Hello all - and thanks to all who responded to my post a few days ago - it’s a really great place to get support here and I’m very appreciative.
Had my cryosblation on Tuesday as planned but didn’t get home until the following day as I went to procedure late afternoon and was The day ward had closed so had to stay in overnight. No problem as was glad to stay in. All went according to plan and staff were all so kind and caring. The surgeon asked if I’d had the ct scan he’d requested - I hadn’t - but he said he’d go ahead with ablation nonetheless. Bit worried by that. I felt nervous going through the prep and having signed the consent form hearing all the things that can happen but knew I’d passed the point of no return by then. My legs were quivering as I lay on the table but as soon as the sedation began I relaxed. Strange sensation of being there but detached. I think it took approximately two hours as I went in at 3.45 and was back to ward by 6.30.
I have three pulmonary veins - not four apparently. Haven’t googled it yet but o think they said a percentage of people have three - not sure if that’s relevant to afib.
It was all over quickly seemingly and I did have a heavy dull ache in chest whilst they were doing it but I think when I said that they upped the sedation. Didn’t sleep well at first but had paracetamol at midnight and slep til 3.30 and the on and off til 6.00am.
Haven’t had afib but have had an occasional ectopic beat. Yesterday morning whilst still in hospital I had a visual migraine - shimmering arc for twenty mins the dull low grade headache rest of day. Today got up and felt pretty good but after breakfast and shower had another visual migraine then dull low grade headache again. Rested til about 2pm by reading and dozing but have had three further vis migraines today. Feel very slightly nauseous too at times.
Anyway it’s early days so hoping that after a week or so I’ll feel a bit better. Sorry for long post but wanted to check in here and get a bit of feedback from others to see if they can relate to my experience.
Thanks for listening 🙂
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Camgirl
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Meant to say that they checked me after vis migraine by pressing in feet and asking me to push back and various other tests - checking for stroke I assume. I’d got my notes on recovering from ablation printed off from this site with me so it was reassuring to read that others have had this too. Strangely the nurse didn’t seem to be aware of it😳
The nurse hadn't read or fact sheet obviously. We compiled that using patient experience and you would be amazed how many doctors did not understand why they occur. Now rest .
Glad you are past the actual procedure. Challenge now is to be kind to yourself during recovery and don’t expect to be back to pre AFib self soon. Rest as you need and try not to be too anxious.
Hey Camgirl! Ben from California. (Also, hello Bob D...I see you on the threads and wanted to thank you for your volunteer work.)
Camgirl, glad to hear you made it through so well. Agree with everyone else...the first 3 months you'll be a bit more tired. It's an amazing time to catch up on guilty pleasures like movies and shows or hobbies! GUILTY PLEASURES!
Your description of what happened with the CT sounds like a bit of a scary one, but glad you powered through. Fate just took over the way you described it. I did something similar. I forgot my ID LOL, but the nurse believed it was me and let me in for the April 12th procedure.
I think you're going to be way better off for going through the ablation to your 3 pulmonary veins. So many brave people in this group. The UK is way ahead on the knowledge sharing side of Afib. I did a ton of research beforehand but missed this group. All the stuff I learned is being repeated daily by all of you. (Said in an overstated American way. I went to High School in London and am aware of how enthusiastic we are compared to the understated classy Brits)
I know that I feel way better after 7 weeks. In fact, I feel like I'm just staying in sinus rhythm the entire time since the procedure. I do feel infrequent minor symptoms of the old Afib like a cough or sniffle but the heart is not out of whack and the symptoms are far less frequent and far less severe. I go many days at a time with nothing. I'm working out like normal at the gym with weights, resistance, and swimming.
As a matter of fact, the second I got out of my procedure I noticed a complete change in how I felt. It's upgraded my whole life.
After 3 months I get off doses of 50 MG Flecanide, 12.5 MG of Metoprolol, and 150 MG of Pradaxa blood thinner twice daily. I'm a little anxious about this...
