AF- 7 weeks post ablation looking good

Hi All

Just thought i would share my story. I am now 7 weeks post ablation. I had a bad second week. 3 episodes blurry vision, 1 close to feinting, and 2 hours in AF. Since then zero drama so 5 weeks no issues. I have been doing a lot of exercise including 6 hour ride 2 days ago. I am still on 50mg flecanide and 30mg diltiazem twice a day. I go back to doctor in a week to commence weening off these drugs. Each day I feel a little stronger and last 2 weeks almost feel totally normal. is there anyone who can tell me about the weening off process and how long it took

Thanks Glenn (I am in Sydney Australia)

[wilsond]

Still waiting for my proceedure,so can't comment on drugs,but thank you for sharing your experience,and sending best wishes! Don't go too crazy with the exercise they all say....x

[Hidden]

Hi Glenn, all sounding good but suggest you go easy on the exercise, too much too quick can cause a lot of harm and put you back to square one! Suggest you read this fact sheet about recovering from an ablation.

heartrhythmalliance.org/res...

We are not medically trained so please follow the advice of your doctor regarding coming off drugs. Flecainide is normally just stopped, but betablockers and calcium channel blockers (Diltiazem) are generally reduced over time to give the body a chance to adjust.

It’s good to hear that you are recovering well, but please remember your heart has been exposed to significant trauma so do not overdo things as it is still very early days. It can take 3 to 6 months for the heart to fully recover.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply, do you think the recovery period for the cryo option is likely to be less as there is less trauma. I have only just found this website I can only find a few cases is there a search button for previous cases?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I think that is generally the case because the procedure time is normally much less and most are carried out using sedation rather than a general anaesthetic. If you type “cryoablation” into the search box top right of this page. Also use google because many posts appear there as wall....sorry for the delay, just arrived back into the U.K. from Portugal!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. How was Portugal

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

👍

[Quilafizz]

Hi Glenn,

They usually don't wean you off of low dose Flecainide (50 mg twice daily), but I gave myself a 2 week weaning period just to be safe. Diltiazem can be a different story as it can have rebound effects.

Just a little advice, turbo- Go easy on the exercise. One factor in ablation failure is excessive exercise after the procedure, especially in the first 6 months. You certainly don't want to do this again!

[Hidden in reply to Quilafizz]

Thanks for your reply. Can I ask in your case was the first ablation successful? How long after the operation did you stop the drugs? Thanks Glenn

[Quilafizz]

I had my first and only ablation 3/12/18. I stopped Flecainide 3 months after and Eliquis the month after that. So far, no A.Fib. I have occassional ectopic beats, probably 10-15/week, but no arrhythmias.

[Hidden in reply to Quilafizz]

That sounds promising. Was that a cryo procedure? I am not sure I even understand the ectopic beats is that like flutter? How long does it last for? Were you just on flecanide no other drug as well? My Dr says you should not take flecanide by itself? When you stopped flecanide did your heart rythym change at all? Sorry for the multiple questions...

[Beta44]

I stopped Flecainide on the day of ablation and Bisoprolol after three months with a two week taper. Peter