Hi all,
I have been quiet lately as some may know had a double ablation in May 2018 for my fib, flutter and SVT.
I was making good progress with a couple of small bouts of AF lasting 10 seconds max, which was a relief.
I go back to work and within 2 months I was diagnosed with testicular cancer and had to have an urgent operation to remove the tumour! So, in some ways this sidetracked me from thinking about the AF.
A further CT scan showed I also had a black spot on my liver which I have just had an MRI for, so fingers crossed it's nothing sinister.
But enough of that, back to the AF.
So after the ablation, I purchased a Kardia as I thought it would be good to capture any possible issues where I could immediately send them to an arrhythmia nurse or consultant. I made sure to take it easy for as long as possible as to aid my recovery and things like lifting the kids were a no no.
I began walking at a brisk pace again and as yet still have not been running or cycled. But, I aim to do this soon as the cancer op put paid to exercise.
How have I felt overall? Well ok, aside from the odd blips here and there. I notice that there is a need to adjust your lifestyle to manage the condition. I am not a drinker, so that's not really an issue, but if I do drink I limit it severely. About 5 years ago I went to a friends wedding which resulted in a binge drinking session lasting 12 hours, and I woke the following morning in Afib, although I was undiagnosed and not aware of what I had. It lasted all day and I just put it down to excessive alcohol consumption. So, after that I have learnt my lesson.
However, my biggest vice is Costa coffee, so I have a shot less and decaf now and have limited my intake to 1 or 2 a day instead of 3 of 4 cups.
Stress, also a huge factor, and stress is pretty much impossible to avoid, unless you live in a cave in the Afghan mountains with no way to contact the outside world! I noticed that if for example I had an argument with my partner then I would suffer a lot of ectopics and occasionally brief AF bouts.
I also found that work would cause me to suffer, with a particularly unpleasant boss, who on paper made herself look caring and fluffy to accommodate my return to work after the ablation but in reality the return was stressful and not conducive to a good recovery.
Having previously been in the police, I was fit and healthy and had applied for a job in the fire brigade just before my ablation. I had passed all assessments and was invited to a fitness test which was quite tough if like me you had not exercised for nearly a year due to the AF. So, I spoke with the consultant who stated he thought I would be ok, but something inside made me think that this was possibly too extreme to undergo. I was told I could partake, but had to sign a disclaimer that if I dropped dead during the test no one could sue the fire service.
I decided not to take part, which I partly rue, but also knew it may have caused a problem. Frustrating, but my health comes first now. So, I am going to build up my fitness back up and try again soon.
I am still on 1.25mg Bisoprolol which I am not sure has a great effect, 20mg of Rivoroxaban. But all in all, I seem to be ok and hope that this lasts.
I wanted to thank you all for your support and cannot speak highly enough for the guys on here who provide very good informative advice.
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