Hi all, I’ve shared parts of my journey here, so I thought I’d update and seek some kind words. Feeling pretty scared and depressed.......anyway, successful ablation done 3.5 months ago for AVNRT. Rough summer before with Er trips, beta blockers, anxiety over procedure. Tougher recovery than expected but was glad I did it. Well, a couple weeks ago I got a few really quick ‘weird’ Arrhythmias. It was a little worrisome but they were so short I just sort of ignored it. Then, yesterday morning I got a 4-5 minute run that felt awful and just like an SVT. I managed to get a Kardia reading and am waiting to hear back from doctor about what it was. So, like I said, I’m just totally demoralized—seems ablation either failed or I have a new arrhythmia.
Any similar experiences?? Insights? Thanks all.
Written by
Timsywhimsy
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Hi Tim, I know how you feel, I was in a similar situation but mine was just over 7 months after my ablation. In my case, things did settle a bit, but AF did occur a few times and I’m now on the list for another ablation. I recently found out that I have some thyroid issues and it’s possible they may be a contributory factor. In your case, it is still early days, we talk about a 3 month blanking period but very often it can take nearer 6 months before the tissue in the heart is fully recovered so there is a good chance that you too, will see some improvement.......
Sorry Tim, meant RAI, radioactivity iodine. I’m no expert on Thyroid but I have a goitre. I was put on carbimazole but told it was not the best thing to be on with a heart condition.....no point going over it all again cos one things for sure, it’s not reversible!!
This can be quite demoralising I know but it really is too soon to give up on things. Don't preempt things but wait till you get a response from your EP.
In the worst case scenario you have a repeat ablation and now you know what it is like you won't be scared or worried about it.
I'm sure you will understand that I am not knocking you here but that your recovery was normal, just that you had been given unrealistc expectations . So many people have this problem which is why we prepared our two fact sheets on preparing for and recovering from ablation.
I appreciate just how disappointed and demoralised your feeling right now, I know I would be devastated. During my recovery I experienced ectopics and a few short runs of SVT (around 5 sec) but these generally (not always) have reduced in number and severity throughout the 11 months since my ablation. Please ensure your drinking enough water (no substitutes) and make sure your drink water first this in the morning. I recently found a link between sugar and the onset of my ectopics/short runs of SVT and the effects of such sugar could be apparent for a day may be longer after. What I found is that I could take a certain amount before I became sensitive to it, I have now not had any sugar for 2 weeks and have not suffered any ectopic or runs of SVT for over a week. I cannot say if this is going to help you but it may be worth a try.
Don't post much on here but thought my current situation was relevant. Had my second ablation in November and everything seemed fine. However, 5 days ago my pulse jumped from the 85 it was post ablation to 150 and stayed there until I woke this morning back to 85. I didn't take any additional meds. I'm on amiodorone 200mg once a day, enalapril elequis and a couple of diuretics. Started a new job on Monday, and as I wasn't much more out of breath than before pulse increase I thought I'd see what happened before the usual trip to A&E lol. Glad I did. Hopefully your symptoms will settle down as well. I have read loads on here about recovery times from ablation and short term relapses, so chin up and hope for the best.
Awe three plus months, not that long...... don’t feel disheartened, it’s a funny ol thing the heart while it’s healing.....think I posted on here when I was nearpost ablation six months as I had a few crazy moments, well not moments, more like a few hours, skipping beats jumping, instantly went into worry mode......but folk here calmed me,it can take up to a year even......then I saw my cardio and he just shrugged and said oh that’s fine nothing to worry about,,,,,,,so I think Bob wisdom rules here we need to not expect too much too soon we all recover diferent,y............chin up !
Thanks everyone. It helps to hear your stories. I’d be less worried if it had been an Afib ablation, as I hear there definitely is a blanking period for those. I don’t think there is supposed to be one for an SVT procedure, though. And of course doc hasn’t got back to me. Through this whole thing I’ve been shocked at how slow going everything is. From the first episode I just wanted to be admitted to the hospital until it was all fixed! Ha. Took months.
Thought I’d update everyone who was kind enough to reply....cardiologist thinks it was probably avnrt, which means I’m in the 3-5 percent with an unsuccessful ablation. He said it also has some features of atrial tachycardia so he wants me to have another episode to better understand. Looks like I’m headed for another ablation but in the meantime just waiting for ‘it’ to hit while I try to take care of my 3 and 6 year olds. Wondering if I’ll need an ambulance while I’m alone with them. Honestly, I’m tearing up all the time.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
76 years old with A F
My recovery from my pulse field ablation April 15.
apixaban and hematuria 
shortness of breath
3% Afib burden and proposed medication
