Ablation/Inversion update

[Sfhmgusa]

Hi there

Firstly thanks for the kind wishes and thoughts regarding my Cardio inversion some thoughts and updates.

Brief summary Ablation 10 of July seemed to be going well until 26 July when Afib returned and seemed to stick. Cardiologist (Ben Brown) suggested first med increases then cardio inversion

The procedure happened this morning. I am in NSR now and home.

The procedure was under a general anaesthetic, and I would recommend that having been under sedation for the last (Post ablation) one .

Like ablation this is a procedure where body hair is not your friend ! lots of sticky pads are put on and pulled off, If you can plan ahead, do any shaving or similar two days before just in case you nick the skin

Be really clear what they want you to do with your meds before and after the process. I am on more bisoprolol & less Flecainide than I expected after the inversion, and had this explained to me really well. If I had not, I might have thought I had got it wrong.

I think it fair to say expect some skin burns and have cream to prevent blistering after.

It is truly lovely to be in sinus rhythm (Low 50s) after three weeks of 130-160 bpm. I will rest at least 24 hours before starting to gently get a bit of exercise started.

Bluntly I am not expecting this to be a long term fix (it might be, but I suspect ablation #2 will be not too long in the future) But I am going to do my utmost to give the ablation a chance to work.

Partially because I am aware of the pressure on the NHS, partially because if poss I like to be in and out of hospitals as fast as possible, I had the inversion done as a planned procedure privately at the Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle as opposed to A & E at Wythenshawe. The staff were brilliant, and made a very nervous patient feel as reassured as possible

I will keep the group updated as the weeks past, I hope they will be less eventful TBH!

Steve

[jeanjeannie50]

That's good news Steve, but please put off doing anything strenuous for as long as you can and allow you heart muscles to grow stronger beating in their normal rhythm. I never forgave myself for walking up a steep hill the day after one of mine and the AF came back right away. Too late once that happens! Also bear in mind what Ivan the Terrible (a member this forum) said about his AF coming back after drinking a little more than he should have. Don't take any risks and be well.

Jean

[BobD Volunteer]

Give yourself at least a week and if possible a fortnigbt before you start doing any exercise.

Re the hair, funny story. I helped as an un -paid actor in a film about AF some years ago about a fortnight after having DCCV#4 or something and in the course of the film I was rushed into hospital unconscious and my shirt ripped open to cardiovert me (no inversion by the way) where-upon two large bald patches were revealed. lol 😁 Doing the actual humping movement is not that easy unless the director sticks a pen in your foot!

[jerseygirl49]

Pleased to hear your news and that all is well. John says it makes such a difference to be back in normal rhythm. Hope it lasts - try to keep positive and most of all, take it easy.

Best wishes.