My first share back: 5 days post Ablation.

[Jase999]

Hi guys,

I'm a 48 year old male diagnosed with Paroxysmal AF in April. Always been pretty fit and just started noticing palpitations several times a day and some dizziness when standing up.

Had a Cryoballoon Ablation in London under my company private health care. I had a general anesthetic so literally woke up and all was done. About 3.5 hours from being taken from my bed and then back in my room. About 1.5 hours for the procedure itself excluding the prep etc.

Doing fine now, I seem to be alergic to the sticky patches they use for the ecg monitoring so I look like I've been attacked by a giant octopus! Some Antihistamine cream seems to stem the itching at least.

My two puncture sites either side of the groin are healing well, changed the dressing on 2nd and third day and forth day removed dressing completely to give them some air.

I had a TOE during the procedure to aid the precision and protect the Phrenic nerve so my lower throat is a little tender but not as bad as a sore throat you get with a cold.

No extra Meds given before procedure, just kept on Bisoprolol except on morning of ablation. I have a Chad score of 0 so not taking any anticoagulants.

They couldn't do 100% of the ablation as the Phrenic nerve was in the way so told success rate is reduced down to 70 - 80 %.

Now on Edoxaban and Lansoprolol (to protect stomach lining) for next 3-4 weeks as well as the bisoprolol.

I've had some AF most days but that is to be expected until the scar tissue heals to form the isolation barrier around the veins to block the rogue signals reaching the atrium (as I understand it) which will take 3-4 months.

I feel fine in myself. I was badly constipated a few days post Ablation probably due to the Meds they use for the op so my advice is to keep this in check with lots of water, fibre, walk about a bit and use an over the counter product such as ducloease etc.

Just been pottering around the house not doing much and might try a gentle walk in the next day but not too much.

I've not had any aura migraine, just mild head ache on occasions. No problem eating or any reflux etc.

So all in all, pretty straight forward and nothing to be scared about.

Just wanted to share my experiences as I have found this site very useful and the friendly people on here.

Cheers.

[doodle68]

Hi Jase sounds good, not having to wait for months for the procedure worrying about things is a bonus.

Hope you continue to improve...

[checkmypulse]

Hello Jase, good to hear your experiences, a lot happened in a short time! I'm confused re the anti coag which you don't need as Edoxaban is one of the New Oral Anti Coag's, is that just for a few weeks also?

[Jase999 in reply to checkmypulse]

Hi, yes that's right the Edoxaban is just for the post op recovery to reduce the risk of clots. My EP said should only be on it for 3-4 weeks max.

Best regards

[Hidden]

All sounds good, and you sound particularly positive.....

[Finvola]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. It all sounds very positive and it helps to be as well-informed as you are.

Best wishes with your recovery.

[Vony]

Very thorough and encouraging post. I also had my PVI 2 days ago. Am still in disbelief I have had it to be honest! Hope we both do great I am 38 and want to be able to plan normal activities and a foreign holiday next year with my kids so that is my goal!!! Best wishes

[Maggimunro in reply to Vony]

Hi Vony, about your hopes for foreign travel, I went to Australia 5 weeks after my first ablation for A Fiib and to France with my grandkids 5 weeks after my second ablation for A fib, so I am pretty sure your foreign travel is a distinct possibility!!

Onwards and upwards!!

[Vony in reply to Maggimunro]

Yayyyyyyyy. Great to hear. Thanks for sharing

[Jase999 in reply to Vony]

Best of luck to you too. When I was was first diagnosed I was in bits as I thought it was a serious issue and kept on thinking about my 4 yr old and family. Thank God for this forum which gave me the information I needed and put things into perspective.

My family have been great post op and hard not to feel guilty being waited on but really trying to take it easy. The biggest challenge seems to be finding some decent films to watch while lying on the sofa!

[Vony in reply to Jase999]

Ooh.. Any film recommendations???? For good series I am watching Broken (Sean Bean) and The Street. I am a huge Jimmy McGovern fan!! Looking for good movies too. My son put on Harry Potter last night bless him. But it gives me the creeps to be honest lol

[12cupcakes]

Thanks Jase. Your experience makes me less anxious about my ablation this Friday