Post ablation

[7164]

Dear all

I have just read the post from Ochg and your wonder replies.

I had my cryo 6 weeks ago. No probs and felt really quite good until about 4 days ago. I asked Bob for his opinion which helped but I would like to try to understand what is happening.

Firstly the idea that after two weeks it is possible to return to work is at best fanciful. I a reasonably fit 61 yr old with no other problems. I have never felt so fatigued.

About 4 days ago I noticed a lot more,every day, ectopics than ever before. Fir the first time ever I felt breathless on exertion especially upper body.

I have been resting and no alcohol etc.

I contacted the EP who is a long way away. He told me to go to the hospital and get an ecg. Guess what no ectopic at the time and normal sr.

For those who have walked the walk can you please give me your experience and thoughts as to why now and not 3/4 weeks ago when healing must have been more active.

As always thank you all

Rod

[Padayn01]

I had a catheter abalation almost a year ago and still recovering 6 weeks is so early in your recovery.

[7164 in reply to Padayn01]

Thank you

How are you now! Do you find my experience quite normal? Why now the discomfort and not two: three weeks ago

[Padayn01 in reply to 7164]

Not to bad my friend thank you for asking, this AF business must be the most frustrating condition to have, I mean when you think you have a good run going and you doing all the things that keeps AF at bay than the next day it plays up and you can’t get your head round what you did wrong so frustrating, I was getting loads of little runs 6 weeks post abalation so it’s so early for you at the moment

[Bronte23 in reply to 7164]

Hello Paydayn01

I am nine months post ablation. I’m a little older than you and it took me 7 weeks before I could walk more than about 50 paces. I was so so tired and breathless. No one had warned me of after effects. Finding this group has been a godsend!!! Here I learned to rest, rest and rest again and listen to my body. Bob, the volunteer, always has wonderful advice and the other regular posters ( You know who you are! including compassionate, brave Jean, an absolute star, who I do hope is feeling better after her recent ordeal) all offer amazing, kind support.

Travel your journey hopefully and carefully, take heed of diet advice, avoid alcohol, start with gentle walking until you are comfortable with more exertion, put worries to bed AND, given a little luck, ALL WILL BE WELL.

[7164 in reply to Bronte23]

Bronte

Thank you

I hope you are well now and pretty much beast free 👌

Did you understand why the breathlessness?

Why do they not tell you about the likely after effects!

Thank god for this site 👍

Rod

[Bronte23 in reply to 7164]

Hi Rod

Re breathlessness. Ablation is a “ bigger” procedure than perhaps we realise. We may feel well but the heart has taken something of a “beating”. Possibly for a time it doesn’t operate as efficiently as before and so perhaps less oxygen is in the blood. I’m speculating here. When in afib the heart has to work harder and many folk become very breathless. But do ask your electro physiologist if you have the opportunity. Also read as much as you can and if you find info that is puzzling, make a note and ask the question. Hope your EP is approachable and happy to answer questions. Though a stalwart supporter of the NHS I eventually booked a private appointment with a chap in London who has a superb reputation ( Dr Boom Lim). It cost £250 to see him and I didn’t have to go through my GP. I simply made telephone contact with his secretary to book an appointment. After my consultation with him, he provided a letter giving detailed advice. I have other health issues, by the way. You may be in really good hands already and may not need help from elsewhere. I am now receiving excellent care from NHS team and am hugely grateful. The fact that I am well informed has been a great help as well. All good wishes, Rod and other fellow travellers on this tricky path. No - one need ever feel frightened and alone as there is also the wonderful group here for help and support as well.

[jeanjeannie50]

My first two ablations made my AF worse, the third really helped. I know just how you are feeling and it's not nice. Some people are helped by ablations while others aren't. After my third and still having AF I was told by my EP I was one of the ones that weren't and I wouldn't be offered any more. He discharged me from his care which was disappointing.

Don't give up hope just yet, there's still time for you to heal. Did you do anything strenuous? Also if you are going to go for a walk, do it in the morning when your energy levels are better. Never eat a large lunch and then go for a walk. If you want to walk or do anything energetic in the afternoons just eat a banana and a few mixed nuts (I buy mine from Sainsburys (yellow bag), because they taste the best)

The best thing for you to do now is rest and try to build up your energy levels again.

Wishing you well.

Jean

[7164 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Jean

You are always supportive and lovely. I know it’s early and I am not complain ing not giving up 😊

I am trying to understand why now the ectopics and why the breathlessness even when talking for long? If you understand please tell me😊🙏

Rod

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to 7164]

Wish I knew Rod, but I don't. I can only guess that it's your body telling you to rest, or that you may have developed a slight infection. Another thing could be if you're going in and out of AF or flutter (that can leave you feeling drained for days afterwards). Can you check your pulse and is it normal or going in and out of rhythm at times, or when you move around and climb stairs. I remember going up stairs would make me feel breathless and on the point of collapse.

