3.5 weeks after catheter ablation... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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3.5 weeks after catheter ablation...

JTP1 profile image
JTP1
12 Replies

Pain in my chest and shortness of breath have come back after about a week of no symptoms. I thought I was home free as the symptoms for the first 10 days were pretty uncomfortable, although I was working everyday. Anyone with experience similar? Any pain remedies for the chest pain?

Much appreciated,

JTP

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JTP1
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12 Replies
BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Working for ten days after ablation? You are supposed to rest for at least two weeks and then build up gradually ! I suspect you have been overdoing things by a huge amount. Please speak to the team who carried out the procedure. AND REST>

I wonder if you had any bruising around your groin and if so, how long it took to subside. In my case, the bruise remained for around 4 weeks, so goodness knows what the inside of my heart looked like after all the trauma of a 3/4 hour procedure. Sounds like you have done too much too quick!

Dawsonmackay profile image
Dawsonmackay

“Although working for the past ten days.” That has to be the funniest line I have ever read for a person who has just had a cardiac ablation. You’re supposed to be a COUCH POTATO for the first two weeks. You’re lucky you can even type an email. Go get some rest!

JTP1 profile image
JTP1

Thanks for the reply’s. I left the hospital on Thursday and went to work on Monday. This was as agreed upon by my doctor and his team. If he told me to rest more I would have done so. I did ha e about a 6 in by 4 in bruise around each groin that has faded completely. Returning to the couch now!

Kellyjelly profile image
Kellyjelly in reply toJTP1

My EP said 3 days and I would be good as new and back to normal. Thank god I had read the factsheet here and read all the stories about how hard the recovery can be for some people or I would have been so freaked out at how I felt in the first few weeks. It’s so confusing because sometimes you feel great and then you don’t, It was very unpredictable for me. I am 5 weeks post ablation tomorrow and I’ve only started to feel consistently better in the last week.

Dawsonmackay profile image
Dawsonmackay

Your doctor is an idiot if he told you that. Most EP's and cardiologists' say that rest is paramount after an ablation.

It’s not your fault for following your doctors advice, but not many EP’s have not experienced an ablation and because they do not see their patients until 3 or 6 months after the procedure when most people are fairly well, they are often unaware of the immediate issues some people experience. It’s a pity you didn’t see the two factsheets which are pinned on this page but hopefully you will get back on an even keel soon.....

Return of your symptoms after a week free of them is perhaps unusual. Maybe have a word with the arrhythmia nurse.

JTP1 profile image
JTP1 in reply to

Have a call w her tomorrow

sjanee11 profile image
sjanee11

Are you in the US? The drs here only recommend 3 days, but it definitely isn't enough. Personally, with the shortness of breath, I would go in because they can do a d-dimer and make sure you don't have a pulmonary embolism. I had one a week after the ablation. You're definitely at risk for it after the ablation.

Dawsonmackay profile image
Dawsonmackay in reply tosjanee11

I don’t know where you live, but in Missouri, they want you to rest at least a week on the couch. No lifting. 2nd week move around the house but still, rest!

sjanee11 profile image
sjanee11 in reply toDawsonmackay

Tennessee. I remember reading lots of posts prior to my ablation that the US tends to push people back to normal activity much faster than their counterparts in the UK. Of course, not all, but most. I had my ablation on Tuesday, stayed overnight at the hospital, and was told normal activity on Friday. I listened to my body (and thankfully am a stay-at-home mom) and was overly cautious for many weeks.

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