Post ablation afib blues

[spunky142]

My husband (age 50, diagnosed with afib in 2016) has gone into afib 3 times since ablation 3 weeks ago, each episode lasting days. He's pretty much been in afib on and off for 14 days out of 21. Did anyone else have this experience? He is very depressed because he is very fit and feels betrayed by his body. He also has mild hyper-trophic cardiomyopathy and Juvenile Diabetes. Poor guy is getting it from all sides. If you were to look at him, you'd have no idea he was unwell. He is thin, fit, eats well, exercises, meditates...but he is now physically exhausted and emotionally despondent . Amniodarone "killed" his thyroid so he can't go back on that. They just tried the drug where you have to be hospitalized for 3 days so they can monitor you but that didn't work. He's been in the hospital for 5 days. Now they want to send him home (he went back into afib today after being out of it since Saturday) and have him try something else (like Amiodarone but without the iron??). I am starting to worry about all the drugs/ chemicals in his system. Has anyone tried a combination of western medicine and holistic? I hear that vitamin B1 and magnesium deficiencies can really affect the heart. Did anyone take anything to help the inflammation caused by the ablation? I know I am asking many questions but we are at our wits end. And we are supposed to go on a cruise on June 11with our sons...will he be able to go? Any help would be much appreciated.

[SRMGrandma Volunteer]

Take a deep breath, spunky 142. I can feel your stress coming through your post. It is VERY common to have a little or a lot of AFib in the first 3-6 months (blanking) healing period post ablation. I had one day AFib free after my ablation and then was back in AFib for the better part of 2 weeks. PLEASE tell your husband not to be despondent as your heart does best post ablation with rest and positivity! The Amiodorone without the iodine is Multaq btw. I went home on Propafenone, and then after a couple weeks got cardioverted and that is what put me back into NSR, and I've been there for the 3 years since. I think that a combination of western medicine and holistic strategies is a great plan. Many of us benefit from yoga, acupuncture, and supplements such as magnesium taurate and ubiquional for our hearts. As for the cruise on June 11, you need to speak with your EP but I suspect he will be just fine. For now, make sure he rests to optimize healing, and continue all those healthy habits. Remember, if he had had a knee replacement he certainly wouldn't expect it to be perfect just 3 weeks out, so why would you expect a hurt that has been so traumatized with either burning or freezing to be perfectly healed. Keep your EP aware of what is going on, and have him just rest gently to protect his heart. You, maybe could enjoy a glass of wine about now.....better days ahead. Stay positive!

[spunky142 in reply to SRMGrandma]

Thank you so much for your supportive response SRMGrandma. It made me cry. I don't know if it was out of relief, exhaustion, or just knowing there is someone out there who has experienced this (probably all 3!). It has been an exhausting year and a half for our whole family, especially my husband but also for me and our wonderful teenage boys. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your kind and calm words. Thank you. Thank you.

[SRMGrandma Volunteer in reply to spunky142]

Sometimes we are just in the right place at the right time to be of help. I know how much emotion there is in this whole situation. Tears are cleansing. Sounds like you have a wonderful family. You've been through a lot. Keep reminding yourself that people with well managed AFib have a normal life expectancy. This is just a bump in the road. Sending you hugs.

[Hidden in reply to spunky142]

Well you couldn't have received a more helpful reply than that from SRMGrandma!

The drug you mention..Amiodarone without the Iodine atoms is known as Dronedarone in the UK. I took this for several months prior to my 3rd ablation. I also find that Magnesium taurate helps greatly in reducing palpitations.

Do check with your insurance co as well as EP regarding your forthcoming cruise. It should do you all a world of good if you are given the OK. I am off on mine this weekend...hopefully !

Best wishes

Sandra

[Hidden]

Just to add to SRM’s great reply, it’s the scarring of the tissue which prevents the rogue connections and these take time to heal as SRM says.....if you check back on my posts there is a reference to two fact sheets. One is Recoverying from an Ablation and it tells you how to find it on the AF Assoc webpage.....best wishes.......

