catheter ablation success

[Padayn01]

Hi all been getting a lot of responses and fact sheets regarding the ablation procedure which have been amazing but when do you really know if the ablation has been a success? 6 weeks? Or more?

[Tikaneko]

Hi, I had my ablation 1st July and I was told that I would have a follow up appointment 4 months later. I have to say though that the first 2 weeks I felt great, then I went into really bad AF was hospitalised for the day. Following that I felt rubbish, all sorts of flutters, tiredness and breathless etc. My BP was all over the place. I started taking Magnesium to help. This week I feel back to normal, today is the first day I have had a full 24 hours feeling great, no flutters or anything, still a bit tired. I recently started walking to the next village a couple of miles there and back. Hope all goes well for you.

[Padayn01 in reply to Tikaneko]

So your follow up is in November? What happened in hospital how did the control your AF? Are you still on beta blockers? Can I ask what magnesium you took they are so many just don’t know which one to start thank you for the reply

[Tikaneko in reply to Padayn01]

My follow up is at the end of September. I continue to take Adizem to control the Paroxysmal AF and Apixaban. I didn’t stop taking any of my meds whilst in hospital except for 1 day. I take Magnesium Citrate (300mg per day) Dr Gupta suggests either Citrate or Taurate ( I think that’s how you spell the other one) He does have a video on YouTube that is very helpful, well several really. But don’t forget we are all different and react differently. Hope that helps. I am sure you will get plenty of replies on here good luck and take care.

[Padayn01 in reply to Tikaneko]

Thank you very much

[Rubymurray25]

I guess anyone having had an ablation will have a different story, but nearly three months on and except a weekend stay in hospital after week one with an AF episode which didn't wish to stop, I do feel as if i'm on the mend. Many other members advise to take it easy and I think that is key advice something I probably should have been more cautious of in the early days. I was put on Flecainide for a 3 month period , so at the end of next week I go cold turkey , fingers crossed. My cardiologist said he wasn't surprised at all that I had a reaction in the first week as he did a lot of work and that I should be prepared to wait up to 6 months to feel the real benefits. Kind regards

[Padayn01 in reply to Rubymurray25]

Hi rubymurray25 can I just ask did you think you done to much in the first two weeks and didn’t give the heart enough time to heal?

[Rubymurray25 in reply to Padayn01]

Hi Padayn01, I am a carer for my disabled wife and although I did have some cover for the first three days on reflection I should have taken if a little easier and maybe that was way I had the return visit to hospital. I class myself as fit but like most I guess underestimate the actual effect the procedure had on me both mentally and physically. I do however remain very positive and optimistic for the long term result. Take care Max

[Padayn01 in reply to Rubymurray25]

Much appricated max

[Mandy232426]

Hi Padayn01.

I am nearly 6 weeks post ablation.

Not had any AF attacks since the procedure, few bumps, but thats all.

I feel tired and breathless. I reduced my flecanide from 200mg per day to 100 and am still taking 5mg bisoprolol and blood thinner.

I think i am due to see my cardiologist at post 3 months.

[Padayn01 in reply to Mandy232426]

Thanks for this

[Dodie117]

It took 5 months for my various bumps and arrythmias to settle. That was almost six years ago and still AF free. Go carefully and slowly until six months.

[Padayn01 in reply to Dodie117]

I wish the docs told me this they done really tell you much, apart from rest 1-2 weeks I found out so much more on this forum

[Dodie117 in reply to Padayn01]

Agree. I got great info and support on here in 2013. Be kind to yourself and your poor heart which has just been burnt and injured and needs time to heal.

Good luck🍀

[Padayn01 in reply to Dodie117]

Thank you 👍🏼

[Tikaneko]

I agree, you have to take it easy, remember this isn’t just a procedure!

[absolutepatsy]

More than 6 weeks, in my case I still had the odd flutter after 5 months. I felt great but now and then there would be a little movement to remind me I was not completely out of the woods. Give it time.

[Padayn01 in reply to absolutepatsy]

You still on beta blockers?

[absolutepatsy in reply to Padayn01]

Yes, it was a year after my ablation that I eventually saw Cardiologist and asked if I could stop the Atenolol which she agreed to. After 3 days I was in Atrial Flutter not AF this time so back on them. I should have pushed for a second ablation as I think I need a top up to block any rogue signals still getting through. I have been AF free for 10 months and flutter free for 6 and feel good except for weight gain which I need to address. I want off the beta blockers but don't want to rock the boat at the moment as I am very ill if I go into AF.

[Padayn01 in reply to absolutepatsy]

Fantastic news that you been AF free for 10 months great news

[Lottie57]

Hi, I’m 6 weeks this coming Monday and have had no AF but quite a few flutters. Am starting to go back to exercise slowly but not letting my heart rate get higher than 120. Resting is around 58-62

[Padayn01 in reply to Lottie57]

Sorry forgot to ask when you say flutters you mean skipped beats?

[Lottie57 in reply to Padayn01]

Yes but they come and go quickly

[Padayn01]

Thanks for this guys and can I just ask are you still on the beta blockers post ablation?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Padayn01]

Three to six months as we say in our fact sheet on recovery but many people are still improving at nine months. I am not on any meds other than warfarin.

[Padayn01 in reply to BobD]

Thank you for this

[MydogBrandy]

Eight months on, feeling great and off all my meds. Good luck, wish you the same, it’s lovely to go out without the fear of an episode x

[Padayn01 in reply to MydogBrandy]

Fantastic news when did you come off the meds?

[MydogBrandy]

Came off my blood thinners three days before ablation and came off all the rest after my six week follow up. Can’t tell you how great that feels after taking meds for 18 years. I can now go for walks without having to keep stopping for a rest which is a bonus, the anxiety attacks have also stopped.

[Padayn01 in reply to MydogBrandy]

That’s brilliant you must feel brand new, may I ask was it AFIB you had?

[MydogBrandy]

Hiya, yes I Do. As brand new as you can get at 70 years old lol.

I had tachycardia , 18 years of it, sometimes three episodes a week. I was always told by my cardiologist to have an ablation but I was also told by someone else that it could cause a stroke so I did not have it done for that reason. My husband Colin then had three heart attacks and we were both on the cardiac ward together in opposite beds so when they took him for his stent I decided to book my self in for an ablation, had it done private so I could get it done quick to be home to help my Colin. Best thing I did! Ablation for tachycardia I believe or am told is a little easier to address.

[Padayn01 in reply to MydogBrandy]

👍🏼

[absolutepatsy]

In my case more. As I reached 8 weeks I thought I felt better and no missed beats or start of palpatations or anything which made me feel I was going into AF but then I felt an ectopic beat which made me think all is not well yet, so I continued, still no AF or flutter and 12 weeks passed and I just went on like that till the periods between strange beats were longer apart and now I don't think about it so, to answer your question, its personal to each person but you will know as you feel better over time. Theres not really a time limit. I think my ablation has been successful in as much as eradicating most of the AF and when I had the one episode through my recovery, it was not nearly as bad as before the op. Hope this makes sense.

[Padayn01 in reply to absolutepatsy]

Thank you for this are you off the beta blockers now?