4 weeks post ablation! Nightmare

[Diamondcat]

Apologies for not being able to post positive thoughts today. 4 weeks post ablation and feel worse than ever. Medication has been increased again to try and keep me in NSR and slow my rate down from 140bpm. Im on more tablets than ever. I’m tired, fed up and beginning to wish I had never had it done. Can’t see an end to this or what can be done to help me. Hate feeling so rubbish all the time. I expected blips, was prepared for ups and downs and had no illusions that it would be perfect, but to be honest I never imagined feeling like this.

[jeanjeannie50]

My heart went haywire like yours after an ablation and they cardioverted it back. Ask if they can do that for you. X

[Diamondcat in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks for the advice, sorry to be so negative. I’ve got to call Barts on Monday if I can manage to get through this weekend without going to A& E! I’ve had 2 cardio versions (prior to ablation) which lasted just 58 hours x

[BobD Volunteer]

Know the feeling but it does get better. Stay strong.

[Diamondcat in reply to BobD]

Thanks BobD does it? I’m just wondering how this gets better? The ablation was apparently a success so why am I worse than before? X

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Diamondcat]

As others have said it sounds like you may have atrial tachcycardia (typical 140 BPM) needing DCCV. Have you spoken to your Arrhythmia Nurse or EP?

[Diamondcat in reply to BobD]

Hi BobD appreciate your reply Thankyou. I spoke with Barts yesterday and Prof Schilling has doubled my sotalol dose to 160mg twice a day. Started that this morning and feel awful. I’ve got to call them back on Monday to give them an update: Hopefully it will work but I’m also conscious that when my Flecainide dose was upped back in Feb it caused a dangerous VT. hence was taken off of that instantly. I just feel that I’m going round in circles. I would have another cardioversion but the 2 I had before only lasted 48 hours. Just feel it’s all such a mess. X😢

[Ianp66]

I was in flutter 3 months after a successful ablation, cardioversion sorted the constant 140bpm problem, been OK since and it was near a year after the operation before I felt the full benefit.

[Hidden]

Hello! Have just read all of your posts and find it interesting that you have mentioned problems with VT. This type of arrhythmia was not mentioned very often in this forum... Just interested to know how sure you are, that your problems after the ablation are related to AF and not to VT. Has Kardia confirmed your being in AF?

[Diamondcat in reply to Hidden]

Hi SteelHeart thanks for commenting. The VT I developed back in Feb was caused by Flecainide and was horrific. I’m still terrified now that this will happen again. Especially as my sotalol has just been doubled. My Kardia shows AF but not even sure if it would recognise a VT or not? The feeling of a VT was so severe that if it happened again hopefully I would recognise it and get straight to A&E. I’ve recorded a few Kardia traces and will send them to Barts on Monday. To be honest prior to the ablation it was never discussed that this could happen afterwards. Like I said I wasn’t expecting it to be perfect but also didn’t expect to feel worse.

[Hidden]

My heart goes out to you, what an ordeal, and, as you say, round in circles. I do hope it all rights itself. Good luck

[Sfhmgusa]

I am so sorry to hear of your ordeal, it knocks the stuffing out of us especially when the hopes of an ablation are knocked by a situation such as yours.

I’m sure the fast rate can be sorted for you and it may be an inversion will give you some respite and hope

Take care

[secondtry]

Thank you for finding the energy to post here. I for one like to be informed of all the invasive procedures and possible outcomes before they start so I am better prepared. I hope things improve and I understand Prof Schilling is one of the top AF medics in the country.

[BigArnie]

Hello, Diamondcat, how are you getting on?

[Diamondcat in reply to BigArnie]

Good afternoon thanks for asking. Things have settled a bit. It’s been a pretty tough 4 weeks and as I said before I’m now on more medication than I was prior to my ablation but I’ve been in sr for a whole 6 days now which is the most Ive had so I’m keeping everything crossed. No idea when I will be able to reduce medication and still feel rather breathless but that could be the sotalol dose? Just trying to stay positive and taking each day as it comes. Xx

[BigArnie]

That’s great to hear - a bit of respite for Christmas at least! Hope it stays under control 😀