3 Wks Post Ablation

[dh1120]

Well yesterday was my 3 weeks post ablation. I have been doing pretty good so far. Still having ectopics but I know it’s normal. Today I am really not feeling as good as I have been. Yesterday I did take a short walk and get tired and stopped. Could I be feeling this way today because of possibly over doing it yesterday?

[Jajarunner]

Hello, my fellow three week recoverer. That describes my experiences after my first ablation exactly, I'm afraid.

Overdo it for a few days and then be exhausted for a few days. Even after 10 months the same thing was happening if I tried to do too much too soon ,although obviously I was able to do tons more than I could at the start (cycling, running, hiking etc, but still only to about 70% of preablation levels).

Its so flipping frustrating, but this time I'm (trying to be) more chilled about it and taking it very easy. I'm far behind what I could do last time, but then they did a lot more burning this time and it was a GA and a long procedure.

The arrythmia nurses think my recovery is fine. I don't know why the cardiologists give such wildly optimistic recovery times (couple of weeks to run again! No chance!)

There's a very good medical study online which looks at this and six months is the magic time. Also according to the cardiac athletes facebook page, it is six months to feel better, 12 months to regain full fitness.

Im trying to be a less impatient patient!

Good luck

Jaja xxx

[dh1120 in reply to Jajarunner]

Thank you so much!! Your post makes me feel better. I really didn’t think that i was walking to far but I guess my heart thought otherwise.

I would have to agree with you about the two weeks! I was definitely not ready at two weeks! Lol apparently at 3 weeks I’m not ready 😊

[Singwell in reply to dh1120]

FYI just over three weeks in I'd been AF free for 3 days (had really tough first two weeks) and then went on a lovely beach walk. It was all flat and I really enjoyed it. But on a long walk you have to walk back and - I was in AF by the time I returned. I've been more careful since and no AF 🤞🤞🤞

[dh1120 in reply to Singwell]

Luckily I was at work when I took this walk to an event that was happening and was able to have a co worker pick me up and take me back in a golf cart. If not I believe I would have felt much worse. Was very thankful for that! Will definitely be more careful , even when I think oh that’s not too far I will think twice!

[Singwell in reply to dh1120]

It will get better with time.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Jajarunner]

Which is exactly why we produced our recovery fact sheet heartrhythmalliance.org/res.... Nobody in the medical world ever tells you the truth about just how long it takes.

[7164 in reply to Jajarunner]

JajaI am with you. 11 months post. No Afib but still can’t get round 18 holes of golf!!

Three weeks then running!! Rubbish. Takes a long time. Still getting ectopics

Rod

[Jajarunner in reply to 7164]

After my first ablation that EP said I could run after 48 (YES, FORTY EIGHT) hours! When, we all know you are limping for a week at least!Luckily I had read that report I keep on about so knew it to be a Porkie!!

I'll post that link actually, might be helpful...

[Singwell]

I'm 6 weeks in today. You really do have to take it day by day. Yesterday I was bouncing with energy and loving getting back to my work - albeit just a couple of hours. Today I've woken up tired. I may not even go for a walk. My ectopics all disappeared in Week 4 btw. But we're all different. I'm planning to say at half mast for the entire 12 weeks. Good luck!

[dh1120 in reply to Singwell]

Am glad you are doing good! I am hoping my ectopics subside in the near future as well. I know they are getting better because I’m not having to take meds at the moment. Keeping positive thoughts!

[7164 in reply to dh1120]

Ectopics take ages to go. 11 months post and I still get them. Stick with it😊

[Ducky2003]

Hi. I'm 4 weeks in as of yesterday. I started back to work on Tuesday (just 4 hours) and was shattered. I'd given myself a gap day yesterday (joys of being self employed) and didn't feel great....... tired, breathless and puffy ankles. Doing 3 hours today and keeping fingers crossed. I feel worse than pre ablation but understand it takes time. No Dr who suggests all will be well in 2 weeks ever had an ablation! 😁. Best of luck for your recovery.

[dh1120 in reply to Ducky2003]

I hope you feel better! I fell asleep last night pretty early and got a full 8 hours of sleep in. Hopefully it will be a better day😊

[Ducky2003 in reply to dh1120]

8 hours.......if only 🤣. Take things steady.

[dh1120 in reply to Ducky2003]

😂

[Snowgirl65]

My goodness, only 3 weeks from your ablation, you're likely to have your good days/bad days. I'm about a month-and-a-half since mine, and have tended to overdo it too, yesterday having a 2-hour episode because of that. My energy level is back on track, but I keep forgetting to take it easy as the heart's still healing, hence my attack(s). You've done nothing wrong in taking that walk. You need your exercise, after all, and walking is nothing strenuous like lifting heavy objects which you're not to do for a while. Just bear with it for a while and you'll see yourself getting your energy back day by day. Good luck to you.

[dh1120 in reply to Snowgirl65]

Thank you so much!!

[Jajarunner]

After 16 days I was on the phone to the arrythmia nurses and they asked if I was walking yet. I said only a few minutes every other day very very slowly but she said that was fine, but that I should be mobile by then.

Also the hospital told me NOT to sit around too much because of the risk of DVT after the ablation. I made sure I got up every hour and did a few mins of hobbling for that reason.