Update after cryo ablation 11 days ago

[Kitticat]

I promised I'd update again so here I am 11 days later! I'm feeling well and not had any missed beats or AF since the procedure. I am still taking my medication though so will be interested to see how I fare when I come off these on around 4 weeks. I'm quite anxious about coming off the medication to be honest because I had to stop my meds 2 days before the ablation and promptly went into AF the day after. During the ablation I was cardioverted with a shot of flecainide and that's the last time I had an episode. Time will tell! I've been taking things slowly and gradually building up to doing more. I went for my first walk a couple of days ago and whilst I wasn't breathless, I had that horrible feeling when you feel you can't get enough air into your lungs. I was quite anxious before and during the walk so maybe anxiety and panic could account for the feeling I experienced. And it was a two mile walk so maybe I overdid things? Lesson learned! Anyhow overall I'm feeling pretty positive and pleased with my progress and recovery so far 😊

[Dawsonmackay]

No reason to rush things after an ablation. Five days after mine I took a two mile walk and ended up in Afib. Twenty seven days later I reverted to NSR! Still in NSR, 17 days later. When a strange beat occurs, I take a couple of deep breaths and it goes away.

[Kitticat in reply to Dawsonmackay]

Oh dear, hopefully you'll stay in NSR now!

[jeanjeannie50]

I'm really pleased to hear that you're feeling so well, but why oh why a 2 mile walk so soon! The way you felt, while doing, it was a hard lesson for you to learn and I'm sure your anxiety wouldn't have helped the situation.

After two weeks, start with really short walks and gradually build up over the next month, but only if you feel like doing it and never ever force yourself. You'll probably find that you'll get days ahead when you have really low energy, those are the ones when you must rest.

I don't know what right I have to lecture you really, because I've done things equally as daft after my three ablations. I have to learn the hard way too, but I guess after learning I feel it necessary to try to warn others.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Jean

[Kitticat in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks for the advice, it's really appreciated. The reason for a 2 mile walk was that before the ablation I cycled and walked up to 20 miles at a time so in my mind it was a short walk and didn't seem excessive. Also the advice from my EP was that I could resume exercise after a week and also return to my full time job. I shall take on board all the advice offered here as I really don't want to inadvertently hinder my recovery or worse still cause an AF recurrence.

[DerekMcAvoy in reply to Kitticat]

Hi

I’m now ten days post cryoablation. Like you, I cycled and walked lots previously.

I didn’t do much at all for four or days post procedure but then started building myself up with short walks. I’m feeling good with no AF episodes at all so far. The last three days have all been five mile days albeit in small bites. I really feel that I’m getting stronger every day. The cycling will have to wait for another few weeks though.

[Kitticat in reply to DerekMcAvoy]

Hi Derek, I agree, walking in small bites at a time might be better than a an uninterrupted 5 miles! I only did the one walk but a bit wary now after hearing the experiences of others on the forum. Like you I don't feel ready for my bike yet but I do want to start walking regularly. I've rested for the last two days as my upper chest still feels a little strange. The only way to describe it is it feels like when you breathe in cold air on a winters day. I expect this will resolve. I'm so glad you've had no AF, it's a relief not getting it any more isn't it! Fingers crossed the ablation has been successful for us and we can get on with living our lives.

[Hidden]

Good news Kitticat, but resist the temptation to overdo it just because you feel you can. So many have done just that and regretted it.....all the best for a good recovery.......

[Kitticat in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply, your advice is much appreciated. Yes I agree it's so hard not to overdo things, especially when you feel well and are usually very active. Also when my EP's advice was that I could resume exercise and full time work after a week and I had no reason to doubt his expert advice. Until I read the advice and recovery experiences of people on here that is! Experience counts for a lot and I shall take on board the knd advice which is very welcome and reassuring. Good luck with your own journey and thanks again for the good wishes and advice.

[Kellyjelly in reply to Kitticat]

The conflicting advice from experts and what you read here including the factsheet was one of the most confusing aspects of the ablation for me. I’m so glad I found this forum because without it I wouldn’t have known what was happening to me. I think that listening very carefully to your own body should be the universal advice. If you feel good work with that very carefully and gently, if you don’t then rest until you do. If you feel good and find that changes when you do a bit more then steady up a bit, even if you think it is anxiety rather than the heart.

I’m so pleased that you are feeling good and wish you all the best 😊

[Kitticat in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Flapjack, I've taken all the advice on board and haven't done any more walks. I've rested for the last two days and will hold back on the walks till I've rested some more. Thanks for the good wishes, much appreciated.

[Shcldavies]

Good news, well done. In my experiance coming of the meds was the best thing, no problem at all so you should be fine, the Docs tend to keep you no them longer than necessary just to be on the safe side.

[Kitticat in reply to Shcldavies]

Thank you for the reply. I'm on flecainide and atenol. My EP said to stop ateneolol completely but to wean off the flecainide gradually.

[Onboat74]

I’m so depressed as my PVSs are getting worse by the day. I get 100s now a day. They wanted to do an ablation at the hospital in January when I went in with my heart fluttering. I’m wasn’t sure if I should have had it done I didnt know even what it was. Then when I read about it scared me so I left. All the stories I read say it may not help. Very depressed from all this. I was healthy until Jan 12 of this year and my life had changed so much since that day not one day goes but now without heart Palpations. It just happened to me out of the blue.

[Shcldavies in reply to Onboat74]

I don't know about your condition but if it's Aflutter then an ablation is the best and it has a very high success rate with very low complication rate. Ventricular problems are the worst and should be ablated or the correct medication taken soonest. Arythmia can really be unpleasant. The ablation is not pleasant but it can be a real Miricle fix for many. If you read my posts it will give you an honest summary of my ablation experience. Some self help tips for now would be rest (best in a 45 degree position), breath deeply and slowly raising your stomach when breathing in and vice versa, drink plenty of water especially in the mornings before anything else. If your low on any electrolytes take suplimemts (take them anyway) the first to try is magnesium (not oxide) and potassium. No alcohol, spicy food or caffeine. Don't expect much improvement within the first month on suppliments. Docs can prescribe medication but these may well have unpleasant side effects. Remember Doc knows best but they are not right all the time and taking this type of medication can be trial and error. My advice is to get an ablation as soon as you can but it will take months so you will need some interim medication. Unfortunate the Docs do not see this condition as urgent and it's quite normal to wait considerable time before you see an EP (they know best on these conditions). Staying as you are without doing anything about it is the worst thing you could do.

[Cherjane]

I had the same procedure and it took me awhile before I felt better. It will be 5 years in July since the surgery and no longer have any problems with a fib.

[Kitticat in reply to Cherjane]

Thanks for sharing your experience, its very reassuring. What an excellent result, here's hoping mine will be too!

[Lamsie]

Hi Kitticat thanks so much for sharing your experience! It has calmed me down a little, I’m having my ablation on Monday and I’m so scared. I’ve read so many different experiences - we are all different I know. I will pass on the two mile walk though now i hope you continue to improve each day! Good luck xx

[Kitticat in reply to Lamsie]

Oh you're very welcome, I'm glad I was of help. It's now been over 5 months since I had the ablation and all is well I'm off all meds and no AF! Good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine and I hope you get the successful outcome you are hoping for.

[Cherjane]

I had the same surgery 5 years ago and I have not had any further problem with a fib. It took me longer to recover due to Fibromyalgia and my daughter’s cancer diagnosis day before the surgery. But I am glad I did it.