. I'm greatly encouraged by your story. How wonderful that you have been AF free for 2 years! It looks like I just need to have more patience!

[mumknowsbest Volunteer]

It's very early days yet, your heart will take time to settle down.

[paul29]

Hi I am in my 5th week post 1st ablation for the first 3 weeks post ablation I had several episodes of Af ranging from 45minutes to 8 hours. Things now seem to have settled down. I know it is very difficult to relax when you have AF but it does help if you can. things will get better.

[blackcat123]

Thank you mumknowsbest and Paul29. Yes I'm hoping things will settle down in a few weeks. Just had another episode for less than an hour of all sorts of funny rhythms, ectopics and bit of AF! Never had anything like it before. Hoping it was my heart trying to go into full blown AF episode but not managing.

[Rellim296 in reply to blackcat123]

Do hope you will have a bit of peace and quiet for a while now and gradually your heart will sort itself into stability.

[blackcat123]

Thanks Rellim. Unfortunately I spoke too soon....in Af again!

[Rellim296 in reply to blackcat123]

Oh, tedious! How well it knows just how to annoy us. Hope it's short lived.

[Steve2810]

I ended up being cardioverted two weeks after my ablation as i was in af even worse when i was ablated. Im on my seventh week post ablation now and heart has settled for now it takes ages for it to settle trust me, but if it gets unbareable tell the doc. They might cardiovert u now your heart has swollen up, it helped for me. Ive been in nsr for a couple of weeks now but still weak and breathless all the time, i keep telling docs but they said its not my heart but i know it is, i just give up now