Breathlessness

[Lamplight37]

Hi. All....I am the ancient one, still having problems now 10 weeks post ablation......I phoned my arrhythmia nurse, but received no reply ...which was very disappointing....Iam still very breathless, upon doing anything even now after all these weeks. Have to see my G P in a weeks time, I’ll see then if the crackle in my chest has cleared up. Wondering now if anything went wrong during Catheter ablation . Can you get repercussions ....to the lungs or pleura cavity, or the area round the heart.....have tried to read up on as much info as possible....find the jargon confusing. I really am wondering have I got heart failure now.....I suppose I just want to get back to some normality, I can’t plan much, some days are good, as long as I don’t do much....and I wonder is it because I am not doing any exercise, that I am not building up my stamina.....would love some constructive comments...you guy’s always seem so positive...

[wilsond]

Hello sorry to hear you are having problems. I have not had an ablation. But have read on here some people have these symptoms for some time afterwards. I wonder if it might be an idea to contact the person who did it? If you don't have their number,try ringing his / her secretary and ask them to arrange a response. Might be worth another try for the artthymia nurse too.

As far as I recall,eventually the breathing improves,its to do with the phrenic nerve I think,if it's affected during the proceedure and it repairs itself in due course.

Best wishes

[jeanjeannie50]

I remember feeling drained and breathless months after after my second ablation. I couldn't do anything that required effort, it just wore me out! I would also become very tired in an instant, as though someone had turned off my energy switch and afternoons would often be spent sleeping.

It was then discovered that I had an under-active thyroid, caused by taking the drug Amiodarone. Tablets to correct this have improved my energy levels so much. You haven't been prescribed and taken Amiodarone have you?

Have you had your thyroid levels checked?

Jean

[Buffafly]

I was going to suggest seeing your GP but I see you have already and are booked for a checkup. Your GP should be able to deal with the breathlessness whatever the cause but if you become very breathless at rest you should call for help. I found it difficult to recover from infections for a long time after my ablation. Pottering sounds good. If you are worried about HF go to British Heart Foundation site, excellent jargon free info.

[CDreamer]

If you have a crackle on your lungs then this will be a strong suspect for the breathlessness? Do you know what is causing the crackle?

Recovering from ablation does take a much longer time than you are led to believe and my experience was similar to Jean’s but fatigue and breathlessness are very different symptoms and although may be linked, both need a little more investigations so I would push your GP and ensure he gives you a full physical - BP, pulse, listens to your chest and if heart failure is suspected refer you for an echocardiogram. HF is diagnosed on a number expressed as a % and is called an Ejection Fraction. 50% or above is a good number - anything lower than 35% would indicate Heart Failure but remember this can be reversed. My husband’s EF was 36% in February and is now back up to 55% and he is now feeling much, much better.

Ablation Complications such as phrenic nerve damage is very rare, but not unheard of and is diagnosed with a chest x-ray. HF is diagnosed on a number expressed as a % and is called an Ejection Fraction.

As far as exercise is concerned then you must listen to your body - breathlessness = you must stop, recover before proceeding and a good rule of thumb is being able to walk and talk at the same time. Don’t push yourself to do more but neither be a couch potato. Move and exercise in ‘snacks’ rather than try do too much at once and then you will build tolerance and stamina very gradually. It was about 12months before I could walk up any incline without having to stop every 10 yards, but I was OK on the flat.

Best wishes CD.

[Bagrat]

Sorry you are finding it hard going. You call yourself the older one and I do find that everything takes longer as we grow older. This may be geting up in the morning or recovery from an injury or ailment. Definitely ring the arrhythmia nurse. They are human too and your message may have got lost in the ether.

Always good to try about 8.30am before they head out from office to clinics etc. Hope you feel better soon.

[Hidden]

I agree with wilsond’s assessment that you should contact the person who carried out the procedure for more information. He is the person best placed to address your concern.

[charlwood35]

C

[Hidden]

Something positive?! You have an arrhythmia nurse! No such thing at my surgery! Hope you get sorted successfully soon (and me!)

[Sueintexas]

I've had two ablations and breathlessness was my main complaint after both of them. It gradually improved over a period of months. I tried to walk at a reasonable pace for 30 minutes every day a month or so after the ablations, but your body will tell you what is too much. If you get out of breath, slow down or stop. I do think a little bit of exercise every day helped me. A medication change also helped. Multaq quit working so they switched me to digoxin which helped a lot. I also have aortic valve regurgitation which probably contributes to my shortness of breath. I'm 8 months post ablation and still have some SOB but it's a lot better than it was. Everyone's case is different. I wish you the best and hope you find what works best for you.

[Lamplight37]

Hi Sue....thanks for the comfort talk....it’s comforting to hear other people have same problem....

[Hidden]

It took me at least 3 months following my ablation to get my fitness back, including not being so breathless.