[spunky142 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply Flapjack. I will read the 2 fact sheets. I think one of the things that has been so difficult is that his doctors never gave us any information about what might or might not happen after the ablation so when he went into afib a day later, we were taken by surprise. They have also not given him any information about what to do or not do as far as healing goes. Thank goodness for forums like this! I think that sometimes the doctors (even the best ones) get so wrapped up in the science of all of it that they forget about the things that the patients want and need to know in order to ease anxieties. Thanks again. I am breathing more easily already.

[lovetogarden in reply to spunky142]

My EP is just the same, he likes to put all the puzzle pieces together and come to a conclusion, but doesn't like to share the process or all the details with me! Like you, I just want to know what's going on and that would alleviate so much stress. Glad you've found some great advice here. And a cruise sounds like a great way to relax! That goes for both you and your husband.

[spunky142 in reply to Hidden]

I just read the Recovering from Ablation fact sheet. Oh my gosh that was helpful. Thank you so much. I am going to share it with my husband. Such important information. Thank you!

[Bob56]

I had a holiday booked 1 month after my ablation, and after the first couple of weeks, I was convinced I wouldn't make it. I couldn't understand why the AF "attacks" were more frequent then before I had the procedure. Yes, I had been told it can take 3 to 6 months to recover, but my EP seemed surprised when I had my first 24 hr AF episode only 2 days after my ablation. I think the increased frequency immediately post ablation is the norm rather than the exception. If you think that way then its a whole lot easier to cope and live through it. Lo and behold after about 3 weeks the episodes reduced dramatically, and by the first day of holiday I felt well enough to travel. I was nervous whilst away and not particularly strong, but felt fine other wise and really enjoyed the break after being confined to my armchair for the previous few weeks. I can't add anything to the drugs debate, but even now some 3 years after the ablation, I am still on low doses of rhythm and rate control drugs as a defensive measure. I too had a goal of being drug free after ablation, but I am settling for a more or less stable heart, and staying positive as my quality of life overall is much improved post ablation. The medical fraternity seem divided on the value of supplements ( their usual retort is that a balanced diet should be all you need!) but one or two, like magnesium, are endorsed by some doctors, so definitely worth a try. Other lifestyle improvements such as avoiding too much processed food, cutting down your alcohol consumption , avoiding caffeine of course and watching your weight can all be helpful. To summarise, those early days after ablation can feel very dark, but I am sure things will get better quite quickly for your husband, and he is lucky to have loved ones like you there to support him. Good luck, and I hope you make the cruise!

[GordonS]

After my ablation I had telephone access to a specialist AF nurse. Very reassuring to speak to someone when you are feeling at your worst.

[Dodie117]

I had ablation in 2013 and had lots of irregular beats after - although not as severe as your husband’s they were debilitating. It took 5 months for those to settle down and a further 6 months before my resting heart beat went back to normal. That was more than 4 years ago and I am still in NSR. So tell him to try to stay optimistic and take life easy for a good long while.

Good luck 🍀

[spunky142]

Thank you everyone for all your support. Afib after ablation certainly does seem to be the norm and hearing about all of your experiences has been very, very helpful. What a wonderful community of people.

[AIW58]

Lots of useful info already. Just to add In terms of relaxing and resting during an episode I listen to a heartbeat and do breathing exercises. I find it comforting (like womb sounds I guess). It was something I read on the ‘livingwithatrialfibrillation’ site with posts by Travis Van Slooten. I hope cruise goes well, as someone else said good idea to check insurance. Companies try and find reasons not to cover you. He could twist an ankle and they’d blame the afib if you didn’t tell them. I’m going to Oz for a holiday and am going to tell my ins co (again) I get AF.

Good luck

[spunky142]

Thanks for the advice about insurance. I have called them and let them know about the afib. We also took out travel insurance when we bought the cruise, so I called that company as well and they say they cover preexisting conditions. Fingers crossed that we won't have to find out!

[exbcmc]

I am so sorry.... you are in my prayers.