Update from yesterday's ablation. - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Update from yesterday's ablation.

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52
β€’69 Replies

Thank you everyone for your responses and your support yesterday prior my ablation, it really meant a lot especially at that moment in time !

According to my discharge letter the ablation was performed successfully and was done by a Dr Afzal Sohaib. Following the ablation I believe there was an issue completely stopping the bleeding from the groin site . I was given a drug called protamine which helps reverse the effects of apixaban. This drug did not altogether agree with me , hence my lack of replies yesterday. My face was bright red and a bit swollen , also felt very woozy. Unsure if that feeling woozy was just the protamine or a combination of the diamorphine and midazolam as well. I was given a bag of fluid when back on ward which helped. My face looks and feels much better at present.

I just have fleeting pains in my chest, which I could take pain killers for if I felt to.

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have and I will do my best to answer.

The relief its all over is so good and now just wait to live an AF free life.

Have a great day everybody 🌞

Jacky.

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Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52
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69 Replies
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jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

I'm pleased to hear all went well Jacky. Haven't heard of any drugs making the face swollen before, so that's something new.

As you mention your discharge letter I guess you're at at home now?

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Jean

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply tojeanjeannie50

Thank you Jean. I think its an allergic reaction, at least my face isn't as red this morning but it is still swollen and sllghtly hot 😑 Haha ..

meadfoot profile image
meadfoot

Well done, onwards and upwards now. Rest plenty please to aid recovery.

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply tomeadfoot

Thank you Meadfoot. I honestly am going to take it very easy.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

You are through! Recovery now is the important bit so rest and recuperate and pace yourself. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and good outcome.

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply toCDreamer

I know and the relief is incredible! Thank you .

Elli86 profile image
Elli86

Sounds a lot like what happened to me jacky. Everything apart from my face swelling up. I felt really woozy due to my blood pressure dropping, which I think was caused by the fact they couldn’t stop the bleeding in my right groin. I had to keep the pressure bandage on till the following day. Felt bloody awful when I woke up an hour later in a different room. I was awake for the op but I think they must have knocked me out entirely right at the end as they had to cardiovert.

Well done! All finished now! Panic over 🀣 hope your recovery goes well πŸ˜€πŸ‘

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply toElli86

I remember reading what you wrote about what happened to you . Do you think you were given the same drug? It sounds like you may have .

Elli86 profile image
Elli86β€’ in reply toJacky52

Probably yeah. They did tell me what it was but I was groggy as hell at the time so can’t remember the name. I was on a bag of saline all night to try and get my blood pressure up I know that much. How you feeling now? Your still in hospital I’m assuming or have they kicked you out now?

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply toElli86

I came home last night Elli86, but didn't leave till about seven as I was still quite woozy. I think I feel how I would expect to feel, just not up to a lot . A few twinges in my chest , but not to bad ..

Elli86 profile image
Elli86β€’ in reply toJacky52

That’s good news then πŸ‘ atleast your not feeling too rubbish. How long was your op? This is not your first ablation is it?

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply toElli86

This was my second ablation . Aound about two and half to three hours I think.

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply toJacky52

Although Ive just had some food, and had to come straight back to bed. I definitely won't be doing anything with this exhaustion.

Elli86 profile image
Elli86β€’ in reply toJacky52

I was exactly the same jacky to be honest. I spent majority of first 4/5 in bed. Gradually improved after that for roughly 2 weeks. Built up to walking 4 mile daily and then all of a sudden had a decline again last week 😫 felt slightly better yesterday though and not too bad today so hopefully picking up.

How does it compare to your last ablation? How long did you take to recover previously?

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply toElli86

The comparison is markedly different .The first six years ago I literally did not have any ill effects ! This time I feel weak and have some pains . I can definitely tell this will take some time .

Elli86 profile image
Elli86β€’ in reply toJacky52

That’s interesting πŸ€” wasn’t the same hospital either? Did you feel fine from the moment you woke up the following day then previously?

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply toElli86

Both were done at Barts , apart from the normal effects of the anesthetic I felt fine with the first ablation.

Elli86 profile image
Elli86β€’ in reply toJacky52

πŸ€” strange how the same person can feel so different having the same operation in the same hospital. I suppose there are endless variables that go along with it though so virtually impossible to get to the bottom of the reason for it.

