Effects after ablation here I go again

[Liverpool10]

So two failed ablation due to clots 15 years ago! Successful ablation 9 years ago! Three weeks ago successful remapping ablation. Few niggles then glass of wine last night and bam AF four hours ! Jesus looks like I will have to not drink ! Cold drinks also bam in AF. Will this go off or will it stay ! Help

[pottypete1]

Sadly alcohol andcold drinks are both known triggers for AF.

If it affects you it is unlikely to go away.

Pete

[Liverpool10 in reply to pottypete1]

Cheers for the good news potty ! I wonder why it worked last time but not this time then? I watch people eating and drinking like there is no tomorrow but me it’s a nightmare this AF!!!

[Liverpool10 in reply to Liverpool10]

Also if all the rogue links scar tissue was ablated and has been successful op then why the AF?

[pottypete1 in reply to Liverpool10]

It is only 3 weeks since your ablation. You must give it time. Sometimes it can be some months before you can really assess the situation.

Just because you cannot see the radio frequency burns and you don’t have a great big scar on your chest, it doesn’t mean that all is hunky dory immediately you get your cup of tea and a biscuit afterwards.

Imagine if you had it done to your hand. You would see it as well as feel it. Out if sight out of mind but believe me your heart has done 12 rounds with Tyson Fury (we used to say Mike Tyson).

Pete

[pottypete1 in reply to Liverpool10]

Yes we are all here because AF is a nightmare.

For some alcohol in moderation is OK so if it is important to you try just a little and see how it goes. For me it is not worth the risk.

Pete

[Liverpool10 in reply to pottypete1]

Cheers Pete thanks

[Hidden]

Hello Liverpool 10, I have just read your first post just 14 days ago (can you remember how bad you felt then) and now 14 days later you are drinking wine and seem surprised of the consequences. First, if you haven’t already, I suggest you read this factsheet about recovering from an ablation.

heartrhythmalliance.org/res...

This document was produced for patients by patients who have experienced having an ablation and although approved by medics, it covers issues most hospitals and EP’s do not mention prior to being discharged after an ablation.

Probably no medic has told you, but Pete is absolutely right, it can take 3 months or longer for the scar tissue which prevents rogue impulses in your heart to heal and consequently block the impulses. During that period, patients are advised to do everything they possibly can to avoid triggering AF because if the impulses break through and remain unchecked the ablation is likely to fail.

An ablation is not an instant solution to AF and it is not a cure either, but if it is given a chance to become established, there is a good chance it can be contained but does need some effort from the person most likely to benefit.

[Liverpool10 in reply to Hidden]

Ok thank you for explaining ! I wish the doctor would have told me then instead of finding out second hand !

[Liverpool10]

Question for any experienced members on here to carry on with the conversation ! So after three weeks and lots of ectopic beats, four lots of AF not more than two hours I think ? A glass of wine, couple of episodes after cold drinks ! Will it be the case that if I no longer drink up to the three months mark from now it will be all ok and the impulses have not broken through! Or because of four bouts of AF the rogue link impulse will be stronger and the made ablation scar tissue will not work! Is there anyone on here that the rogue link impulses have worked more than the ablation scar tissue to heal the link! Does it mean if I am AF Free for the next two months I will be ok? At what point and why does the rogue impulses be stronger and why does the scar ablation made tissue not work all the time ? Just a frustrated question sorry!

[Hidden]

I think you are looking for assurances, guarantees that just aren’t there. We have tried to offer the best advice we can to help you maximise the chances of having a successful ablation. I think you need to accept that AF is a mongrel, generally progressive condition which affects different people in different ways. All we can do on this forum as sufferers of the condition, is to offer advice based on our own experiences and on information that we have gleaned from attending AF related meetings and other related activities. Generally, I think the advice given by all the good folk who contribute to this forum is well received.

I really don’t wish to add to your frustration, but you are asking questions that we cannot answer because we are not medically qualified. What I, and others have endeavoured to do is to offer the best advice we can on how best a patient, any patient, can help themselves to obtain the best possible outcome after having an ablation. Attempting to go into more detail will achieve nothing because everything is dependent on the uniqueness of your condition.

If I were you, I would just follow the advice offered in the factsheet, adhere to a sensible lifestyle regime and do everything else you can to help make all the efforts your medical team a resounding success. From what we read on the forum, most who follow this advice tend to do well.

[Liverpool10 in reply to Hidden]

Ok thanks flapjack good advice, cheers steve

[Kaz747]

If it’s any consolation I’m nearly 12 weeks post ablation. I’ve had a lot of inflammation and daily AF episodes and I’m now on more drugs than ever but my EP still believes when we get the inflammation under control and the heart has a chance to heal properly all will be well. Patience and time is what is needed at this stage 🤞🏻🤞🏻

[Slim2018]

Two and a half months since Flutter ablation and a catheter Cardioversion two weeks after that to put right the Fibrillation that then started as a result of the ablation. Listen to what everyone says. I have come to the initial view that alcohol and caffeine trigger off the ectopics I have had regularly since the ablation. Can I manage without, I can if truth be known. Stress and exercise also strangely trigger off ectopics, trying to stay on top of the stress and will take the ectopics as a consequence of the exercise. I have learned so much from this group which I constantly bang on about. My Cardiologist suggested a book called the Haywire Heart. It is really aimed at performance athletes (surely he didn’t think I was one of them) but actually it is a very good book at bringing out in a much more exaggerated way, issues many of us face. Available on Amazon. Good because some of the authors, who are doctors, are themselves Afib sufferers

[songbird74]

Ian now nearly a year post ablation and it finally seems to be working as I have not had any AF for three months when it was ever few days

I do wear a Fitbit which monitors my heart rate ( which is still 10 bpm faster than pre ablation) and I find a couple of glasses of wine definitely raises my heart rate by another 10 or more bpm so I now never go over that and limit it to special occasions

[Liverpool10]

Thanks guys for your replies ! Bit more enlightening as to what is going on and what is going to happen? 15 years ago I was one of the first to get it done but no forums then !! Cheers