Matt’s Cryoblation and Atrial Flutter procedure : Diary : Day 30 after Procedure

[mjm1971]

Hi all

Another update .

The hospital have got me using this Fibricheck app , which basically takes an ECG using your phone . I’m supposed to take 1 or 2 readings a day .

I have done this for the past 10 days and I have registered 2 episodes of possible AFIB .

I know what everyone will say

“It’s still early and the blanking period takes time .

But after 4 weeks it’s bloody hard not to feel negative and assume the worse that the procedure had no affect .

I had a phone consultation before using the app and my EP told me he wanted to reduce my Flec to by 50% but I guess I when I tell him about these recordings he will keep me on 100mg twice daily now .

Trying to remain positive and other than these recordings ( I don’t get any bad symptoms when In AF ) the post procedure time has been absolutely fine with no issues at all

Thanks all

Matt

[CDreamer]

OK - my first response would be a question? If you had NOT taken the readings - would you have known that you were in AF? Any symptoms?

I know we all have very high expectations of ablation success and want instant gratification but sadly it doesn’t work like that. Your feelings of being down arise from your high expectations, not the ‘success’ or ‘failure’ of the procedure. Listen to your body and stop worrying. I would be tempted to tell the hospital that the app is causing you stress which is not helpful in your recovery.

The basics of recovery are rest, recuperation and doing things that you enjoy. Use recovery time as an opportunity to reconnect with yourself and your body and do what you feel like doing, not what you think you OUGHT to be doing. Drop the expectations is the best advice I can offer.

Stay with your last para - ( I don’t get any bad symptoms when In AF ) the post procedure time has been absolutely fine with no issues at all.

YEAH!

Take care, go well and enjoy what you have.

[mjm1971 in reply to CDreamer]

Hi CDdreamer

If I didn’t take the readings I probably would suspect being in AF due to light headiness but could dismiss it as being paranoid lol , the reading obviously makes it real .

Thanks for the response though much appreciated

[CDreamer in reply to mjm1971]

That’s the thing - the reading makes it real and hard to accept. I struggle with Patience, believe me I was last in line when that quality was handed out, but AF has taught me good lessons in how to be patient.

[baba]

I found Fibricheck totally inaccurate when I tried it.

[kkatz]

Hi I also use fibricheck and don't have a clue how to read it.It isn't an ECG it takes but I believe a Ppg and can look quite scary. Apart from the fact that it says probable AF does the graph worry you.It did me.I look at the other 2 mainly.However I have persistent AF & monitor when I feel particularly bad.I also check with other means.I tend to agree with Cdreamer that maybe it could be making you anxious particularly if you look at the graph as an ECG .I personally hate "making you anxious " phrase as I am not an anxious person but that first graph as an ECG can cause that reaction.I also understand that there is a blanking period although I don't know that much about it.Maybe when you talk to your Ep he will will reassure you.

[BobD Volunteer]

I think it is far more likely to be ectopic clusters Matt, which are very common post ablation. Yes patience is obviously not your strong point but please accept that as we say in the fact sheet, many people are still improving at nine months or a year.

Abation may not leave a big zip up your front but it is still a major trauma to your heart. Any such trauma takes time , lots of it, to settle. You wouldn't expect to be running a marathon a month after a hip replacement!

[Singwell]

I'm also 30 days post for ablation number 2 today. CDreamer is right - if you can't feel it, that's what matters. Several times I've sent 'possible AF ' readings from Kardiamobile to my arrhythmia nurse, expressing surprise at the reading. Some of these were not AF. It's great you're feeling so good and have had no problems. In a month's time you'll feel better, then better still after three, and even up to a year. Sounds like you're very much on track.

A personal note - don't use the reduction of pills as a mark of success and take that really really slowly. Otherwise you'll simply get anxious about that. Last time I was pushing to see ' if it had worked '. When I decided it hadn't really Bern successful and settled down to wait for ablation number 2 guess what? I relaxed and got a little better still. I felt so good u even had second thoughts about procedure number 2.

You're doing fine!

[DKBX]

One week out from fourth ablation. Short runs of various arrhythmias are very common. Stay on whatever rate-rhythm control drugs AND, most importantly, your ‘blood thinner’ that the doc has you on. It’ll get better … (then, eventually worse, and start all over again! Ha)