Bottom line is your done now so hopefully onwards and upwards from now on πŸ˜€πŸ‘ good luck with recovery πŸ‘

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply toElli86

I suppose one variable could be I'm six years older πŸ˜‚

Elli86 profile image
Elli86β€’ in reply toJacky52

πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ yes that would definitely make an appearance on the list of variables

bassets profile image
bassetsβ€’ in reply toElli86

I was the same - and if I hadn't felt the wound opening up it would be another story. Told I was a bleeder! The nurse had to put pressure on for ages before it all stopped running and applied a pressure bandage too.

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Good news but #sdom't forget to keep reading the recovery fact sheet which will cover many of the odd things you will experience over the next few months.

heartrhythmalliance.org/res...

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply toBobD

Thank you Bob , and I will definitely read this sheet .

Great news Jacky, I can’t add anything to what’s already been said πŸ˜‰

belindalore profile image
belindalore

Wishing you a very very good recovery. πŸ™

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply tobelindalore

Thank you so much x

Kevinder23 profile image
Kevinder23

Well done glad for you it's done xxx

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply toKevinder23

Thank you Kevinder, it is a big relief xx

Lenlec profile image
Lenlec

Well done. Here’s to a speedy healing recovery

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply toLenlec

Thanks Lenlec , much appreciated.

Frances123 profile image
Frances123

Sorry to hear about the red and swollen face but so pleased it is now all over for you and you are home. As has been said, rest, rest and then some. Not that I guess you will feel like doing much anyway. Take care. xxx

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply toFrances123

Thank you Frances. Luckily my face is going down now, thankfully. I'm definitely resting and you are right, I don't feel like doing much . xx

ChadL profile image
ChadL

I am glad to hear everything went well. Prayers for a speedy recovery! πŸ™πŸ½πŸ™πŸ½πŸ₯°

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply toChadL

Thank you ChadL for your prayers πŸ™‚

Linkj profile image
Linkj

Well done Jacky, I felt fairly rough for 2 weeks then great for some of the time but suddenly overwhelmingly tired for a few weeks and 6 weeks on I have my odd moment of tiredness, I think it depends a lot on how I sleep. My heart threw up some sudden 3 minutes of episodes of dramatic AF after 2 weeks for a few days and since behaving very well. I agree with the others, rest then graduate your activity.

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply toLinkj

Thank you Linkj ! It's so nice to hear how everyone felt post ablation and any issues that followed. Strangely, I was just wondering how people who are not in this amazing forum cope to be honest .

Linkj profile image
Linkjβ€’ in reply toJacky52

Yes Jacky, I have found the forum amazingly supportive and helpful

kalgs profile image
kalgs

Good luck . Great it’s over and you will quickly recover.

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply tokalgs

Thanks Kalgs ! I will agree its definitely great its over ! Still resting up and heart is jumpy , but feel it may be ectopics . I was having a lot of ectopics prior my ablation as well. The EP said it may be something I may just have to live with πŸ‘πŸ˜¬

Hope you are feeling well ?

kalgs profile image
kalgsβ€’ in reply toJacky52

I had ectopics really bad before my ablation 10 days . They’ve gone thank goodness . Did you have GA ?

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply tokalgs

I had sedation for the ablation. Encouraging to hear your ectopics have gone ! πŸ™Œ

kalgs profile image
kalgsβ€’ in reply toJacky52

Yes they were worse than AF. After the ablation I had a day of Af and ectopics. They gradually disappeared. So not had any for the last 9 days . So hopefully same for you

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply tokalgs

Thanks Kalgs, that's what I'm hoping for a gradual disappearance of af and ectopics in near future. I'm pleased you just said that about the ectopics, its encouraging someone had the same symptoms and is now on a good path . The day before and prior ablation, I was stuck in some strange ectopic rhythm that was constant. The doctor confirmed it was ectopic Γ s opposed to AF, it was hard to tell . πŸ™„

kalgs profile image
kalgsβ€’ in reply toJacky52

The ectopics are horrible. I’ve used Kardia for years . It’s helped with my diagnosis and also influenced my medication. The DRs found it very useful

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply tokalgs

I keep seeing that people have these Kardia, I will have to look them up !

kalgs profile image
kalgsβ€’ in reply toJacky52

6L is good . Believe me wellWorth it .

