1 week on from ablation

[Sfhmgusa]

after 1 week I hope it is OK to post some thoughts and updates following my ablation last Friday 10 July

Generally some thoughts on the week

1. The recovery factsheet really is invaluable I have a printed copy that I re-read it makes sense to refresh yourself even when you know the content

2. I have taken it really easy, and I needed to on day 1 my "Big adventure" was a walk to my greenhouse in the garden, and it was enough

3. 1 week later I am feeling quite a bit more energetic but being very careful I have decided 2 weeks on very light duties is my plan.

4. The follow up from the hospital was great but because of post sedation dosyness I did not recall that they told me to keep up my Bisoprolol and Flecainaide for a few weeks (See point 2 below)

Some detailed things

1. My right leg had numb patches nearly 56 hours after the procedure, as a worrier, .... I worried but a call to the hospital reassured me it would go away and it did

2. I had a short episode of really quite uncomfortable heart arrhythmias on Tuesday (Thank goodness for the factsheet) despite expecting it .. I hated it, it was quite painful and really unsettling. I had a real black moment despite expecting it.

3. the good news for me was it lasted less than an hour (My pre ablation episodes were always at least 36 hours)

4. Since the ablation I have had ectopic beats but the worst rate was 2 per minute and as time has moved on they have reduced in frequency. I am taking this as a promising sign.

5. despite being optimistic this has affected my mood I am very "Jumpy" about even the slightest felling in my chest and generally a bit gloomy /feeling old.

6. I kept the contact number for worries in my phone and handy.. I strongly recommend this...when you are nervous you want it .. NOW!

7. I think that I should have had better wound care instructions for the catheter insertion point. I rained in microbiology so knew what to do, but please ask for detailed care instructions, you do NOT want an infection in your groin next to a main blood vessel.

The main thing.. I am so glad I had this done, it is not a minor procedure, but it is a real possibility of a big upstep in QOL

I will give another update in a week or so hopefully these are not too long/self centered

Steve

[BobD Volunteer]

Sounds positive Steve and so glad the fact sheet helped. It came about because so many people here were saying "if only somebody had told me that." I expected to be dancing a jig out of the ward next day I was so ignorant and it really knocked me sideways!

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to BobD]

I'd been told I'd be able to climb mountains again, in just a few days, after having my first ablation - what a joke!!!

[pottypete1]

You have weathered the storm well and all seems to be going according to plan.

I can understand why you are jumpy I still am and have lived with AF for decades.

Sadly AF or the threat of it and it's bedfellow Ectopics makes for mind games and it is very hard to relax until you have a period of stability.

After my last ablation 3 years ago it took even longer than the sometimes quoted 3 months for things to settle down and in fact I continued to improve for at least 2 years as my AF and Ectopics became less and less frequent - much longer than I had hoped.

The best advice is to not let your fears control your life but be mindful that there will be some fences to cross as time progresses.

We are all different and of course for many things settle much more quickly than others so there is really no telling exactly how things will progress for you.

Pete

[jeanjeannie50]

I'm glad to hear that all's well with you Steve.

My heart raced the day after my third ablation, I was meant to be going home but had to stay in hospital an extra day. Then it did it again a few weeks later and I had a cardioversion. Still was the most beneficial ablation though.

Jean

[C66t in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks Jean for your positive words I'm scheduled for no 3 abl on 29th and feeling anxious. I'm a bot of a scary bunny.😃🥰

[Alan1947]

I had my second ablation on Monday. What you say sounds very familiar. But I was given no information whatsoever on what to expect or what I should do over these weeks of recovery. Thank goodness for this site and the fact sheet.

[Hammerboy]

Good luck with your journey, its ups and downs for a while and as has been said, different for each of us. It's been 7 months since my procedure and things are settling down a bit so staying positive things will continue to improve. I'm happier using Bisoprolol as a PIP rather than a daily dose as it affects my HR negatively under normal circumstances. This forum is so helpful for information and sharing concerns with fellow sufferers. Look forward to hearing more about your progress, stay safe

[C66t]

Great to hear Steve. Good tips. 🥰

[jerseygirl49]

Thank you so much for your post Steve. My husband has his 2nd ablation booked for 28th July and I am printing out everything you have reported for him to read. I don't think you can ever have enough information on AF and I am so amazed that hospitals do not give all patients a copy of the fact sheet from this site. Who can I write to I wonder - just feel that something should be done about this or have others tried perhaps to no avail.

Anyway, very pleased to hear that you are progressing well - my biggest hurdle will be trying to make sure my husband does not over do it - he sailed through the 1st one but it only lasted 4 months before he was back in AF - without trying not to be too negative I keep reminding him it might not be so straight forward this time. Wishing you all the very best for your continued recovery.