I had an ablation for atrial flutter in early April, which got rid of the unpleasant symptoms, but every two weeks I've been getting several hours of slow AF, and this week I've had it twice. I'm really anxious because my partner is in hospital having radical surgery, and I can't visit him, which is making the anxiety worse, and making me think it's my fault. that my heart keeps going berserk.
My arrhythmia nurse says it's possibly still 'early days' (ten weeks), but asked if I have a smart phone to send an ECG to her monitor, which I don't. The AF seems to be getting more frequent but I can't get an ECG because the walk-in clinic isn't operating, and can't go to A&E to get one because I'm isolating due to my partners illness..
Does anyone have a similar experience of AF after an ablation, and do you think ten weeks is still 'early days'? Shouldn't the AF be lessening by now rather than becoming more frequent?
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I expect your Arrhythmia Nurse is referring to a Kardia (worth a Google) which is an app attached to either a smartphone or iPad which enables ECG reports to be sent to medics for analysis. Many here have one and they are available via Amazon and the AF Association often offer deals to. Using one may help to prevent the stress you are currently experiencing which obviously isn’t helping. It is early days, and the episodes of AF way we’ll settle but this is a difficult time for you, but hopefully you will soon be able to make contact with you partner which will help ease your anxiety......best wishes.
It is still very early days in your recover. If you check out our fact sheet (heartrhythmalliance.org/res... you will see that it takes three to six months for full recovery and this is quite common. Try to relax, stay well hydrated and do deep breathing.
Thank you. I suppose I'm panicking and making it worse. I was told to stop taking Flecainide from the day I had the ablation, but the arrhythmia nurse told me I could take 100mg to see if the AF stopped, so after a sleepless night I have done, and it has stopped, ,after nine hours. I always feel great joy when it stops, but I also feel disappointed, and sort of guilty because I was explicitly told not to take Flecainide.
I was surprised to be abruptly taken off Flecainide, because after an ablation for AF I was left on it for eight years. I felt I'd lost a crutch, which is maybe why I feel a bit wobbly about the outcome of the second ablation.
Interesting that doctors all have different opinions. So do patients. I’m not sure whether when you say AF you mean atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. I’ve heard atrial flutter is easier to eliminate that AF. Anyway I’ve had two ablations. I had multiple episodes of AF after the first, particularly in the first two weeks. And I took Flecainide to deal with it. So when your doctor said don’t take Flecainide this sounds odd as it works for atrial fibrillation. Did he mean do t take it for atrial flutter?
I lasted 3 years after the first ablation. Then it came back when I was exhausted, stressed and extremely overworked.
Then I had a second ablation to target the problem area. I never had a since AF after the second ablation.
Anyway I thought this might be of interest. It took me about 4 months to settle down after the first ablation. Then I had no episodes for two years and 8 months. So in my case it may be that post ablation AF was a predictor of the return of AF.
I had an ablation eight years ago for atrial fibrillation, and one in April of this year for atrial flutter, when I was taken off Flecainide, which seemed to be controlling the fibrillation.
Try not to worry about that. Taking a single dose of Flecainide is a very common method of getting back into rhythm known as a Pill in the Pocket. Also good that it only took 100 mgs because some have to take 3 times that.
Yes, I've drunk some water because my blood pressure was 88/55, and I feel better, but I didn't think Flecainide affected blood pressure. Maybe I took too much, because the nurse told me to take no more than 100g as PIP, and I took 50g at one o'clock in the morning and 100g at eight o'clock. To be honest, I'm a bit scared of it and didn't want to take 100g at night after not having taken it for a couple of months, though as you say people take a lot more.
Just to add to the other replies which cover everything you say your ablation was fir flutter. I wonder if you had AF before or an ablation for AF ? They often co exist and when one is a later it lets the other surface. If it’s very slow I wouldn’t get anxious but do see if it’s possible to get a Kardia. I had af this morning and it’s great to have the Kardia to record and send to your doctor.
Yes, I had an ablation for AF in 2012. I will try to get a Kardia because I can see the benefits of being in direct contact with a doctor or arrhythmia nurse. The thing I've really hated about this heart condition is feeling scared when you have an episode, but not being able to get advice when you need it. For example, having to get a GP to refer you back to cardiology and having to wait weeks for an appointment while you're fearing you're going to drop dead at any moment!
I know it's easier said than done but AF- particularly as yours is slow, is not going to have these dramatic results- and if you felt ill you should ring 999-
It does take many months to fully settle down after an ablation. I use my kardia so infrequently I think I may have lost it. When I bought it, I used it all the time.
I had one awful attack of fibrillation after my ablation for atrial flutter last June. Bisoprolol 5 mg brought it under control thankfully and eventually I was able to come off this and remain well. I think it can take a good while for the heart to heal - up to a year, I've read.
Bad luck on your partner's health problems; it must be truly awful not to be able to visit. You have my sympathies. These are very difficult times for all, but for some, massively problematic.
I'm glad you remain well. I didn't expect to be free of symptoms after the ablation but I didn't expect hours of AF, so I was disappointed. It seems though that a lot of people have had the same thing, so I feel more hopeful that things will improve. Well they have really, because the horrible flutter symptoms have gone; I shouldn't be so pessimistic perhaps.
I had a few days of it I imagine but culminating in a really bad day when I ended up back in hospital. I certainly wouldn’t want it to return but it seems to be such a variable thing. My elderly friend has it permanently but hardly knows it. I couldn’t cope with it at all.
