7 days from ablation

[Sean_C]

Hi there,

So last Thursday I had my first ablation, as posted the day before. The ‘Imp of the Mind’ paid me a visit at 2am the morning of the procedure and tried very hard to terrify me into backing out. It nearly worked!

The first 36hrs were pretty grim as I developed what they told me was probably an inflammation of the pericardium- quite common apparently - and they gave me some stronger pain meds. It was just about gone by Saturday morning and hasn’t returned.

Around midnight on Saturday I awoke with that high blood pressure feeling and the monitor told me my HR had dropped to 74 (it had been around 90-92 since the procedure) but my bp was 147/90 ( from the stable 118/72 it had been).

This continued to rise to a high point of 158/97 at midday Sunday. A little concerning. Anyway, it wasn’t high enough for anyone to intervene so I was in a holding pattern.

Happy to say that from Tuesday morning it is around 126/84 with HR around 70.

Feeling steadily better but have developed some weird issues with my nerves.

Had been experiencing regular nervous muscle twitches leading up to the ablation ( almost certainly stress/anxiety related. But yesterday I drove my daughter to the local Indian take away ( a mile or so from home) and as I was pulling into my driveway I realised my right leg and arm had almost gone to sleep. I could hardly lift my leg to get out of the car. Very very disconcerting I can tell you.

My daughter helped me to the front door and I plonked down on the stairs for a few minutes. Breathing steadily etc. and it went away. I don’t recall seeing any comments about this on the site but would be interested if anyone else has any experience or knowledge of this.

It feels ok today, I went for a short walk around the estate after breakfast and could walk with no issues. I’m wondering if spending so much time in bed has something to do with it.

Otherwise, apart from a few short runs of fast AF in days 1-3 the heart seems to be getting on with the recovery.

Best wishes all.

[paulypurplepants]

Good to hear you've had it and out the other side. Im booked for my first Ablation in Feb, so interested in how you are bearing up. Hopefully things will continue to improve and you'll be in fine fettle in no time!

[BobD Volunteer]

Are you fully anticoagulated? I would speak to your doctor about the arm and leg weakness issue as this is not normal. If you haven't already please read our fact sheet on recovery at heartrhythmalliance.org/res.... AND REST.

[Sean_C in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob, yes I am. Didn’t miss a day’s dose of Rivaroxaban. My initial fear was also that of stroke, but I produced a manic, even, grin and could wiggle fingers etc. So it appears not.I will write an email to my EP and tell them. Thanks for replying.

[Sean_C]

Re reading my post I possibly mis- described the feeling. Ten or so years ago I herniated a lumbar disc and damaged my sciatic nerve. Three months of agony later the pain retreated up the back of my leg and it healed. After a while I then started jogging again and for the first few weeks raising my right leg and swinging it forward felt bizarre like I had no fine control. That is what this felt like. Not that I couldn’t lift it, but like I couldn’t control it.

Maybe all the lying and sitting is inflaming my sciatic nerve. Goodness only knows what the arm thing was.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Sean_C]

Big sympathy Sean I'm suffering that right now. Just been to the osteopath this afternoon and hopeful things may improve.

[Hidden]

Good news! I've been told that raised blood pressure is not of great consequence if it is of short duration as yours appears to be, so I wouldn't worry about that.

[Ablation7]

I have had two back surgeries. I would recommend putting pillows under your knees when resting to take the pressure off. Seems odd, but laying still can definitely cause discomfort. Good luck.