3 months post ablation #2

[Sfhmgusa]

So today is the 3 month anniversary of my second ablation. The first having been done on 10 of July 2020 main update I have had no afib since the procedure!! Yippee!!

My personal experience below

I took it hugely easy for the two weeks following the ablation I strongly suggest this

I read the print off the recovering from ablation fact sheet before and after! Do that too!

I went immediately from 7.5 Mg bisoprolol, 200 Mg of flecainide and a tiny dose of digoxin to zero rate and rhythm control. I only have apixoban now and I am in no hurry to stop that ( ever)

My resting heart rate is still higher 80 bpm than before and strangely is higher at night than midday

I drink a glass or two of wine most nights

I’m nervous of caffein so am a decaf chap now

I eat less large meals raise my bpm a bit too much for my liking 90 bpm

Weather permitting I am walking 5km most days and looking forward to soon resuming my weekend 15km rambles

I feel great!

I had lots of pvc ectopics 1-2 a minute at first but time (and as a reformed sceptic ..magnesium taurate) seem to have lessened them to 1 every 1-300 beats and certainly the pvcs are a bit less clunky. If I were not “heart aware “ I don’t think I would notice them

I am still avoiding repetitive heavy lifting like moving breeze blocks or stacking a wood pile.

I’m starting to believe I can plan a more normal life and it is great, but I am still too jumpy about each skipped beat

Finally I think that the “you must wait 3 months before you know the first ablation failed “ idea is ok but I knew I was not right after 4 weeks of ablation 1 I hoped for the best of course but I was in contact with my EP after 6 weeks saying I’m going to need another I am sure

... to that end I would say ablation is fantastic really brilliant science that has improved my qol for the past quarter amazingly. The thing is though that it may need to be a two even three stage process. Knowing that is quite important I feel

Sorry this is a bit long

Steve

[meadfoot]

Wonderful news, well done you and your medical team.

[BobD Volunteer]

Steve a perfect post which many I am sure will find helpful. It is one thing for old stagers like me to explain but having it from a newly ablated persson really backs it up. Well done and long may it continue. Still soem recvovring to go which nio doubt will bring your restsing rate down.

Super well done on the weight loss.

[Desanthony]

Brilliant news!

[Ochg]

Brilliant news Steve, I am so pleased it has all turned out so positive this time.

Fingers crossed I’ll be in a similar position to you soon (I’m at week 7 now post second ablation- both atria were ablated this time- feeling much better than before at this stage, still not able to walk great distances yet, but slowly getting there).

Great news about the meds as well - well done you 👍, oh and of course not forgetting your medics !

Take care,

Shirley x

[The_Lord_is_with_Us]

Congratulations! ..... it's well known that it often takes 2 ablations for success. However, I would caution you on the wine habit. In the old days AFIB was called Holiday Heart because it's triggered by moderate to heavy drinking.

I'm 100+ days post-op my 4th ablation. In the last week of wearing a 2 week heart monitor. I went 10 years normal after my last ablation .... hope I get 10+ years or a complete cure this time around.

Good Luck!

[Sfhmgusa]

Wow 10 years is a great win and a real encouragement. I’m sure loads of folk here will love to hear that from you ( hopefully me in 10 years too!!)

I am being pretty careful and watching my heart rate with the things I do , and very studiously avoiding any binge alcohol .

I have asked my EP if he thinks I should quit and he said moderation was the watchword in everything , food, wine, excercise etc.

Steve

[Safc1983]

Really pleased for you. Long May it continue!

[TracyAdmin Partner]

That is wonderful news - really pleased to hear that you are doing well !!!

[Ianp66]

Good post and a lot of similarities to my recovery post ablation in 2019, I found still improving after 10-12 months as such. All good now and plenty of walking and enjoying life as much as possible.

[Jetcat]

Hi Steve I’m really pleased for you mate. Well done. I was plagued with ectopics for years and gave magnesium a go and it’s quite honestly the best thing I did. I’m sure you’re on the way to a better QOL take it easy and take care.

[Tux18]

Your post was/is helpful. I’ve had one ablation yet continue with afib. Someday maybe scheduled for another. Your advice is heard. Thank you!

[willec49]

Congratulations on the apparent success of your second ablation. So glad that your quality of life has improved.

[Sfhmgusa in reply to willec49]

Thank you , one thing I should mention, between ablations I had a couple of really demoralising weeks, exhausted and miserable, breathless ( retaining water) and mentally really pessimistic.

My EP told me he would get me right and to be honest while I wanted to believe me the pessimist in me thought hmmmm , but he was right!

Afib works on my heart and body but also my mind. So it is so wonderful to be just back from a freezing 4 mile walk not tired only tingling it is a great feeling.

[willec49]

That’s wonderful and encouraging to hear! Wishing you a long, energetic, healthy, love-filled life.