Positive Update - ablation

[Apple88]

Hi all,

It’s been a month since I had my ablation and I just wanted to give a positive update.

First of all, thank you to everyone who read/replied to all my posts this year whilst I was going through some horrible times. This forum was such a huge source of comfort.

So, after four weeks the difference in how I feel is pretty remarkable! I haven’t really done very much in the way of totally back to normal life yet, but I’m certainly back to being able to do general housework & some gardening! Am speaking to my boss about a possible return to work next week too.

My heart rate has been in NSR since the op, apart from one blip last week. My resting heart rate is around 80 (was 55 before) but I feel better for it now. It is a joy to not be taking all the different meds that I’ve tried in the last few months, and just remain on my apixaban. Should have my follow up appointment soon.

Just wanted to say that in my opinion, it was 100% worth having done - even during COVID, and I am so grateful that it was able to go ahead.

Early days, but I feel like it’s given me a chance of getting my life back. 😊

Thank you all again. Hope you’re all doing okay. 🤞🏼

[BobD Volunteer]

Good to read Apple and as we say in the fact sheet raised HR post ablation is very common so no worries there.

[Apple88 in reply to BobD]

Yep. I must’ve referred to that sheet about a thousand times! Very reassuring. Thank you. 😊

[jobristol]

Good to hear you are doing well, do let us know how you progress. Nice to hear positive news.

[Apple88 in reply to jobristol]

Thank you! 😊

[Hidden]

That's great news.

It took 3 months or more before my HR came back to normal, it's back to being low 60s now.

Don't forget to stay well hydrated in this hot weather.

Long may you be in nsr

[Apple88 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. That’s good to know! Stay cool too. 😎

[Paulbounce]

Great news Apple - nice one.

Paul

[Apple88 in reply to Paulbounce]

Thank you! 👍🏼

[Jalia]

Well done...lovely to hear !

[Apple88 in reply to Jalia]

Thank you. 😊

[Hidden]

Great news Apple, take it easy and drink lots of water in this hot weather!

[Apple88 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Yes - I definitely have been! 💧👍🏼

[Salvatore68]

Great to hear you are off other meds after only 1 month. What meds were you taking? My afib was persistent. What was yours?

[Apple88 in reply to Salvatore68]

I have paroxysmal AF but from Feb this year I was having almost daily episodes.

Tried digoxin, bisoprolol, flecainide and sotalol at one stage or another. Some together, but they either reduced my rate to low 40s or brought on more episodes.

Main reason for going ahead was my intolerance to the medication.

[Maisiemay13 in reply to Apple88]

Hi I have PAF and over the last few months episodes have increased,it’s great to read you are doing so well

like you the medication does not suit me and I am down to have ablation in around 3 months,so happy you are doing so well

[Apple88 in reply to Maisiemay13]

I’m glad you’re on the list to have I done. I had almost a year just on low dose bisoprolol and was okay - a few episodes but nothing major, then suddenly in Feb this year it started getting much worse. Was in A&E 3 times - twice for bradycardia caused by beta blockers and couldn’t function.

My cardiologist & EP was brilliant in bringing an ablation forward for me.

Good luck & all the best. 😊

[CDreamer]

Long may it last for you. Slow and steady, slow and steady. Your higher HR is a good indicator as to healing so useful to note that when it starts to come down again to near normal, then you are good to go. Don’t rush back to work and try a graduated return, you may be surprised at how tired you will still get.

[Apple88 in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you. Yes, am arranging a phased return for next couple of weeks, with possibility of more time off if I need it.

I will definitely tread carefully. Don’t want to do anything that hinders my progress. 😊

[waveylines]

Great news!!! So pleased for you. 👍🤗🤗

[Apple88 in reply to waveylines]

Thank you. 😊

[MydogBrandy]

Great, keep well. I am 19 months post op and still feel great, off all tablets now. X

[Apple88 in reply to MydogBrandy]

Brilliant news! Gives me a lot of hope! 😊

[Stumpy47]

That is great news to hear!

[Apple88 in reply to Stumpy47]

Thank you! 😊

[Jajarunner]

Great news. My HR was up a bit too. I also am having trouble dropping off to sleep some days which is most unlike me! But I'm sleeping like a dormouse (as italians say) when I do sleep.

If you can manage it, I wouldnt dash back to work - I found it exhausting just waiting to be served in a shop the other day despite feeling great at home. Made me lightheaded. I'm just over 5 weeks post ablation.

But we are all different! Keep up the good news stories xx

[Apple88 in reply to Jajarunner]

My sleeping has been really good. Much better than waking up in AF!

I am going to try a phased return to work. My boss has been good and said if I need to go home I can. I feel like I want to try though.

I haven’t done much at all though so I guess only time will tell.

My main issues since having it have been a few migraines, and some heartburn but have been taking omeprazole daily (last one today) so hopefully that’ll be okay now.

I have better this week than I have for two years so I’m really hopeful!

I hope you continue to recover well. It’s handy having someone who’s on a similar timeline! Good luck. 😊

[Jajarunner in reply to Apple88]

Walking is my big issue - I'm stuck at one mile every few days. I'm normally a runner, hiker and cyclist so I'm sure you can imagine how patient I am (NOT!). I can do very gentle resistance bands plus yoga and some gentle pilates too.

Two years of afib, you poor thing! I had it for 5.5 weeks last year and 5.5 weeks this year, both 'repaired' by cardioversion. Prior to the cv I was a total invalid, could barely walk nor get up the stairs. So I need to stop whining and realise how lucky I was to get the ablation just four weeks after the last cv!!!

Let's cross all our fingers and toes that our positive recoveries continue 🤞🙏🤞🙏🤞🙏🤞🙏🤞🙏

[Apple88 in reply to Jajarunner]

Definitely!! 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

I never needed a cardio version as I always seemed to go back to NSR eventually, but some episodes were 150+ for several hours at a time.

I ended up with Atrial Flutter too which was treated by the ablation as well.

Let’s hope we continue on this path! 😊

[Kn177yn0ra]

That’s encouraging. I am on a waiting list at Glenfield Hospital for a cryoablation, probably be sometime yet!

[Apple88 in reply to Kn177yn0ra]

I hope you hear something soon. 🤞🏼

[Kn177yn0ra in reply to Apple88]

Thank you. My PAF is just like yours was - daily at least once, so tiring and depressing.

[Apple88 in reply to Kn177yn0ra]

Absolutely. That is a very accurate description. Good luck & hopefully the wait won’t be too long.

[fifitb]

Such happy news!

[Apple88 in reply to fifitb]

Thank you. 😊

[jerseygirl49]

Great news Apple88.

[Apple88 in reply to jerseygirl49]

Thank you! 👍🏼

[LONDS7]

This is brilliant news!! So happy to hear it. Really pleased it has been so great for you. Please keep us posted.

My ablation has been booked for the 6th July! Over the moon. Will stay in touch

[Apple88 in reply to LONDS7]

Thank goodness you’ve got a date finally!! That’s not too long to wait now.

Yes, definitely keep in touch. 😊👍🏼

[Equish]

Thank you for your update. I am on the waiting list for ablation and it’s good to hear a positive result. Wishing you all the very best.

[Apple88 in reply to Equish]

Thank you. Good luck & hope you hear soon. 😊