1 week since ablation.

[BellaGrace]

I am new to this site and so glad am so glad I found it. I had an ablation 1 week ago. My doctors instructions said 72 hours of rest, then 1 week to get back to normal routine. I went back to work since I have a desk job. I had and knew about the possibility of palpitations and maybe times of a fib. But Later that week I found myself getting really tired when extra busy and dreading the steps at work. Just walking up the 2 flights exhausted me. The thought of stairs or inclines when walking dreaded me. Twice I even had lightning like flashes in my eyes. I was getting worried and probably causing more irregular beats. I thought I would be back to some biking and running by now. Finding this site was a blessing and a stress reliever. I read the recover after ablation post and feel lots better. Planning on taking it easy for a while. Thanks

[Kaz747]

Hi BellaGrace

Welcome to the forum. It really does take a while to get over an ablation. My last one was 3 months ago and I’m now back at work (I was off for almost a year with arrhythmias, procedures and a number of health dramas). Every day at the train stations I look at the stairs that I used to climb but jump on the escalator. Our office is on the 6th floor so that’s definitely an elevator ride. I’m okay now with the stairs at home but there have been times over the past year when I struggled to get up them. It’s frustrating as I want to be the fit, healthy woman I once was but my body has other ideas. I’m sure I’ll continue to improve and I’m sure you will too. Make sure you get plenty of rest and listen to your body. I often feel like I’m being lazy when I’m sitting on the couch on my days off when I know there are so many other things I could be doing. I don’t think my mind and body are in sync at the moment. My mind wants to get so much done and the body says “no”. All the best!

[BellaGrace in reply to Kaz747]

Thanks Kaz747. I wish you the best also. Everyone heals at their own pace and I am learning I just need to listen to my body instead of the standard instructions the doctor gives to everyone.

[Jjda]

I don't know how old you are, or whether you were active before your ablation, but I am assuming you are relatively young and very active before the ablation. Even so, a week is not enough to assume you can resume your normal activities. Did they put you on beta blockers? Those can really make you think you can't do anything but sleep. But that's ok. Rest, allow your body to heal, pretend you are on a lazy vacation. Take the escalator or elevator. Delay that 5k until September, take care of yourself. It is ok. You will get back to where you were, but it will take time.

[BellaGrace in reply to Jjda]

Thanks for the response Jjda. I am 61 and yes I am/was active. I was supposed to run the Pittsburgh Marathon Relay with co workers this year and dropped out. Besides a runner, I bike and do martial arts. I was diagnosed with a fib the beginning of this year, and found out that I went into a fib during a routine stress test a year ago but nobody detected it. I take no meds now except vitamins so I chose the ablation over medication. I am taking a blood thinner since my procedure but nothing else. I am told the blood thinner may be temporary. I was just afraid until I found this site and started reading the posts. I though there was more wrong. Anyway, I will take all your advice and spend the summer on vacation. Thanks!

[Drummerswidow]

Hi BellaGrace.

I haven’t been on here for ages. I had my ablation a year ago. Unfortunately got pneumonia very soon after procedure. It took me a long time to get back to my normal with my heart etc. I can say a year on it’s worked, sort of, because I have had to have chemo and that affects your heart as well.

I have learnt over the years that Doctors come out with these statements. It may be okay for some but I think for the majority it may well take a bit longer to get back on track. Just take it easy for the time being. I found once I was off my medication I felt better.

[Dodie117]

I think resting is very important and it’s nonsense to expect you to return to work so soon especially there are stairs to climb. It took me 5 months to return to normal and almost a year before my resting heartbeat returned to normal.

A lot of people do too much too soon and spoil their chances of recovery. I had mine in 2013 aged 63 and still AF free. Remember, it’s not a cure, just a treatment so be careful.

I have remained on apixaban as feel safer that way.

Good luck 🍀

[Rbyy]

I had the same experience with my ablation back in Jan 2019. Docs said i could go back to the gym after five days. I did and began to have chest pains. When i spoke to the nurse they said they didn't know why the docs tell people that. They said atleast two to four weeks of rest. Six months later i am back to running. My heart rate is still higher than it was pre ablation especially the first mile of a run i find i still am running two mins slower per mile but I am running. Just take it easy and heal. Dont over do it like I did. You will heal but not as fast as docs say. Its frustrating but it may take six months or longer to get back. Good luck

[Brizzy50000]

After being on this site for few years now, I have come to the conclusion that GP's over here and Doctors over the pond, know next to nothing on how long it takes patients to recover from an Ablation, personally I had a complete month of rest followed by 2 more months of enforced rest due to a torn calf muscle and twisted ankle, but here I am over a year after my ablation and no AF or flutter since.

So let your body tell you when you feel fit enough to get back to normal.