Three weeks after ablation 2

[Sfhmgusa]

I hardly dare write this but I have now had 3 afib free weeks for the first time in 2 years. I am trying really hard to relax and be really careful with overdoing it but I feel great!

I do have more ectopics ( maybe 1 or 2 every 5 mins than I remember but I think I am super “ heart aware”

So after 3 weeks

Resting Heart rate faster than used to be 75 bpm as opposed to 55

Bruising of groin nearly gone but still a bit tender

Only anticoagulant so 2 tabs a day vs 14

Had couple of glasses of wine with meals over the days since told my EP who was unconcerned as it has never been a trigger

Had caffein coffee ( hospital gave me one 30 mins after I woke up!😀)

Still checking pulse “ just to check” too often

Daring to dream....

Steve

[Padayn01]

I’m 16 months abalation and im always checking my pulse just to see I’m in NSR

[Sfhmgusa in reply to Padayn01]

Lol glad to know I’m not the only one !

[BobD Volunteer]

Well done Steve. More of the same now please.

[Sfhmgusa in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob your advice ( except regarding wine!) has been a pillar of support during this part of the journey

[Ianp66]

Good stuff , 20 months after ablation and I'm still afib free, best feeling Steve hope it continues and enjoy I know the feeling, its a joy after years of suffering 👌

[Sfhmgusa in reply to Ianp66]

Thanks Ian it is so good to hear good news stories here along with brilliant advice

[momist]

Good job. Keep taking it very easy, it can take a long time for your heart to heal fully, we're told.

😀

[Diamondcat]

So glad for you Steve , praying I can write a similar post soon xx

[Singwell]

Delighted for you and happy that read this from my own point of view as meeting with EP in just over a week and feeling very conflicted about whether or not to have the procedure

[Sfhmgusa in reply to Singwell]

Hi , I was very very conflicted as I am a really nervous patient and terrified of anaesthetics but it was a good decision even after only 3 weeks. And the relief at not having my chemistry set of drugs and their attendant side effects is great. If you want any specific info/ detail feel free to ask or if you prefer pm me

[Singwell in reply to Sfhmgusa]

Thank you. Tell me more!

[Tennisking]

Sounds very promising Steve👍.I’m 5 ish months post 2nd ablation (for pvi reconnections). First 4 months - amazingly AF free then had a very disappointing 7 hour episode brought on by a particularly heavy/stressful work load that had to be completed over night😢.

Moral of the story - don’t overdo it no matter what!!!

All the best

Chris

[Easternmost in reply to Tennisking]

Hi, Can I ask what has happened since the episode? Are you back on meds and was it followed up with your consultant? Does your Afib manifest as a fast heartrate or just irregular?

I am 7 weeks post ablation and had one small run, but find it hard not to worry about it returning and I am definitely triggered by stress.

[Tennisking in reply to Easternmost]

I’m not on rythm or rate meds as both tend to exasperate my problems, but am on BP, Thinner and Statin.I suffer from PAF, and it’s more irregular then fast beat. Since having ablations, I have noticed more fast runs and tons of ectopics.

Unfortunately this problem can plague one’s subconscious, and personally, I find it impossible to escape from the constant worry.

At the moment, I’m sending ECGs from my Apple Watch to my surgeon - whenever I capture a run of AF. He wants to assess things further before advising a course of action (most probably PIP, but understands the grief Flecainide causes me).

[Easternmost in reply to Tennisking]

I was taken off Bisoprolol the day of my ablation and have been told I can go back on it if I struggle. I want to avoid this if possible as it made me exhausted. I agree that it is hard not to tune in to every beat and to worry, but I also know that this is very unhelpful often increasing ectopics. I sympathise, understand your worries and hope that things improve for you. It would be interesting to have a future update.Best wishes.

[Tennisking in reply to Easternmost]

Sure thing Steve. Just played 9 holes of golf so let’s see whether I escape...! You’re welcome to pm me anytime, I don’t mind sharing any experience I have gained. Chris

[Golfer60UK]

Hi Steve, had mine 11 weeks ago still ok too

am on Bisoprolol and Apixaban waiting for a discussion with the Cardiologist

Best wishes, Dave

[Hidden]

Excellent news! I have read that it is quite common for the heart rate to be faster after an ablation - this may be because the nerve endings are irritated and usually settles down. See: a-fib.com/faqs-a-fib-ablati...

[Sfhmgusa in reply to Hidden]

thanks good to know

[jerseygirl49]

So pleased to read your post this morning Steve. Dream on..........and wishing you all the very best.

[sdweller]

Steve....I know it's hard, but if you cut out the caffeine and alcohol it will help. I'm NOT a doctor, but I'm sorry, consider that these things DO affect your heart, as most of us with afib know quite well. It might not seem to have been a huge "trigger" for you, but these things ARE clearly not good for those of us with afib. At the very least, lay off it while your heart attempts to heal. Trust me, I know that it is difficult to face, but life without coffee and alcohol, (or at least with only VERY LITTLE of each), is far better than life with afib.

[Sfhmgusa in reply to sdweller]

Thanks for the advice , I think that it is simply and wholly good advice!

There is no doubt in my mind that alcohol and caffeine are bad inputs to the system, I have reduced both from excessive amounts to much less, but as QOL is my aim, I confess that abstinence would be a bleak choice.

Thanks again

S

[sdweller in reply to Sfhmgusa]

I agree with QOL....I too used to be an "excessive" drinker... but slowly I realized that I didn't want to be told one day "you can't drink anything at all"! So strick moderation, (and NEVER binge drinking) seemed like a much better option...and so far with this alternative lifestyle over the decades I can still have 1 or 2 here and there if I want. It wasn't easy, but I don't miss the heavy drinking now anyway, and REALLY enjoy that 1 or 2 I CAN still have now). Congrats on your success so far, sounds like you got a good ablation!

[Ochg]

Great news Steve, I’m so pleased for you, fingers crossed I will also be posting such good news in the not too distant future.Shirley

[Madscientist16]

Feels great, doesn't it. 🙂 I certainly don't miss the handful of meds I had to take everyday either.

[KMRobbo]

Super heart aware is the thing! Hopefully you can desensitise over time.Not medically trained but I understand an initial increased heart rate is a good sign for success. Best wishes