AF again 15 weeks after ablation.

[bassets]

Hi, i have been keeping a low profile since my ablation in August, crossing my fingers etc. After a couple of incidents - one severe - right after my ablation I have been in sinus until last night. I have had a nasty infection for which I have had two antibiotics, but this last one seems to have aggravated my heart in some way and I have had one twinge and then six hours of AF last evening. I am very disappointed by this as I assume the ablation hasn't worked? has anyone had a similar reaction to an antibiotic? I have asthma and some bronchiectasis too so will end up with the dreaded pills again and worry that they are bringing on the AF. So I am feeling dischuffed and a bit bruised now.

[CDreamer]

Although normally I don’t suffer AF episodes since my pacemaker was inserted after 2 ablations when AF returned, whenever I have an infection, especially one that involves taking antibiotics I have 2-3 episodes. I put it down to inflammation. The good news is that after a few weeks my heart settles again.

Rest and recuperation is vastly underrated, especially after infection. Inevitably you will have inflammation and that is often the trigger for AF. After only 15 weeks there will also still be some inflammation from the ablation. Patience really is a virtue so don’t despair. Give your body time to heal and recuperate and banish the anxiety because stressing causes inflammation.

We put our hopes in ablation being the cure all and for some it works first time but for many of us although it will reduce the AF burden and the symptoms, it may return.

Best wishes

[bassets in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you very much for your comments which have cheered me. I wasn't sure if the antibiotics and AF were linked as the gps I have asked drew a blank on this. I suppose I am just being a wuss but you are right - ablation is the great white hope we all have.

[BobD Volunteer]

Stillvery early days bassets. Many people are still recovering six to nine months after ablation. Any inflamation can cause a flare up so stay positive and well hydrated.

[bassets]

Thanks Bob. Don't know what we all would do without you!

[Singwell]

Oh dear - sympathies! I remember catching a gastric virus around the same time in. Got through 4 days of it and then it felt like my heart got peed off and I went into AF. 15 weeks in is only just past the blanking period so don't despair. I know how dispiriting it feels but it doesn't necessarily mean the procedure hadn't worked. The myocytes in your heart don't like things being imbalanced. Look after yourself, rest up and see if that will do the trick.

[bassets]

Thanks Singwell. It's a scary journey on an untrodden path for me. I'll certainly get more rest.

[momist]

I have had a similar experience since my ablation in June. However, after my last AF attack (brought on by a single glass of red wine!) at about 13 weeks after, I have had nothing since, apart from the odd ectopic beat and digestive feelings mistaken for heart problems. Fingers crossed, mine is now all sorted. My EP wants to see me next in March next year, which is far longer than the 3 months usually quoted.

[Elli86 in reply to momist]

I’ve had the digestive issues and it’s only come about since my ablation 🤔 pain up the bum to be perfectly honest. Seems like roughly 25% of the time I eat, I feel bloated as hell regardless of how much I’ve eaten and then spend the evening wondering if I’m going to slip into af! Hasn’t happened yet though thankfully 🤞

I never used to get this at all pre ablation either. Very strange!

[bassets]

That's fab! So glad you've had nothing sins and long may it continue! I haven't had an appointment yet but I'n not pushing for one as I'm sure the hospital is busy with covid etc. Thank you

[Elli86]

Hi bassets.

My sympathies.

We are on exactly the same timeline by the sounds of it. My ablation was 16th august. Was it your first? I went into af week 13 if I remember rightly but thankfully havent been back in since 🤞 I’ve recently caught a bug myself, details in my latest post roughly an hour ago, and have been worrying about taking anything myself as I’m currently tapering off my meds so don’t want to upset my heart.

If your heart is anything like mine then I would say the antibiotics would be pretty much guaranteed to set it off. Still feels a little sensitive at times and I’m getting some low grade tachy (96/97) when exerting myself and completely off meds.

Hopefully once you can give the antibiotics the boot your heart will start to settle and you won’t get anymore af! Hope it works out for you 🤞 good luck!

[bassets]

Hi, thank you for this - I think we are in the same place - mine was on the 19th. Having had this bug since the beginning of October, I talked to the cardio nurse and she told me it probably wasn't the antibiotics that set the AF off - more likely to be inflammation with the bug as others have said here. However my doctor (and since we have moved our Gp is fab) said if I'm ok now, I can stop the antibiotics, and so I have. Here's hoping we can both get on and lose the AF for a while. Good luck and let us know how you're doing x

[Elli86 in reply to bassets]

Yes that makes sense. That’s what I think is giving me the tachy at the minute, a bug that is. Hoping I can get rid of it asap and continue my taper 🙏🙏

Fingers crossed you can give it the boot and continue to improve. Good luck 👍

[Snowgirl65]

It's possible the infection, rather than the antibiotics, caused your recent episode. You're still in or just barely out of the blanking period from your ablation. I had an a-fib episode just out of that period brought on by breaking my wrist. My doctor felt the trauma caused the slight relapse. It could very well be your infection with inflammation caused yours too. It's too soon to worry if your ablation worked or not. Wishing you well.

[bassets]

Thanks for your kind words. I don't know what I'd do without all you great people who comment on here. I'll try to stop worrying and be patient.