Nick1957 profile image
Nick1957

Well done Jacky. Speedy recovery but take your time and have plenty of RR. X

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply toNick1957

Morning Nick,

Thank you ! I will definitely rest up. I see you had an ablation with Dr Simon Sporton. My first ablation was with him, he's a great man . This may sound ungrateful but I was quite devastated he didn't do my second ablation a few days ago πŸ˜‚ Have a good weekend and thank you again . x

Nick1957 profile image
Nick1957β€’ in reply toJacky52

Hiya Jacky. Unfortunately on the day Simon wasn't available to do my ablation! I was initially a bit disappointed. Dr M Finlay who carried out my ablation was superb and his resume' was outstanding. I was offered the ablation some 6months previous in Harley Street but I declined because Simon Sporton would not be doing it!! If I'd a known that someone else would step in at St Barts then I would have gone for Harley Street ablation. Crux of it all is most ablation consultants can perform all types of ablation procedures regardless of our preference to the consultant. Sorry for long winded explanation . Good luck in your recovery. I'm back to playing golf x 2 a week x

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply toNick1957

Hi Nick,I missed your post for some reason . Belated thanks for your reply. I understand that most ablation consultants can perform the ablation procedures but they would be hard to match with Mr Sporton with his kindness and genuine interest in his patient. There is just something about him that you can put your trust in .Hope you are well . 😊

bassets profile image
bassets

Excellent, remember everyone's advice and get plenty of rest. Best wishes.

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply tobassets

Thank you Bassets.

Cortis profile image
Cortis

Hi Jacky, really pleased to read your post it has all the indications of a positive outcome. I've been reading this forum for a couple of years following my diagnosis of AF and like yourself have found it the best information resource available. I have an ablation booked this month with Dr. Lencioni at QE hospital Birmingham and hoping I can write an encouraging post similar to yourself in a few weeks time. Meanwhile any advice from anyone reading this would be much appreciated. Good luck with your future life free of AF interference.

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply toCortis

Thank you Cortis ! My first personal piece of advice to you would be keep in touch with this group leading up to and nearer the ablation and following. Get as much support and reassurance as you can, I would have been lost without this forum. 😍Will this be your first ablation ?

Cortis profile image
Cortisβ€’ in reply toJacky52

Hi Jacky, Thank You!

Cortis profile image
Cortisβ€’ in reply toJacky52

Oh, and yes, it is my first ablation and it has been a difficult decision to make!

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply toCortis

I understand how difficult a decision it is. I have to be truthful and say it was the best thing I could of done in terms of my AF. Truly it gave me my quality of life back , I was on cloud nine and only someone who suffered with AF would understand the extent of my happiness. I did write a post somewhere where I explained that the past few years have been extremely stressful and I have had many bereavements, also I have to be honest I had to much alcohol and weight gain. I was suffering with anxiety and panic attacks.

I truly believe without these issues I could have gone longer being Afib free. I was not in a good place and did not respect my procedure.

Stand firm in your decision and I very much doubt you will regret it at all.

I remember bumping into my EP, a few years after my ablation at a hospital where I worked.

I approached him and thanked him for the improvement in my QOL, he said " Thank you, I was having a bad day you have cheered me up ". πŸ˜‚

Anyway, I'm going on ! Time on my hands .

Nannysue1 profile image
Nannysue1

Can feel your relief from here!. Glad all appears to have gone well. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply toNannysue1

Thank you Nannysue ! x

Jetcat profile image
Jetcat

Glad to hear all went well. plenty of feet up time now. Keep well hydrated and watch loads of TV.πŸ‘πŸ‘

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply toJetcat

Thank you Jetcat, that is definitely my aim .

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply toJetcat

Thank you Jetcat, that is definitely my aim .

Jetcat profile image
Jetcatβ€’ in reply toJacky52

πŸ‘πŸ‘

Glad to hear you are feeling better.

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply to

Thank you Cowie .

Eirecara profile image
Eirecara

Great news. Sounds like how I felt. Wishing you a smooth recovery. Take it easy ☘️

CTblood profile image
CTblood

Hi Jacky, glad to hear you are recovering well. I had my first ablation at St Thomas’ hospital yesterday and got home about 7pm too. I had persistent afib and although I was in NSR immediately after the ablation (cardioversion at end of procedure) my rate was and still is all over the place. EP told me the usual 3 month blanking period so will have to be patient. Best wishes and I will be following your progress.

Jacky52 profile image
Jacky52β€’ in reply toCTblood

Hi CT,

I hope you are feeling ok ?

My heart is also jumping around 😬 I've taken Flecanide and Atenelol , its mostly calmed it down and is bearable at present . We will just have to be patient ❀

Lilypocket profile image
Lilypocket

I hope all continues to go well for you Jacky. Are you still taking any meds or just taking them as PiP?

I wish you a speedy recovery and a Happy Christmas and a great New Year x

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