Stress and our minds can contribute to these episodes too. Going to the hospital and no abnormalities of the heart being detected can be a sign of this because we feel secure and looked after when we're there. I do my best not to think about what my heart is doing, if I do think about it, it will oblige by doing stronger and faster beats. I got into bed one night recently and thought how calm and normal my heart was and wondered what my pulse would be when like this. Got out of bed to get my BP machine and by the time I lay down again my heart was in haywire mode.

I was diagnosed with AF 15 years ago, but think I'd had it long before. The main things that I've learnt over that time by experience and this forum re the heart are:

The effect worry/stress can play and disrupt the rhythm - Try keeping your mind occupied (and not on what your heart is doing). Read a book, invite friends over who make you laugh, play cards or meet up for a meal out. Go on to YouTube and listen to all your favourite music - I can spend hours doing this!

Eating foods containing any artificial additives are a sure trigger - Simple answer don't have them and check the contents list of everything.

Drinking alcohol will set it off - don't have any.

Do not hesitate to call your EP again to discuss how you're feeling, that's what they're there for.

Feel free to ask any questions Rod. I know how you feel, I've been there.

Jean

[Jajarunner]

Hi

Same here, I was fine up to 7 weeks, excpet struggling to walk more than a mile, and then felt terrible for two and a bit weeks. I think I just got over-excited and overdid stuff. The arrythmia nurses have now arranged for me to have a 48 HR monitor and my GP is going to check my thyorid (I'm on amiadarone).

I'm still not back at work after 9 weks, but then my job is very active. Basically, they don't want me back like this!!!!!!!

[Bronte23]

Hi 7164

I replied to you but got muddled and sent it to PaydayNO1. So look at my accidental reply to him. Remember, with rest, rest and more rest in the first few weeks you should start making a good recovery.

Sorry Payday to have sent you a message by mistake earlier. Best wishes, though!

[Misseyj55]

Hi I’m Misseyj55 I had my ablation in 2014 and I remember it like yesterday ... you might like to read up

on my journey back then . Your welcome to ask me about the horrid ectopic I got ...they went on for weeks and some fo red a few years and I was on flecanide for quite a while ... I had lots of in bed days ... for a long time. There is a lot of things that went wrong for me at the time thank heavens they all mostly subsided over time... and a diagnostic was wrong which had left me with anxiety but I’m alive and that’s good ... I need to ask you the breathless thing you have is it after you eat ... do you feel at all nauseated after eating ...have you noticed when it’s worse, if so please ask your doctor if he thinks it might be gastroparesis... which can be caused through the ablation ... I’m not saying it is that , it’s just a suggestion ... as even now I get ectopics because of the gastroparesis which makes my ectopics worse and I feel like I have no breath for a little while when it happens ... I live with it now and usually take no notice of it ... I also take meds for it as well ... anyway don’t try and diagnose yourself ... keep in contact with your doctors ... ring them for advice... You have a great bunch of people here and Bob is wonderful for help ... stay safe and best of health

👋

[7164 in reply to Misseyj55]

Missey

Thank you. The breathlessness can come at any time. Sometimes after I walk for a while sometimes even after talking? Never had breathlessness before. The W topics are likewise. I notice that after getting out of bed AM I get both for a short time then it subside s.

I have had I believe bags Afib for two years and no other illnesses. I was 4 stone overweight and drank wine every night. Very stressful life and my wife had two serious illnesses. Perfect storm really.Then it mostly came after eating or early hours.

Rod

[Misseyj55 in reply to 7164]

Hi there your going through the mill .. I hated it after I had my ablation... scared, anxious , serious thumps in my chest that felt like my heart was going to jump out... but the gastroparesis ( google it and have a read ) was the thing that upset me the most... I think you need to get checked out though... maybe there is another reason for the breathlessness ... and have you been tested for Covid ? Just saying ...I know it’s not a good thought but it’s a reason for you to go to hospital and be checked out ... keep the faith . Keep Talk ing on here their a great bunch of people ... helped me so much in some of my lowest times ...

stay safe and go get checked please ... let us know how you go ... 👋

[Jane722]

I did not have cryogenic ablation, but was limited to “sofa rest” for four weeks after my catheter ablation. Then eased back into regular routine which included riding my horse.

[Shcldavies]

No one knows, your EP will know how much ablating was done and where but regarding the recovery it anyones guess as to why it happens, suffice to say it does for many but not all. Try not to irritate your heart by taking Jeans advice above. We all get ectopics, many don't feel them, unfortunately they can kickstart AF but not with you - thats encouraging. Its all to do with the movement of ions within your heart notably (but not limited to) potassium, calcium and sodium ions within the conducting channels of your heart, how the ablation affects them is somewhat of a mystery but it does. If your ectopics are worst or only evident when at rest then the foci in your heart are firing as a back up to the slow heartbeat, this could be inherent in your make up but nothing to worry about and should resolve and only re-appear when your heart is irritated again.