Two mths post cryo ablation

[Jajarunner]

Cryoablation two months on

This might be helpful for someone recovering from this same operation especially if they were previously pretty fit and sporty and looking to get back into that healthy way of life. I found it really difficult to find out much information for the younger (comparatively!), fitter person – everything seemed to veer between basically giving up everything or people who were back running after three weeks (scary!).

So following on from my last report after one month, the second month started very well. I was able to add more weight training (toning stuff, nothing heavy); more pilates as well as keeping up my yoga and physio exercises for my back. BUT I was still really struggling with the walking. I eventually managed to walk 2.2 miles with a few stops, but it was hard. Breathing was fine, but my legs were just heavy as if I was wearing ankle weights. I contacted the wonderful arrythmia nurses at Royal Papworth and they said that all was fine, just to give it time, be patient (not my speciality!).

Then, as if I had put the mockers on myself, I started to feel really tired the very next day. I didn’t do hardly anything for days, except some stretching (otherwise my back gives me hell!). It was really depressing. I also had a ‘vertigo’ which I often get when I have been ill - I’ve never been able to quite sort out if it is a thing related to post-illness fatigue, neck problem (from too much sitting around) or to do with the ears – no matter, it’s a pain either way. I took nine days off from attempting anything ‘cardiovascularly’ orientated. I just lost the will really and thought that the rest would maybe help.

So that’s where I am at the moment. I’ve cut back the weights and pilates by half and had nine days where I only walked once and that was punctuated by rests at many benches along the seafront. It’s obviously going to take even longer than my, already low, expectations. Started to walk every other day and started again at 10 minutes.

Luckily, I had read this report beforehand (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... so I had an idea of the worse case scenario, but I think you forget how debilitating fatigue can be as opposed to simple tiredness. As mentioned, there is little information out there regarding returning to an active lifestyle or my very active job. And I’ve gained 5 kg in weight from so much inactivity!

I’m currently buying an ebike so I hope that will at least serve so I can see something outside further than half a mile from the house!

Only the odd 10 sec of irregular heartbeat, but I am on amiadarone. Obe other effect, major trouble dropping off to sleep, which is vvvvv unusual for me to say the least!

Sorry it’s not more positive, but it may be useful for someone in same situation who is concerned by how slow their recovery is. I should mention, perhaps, that I am a slow healer – after 5.5 weeks (majority of it hospitalised) with afib, it took me 3 months to recover back to normal levels of activity.

Keep safe everyone

[BobD Volunteer]

I think the point here is that you say you are impatient. As we say in our fact sheet on recovery it take three to six months AT LEAST and many people are still improving at nine months or a year. You forget that just because you do not have a giant zip up your chest your heart has still had a serious trauma. It is such a shame EPs always give the impression it is a minor procedure and you will be back to normal in a few days.

[Jajarunner in reply to BobD]

No, I have not forgotten what a major operation it is at all! I have constantly stressed to everyone that it is bigger than it sounds. I've even showed people the ArcticFront video!!! (I'm a helluva guest!!) Hence why I'm still off work after two months.

But some people are running after 2 weeks - unbelievable as it sounds - and they do fine. I did not want to do that and I never intended to do that. I'd just like to be able to walk far enough to go out without feeling dreadful!!! Get my own shopping etc.

[jobristol]

Hang in there, it will get better! Just a thought, but I wonder if the amiodarone could be contributing to your fatigue! I was on it before and just after a cardio version in late 2016 early 2017 and I’ve never felt as tired and lethargic as I did when on it, I just felt dreadful! Might be worth checking with your arrhythmia nurses! Hope that ebike arrives soon, it should help to lift you a bit. And, the walking really is the best thing, after I’d had open heart surgery in 2012 I was told walking would help recovery, I was told to start with one minute out and one back (sounded nothing to someone who was used to running) at first it was like a marathon but over time it did get easier, just took longer than I’d wanted! I’m sure the situation with the virus isn’t helping either! Nearly 6 months on from my ablation things are getting better, still have days when I’m more tired and am getting some ectopics, which sometimes make me feel quite anxious that the beast is returning then I relax and they go! Be easy on yourself, and if you want to sound off private message me. Take care!

[Jajarunner in reply to jobristol]

Thank you, Jo. I might take you up on that! I was on amiadarone for the Afib from hospital discharge, then cardioversion and onwards. I was fine between cardioversion and ablation, cycling and walking so I don't think it is that, but thanks for the idea. They have got me in a half dose though now (100). But i feel so much better than when I was on my tiny dose of bisoprolol though, that just made me like a pale, lethargic slug!!!!!

[Hidden]

Amiodorone is a horrible drug and can cause some very nasty side effects, has anyone given you a physical exam recently to rule out anything caused by this dirty drug?

[Jajarunner]

Blood tests every six months is the rule. It's not a good drug for side effects but it's brilliant during the blanking period, apparently that's why they left me on it post ablation

[Buffafly]

Amiodarone is notorious for affecting the thyroid. Since you have done well up to now (even if you don’t feel it) and suddenly gone downhill I would be suspicious something else is going on. Never mind what the nurses say, get it checked out 💜

[Jajarunner in reply to Buffafly]

Good idea. I have to take thyroxine for an underactive thyroid anyway and they did cut that dose from 125 to 100 mg when I was last in afib (mainly to look like they were doing something, since they were not totally useless..... not Papworth, I mean my local cardiac unit, but dont get me started on ranting about them. As far as they know I am still on double anticoagulants, double amiadarone and in afib ! I had to go private to get anything done! Ok, i did rant, sorry 🤣🤣🤣🤣)

[Buffafly in reply to Jajarunner]

Fair enough 😂

[Jajarunner in reply to Buffafly]

Doctor has arranged blood tests, but told me to tell zrryhtmia nurses who have told EP who has said to arrange 48 hour monitor, just in case it is afib. I feel ok, heart wise, but apparently it is possible to have afib without knowing (I've always been floored by mine and straight in A&E!).

So thanks for the good advice x