Feeling fatigue and lightheaded after ablation

[rv29]

I had a pulmonary vein catheter ablation 6 weeks ago and all was relatively well till about week 4. For the last 2 weeks I feel fatigue and lightheaded is this expected during healing? I do not feel any afib (my watch ecg also indicate i am in NSR), my pulse is elevated and spikes if I move/walk around (in 100- 120 bpm range with rest at 68), blood pressure in 130/110 - 92/75 range. My ER told me he is not seeing anything wrong, took me off diltiazem (still on eliquist) to see if my condition improves (it did not).

[jeanjeannie50]

Welcome to the forum.

Many members here have reported feeling exactly the same as you have, i.e. feeling well for a few weeks after an ablation and then feeling absolutely drained of energy. I've had three and know that that's exactly how I felt after my first two and that tired feeling lasted for many weeks/months. After my third 4-6 weeks later was about the time I went back into AF and needed a cardioversion, but I didn't have that tired feeling at any time.

I'm now wondering whether feeling well and then weeks later fatigue setting in is all part of the natural healing process. Why should this be though?

What do other members think?

Jean

[rv29 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks Jean.

I am now reading about the after ablation recovery and it seems that a lot of people are reporting same kind of issues long into the healing period (3-6 months).

My EP on the other hand told me at the 1 month visit that the fatigue has nothing to do with the procedure??!! I think a lot of the doctors are marketing the procedure (in my case he recommend it) and don't tell you about the long period of not feeling well (I might have not done it if I new about the long recovery - in any case it is my miss).

[CDreamer]

It is common to feel fatigue, elevated HR (mine took 9 months to come down) but well - for a few weeks but it should gradually improve. I do think we all heal at different rates so pacing oneself is essential but that is really hard when you feel well, as I did after my 1st ablation and because I felt so well overdid things and became a lot worse again. Feeling light headed is questionable? Do you measure your O2 sats? I found that mine were quite low for a long time after ablation and stayed 90-95 for much of the time and that For me would certainly explain fatigue and light headed ness.

In answer to Jean:-

In my case, after my second ablation, the fatigue, feeling of weakness increased and I couldn’t work it out at all - until I started with other symptoms so I think there is a balance between accepting what is a gradual healing process and what could be early symptoms of something else, which may not be heart related if your numbers are all OK. In my case it turned out to be an autoimmune condition which had been exacerbated by the ablation but it took a while for definitive symptoms to show so that I could be diagnosed.

[rv29 in reply to CDreamer]

thanks

[Jajarunner]

Yes, me too. Felt great til week 7 and weak and whooshy for the next two weeks. The arrythmia nurses at Papworth said it was normal for first three months.

But I'd suggest you check with your own nurses. Mine have now arranged a 48 hour monitor just to double check xxx

[rv29 in reply to Jajarunner]

thanks

[KMRobbo]

How long since you stopped the Diltiazem? I ask as I was on this for 6 months pre ablation and 4 months after. I had lots of side effects: tiredness, exercise intolerance, brain fog, poor memory. When I stopped taking the 200mg per day these symptoms lasted for 4 to 6 weeks before I lost all the side effects, which I cannot explain as I thought it would be out of my system in a few days. I am not medically trained, just my observations of myself

[rv29 in reply to KMRobbo]

I was on metoprolol initially and switch to diltiazem (the first med was giving me dizziness but after I switch to diltiazem I was okay). My EP took me off diltiazem a week ago to see if my symptoms improves (but I was okay with the drug for 3 months (including one month after ablation)

[Hidden]

I was knackered for 3 months after my ablation, HR was in the high 90's at rest and 150+ when moving around and I was still taking bisoprolol at the time.

My energy levels eventually returned and my HR started to come down to the point at about 9 months post ablation it dropped to 31 bpm at rest and I weaned off the bisoprolol.

So I believe that my heart was still healing way after the 3 month mark.

Recovery is slower than the "experts" will tell you, take it easy, listen to your body and you will get there

[Golfer60UK]

Hi, I really don't think the procedure of ablation causes the after effects, rather depends on the natural healing time for individuals.However, I do think the tablets do cause issues. I am 11 weeks post my second ablation and all ok at the moment. I am on Bisoprolol and Apixaban. The Bisoprolol is a Beta Blocker and I certainly have some of the effects shown in the tablet leaflet.

But I am fully returned to golf, three times per week, and am aware of the tiredness and fatigue after completion 18 holes. I am 75

David