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
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Frances123
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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?
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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