Just a quick one for you all please. I recently had a heart ablation to rectify 40000 pvcs a day and the tachychardia, arythmia etc. All the fun stuff. I am an otherwise healthy 38 yr old physical lad but since the ablation three weeks ago my energy levels are minimal and any activity sends me to bed like my great grandfather. Is this normal and how long does recovery usually take.
My wife is handling my four crazy kids and needs me back on board asap😋
Cheers
Ps first time posting so hope im in the right spot if not enjoy your day all
It would be nice to get the bottom line first. Can you describe/explain your words "any activity." The reason I ask is that you give us the bottom line last: "My wife is handling my four crazy kids and needs me back on board asap." What??? Listen, have you read up on what a heart ablation is, what it entails? Basically, your EP, has burned some of the major tissues in it. How long do you think it may take to heal, get less swollen. Here in the US, my EP gave me a 90 day window. 90 days! If you are expecting super energy right away, whatever that means, you are mistaken. You need to not do too much for two weeks like be a couch potato. After that be kind to your healing heart. If you're still weak after three weeks, you're doing way too much. If you have pushed yourself in those first two weeks, well, you know what you did. Take care of yourself.
Activity at this point meant walking up a slight hill to pick up the kids from school so nothing major.
The problem is i am a lift mechanic who builds elevators. Not very kind on the body. I have had three weeks off and i have returned to work today. The professor said no problem but the body has a different opinion.
It sounds like you may be in my part of the world (I’m in Perth). Ablations can take a while to get over (I’ve had 4). I have taken Blackmore’s Executive B at breakfast and lunch for years which helps with energy levels. They also contain magnesium which is important for the heart’s electrical system. I asked a prominent Australian pharmacist & herbalist about which magnesium I should add to help control my AF and he recommended Nutralife magnesium sleep. I take 2 tablets at night. Not only am I sleeping better but my energy levels are great and my heart is beating beautifully. That said, I’m not back at work yet so when I’m back to my “normal” life it will be interesting to see how I feel. All the best.
Yeah just your friendly neighbour over in Wollongong👍
Thanks for the tips. I have been trying to find some info on supps but not much success. I use coq10 300mg a day and will be sure to give the magnesium a shot.
Good to hear your heart is whistling a happy tune.
I take CoQ10 too. The pharmacist/herbalist I’m referring to is Gerald Quigley. Not sure if you’ve heard him on the radio or seen him on the tv. He is super helpful and with his background understands interactions with medications as well as the benefits of vitamins, minerals and supplements. If you have any questions go to the ‘ask’ tab on the House of Wellness website and he will respond. I have contacted him a number of times over the past year, especially when my medications have changed and I want to check interactions with my supplements. On his radio show he can’t recommend specific brands but in an email ‘consultation’ he can. My last ablation was 6 weeks ago and with the balance of meds, supplements, good sleep, exercise and healthy food I’m feeling better than I have in years.
Unfortunately most doctors who perform ablations have never had one themselves and completely underestimate the recovery time in terms of energy. Everyone is completely different but think months rather than weeks and there aren’t any shortcuts.
Push too hard, too soon and your body will let you know so patience and rest and good nutrition are the keys - see my post with link for advice.
I take D-Ribose, L-Cartinine and COQ10. I cant take Magnesium but I occasionally use Magnesium Oil when I get muscle cramps.
Thanks for the tips. A lot of generous people out there.
You are 100%correct. Docs and even the Profs lack that life body experience. But cant complain with the help thats for certain.
Will check out your link for sure.
Thanks
G'day Wombat,
Welcome mate, just sit back and enjoy the Cricket. I keep telling my Pommie mates and family here in UK the Aussies are comin', the Aussies are comin' and we are going back with that little urn. :-),
I heard a rumour that the ACB have ordered a pallet of fine and a pallet of coarse sandpaper from a local pommie hardware store for when the team get here, y'know, just in case. Just jokin'.
Mate, I can't comment on yer ablation, my AF never got that bad all I can do is make some general comments. Yeah I know all about 4 crazy kids about the same age as you at the time ( I lived in Sydney in those days), summer time spent driving around various and often conflicting cricket fixtures. winter time it was football - even my girl was playing football (I mean the code - Soccer). Fer gods sake we were here there and everywhere !
