1 week report..

[Styggy]

Good Evening..

Thanks for all the comments on my first post. I thought I'd do a quick update..

Had my RF ablation at St Thomas' last Wednesday, and according to all the staff I spoke to all went very well. It was done under GA and from leaving the ward to getting back was just over 5 hours.

They isolated the veins and also 'boxed' the posterior wall (called PWI I beleive). However they do say the PWI wasn't entirely successful. I was kept in over night and discharged on Thursday.

I'm surprised how little pain or discomfort there has been. My throat/esophagus was the worst part, but only for a couple of days.

Yesterday and today my groin entry wound has been slightly uncomfortable but I guess that's because it's all knitting together. No pain, just 'noticeable'..

I am, however, very tired and lacking energy... I took a short, slow, walk to the Post Office and shop yesterday, about 1/2 a mile in total, and that was about all I could manage. I'll just take things slowly I guess.

I was thinking about going back to work on Monday but I think I'll stay off another week and rest up. As people keep saying, just because I don't have a massive wound on my chest it doesn't mean my heart hasn't been significantly traumatised!

My work is great and have said I can take as much time off as needed, and the two guys I work with even brought me cakes yesterday on a bit of a skive!

I've had no heart issues at all, apart from a kind of mild ache in my chest now and again. The nurse I spoke to about it said was probably to be expected!

I have been given Rivaroxaban in addition to all the stuff i was on before, and a review date in October! Here's hoping I'm still as positive then!

Night..

Alex

[wilsond]

Good news Styggy! Never had ablation but on here the recurring theme is rest after is crucial.There is a very good booklet on recovering from ablation on the resources section here.

Eat cake and watch box sets for now!

Best wishes

[meadfoot]

Pleased things have gone well for you. Please take more time off work and rest. Resting and being careful now will pay dividends. If your work are happy to support you taking more time off then you can relax and not be under pressure to return too quickly. Do what you can now to best aid your body to recover.

You will have had the best people caring for you at St Thomas hospital, I go there too and rate them highly. Best wishes for a good recovery and outcome.

[BobD Volunteer]

If you look at pinned posts there is reference to our Recovering from Ablation fact sheet and if you follow the post down there is a link by doodle to it. Many things you will wish you had been told. Recovery can be very fluid so please don't rush back to work. We recommend two weeks minimum. Do nothing for the first week and not a lot more for the second. Many of us have undone good work by being too darned brave and rushing back to work. Rest and stay well hydrated!

[Dodie117]

I had my one and only ablation in st thomas’ in November 2013. It took 5 months for all my wobbles to go away but am af free since then. No meds except anticoagulants. So take it easy and good luck 🍀

[Brizzy5000]

I had mine done at the beginning of May and I have certainly taken it very easy my better half and my son have not let me do anything strenuous, so far so good no problems apart from a few ectopic beats

[rosyG]

good news- yes do take it slowly- you'll recover much better if you pace yourself