12 weeks after Cryoblation and now getting different rhythms ???

[mjm1971]

So since my Cryoblation 12 weeks ago I have if anything been in AF more than before , about 60% of the time

But

The last 3 days both my Fibricheck and my Read my ECG app are telling me I have had a mixture of

Eptopic Beats

Tachycardia 120/140bpm

AF 75/90bpm

And NSR 55/65bpm

Should I panic or is this maybe just maybe the Cryoblation finally doing something ?

Any views are as always much appreciated

Thanks

Matt

[CDreamer]

I think you will find that the various rhythms have been many people’s experience but my own was although that all lasted for about 9 months, I didn’t have any AF.

[BobD Volunteer]

All that would tell me was to go and get a proper 12 lead ECG at my doctor's to see what is what. Why not do that and send a copy to yur EP for their appraisal. As we have said many times three months is minumum recovery period and most people are still improving at six months and many at nine months or a year.

I think we have also mentioned that atrial tachycardia (typical rate 140 bpm)is not uncommon posts ablation and may need cardioverting but only if it is holding firm and yours appears still paroxysmal. Try to relax and go with the flow.

[ETHEL103 in reply to BobD]

You have answered a lot of my concerns here BobD.I went in for an a fib ablation 3 weeks ago and they did a flutter one and took me off all meds apart from apixaban of course.I am suffering from tachycardia 150 and my kardia is saying a fib too.Why does this always happen when there's no one to ask at the hospital.I will be on the phone to St Thomas's Mon.

[Hidden]

Matt, please believe me when I say that my reply is meant to help you although it might not seem like it when (or if) you read it. Occasionally, there are members who express frequent concerns about their rate of recovery during the period soon after their ablation but in almost all cases, their posts often wane after a while and they get on with their lives. The real problem is that excessive stress can wreck an ablation and that can often work in two ways. Most of the regular contributors do everything they can to make folk aware that an ablation rarely provides an instant remedy and that it can take months for the heart to settle to a near normal situation. We do this not only because it’s true, but to try and get patients to understand that continually analysing their progress, or lack of, will encourage stress levels to a point where they can easily damage recovery. Set against this, is the stress caused by not feeling that they can share their concerns which is especially important for folk who live on their own or perhaps don’t have a particularly supportive family to share their concerns. This is why the forum is so valuable to many but it really is important to get the balance right otherwise stress will take over and do it’s worse.

I believe you are soon due to have your first review and it’s important that you have details of your recovery to share with your EP. One of the important things to ask is if he/she was able to successfully treat all 4 pulmonary veins as often this isn’t possible. Do not be disappointed if you are told a second, RF ablation might be necessary as I know from personal experience, this is sometimes required. In the meantime, try to develop distractions that will help to take your mind off heart related matters and give it the best chance possible to recover which I also know from experience, is easy to say! I hope you understand that I’m only trying to help……..

[mjm1971]

Hi Flapjack I fully appreciate what your saying and understand fully what your saying .

I’m just having one of spells where I find it hard to get my head round it .

How do we ever get over the thoughts of having a stroke while in AF etc ?

My mum is my only barometer she had a stroke and had AF

So every time I’m in AF and my heart rate goes above 100 I start over thinking , every twinge in my head is a stroke starting etc etc .

I’m on coagulation but I just struggle sometimes mentally with the stroke risk etc

And now my heart has started jumping to 120’s it’s even worse mentally .

Although I guess the actually rate bears no resemblance to risk of stroke ??

Appreciate all the comments they all help

Thanks

Matt

[Singwell in reply to mjm1971]

This is so scary isn't it - the thought of a stroke - been there earlier on in my AF journey. Every tingle or feeling of numbness of one side. Turns out anxiety can give us both. Flapjack is right - we often need a second go at ablation and especially after Cryro I believe. It doesn't mean it's 'failed' or that anything bad will happen - it's just a process. I think many of us (self included in my first time round) are desperate to be better by the end of this somewhat mythical 3 month benchmark! Last year I got more and more anxious as that 3 month date approached. Then they cancelled my appointment! When I finally got my review after 6 months I told my EP I thought I'd need a top up. He agreed and put me on the list. And guess what? I stopped 'trying' to get better I stopped worrying and - things began to improve. So much so that I almost didn't go ahead with ablation number 2.

Try to get on with things in your life that give you pleasure - books, music, movies, friends, time in nature. If the ectopics and tachycardia kick in (I had lots of these first time round) sit down and breathe slowly- slow down to 6 breaths minute - this calms the system. In my case I can bring my HR down 10 to 20 beats within 10 minutes usually.

[mjm1971 in reply to Singwell]

Hi Singwell

Thanks for the response

Im not that disappointed re the ablation not working as I was convinced it wouldn’t before I had it ( my mum had 4 and it didn’t work ) .

But the anxiety re having a stroke is very real and something I need to lean to manage

Thanks

[Singwell in reply to mjm1971]

You're welcome. I get it and I agree with Flapjack about raising it with your EP or cardiologist when you meet.

[Hidden]

Can totally understand where you are coming from Matt, especially from the stroke situation. I guess at 50 and with a zero CHADs score, no permanent anticoagulants yet so although an ablation apparently doesn’t reduce the stroke risk, physiologically you would feel more confident if sinus rhythm reigned! Given your family history (was your Mum taking an anticoagulant?) it might be worth mentioning it to your EP. Not many folks want to rush into taking anticoagulants but if it would help reduce stress and improve confidence, it might be worth considering assuming that you are not already taking them permanently. Lots of questions for Tuesday, Barts are arguably the best so make the most of the review opportunity 👍

[mjm1971 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Flapjack

Yes my mum was on Warfarin at the time . Although she was 67 and had previously had a TIA ( I’m sure that was the AF) she never drank or smoked and was not overweight , walked 10 miles a week etc .

To be honest A part of me hopes I go full time AF so I can have the mini maize done with Dr Hunter . At least the left Atria will be closed as well and then no stroke risk 🤷‍♂️

[momist]

All I can add, if you need a bit more reassurance, is that I agree with BobD. My experience was different, but did include several long runs of tachycardia, sometimes mixed with AF, right up until April, which was ten months after my ablation. I've had zero problems since April though, and now feel fine and confident that it is all behind me at last. Only time will tell.

I have learned that I must be very careful when having any alcoholic drink. I can tolerate it, but it's a risk and I must take water both before and after, and not mix my drinks or drink to any excess. Other than that, life goes on, and time slips by . . .

[theohappy]

I totally understand your stroke concerns. I have had two and a TIA. Did you say you are on an OAC? I didn’t want to live with the possibility of an ablation failing and the need to stay on an OAC. So decided to do an ablation and Watchman implant. Don’t know if the Watchman is a possibility for you?

[BlueINR]

The thing is, ablation may or may not help. If you're still having irregular beats, it's not unusual and doesn't mean the ablation did not work. It does take some time for it to "kick in." I would certainly be calling and or seeing my cardiologist with any heart rates that exceed 100. Let doc know what's going on with you so doc can decide if further treatment and/or meds may be needed, or maybe meds need to be changed.

[Achant1]

Please don’t panic, after my first ablation my heart was up to no good for months and months, then I had three years drug and Af free. I had a second one year ago and went to a funeral yesterday and my heart went bonkers, very uniform but bonkers. All stress induced I fear, I’ve had a lot of pvcs recently as well, some of us unfortunately take a lot longer to heal than others, you’ll be fine I’m sure 👌🏻