Hi everyone on Planet AF. I haven't posted on here since my first Cryo Ablation exactly six months ago. Having read the devestating news about our beloved Bob (OUR ROCK) being dealt a below the belt punch anything I have to say seems insignificant. I'm sure all of us had that heart sinking feeling as we all gauged Bob's success as something to work towards, and something that is achievable. It just deflated me in one short post. Our other major contributors Jeanjeannie and Pollypete are also experiencing tough times. Judging by the overwhelming response on here we are all feeling their pain and we love them dearly, we just want them back in good health soon.
As for my own experience, I have been free from AF since my Ablation. I do get Palpations occasionally and the odd burst of Ectopics but so far so good. I stopped Beta-blockers after three months and only take Apixaban. My Right Phrenic Nerve which was damaged during the procedure has fully recovered (took about 3 months) I walk two/three miles daily and play golf weather permitting .I celebrated my 75th birthday this week so doing ok. But am I tempting fate ? I hope not . My message to anyone contemplating Ablation, if your EP or cardiologist suggests it Go For It. It will improve your AOL and who knows you could be the one to challenge Bob's ten year record. Hurry back Bob we need you. Xx
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Maureens46
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A lovely post Maureen and we all I’m sure, share your sentiments. It’s always hard to hear about the problems many posters experience but even more so when it involves people we’ve come to know and respect because of the help they give to others over very many years. One thing is for sure, Bob would be over the moon if every one could beat his 10 year record. Like you, I hope he will get the help he deserves to get his ticker back on track so that he can, after this period of relapse, manage another 10 years + of sinus rhythm.
Tried to “like” your post but for some reason “unlike” came up?? Anyway Agree and hoping Bob is back on form very soon. Great you are doing so well. I am 5 years post ablation and still no AF but like you, some ectopics etc from time to time. Not causing a problem. Also just on apixaban.
So all you afers take heart. There is hopefully a way forward for you and a better QOL.
Sometimes one if the screens shows the “like” option and when you click it it will change to unlike. I have worked out that your “like” has been posted and if you want to reverse your “like “ you have the opportunity to then click “unlike “.
I agree with you. For me personally I am so very grateful to Bob as just before his “time to come clean” post, he still had time to respond to my query on Sotalol. I appreciate that so very much. But I guess that is Bob for us. Always ready to offer and share his advise and experience and somehow give us that glimmer of hope that we too can be well again. And to you too, thank you for your very apt post and here’s wishing you good health ahead.
Lovely post Maureens46 and here here to all you wrote, the rocks of this forum are super hero's in my opinion, always there with a helping hand when you need it most. God bless all the contributors they are legends. As for ablation, I completely agree, it's a chance to escape the dreaded AF and one not to be missed ... Have a good weekend everyone and keep fighting the good fight 💪😊
Glad you are doing well keep up the walking and golf.
I know we are all thinking about the 3 stalwarts of the forum and hope that they get back to good health soon. We are all here to support one another so hopefully our good vibes will do the trick!
Hi Maureen it's good to hear you are doing so well and I am glad the ablation was the right thing for you.
I won't 'go for it' though having been offered an ablation by a cardiologist who has never met me. I prefer to leave well alone while my quality of life is good most of the time.
Hi Maureen, I loved your post, you have put into words in away I couldn’t do about Bob, Jean and Polly Pete. I am not on here very often but when I have needed support they have always been here to support us. I appreciate that and wish them and you well. Thank you!
scroll back to his post 2 days ago and all will be revealed!
It's great how such a pillar of strength for so many is able to bring out all people to inform him (Bob D) of just how much he is revered....
Can you share more about your phrenic nerve damage? I am about 5 weeks post cryo with a similar story though a few more episodes of what I think is AF since, each week less and less and when present short and lighter in nature.
Thank you for your post. I had my Cryo Ablation last week in May, it was a bit of a disappointment to me as I had been seeing an EP privately and he was very experienced and offered to do the procedure. However on the day I had a decision to make as a totally different cardiologist turned up. I hadn't met this Doctor before and when I questioned his experience he had only been a consultant for three months and hadn't done many procedures. I gave this a lot of thought but decided to proceed. The Ablation (without GA) was brutal especially the entry points in both groin. They gave me a sedative and when I came round I was back in bed feeling good. Next day I was expecting to go home but had a visit from the cardiologist who explained he had to stop the Ablation because he had touched the right Phrenic Nerve and paused the procedure to see if would correct itself. It didn't so he completed the procedure and he assured me this was a success. He said I needed an X ray before I went home. (This showed the nerve hadn't corrected) but sometimes it can take a week or two mabey a month or three, in some cases it can be a year. I had a follow up X ray at three months and was told my Phrenic nerve damage was transient and would be ok in a couple of days. Surprisingly this was true.
The Phrenic nerve as you know when damaged is called Palsy and it paralysed the right side of Diaphram which in turn means you are only breathing through one lung. Breathlessness is the main problem as you can't fill you Diaphram but thankfully that has passed and I feel ok now.
There doesn't seem to be a Eureka moment to tell you when it is back but I kept checking by placing my hand on the right side of my Diaphram, if it doesn't rise when I breathe in then it hasn't repaired itself . So there you are missy I'm sorry this was long winded but hope it can help. Would be pleased if I can be of any further assistance.
Thanks for taking the time to respond Mo; I really appreciate it. I am 5 weeks today and do feel better each day it seems though I have had a few episodes that I think are AF but cannot be sure. The phrenic stuff seems, too, to be improving and hardly noticeable unless I am sitting! I simply feel I cannot get a good breath in and am conscious of it. This too shall pass....with the guidance of my AF buddies here I know I am not alone in any aspect of the process. Thanks again. Missy
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it's good to hear you are doing so well and I am glad the ablation was the right thing for you.
As Blackadder would say \"Fate farts in my face again\". 
I'm in Wales. Am I doomed?
can i trust myself to go back to work?
I am still alive and kicking back.