My arrhythmia nurse told me her mother has permanent AF and doesn't really notice it, so perhaps your body gets used to it and it becomes less intrusive than random episodes that take you by surprise.
I’ve read that permanent AFib can be easier to cope with than PAF. I think it depends on whether or not an arrhythmia weakens the heart’s output as to how much impact it has. My “ejection fraction” was reduced in just the couple of months I had flutter and I really felt in a mess with it.
Hi, so sorry to hear about your stressful situation. Having had an ablation myself in December and experiencing AF pretty much on a regular basis since, I have accepted the fact that I face another ablation at some time in the future. I've been through various emotions such as frustration, that what I'd been told about the success rate for PAF by the cardiologist didn't apply to me and that the healing process was going to be much longer. I've probably had twice as many episodes of AF in the last 6 months than in the year before the procedure but I have begun slowly to worry less about them and just accept its happening with the knowledge its going to resolve itself after a few hours on my case. If there's one thing I haven't managed to get to grips with till now and maybe never will is the way it has changed my life I suppose. I've always taken my good health for granted so it's been difficult to have to think about what food, drink and exercise I can partake in, for instance I haven't enjoyed alcohol for 2 years now. I'm a very social person and loved the odd evening up the pub or a family gathering where we'd all get merry and laugh ourselves silly. I now sit there watching everybody else with my lemonade and don't feel part of it as I'm one of those sad people who need a drink to relax and join in lol. I realise now I'm on a journey and I'm gradually learning to take things as they come so I guess what I'm saying is you will eventually get used to your condition in your own way but you aren't alone. Take care and stay safe
Thanks Hammerboy, it is good to know you're not alone, though I wouldn't wish this condition on anyone, I hate the unpredictability of it, and the fact that I often can't sleep when it happens at night. I'm really sorry you feel a bit left out in social situations.
Just to say I had ablations in 2015 and 2016 for P AF and had lengthy (24 hours +) episodes of AF after both,, which was disheartening at the time. However, things eventually settled down about 6 months after the second and I’ve been pretty much free of AF since, though still on regular meds. So yes I think it’s miles to early to judge as your heart and body needs time and patience to heal. Whatever crises there may be in your life, it’s always seemed to me that AF is a condition which requires you to look after yourself first. That probably sounds selfish but as they say on every flight - ‘put on your oxygen mask first before attending to anyone else’. Take care and stay safe.
it depends on each individual, it will takes sometime may be 3 months to recover, you should not stress yourself and must have good rest n slowly do light exercise for a few weeks and adjust your own self to your acceptable level of exercise, then they the wound tissue will recover faster n you will recovered fully.
Just to express huge sympathy for you. I had lots of bouts of AF for 4 months (Sept 2017 -Jan 2018) after my last ablation. Then it suddenly settled. I logged each episode with my Kardia. It helps because my EP always asks if I'm sure the episodes are AF, and I just show him the print outs. So I agree with KipperJohn and others. It's too soon to judge.
I had the same concerns that my arrhythmia was back and started the anxiety cycle that makes it all worse. It does take time for this to heal and feel a difference. A lot longer than it feels like it should. Anxiety, dehydration, caffeine can amplify the arrhythmia (or the fluttering you might have that isn't actually AFib). I had some bouts recently -2 years post ablation and ended up getting the kardia EKG. In this time of covid, being able to do an EKG at home is huge. Try not to worry and do things that relax and distract you when you can.
I would say ten weeks is still early, yes. As for your anxiety, as a longtime meditator (since 1976), can I suggest a simple breath awareness practice? There are also a number of free apps on the internet that offer guided meditations that would definitely have an impact on your anxiety.
If you search "breath awareness practice" on YouTube you will find a plethora of how-to videos on this.
I have had 2 ablations and my afib started again after 3months so I was put on Flecainide 50mg twice a day I still get flutters but no Afib.I don't mind taking the Flecainide as long as it keeps me in a normal rythm.I get lots of flutters if I am nervous or over tired, try to stay calm x
It's funny you say that, because I used to feel upset that I had to take medication for my heart to beat normally, but when I developed flutter, and the symptoms were really nasty sometimes, I would have given anything for the Flecainide to be working, without dwelling on the fact that I had to take it. After my ablation for AF in 2012, Flecainide kept me AF free for eight years, apart from two episodes when I'd put on weight. I think that, and dehydration, anxiety and being overtired are my triggers. I'm glad Flecainide is working for you.
Thank you. I used to feel upset because I had to take Flecainide for my heart to beat normally, but when I developed Flutter and the symptoms were sometimes really unpleasant and Flecainide wasn't controlling them, I would have given anything for it to still be working, without dwelling on the fact that I had to take it. I'm so glad it's working for you; it worked well for me and I only had two episodes in eight years after an ablation for AF, and that was when I put on weight.
Holding our breath is a reaction to stress and unfortunately, only adds to it. Taking deep, relaxing breaths during periods of stress is very therapeutic, very calming. You can also add a visualization to that, imagining that with each exhalation, you are releasing tension and anxiety and other deleterious emotions. And with each inhalation, you are bringing in healing and good energy.
A regular meditation practice will help you breath naturally post-meditation. Will increase mental and emotional balance as well as overall physical wellbeing.
Our breath is one of our biggest potential allies.
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