Aching chest

[Lindabob]

Should I be doing gardening at 5 weeks after ablation. Chest has been aching after doing a little in the garden. Also should I be ringing church bells at this stage. I feel great otherwise, but just a bit of general ache after a little exertion??? Thank you oh wise ones😊

[jennydog]

Just be very careful. You need to avoid exertion for 3 months. A good deal of gardening is quite gentle but double digging is out! Bell ringing looks to be hard work, but I suppose it depends on the weight of the bell and its balance.

[Lindabob in reply to jennydog]

I think you are spot on... It's a shame I feel so well and fit to do anything. I will have to slow down a bit I think 😊 Thanks

[seasider18 in reply to Lindabob]

Be careful or the bell may toll for you

[PeterWh]

I think you are pushing your luck if you are getting pain because its trying to do something and that something could be breaking into AF. With all things a bit of little and often is prudent.

If it's gentle things like cutting back with secateurs then should be ok. Mowing the grass with electric or petrol should be ok for a period but even that shouldn't be done for too long. I have a hover mower and I must admit that I am surprised as to how much effort is actually used because I start breaking out into a sweat. Pre-AF days I would have said so easy you could do it with a couple of fingers.

Digging and heavy lifting I would avoid completely.

Having only done bell ringing once in my life 40 years ago when I was shown it and I was only 20 so my comments may not be fully reflective. It may seem not to be a lot of effort when you are healthy but the continual pulling does add up to quite a bit. Certainly I would say at this stage you don't want to get to the point of starting to sweat or feeling clammy. That was the advice I was given but I actually didn't make it past the 72 hour marker!!!

I am in persistent AF but the AF is significantly exacurbated off I do too much.

[Lindabob in reply to PeterWh]

Thanks Peter, my gardening was only a little trimming and sweeping, but a fair amount of bending. Anyway, i have had my warning from my body, so it's the quiet life for a while, thanks for your reply😊

[teach2learn in reply to Lindabob]

I noticed a breathlessness and cough when bending over for a few months following ablations, which has gradually disappeared, so pretty sure related. I'm sure both the bending over and exertion of gardening would be something to avoid for awhile if it's causing symptoms. Just a few more weeks, Green Thumb!

[Lindabob in reply to teach2learn]

I think you are right... My garden is going to turn into a jungle I think😂😂🌿🍃🌾🍁🍂🍂

[jeanjeannie50]

I wouldn't personally do anything in the garden that involves effort or straining. I decided I'd pull up some montbretia the other day and it started my heart off and that was twelve weeks post my ablation. Yet I've been out cutting hedges and mowing lawns with no problems.

I don't know anything about bell ringing, but if it involves a lot of effort I'd say not just yet.

The trouble with us post ablatees (is there such a word, PeterWh will be down on me like a ton of bricks), we just can't wait to be normal and get things done.

Jean

[Lindabob in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Yep... Time to get back to the embroidery 😊 Thanks

[PeterWh in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I won't be down on you like a ton of bricks. I don't get too hung up or excited about language and expressions of others even though I am careful about language and meaning but that's down to the work I used to do pre this dreaded AF!!!! There are times that I have used words that are of my making that an English purist would be very unhappy about!!!

Since you ask personally I would just have used "Ablatees".

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to PeterWh]

Bless you. I was teasing you and was quite disappointed when you didn't respond immediately. Big hug.

Jean

[PeterWh in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I know you were and that's what I like and appeals to my sense of humour!!!

Sorry that I didn't respond sooner but the last few days were busy with appointments etc and I played catch-up last night from newer to older.

[Lindabob in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Ha ha😂😂. Trouble with embroidery is that I keep sticking the needle in my finger... Anticoagulants mean that i now have random red dots all over the thing🙄😊

[BobD Volunteer]

I think you already know the answer. Listen to your body It knows better than you do.

[Lindabob in reply to BobD]

You are soooo right 😊 Thank you

[Hidden]

I was told I could be back in work after 10 days of having ablation, didn't realise the pain lasted so long

[Lindabob in reply to Hidden]

It's not so much a pain juggsy75. I have been totally pain free and felt very well, but I obviously cannot do anything strenuous for a while. I'd do it all again without hesitation😊

[Hidden in reply to Lindabob]

I'm just thinking of work, don't want to take too much time off

[PeterWh in reply to Hidden]

Your long term health is so important!!!