After the ablation

[Queendom]

I don't have a question just offering my experience. I was diagnosed with afib back in July 2018 after having a strange fluttering feeling in my lower left chest area. I'm a nurse and didn't associate this fluttering feeling with my heart at all. It wasnt even my chest it was more like my left side way lower than I would think my heart is. But anyways I sought out emergency care after the flutter was persistent. Mind you this had been happening off and on for almost a month. To my surprise I was diagnosed with with afib RVR at a rate of 178. It was shocking. I didn't have any clue that my heart was struggling so much. No shortness of breath no pain just that mild flutter on my left side. So I was cardioverted x3 with no success and then put on meds. Again being a nurse the meds scared me more than the afib. I was reluctant to get the ablation out if fear ( nurse in me) but the side affects of amio scared me more. In Aug I had an ablation. It was the best thing I could have done. I had no pain no bleeding no complications. NSR from day one. Now 4 months out. I feel great. After 3 months I had a few weeks if persistent PVCs but I had changed my diet to keto to try to lose weight. My body didn't like that and I immediately went back to regular eating no more PVCs. Electrolytes are important to heart health. I do not take mag supplement for they caused PVCs as well. I haven't noticed any other irregularities. I have some heart pain every now and then. I equate it to scare tissue. Ive been released from all meds -the blood thinner and beta blocker. My echo is back to normal. Some mild dialtion of LA side effect of afib. I exercise 5 days a week starting after week 8 of abaltion. Not because I couldn't I had read on this site that going back to exercise too soon could run results so I took it easy and started off with yoga then progressed up to slow walking now I'm back to previous routine HIIT with weights. I hope I can inspire hope for some one questioning ablation . It's worth it. Just do it.

[Hidden]

Thanks for the update it is indeed inspiring. 👍

[BobD Volunteer]

Good news is always welcome. Thank you. Don;t forget to stay well hydrated at all times and listen to your body.

[rosyG]

good to hear you are doing so well. My AF started when I was dieting and stopped for 3 years- and now occurs about once a year- as soon as I noticed my Potassium level was low in A and E and made sure I get the right amount daily now (in diet). Thought I would mention this as sounds as if you are similar!!

[Queendom in reply to rosyG]

Yes . I noticed the minute I went into ketosis. That thumping would begin in my chest. I went to emergency a few times thinking afib was back but no it was PVCs. I'm thankful that that's all it was and eating my electrolytes works way better than taking them in pill form.

[KMRobbo]

Very good. I am already positive about ablation owing to my own experience, but this adds to it. I was also similar in that my afib was asymptomatic at high heart rates.

However how did you work out that you had PVCs and they were caused by the magnesium supplements? I am not saying you are wrong but I never heard of this.

[Queendom]

I equated the excessive PVCs to the extra mag I was taking. 250-500 mgs daily. I noticed when I skipped a day I had no chest discomfort. When I took them I'd notice my heart beats. I only take a multivitamin no extra electrolytes supplementation. I eat a balanced diet. Mind you everytime I went to emergency for the chest discomfort- PVCs- my electrolytes were fine. No deficit or excesses but I feel it threw my rythm off. Especially since I don't take them now and no pvcs and they were pretty consistent with them. Even when I stopped the keto. I hear people swear by the extra magnesium but my body is finiky I guess.

[Gincalpe]

Thanks an encouraging post as I am having ablation in 2 weeks time. I like your 8 week rest period and gradual build up and I am pleased you are back to an active life.