Heart of the matter

[Clarajoan]

I am so grateful for all of your kind responses to my questions. I have another- it might sound strange, but I can only ask people who have been through our experience. Has anyone who has had an ablation found themselves very emotional- such as crying at the drop of a hat? I feel like a big crybaby!!!!

[Hidden]

Hello Clarajoan, although it's not something I experienced, I can understand why folk can find the whole ablation experience a bit emotional. Apart from the physical "assault" on your heart, there are all the issues rolling around in your head, will it work, what happens if it doesn't etc. etc. I see you have also experienced migraines too, which can be very unpleasant, but hopefully, they are starting to subside. It's still early days, and let's face it, it is a bit of a whirlwind of different emotions, but I'm sure you will soon start to relax and reap the benefits of your recent ordeal. It is very likely that you will experience some strange sensations as your heart begins the healing process, such as ectopics, rapid heart beats and even runs of AF, but give it 3 to 6 months and you will be wondering what all the fuss was about........best wishes, John

[LorelB]

Yes! I had a cryoablation on May 16. I started crying in the hospital but I thought it was from the GA. I cried on and off for 3 days. My husband didn't know how to deal with me😩 He thought I was being negative but I just couldn't help it. Very out of character for me. Even now, when I have an episode of afib, I want to cry. When I am in NSR, which is most of the time, I am fine now. So I totally get what you are asking.

[BobD Volunteer]

Many cultures and religions feel that the soul resides in the heart, People are said to die from a broken heart. They are described as down hearted.

Your heart has had a serious kicking even if you don't have a giant zip up your chest.

I would say this is a reasonable reaction so don't worry about it.

[GrannySmithgs5 in reply to BobD]

A lovely reply Bob .

[doodle68]

Hi Clara did you have a general anaesthetic by any chance. GA.s can have the effect of removing inhibitions so some people become tearful or angry. The effect can last for days.

[Clarajoan in reply to doodle68]

I did have GA.... I also think the gravity of the procedure has begun to sink in. 4 hours inside your heart is overwhelming- and then you begin to process it...

[Mazza23]

I have had the exact opposite I have gone from a very emotional person to showing hardly any emotion I have put it down to all the medication but who knows

[pottypete1]

I think Bob has summed it up well. There is no doubt that what we AF sufferers endure can be very emotional.

As an interesting comparison my late brother in law had a heart transplant many years ago.

He believed that the success rate at the particular hospital where he had the operation was 5 extra years.

He spent 10 unhappy years believing this and often said that he had lost all his emotions and what we might describe as feelings of the heart.

It was very sad.

Pete

[jennydog]

Great answers above but no mention of RELIEF. You had the anxious build-up to the ablation and now the relief that it's all over. There is still anxiety about how successful the ablation has been so your future health status is uncertain. Hopefully all will be well and a second ablation will be unnecessary.

I had a cervical discectomy 6 months ago and am still tearful. It's because I'm angry that my condition went undiagnosed for so long and the resultant deterioration has left me with dreadful mobility problems.

Give yourself time and be kind to yourself.

[Buffafly]

I was ok after my ablation but when I had an angiogram for a suspected heart attack I had an outburst of crying a couple of days later - delayed shock, relief, physical weakness - I'm only surprised more people don't feel the same as you!

[nymima01]

My dad had by-pass surgery over 25 yrs ago and my mother said he was very emotional after that for about 6 months. She said the doctor explained that it was because they had to handle his heart during the procedure and "internally" it was a very invasive thing to do to the body and soul! How do you like that for a doctor to be in touch with things like that!? It made sense to us at the time and still makes sense to this day. Eventually he returned to his old self and wouldn't get so emotional over things. I sense this could be the explaination sometimes.

[Clarajoan in reply to nymima01]

It makes complete sense!! I am going to start my yoga classes next week- coupled with meditation. I think all of the emotions are rumbling around in my heart, head, and soul. Maybe the meditation will help me sort these feelings out! Thanks for sharing.