Feeling really rough today. Headache, tight chest and shortness of breath. I hope it dies down soon.
I felt fine after the procedure, which the doctor was happy with, and felt great yesterday though I’ve not been able to sleep for the past two nights.
Hopefully this is normal for RF ablation recovery but I’m not enjoying today at all.
read this to re-assure yourelf please. All is normal. heartrhythmalliance.org/res...
I've felt that way after an ablation, that is, well right after and then going downhill.
I guess if you've had little sleep that could be why you have a headache. I'm afraid this may be how you'll feel for the next few weeks/months, that is fine one minute and then another breathless and tired. Please rest and allow your heart to recover from the shock it's had through the procedure. Now scar tissue needs to form and block those rogue beats. We usually advise one week doing very little and the second just a little more. Please remember if you walk anywhere, that you have to walk back again and that could completely wipe you out.
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Jean
Thanks Jean. I’m just surprised how it came on when I was fine yesterday
Hi
I am sorry you are having an uncomfortable time.
I had a pretty rough experience post - ablation for a variety of reasons, there is a post or two on here about that. 18 months on I have a reduction in paroxysmal AF and I have recovered some physical fitness. So overall an improvement in heart function but with considerable collateral damage that has required life-changing behaviour modification and the daily consumption of a laundry-list of medications. The point of the above is not 'me me me', it is to bring home the fact that post operative care is vital to a good outcome.
In hindsight I would say let time do its thing. Try to relax and cherish and nourish your physical and mental self. An ablation is not a trivial procedure and healing is not an overnight process. In light of my entirely unsatisfactory experience I would say the following:
If you are unhappy make your feelings known at your earliest opportunity and in the most direct form possible, be sure to have the direct telephone number of the ward that did the procedure so you can talk to senior nurses - and keep records of communications and a diary.
Demand a second opinion if that seems appropriate.
If you really aren't being heard simply get yourself to a hospital with a reputation for cardiology and make your presence felt. Sounds dramatic but the big issue with my post-operative experience was the amount of denial and ar*e covering engaged in by the parties involved. Getting into a specialist cardiology unit with no vested interests might have saved me a lot of pain, literally and metaphorically and got me back to work quicker and in better shape.
Please don't take the above as a typical experience of ablation, it simply can't be or the NHS lawyers would have stopped the procedure years ago - or at least insisted on training the medics properly.
Regards
Paul
PS - doctors/consultants are always 'happy with' their own work - so are back street mechanics after they have bodged your car...
Happy to chat privately
I think it's pretty normal to feel good day 1 and then downhill a bit after then. Your body is adjusting and the cells in your heart need time to heal 3 months in fact. That said if you feel concerned then you should be on the phone to your arrhythmia nurse for advice. That's what they're there for. Also, advise your local practice GP that you're post ablation and may need support at this time. I wrote to mine to make sure they were in the loop.
Your very much at the start of your journey to recovery, 3 days is still hours since you had the ablation, as you know you can expect these good and bad days. After 2-3 mths, energy and more good days than bad will happen. Rest up and be patient all will be good soon. Take care 👍
I really need the energy back in a week when I’m expected back at work!!!!
Don’t jeopardise your ablation to rush back to work safe, the consequences could be worse. Take it easy you know when you will be ready 👍
As you know safc, I'm also days out from ablation. I felt so well on my return from hospital on the day that I ran in the house and up the stairs to get my wallet to pay the taxi driver! I realised what I'd just done and told myself I was an idiot! Nevertheless I continued to feel great for the first 4 days, so I tried a couple of short walks and some household chores - but felt exhausted afterwards.Yesterday I felt out of sorts. Unwell, dizzy and with chest pain/discomfort.
I've had two nights of hardly any sleep followed by a good night of catch-up.
Today, so far, I feel well again.
I've decided that even the gentle stuff I was doing was still too much and I actually need to do almost nothing at this stage.
None of this concerns me as it's bang in line with what we are told to expect from the fact sheets.
We will just have to be patient mate, and let time be the great healer!
Yeah I know what you mean, I felt capable of anything on day one, couldn’t even breathe properly on day three. I’ve found the fact sheets brilliant in the past but I was worried about the chest and shoulder pain but that seems to have subsided. I hope your recovery goes well
HiI am two week post ablation. Heart rhythm generally good. Two short periods of afib. Headaches and flashing lights in vision about every other day, digestive issues , and on two occasions breathless and tight across the chest even though in rhythm. Two sleepless nights. Short walk or two and a bit about the house but generally feeling tired. Last night was the worst with breathlessness so checked for afib, blood pressure and oxygen levels and all were totally normal. Still taking flecainide , beta blocker and apixaban as advised for at least first three months.
Hopefully patience is required but I do get anxious.
So soon after your procedure, this is absolutely normal! Just take it easy, watch something stupid on TV, and take your mind off it. You'll see a steady improvement. Best wishes to you.
Good morning, I’m fairly new to this site but am finding valuable posts! I’m post one week today since 2nd ablation. I’m feeling a bit stronger each day but small steps. Still have considerable chest tightness and hard coughing. Just not much energy and I believe some of that was lack of good exercise prior to ablation as I was out of breath and lightheaded much of the time since November. I’m finding it very difficult to get a good nights sleep as I must lay on back and I’m a side sleeper so sleep is broken up. Hang in there and if you believe your symptoms warrant a call to your cardiologist, do it! I wish you the best!
My husband always says third day is the worst after any surgery. Hope this passes soon and you are feeling better!
I can see that all the members have offered some really great advice already, but please feel free to contact patient services if you require any further help or support.
This is very early days for you. I had all the usual results - more AF, migraine aura etc., and it took me a few weeks to feel as though I was coming out of it. Since then I have been slowly recovering and feel much better now. Please take as much time as you can to rest and allow your heart to recover as this is what you need now. Best wishes.
3 weeks post ablation
3 months post ablation 
Post Ablation 3 months
10 days post ablation 
Post ablation - 2 days on
