48hours and counting...

[Frances123]

It’s all been a bit of a steep learning curve. I didn’t know until I signed consent form an hour before 2nd ablation that this time it was radio-ablation and not cryoablation. I figured there was a good reason and trust Dr Todd implicitly.

Oh foolish me thinking I know what to expect afterwards and recovery.........wrong! Right from the word go it has all been very different. When I saw Dr Todd he said he had ablated the SVC on the right too so I guess that will make recovery slightly different too.

On the plus side the groin hasn’t go a bruise this time as radio uses smaller catheters. Unlike last time where I had a bruise the width of my thigh, all round the groin and nearly to my knee. I could have won an Oscar!

I have spent some of today reading up about the procedures and watched a great YouTube video of an ablation. Often wondered what all the stickers were for and what I might look like sparko having a procedure or surgery. It’s early days but have to admit the after effects and recovery symptoms has knocked me for 6 a bit so far as I was expecting similar ones as to before. As Capt. Mainwaring would say...”stupid boy”.

Hugs

Frances xxx

[BobD Volunteer]

Glad you are fine. All mine have been RF and recovery is as we describe in the fact sheet. Rest and rest again now.

[Frances123 in reply to BobD]

Oh I know to rest, rest and then some but the physical symptoms have been quite different this time and wasn’t expecting that.

Forgot to tell you but a lovely male nurse filled my sports bottle for me when I was back in my room and lying flat. I said it was the best tip I had been given and stopped self inflicted bed baths. I then proceeded to turn bottle upside down to show him. He was amazed and thought it a brilliant idea. He said he was going to add it to the list of advice they give to patients. Expect you’ll be wanting royalties then Bob?

Love Frances 💜xxx

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Frances123]

Actually that wasn't one of my ideas. When I did the fact sheet I asked everyone here what they wished they had known and that tip was one of the answers.

[Frances123 in reply to BobD]

👍🏻 Thank you to whoever suggested that tip.

[NannyNooNoo in reply to BobD]

My OH is waiting for a radio ablation - where would I find the fact sheet you refer to please?

[Frances123 in reply to NannyNooNoo]

heartrhythmalliance.org/afa... Hope they help you and your OH. X

[NannyNooNoo in reply to Frances123]

Thankyou

[BobD Volunteer in reply to NannyNooNoo]

direct links as follows heartrhythmalliance.org/res... and heartrhythmalliance.org/res...

[Frances123 in reply to BobD]

Oops, sorry.

[NannyNooNoo in reply to BobD]

Thankyou

[lindat15]

I've had both Frances and found the recovery from RF took much longer. Difficult to explain, my body just felt more out of sorts. I developed a cough which lasted around 8 weeks although think that perhaps the TOE may have caused more irritation 2nd time round. I found my stomach was more sensitive to foods which normally caused no problem. Could only eat smaller portions( not necessarily a bad thing!) and reckon this took at least 6 months to settle. Mentioned this to consultant -the RF ablation took longer to complete and the areas of the heart which he ablated were more complex all of which can impact. We are all different and my own experience was that first ablation was markedly different from the second. Wouldn't change any decision I made though as eventually settled down. Very early days for you. Hope things settle for you soon Frances. Best wishes Linda.

[ellenrussell in reply to lindat15]

How long did it take to settle? I have almost completed 3 months after an RF ablation and still have not really settled.

[lindat15 in reply to ellenrussell]

It's still early days for you so stay positive. The physical symptoms I mentioned settled around 5- 6 months. However I developed atrial tachycardia which has reared its head every 4-8 wks from around 10wks post ablation. I'm not the best example though as was in persistent af with lots of extensive scarring on my heart and the EP wasn't sure about the outcome. Disappointing, however not in persistent AF atm so some control from drugs which didn't work previously. Many on the forum have said it took anything up to a year for things to settle properly so take encouragement from them. Fingers crossed for you. Best wishes Linda

[ellenrussell in reply to lindat15]

Thank you for your response. Were you on medicine for the first three months -- if so, what did you take. I am having some atrial tach as I wean off Sotalol and I am wondering if it is some kind of rebound effect.

[lindat15 in reply to ellenrussell]

I had been on Dronedarone prior to ablation and initially put back on that. Then changed to flecainide after they did a cardioversion. Currently taking max dose 150mg twice a day.

[Cookie24]

Same bruising experience for me - awful with the cryoablation and not at all with radioablation.

[Equish]

Hope you recover quickly. Sending hugs x

[fabjabfab]

I feel your pain Frances. I had a Cryo and Radio at the same time, followed by a full EP study and further burning to get rid of a flutter as well. So you can imagine my bruises. I think they assumed that because I was younger I could handle it, but I suffered a heart attack after and now have a horrid case of pericarditis. It frightens me when I see the bruises on my groin and wrist as to what the inside of my poor heart must look like.

Fingers crossed you have a speedy recovery. 😊

[Frances123 in reply to fabjabfab]

Thank you. I didn’t mind having RF but was just surprised to learn that at last minute and didn’t know why or get a chance to ask. The learning curve has been how different the after effects were right from when I woke up. I was also shocked multiple times and now suffering with burns and soreness. xxx

[Madscientist16]

In the US, the first ablation for AF is usually cryo. The second ablation, if needed, is usually RF to touch up areas missed by the cryoablation.

[Frances123 in reply to Madscientist16]

Thank you. I found out from consultant later it was because they use Cryo for large areas and RF for small areas., as you say, touch up areas. I assumed from that, that if it was a smaller area in the first place then they would have used RF in the beginning. xxx