Anyway, Camgirl...great you are sharing with all of us. Thank you...
Hope you get some rest and enjoy the process. BTW, for anyone who cares, I've been watching the show Downton Abbey for the first time. Great English show.
Hi Ben - thanks for your reply - good to hear you’re doing well - it’s a beautiful sunny morning here and I’m going to go out and look at my garden later. I hope to be back doing exercise and swimming soon like you. It’s early days yet though.
Yes agree - this website is a great source of information and reassurance. Was thinking that medical researchers could make use of it and people on here!
Downtown I’ve never watched but can recommend a great short series - Fleabag! Best wishes
Well done glad it's over, now the start of healing. After mine 4 weeks ago I had the same, quite bad migraine and flashes etc, totally Normal I was told. Still getting the odd headache now but nothing a paracetamol can't fix. You must rest and take it very easy a couple of weeks as advised, I overdid it a couple of times as I felt so good and had a bad day or two because of it, stubburn idiot I am.
Now making decent progress and walking a mile and half or so, get the odd flutter etc, to be expected, but it's a slow, patience game, so keep positive, and a speedy recovery.
Well done, it sounds as if everything went well, yes the migraine aura are a bit of a pain mine lasted 3 or 4 days on and off, but like you I had read that this was normal so no panicking on my part.
It sounds like you coped with the sedation pretty well, it wasn’t offered to myself and I therefore had the general anaesthetic.
I too had a visual migraine within an hour of coming round from the anaesthetic... small towel over my head for 30 minutes and it disappeared.
It’s nearly 3 months since my elected ablation, apart from some ectopic beats (Bi/Trigeminy) and a little fluttering, all has settled, just taking PIP Flecainide/Bisoprolol and still on the anti coagulants.. hope the recovery goes well with yourself.
that's great, glad to hear all went well. I had visual auras on and off for about 10days. I suspect they were provoked by my doing more activities than others would recommend. (helping marshall at a park run, followed by a food shop on day 10!) That was the last one I had. I had one 1-2 hour episode of ectopics (bi/trigeminy) on day 15, that was also after a busier day and I think associated with heart burn/ indigestion. Been fine since, climbed Arthur's seat in Edinburgh and did their park run when on a 4 day break there last weekend.
I am still on flecainide but EP said to stop in 2 months which is now. I'm going to ask the arrhythmia nurses next week if I can carry it as a PIP for a while for psychological security blanket. The apixiban I can stop at the 3 month point. Although I know some people stay on it for ever.
That’s all interesting - yes it’s hard to take it easy when there’s so much you want to do.
I’ve been kept on my normal meds of bisoprolol and rivaroxaban and told I’ll get a follow up appointment in three months. (I have a pip of flecanide but never had to take it yet thank goodness). Not sure what then
Good luck with your continuing recovery and thanks for replying
Hi Camgirl, well I also had my cryoblation on Wednesday as planned, all went well didn't find it a very pleasant experience, was fine afterwards but when I got home I had severe pain on the right side chest and back, could t sleep at all also nausea and dizziness, had to go back to hospital on Thursday to get checked, had a heart scan a d all was fine, the nausea was due to the sedation and other drugs you have to have, doctor prescribed Tamadol and something for the Xi knez kness
Sorry computer giving me a hard time, so doctor gave me tramadol and something for the sickness and am now feeling much better, surprised I have had this reaction as normally my pain threshold is quite high, glad all went well for you , hope it is successful for us both, take care
Hi Casapino - glad you got through it ok too albeit with a couple of hiccups. I’ve had a slight nauseous feeling too although today a little less. Yes I think it must be the drugs we’ve had - my bowels seem to be back to normal today so hoping that’s a good indicator of things improving😳.
It’s early days yet - yes let’s hope for the best - keep posting as it will be good to compare notes.
Hi, feel much better this afternoon, so onwards and upwards for us both, never thought about bowel movement, mine havn't worked yet, might have to take something x
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