You're coming into winter now so it'll be cooler, try taking a step back from life and take a long look at your lifestyle. Anxiety, pressures, stress, work, food/diet, your relaxing skills (yeah even with 4 crazy kids).
Wombat, your heart has effectively been barbequed ( well thats my take on it) - it and your body have undergone a significant ordeal. It will take a while to get back to a 38 year old normal body. DO NOT rush, just pace yourself, gently, gently does it. You might have to seriously consider, with your wife, reviewing your family lifestyle activities, perhaps make them less chaotic. Don't fight the tiredness and wearyness - you won't win. You don't say if you are still on any medication ..... some meds can impact on your energy levels too. There is just so much going on in your body, just pace yourself and try for a less chaotic lifestyle. I use the word chaotic because with 4 kids, at any age, thats what it was for us years ago.
Only moral support mate, but, hope its of help.
John
in reply to
Much appreciated and wise advise. Of course we will take the urn😎
And yes now its cooling down a little things will slow up but that brings the temptation of a red wine. Thats good for the ticker though isnt it🤠
Appreciate the comments
in reply to
The red wine was good for me. Gotta say with my AF ( which didn't need an ablation) booze was one thing that I only cut back on slightly. In your case I'd advise considerable care on what and how much you have. Maybe speak to your healthcare professionals.
in reply to
Red wine cures everything( in that moment anyway)🏋️♂️
Three weeks is nothing in the grand scheme of recovery. It will take three to six months as we tell in our fact sheet on recovering from ablation so please be patient. The more you try and do now the less likely is long term success.
I also have had 2 ablations for the pvc's but did not work! I am now on flecanide and nibivolol which works but would consider another ablation if it would work this time! recovery was 8 weeks for me you need to take things easy and there may be a few bumps on the way, so it will just take time and you cannot rush things much as you would like! Let me know how the pvc's are going I would love to get off all meds, best wishes and keep resting! Ingrid
Sorry to hear it hasnt worked for you. Prayers for future results sent your way.
Im still getting eptopics and racing heart but from what everyone is telling me i wont know till all the scar tissue forms and heals so fingers crossed. I will be sure to post the outcome when i get to that stage. Going to try all the supps everyone has been suggesting. Looks very promising. As for rest ive got no choice. The body is dictating to me at the minute which is very frustrating to my ADD👻
Awe three weeks is nothing think the doc over estimated. I’m four months after ablation. Inclines have been my worst problem you justseem to run from fourth gear to first.....no ergergy, it suddenly feels as if the cars out of gas!.....I live in the alps and it’s all inclines......the heart takesa bashing and I think inclines are just too much......we do have to nurture this heart and give it time.....I found if I over did it I was like you ha I guess to go to bed.......try and look at this with a bit more of a longer plan to get well......
Ease up a bit.....yes easy saudthan done with a young family,
My EP who did my ablation said treat an ablation recovery the same as open heart surgery, take it easy and just a little bit more every day, he spoke about a 90 day recovery time, plus the fact if you have had full blown anaesthetic it can take 3/4 weeks for that to get out of your system, it will leave you feeling tired and run down too...
So sorry to hear to are feeling so deflated post ablation. I felt exactly the same and soldiered on to the 3 month mark when I had my follow up EP appointment. I was waking at 6am and had to go back to bed for a couple of hours by 10am. I only managed about 4 waking hours before I had to go and put my head down again. I had absolutely no energy whatsoever. I strongly regretted ever having the ablation but I trusted my EP so much. When I eventually went back to see him at the 3 month follow up, he gently chastised me for not letting me know how awful I had been feeling. I had only been in sinus rhythm for about 3 days post ablation and according to my loop recorder I had been in AF for the rest of the time. 3 days after my follow up I was cardioverted and so far, 5 weeks later, I have not looked back. I am very well aware that this is not a forever treatment, but I now know that I must shout up if I am not feeling as expected between my appointments. Any EP worth their salt would not object to you reaching out for help. Good luck and don't hold back.
Gday mate,
That sounds like a battle you went through and won for the time being. Glad to hear you are travelling well now and appreciate you sharing👍
I have an appointment in a couple of days so we will see how she goes but he has some answering to do.
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