4-and-a-bit-month Post Ablation Update

[Jajarunner]

So, I've been posting this to help all the sport loving folks out there see what they might expect post-ablation.

So just after three months I began to feel much better - I'm now doing all the weight-training, yoga and pilates I was able to do before. I can also walk up to five miles with little problem, which is kind of as much as I would walk in every day life anyway (further on hiking holidays, obviously, but no chance of that any time soon due to this flipping Covid situation).

Cardiovascular/endurance exercise-wise, I've not advanced much this month - I can ride my ebike (have been as much as 17 miles), did one ride of four miles on my human-powered mountain bike (hard work) and just begun a few tentative goes on a Concept II rowing machine. BUT some of the slowness of this recovery is due to three things: 1. I had a cold for a week 2. I managed to hurt my hip and so missed another week 3. If I do too much too close together I get about a week of strong fatigue afterwards. So last week in the first few days I did weights/yoga/pilates/e-cycling and a tiny row and a brisk walk. TOO MUCH. Been really tired until today which is six days later. Have to learn to pace myself better.

BUT really it's all good. Taken an age longer than my 'it's-gonna-take-an-age' worse case estimate and I think it will be another month or two before I try running again, but progress is in the right direction. Another thing to consider, of course, is that I am so much less fit than before (and fatter -ha ha)and so, naturally, everything will feel harder.

Had a belated 3-month consultation with the EP today and he is well pleased with how it has all gone and from TODAY(!) has told me to stop the amiadarone - I'm to take flecainide if necessary as a Pill-in-the-Pocket. I'm to stay on the Apixaban for another three months, just in case and then they will review that.

So, sorry, this turned into a long ramble, but just maybe it will help some of the younger (er-hum, I'm not as young as I like to think I am!) sporty Afibbers out there.

Keep safe everyone

Jaja

[BobD Volunteer]

Thanks for that and it just comfirms what we say in out fact sheet on recovery. It is ALWAYS longer than you think.

[7164]

Good news

I am on the same time line as you.

It’s weird some days no ectopics and feel great. Then days like today big ectopics that scare me.

I am make 62 and had!!!paf.

I am scared to do much but walk a few miles each day and am back to work.

Any advice?

Rod

[Jajarunner in reply to 7164]

I'd just gradually add stuff, but slowly. It depends what you are trying to achieve really. But walking is great for general health. You would be well advised to add some weight training (not lifting,) stuff like say, squats where you slowly sit onto a stable chair and stand back up. Start with 3-4 gradually increase to a maximum of 3 lots of 15 three times per week (which will take several months to build up to). Also press-ups against the wall or kneeling press-ups. Build up to 2 lots of 10, again super slow. You could get a stretch exercise band and doing a rowing type action with it securely fixed somewhere. They don't cost much.

Why? To keep your muscle mass, which means you will stay healthier and more able into old age; keep your metabolism high and avoid obesity related problems; keep your strength; be more coordinated; improved ability.

Also some balance work, search for 'otago' or falls prevention type stuff online.

This is all suitable at any age. I have many clients in their 80s in my job delivering exercise to people less able, ill, injured or older people. It's great fun too especially in a class of like-minded people- if such a thing still exists 😓😓

[HiloHairy]

Your description sounds much like the way that I've been feeling lately as well. The only difference is that I haven't had an ablation yet!

I had two and a half months of sitting at home when the gyms and just about everything else was closed. I normally work out 5 days a week and do most of the same things you describe. Just sitting around for so long made me gain about seven pounds and lose quite a bit of muscle mass. I am coming back from it now but for a while if I worked out near my normal level I'd get an afib attack within 12 hours. I can now do a full workout but on any specific exercise I'm doing it with 10 to 20 lb less than my norm.

[Jajarunner in reply to HiloHairy]

Its all so frustrating, isn't it, when you are used to bounding around. Sounds sensible the approach you have. I wish you all the best x

[Golfer60UK]

Hello

I have had my 2nd ablation Friday 25 Sept, so 4 days now and still in sinus rhythm. My age is 75 although I don't really feel it or hopefully don't think like it too. I am on Bisoprolol and Apixaban and have a review in two weeks time.

Usually I play golf three times per week and have been told to resume next week as long as I don't carry my own clubs.

This morning I feel much improved and will begin to take more exercise, walking as far as I can without feeling I am not over doing it.

I guess the Bisoprolol make me short of breath and to feel tired too, so hopefully off them soon

Dave

[Jajarunner in reply to Golfer60UK]

from my experience, and sorry to sound so negative, I felt great for the first week and then very fatigued. I couldn't walk five miles for at least four months afterwards and I'm 19 years younger than you BUT it also took me three months to get over my last cardioversion so ima slow recovered. I'd suggest you make sure you have a way of getting back to 'civilisation ' if you do feel exhausted. I also found that now I feel fine doing too much and then pay for it the next week.

Hopefully, you'll do better than me, but just be aware. Gosh, I hate sounding so negative! Sorry! But I wish you well, let us know how you get on xx

[heartface]

Sounds like you are doing well Jaja, similar happening as for me except I was on Flecinaide one day low dose. My Cardiologist advised me to stop it after 18 months and use as PIP. I had an attack of AF the following week and he has put me on Verapamil hydrochloride 120mg, one a day. So didn't work for me.

Have taken Apixiban for 2 years and had no problems, except wounds take a bit longer to heal and bruise easily. I would like to know from anyone reading this if Flecinaide can be taken as PIP when taking Verapamil once a day. Happy days with your exercising Jaja. Heartface.

[pirnough6]

My consultant told me the medical profession were divided over whether to stop your tablets after a,successful ablation or keep taking them. Mine belongs to the latter and so I take flecainide twice daily which doesn't cause me any problems. I have used flecainide as a pill in the pocket in the past and it is very effective. Deals with an episode of AF very well.

[Hiphypo]

This gives me hope - I’m not sporty in any way like you - just like to be busy with things - which wear me out at the moment. I’m 69 and was diagnosed with PAF last October, put on apixaban and bisoprolol.

Saw a cardiologist in January and he has referred me for an assessment for ablation.

Waiting to see an EP but my hospital has cancelled everything to deal with Covid cases, I was told to get in touch next year, there’s not even a waiting list. Sigh.

Meanwhile I am trying to deal with debilitating fatigue which translates into days of being unable to function - and thanks to info on here, got the gp to let me take it at night, which has helped for the time being. I have just managed a straight 2 hours in the garden, pruning, planting and generally getting moving - feeling tired but ok - three cheers!

I have crossed fingers that I haven’t over done things and that I won’t be out of action tomorrow...so hard to pace.

And noticed a sudden trickle of blood down my arms - battle scars from the pruning. Apixaban has changed the way I heal significantly - used to be so quick, now days.