I've been a paroxyml afibber for about 6 years. Eventually after gradual worsening went in for ablation 2 weeks ago. Thought I'd write up experience for others. Ablation itself was weird.. Not exactly painful but a bit like being abducted. Staff (Sheffield northern general) were amazing and professional.. felt in good hands. But the op was longer than expected and I had a couple of "vagal reactions" (heart slows right down and feel rubbish) which obv worried my ep a bit. In the end he got a good result on 3 out of 4 tubes and the op went down as "partial success". He says sometimes at that point he can basically tell you it will work .. but not in my case so wait and see.
Was let out of hosp the first day.
Recovery feels like being really old. Maybe 97? You feel fine sat doing nothing.. but to start with even a trip to the loo takes it out of you. You get a couple of years younger each day :). A week later you feel like you could do anything.. but DONT. A trip to the shops later and your knackered. After a couple of too much days I'm being super kind to myself and letting myself be really lazy. I think let everything settle... Now is not the time to push it.
The main thing I am left with is a MUCH higher resting pulse than I used to have which from reading around might be a really good sign.There is a bit of background here. Im younger (40) and i think my afib is vagal. My afib was comparitively slow and i always had a very low pulse. (40-50) even when really put of shape.
I suspect the low pulse was a secondary effect of the too strong link between the heart and vagal nerve system due to conductivity through the pulmonary veins. I've been super aware of my heartbeat even when not in fib (strong in ears and .. feeling in chest) and now I have something to compare to I think it felt like it was struggling .. maybe having to pump hard to pump that slow.
That has all changed now. I cannot tell what my heart rate is without checking it.. and it's faster and smoother. First few days like 85 -90 and actually I felt a bit triwchy at this (like i wanted to run about but clearly could not). Now it's settled about 70 and i feel good.
Had a few PACs on day one but otherwise my heart has been steady as anything.
So despite the ep not being certain I think we have a good result here. The link between my heart and other systems feels severed.. heart is just getting on with it without me.
But will report back if not!
I'm back to some normal activities but still a short walk tires me right out. I am going to leave it longer before trying actual exercise.
Hoping to be one of those that vanishes from the forums and you never hear from again. If so.. best of luck everyone dealing with your fib.
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MatlockSteven
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The raised heart rate after ablation is quite common. For me it lasted a few weeks and gradually reduced, but never went back to what it used to be. Quite happy about that as it was on the low side.
Thanks for posting! I had a chuckle at your reference to abduction😁 and as a veteran of 3 ablations ( and another on the way) I get what you mean !
Yes it is normal to have a higher heart rate for some time after an ablation.
Hope everything continues to progress well .
A second ablation is very common as you no doubt know and it must be wiser for the EP to under ablate rather than over I would have thought, but I'm no expert! ....just thinking of healthy heart tissue being scarred unnecessarily.
Let's hope the EP is wrong and you are right! I had mine On 7th September this year and after a couple of dodgy weeks I have been doing well apart from a few daily palpatations more so if it's a stressful day. Good luck with your recovery and keep taking it easy 👍
Did Dr Lee carry out your procedure? He did my first at NG a couple of years ago and I was so impressed I going back for my second next week. Fingers crossed for us both!
Erm. Not very painful. Worst pain I had tbh was really needing to pee afterwards! Some pain for me when injecting the freeze stuff.. maybe a 3 or 4 on the scale. You are pretty well drugged up and I think could ask them for more if you are getting pain.
I'd say not really painful (same goes for post op) but just uncomfortable and weird. You just have to go with the flow and leave yourself in the capable hands of your team.
As someone who is due for my first an ablation in 2 weeks and is also on the younger side thank you very much for the report. My plan is also to very gently build my activity back up so it's great to hear how you've been doing.
I'm also very aware of my heartbeat at times so I'm curious as to whether this will also reduce for me.
Had my ablation on the 2nd of May and my resting rate is now between 75 and 85 after a year or 2 at 55 to 65 when on meds, I rested for 3 months 2 months enforced due tearing a calf muscle but it did me good as no AF since.
Thank you for updating us. Its very reassuring for me i am waiting a date for mine. Good luck keep posting for a while longer please.
Thank you very much for your report and I hope all continues to go well for you - you are so young and have all your life ahead of you. My husband is waiting for his first one at age 72 - I have copied and pasted your posting for him and I think he will find it encouraging.
Appreciate your post but PLEASE, especially if it’s a long-term success, let us know how it’s going. I’ve not had ablation yet but I think I’m heading for one, hence my interest in your outcome!
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