17 days post ablation for PAfib and I’m starting to get headaches… unusual for me as I don’t even get them when tired or dehydrated … can’t remember last time I had a headache!
I feel the ablation hasn’t worked as I’ve had 2 sessions of AFib lasting several hours each time. I feel my recovery is slow and i don’t feel much better than I did 2weeks ago. Should I be concerned?
You really need to accept that recovery takes a lot more that you imagined. We produced the fact sheet I flagged up for you last time you posted because hospitals seldom give anything like the reality. When I had my first ablation in 2005 I was conned into thinking that I would be dancing out of the ward next morning complely cured and when I discovered this was not so I felt a complete failure. Be a patient patient for your own sake.
Thank you for that. I know now it’s going to be a longer recovery than I expected but I thought I would see a day by day improvement…. or at least week to week. Can’t imagine having another if this one isn’t successful as so many others here do.
Everyone’s recovery is very different and there are some lucky people who do seem to bounce back quickly but most here find that it does take time and a few episodes of AF during the first 12-16 weeks are not unusual.
In some ways not feeling great for the first few weeks may help. After my first ablation I felt SO well I spring cleaned the house. Three weeks later I was in the Acute Cadiac Unit for 3 days followed by having a another ablation within a few months of the first, not to be recommended!
How you feels will also depend upon whether you had a GA or sedation. GA can take weeks to clear your system and may cause headaches. Your body has been through a lot and more than likely you have inflammation in your system so anti-inflammatory foods and keeping more than usually well hydrated - water only - will help clear inflammation.
I would say though if you are still feeling unwell, unusually fatigued or develop other symptoms which last more than a few weeks then go see your doctor. I didn’t recover after my second ablation and it was several months before I saw a doctor and another 6 months before I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition, exacerbated by the drugs and sedation for AF and ablations. You know your body best so if you think there is something amiss - don’t hesitate in seeking medical advice.
Thank you for your response. I think perhaps I overdid it in the first week. My daughter came with my grandson a few days after the ablation with the thought that I would hold the baby and she would do the housework… of course it didn’t work out like that and I did more than I should probably. I’ve haven’t made much progress since then. I was fairly fit before the procedure and I feel that will have gone by now… but hey ho not much I can do about that! Just wish I’d realised how slow the recovery could be as we’re heading off to Scotland at the end of the week with the thought of doing a bit of cycling… think that is rather over ambitious now but maybe with the aid of the electric motor I can manage to do something. I think it should be made clear at the outset that it’s a 3 month resting period for many people.
I was under impression also it would be a quick recovery but I’m now just over 5 weeks post ablation and although headaches stopped after 3 weeks, I’m getting a few AF episodes longest lasting 5 hours, shortest 10 mins and I’m only back at work since last week 2 hours a day after discussing with my GP. Listen to your body. I’m exhausted today so plan on doing very little. Take care.
I was under that assumption too. Not great having this procedure in spring when those of us who like the outdoors like to be active.
Absolutely, I’m currently on long weekend up north of Scotland which was meant to be for walking and cycling but it’s been more of watching my husband and son kayaking and sitting on balcony while they go off walking and cycling! I’m suitably chilled though!
So at 5 weeks you’re not up to much activity… what a shame! My problem is my husband relies on me to pilot our tandem as he’s blind. I also drive our camper. I guess maybe just a short spin now and then. Very disappointing!
Does anybody ever try the modified valsalva maneuver when they start getting an episode? This works for me, even the regular valsalva but I have to do it about three times. The modified maneuver adds legs up in the air, look it up, many hospitals try it first before cardioversion. It alwasy slows my rate down and shortly after I go back to sinus rhythm.
It sometimes helped me - Paramedic taught me before taking me to hospital. It hadn’t worked after 20 mins of trying so I was packed into the waiting ambulance. 1 mile or so down a bumpy Devon road and I flipped into NSR. Other times it worked instantly whilst other times never - but always worth trying.
Week six post ablation 
Ocular migraines post ablation 
Two weeks post ablation
3 weeks post ablation. 
Post Ablation Update and Concerns
