3-1/2 weeks post ablation...progress at last

I am nearly a month post ablation. Before ablation I had AF for 30 years progressively getting more frequent by the year. Past 2 years had AF usually 5-7 times a month always lasting 1-1/2 to 2 days. I learned that by raising heart rate through vigorous exercise such as jogging up hill or running up stairs repeatedly for 8-10 flights to get it to go back to NSR. I didn't like AF but learned to deal with the symptoms and learned that by waiting at least 36 hours I could convert myself back which was a relief in a way knowing that the AF episode had an end in sight. So during the day and a half wait in AF I didn't have to tippytoe around the triggers. I didn't overly indulge but I could have or do the things that would set me up for AF. On the positive side I got in pretty good shape for a senior because prior to learning this I had a stretch of 6 months in persistent AF at which time I was advised to not do anything strenuous when in AF. For me that turned out to be bunk! IMPORTANT NOTE: I did not have tachycardia type of AF. A good stretch of NSR would be 7 days and I only got stretches like that 3-4 times in a year and generally after being at the beach for a couple of weeks or so. (retired). So after a few consecutive months of yoyo-ing (Going in and out of AF every 3-4 days of NSR I decided I was willing to risk ablation. I was able to figure out I had what was called Vagal AF. Today I am on my 8th straight day in NSR! Yippee! The ablation itself was a little more of an ordeal than was advertised by the EP. I wouldn't say it was painful after the first 4-6 hours but uncomfortable. I went into AF within the first 48 hours but only for a couple of hours. Then a few hours later back in again and then out a few hours later. Always converting back to NSR by itself. That was really something new to me. So in the first 3 weeks I went into AF about 4 times. However it was very different than pre-ablation. Not only did I convert to NSR by itself it was doing in in less than the previous 36-48 hour waiting period. Even though I could feel when I went into AF, I couldn't tell an hour or two later whether I was in AF or not except by looking at my fitbit or an O2 finger sensor to look at the heart beat rhythm. So the symptoms and discomfort are greatly decreased. I have been experiencing what is referred ectopic beats. I had them years ago but they are more frequent now, but not a harbinger of AF. Today being 8 days in NSR is a huge leap of progress. I know my heart is still not formed scar tissue necessary to block erratic signals from AF so I expect continued improvement as the weeks and months go by as the wall of the atria heals and forms scars. Looking forward to being AF free after my first ablation. I also plan to avoid the triggers of AF regardless because I do not want to provoke the bees nest if you know what I mean. So I wanted to write this as an encouragement to those that have been battling AF and that the ablation, although not a walk in the park, the discomfort is surpassed by the progress and changes to the ups and downs you have been experiencing when dealing with AF for years. In fact the discomfort after a couple of days past ablation is less than that of AF itself.

[BobD Volunteer]

Maybe you should read our fact sheet on recovery (AF Association) as all this is quite normal. Do make sure that you stay well hydrated at all times and listen to your body so you don't over do things. Three to six months recovery is quite usual and many people find that they are still improving up to none months.--- especially the ectopics.

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

It was helpful and I have read it a couple of times as I've run across it. It is quite general but covers basics. This forum is helpful too, although most of the successful ablatees are not posting on forums so we see an imbalance of negative vs. positive results. Also have learned that tachy AF sufferers are a different lot than us vagal AF sufferers and for good reason with heart rate going into overdrive. I mostly posted my experience to give hope to the long term AF sufferers that an ablation is not an awful experience and the outcome of improvement is almost immediate and improving daily. To me ectopics despite being attention grabbers, are not nearly as distressing as AF itself. Sadly for many the fear of AF is as bad as AF itself. I'm sure there are many people who simply learn to live with and tolerate their AF, but I'd prefer ablation over daily meds. Never had a PIP but would not be adverse if it helped.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Agreed. I'm three down and maybe now after ten years AF free may be needing a fourth next year.

[Gincalpe]

Thanks for an encouraging post and good luck for more improvement.

I am having an ablation in a couple of weeks. The fact sheets are very helpful and make you aware that ablation needs a long term recovery unlike cardioversion which is instant.

[Bonesie in reply to Gincalpe]

Hi! I had cardiac ablation on 12/26. Besides some wonky post surgery blood pressure and a little incision site tenderness, it was a breeze (especially compared to living with Afib). I'm so happy I finally chose surgery. I was up and walking around the night of surgery. Good luck!

[Gincalpe in reply to Bonesie]

Thanks