Post ablation breathlessness

[Thomas29]

It’s now 6+ weeks since my ablation. After two episodes of AFib in the first couple of weeks I feel I have been improving, although very slowly. However I’ve started to feel breathless when walking at even a mildly modest pace. This is not something I ever had before ablation and was wondering if this is just a normal stage of recovery or something else. I also still have a cough and feel tired most of the time.

[BobD Volunteer]

I always found that around six to eight weeks and usualy lasted a month or so. I was never sure if it was the ablation though as mine were all around late April early May so the six to eight put me right into hayfever season.

[Lilypocket]

That's annoying for you! I'm having an RF ablation in 2 weeks and only occasionally get breathless - I really don't want end up worse off than I am now. However it seems it is normal at your stage but some people have reported being breathless up to a year + after an ablation I wish a continued good recovery to you. And hope your breathlessness disappears very soon.

I shall follow your posts.

Take care.

[Snowgirl65]

Your symptoms sound the same as mine for a couple weeks following my ablation(s). Not everyone heals the same; maybe your recovery is simply more prolonged. It sounds as if your ablation was a success. Just give it a little more time, as my symptoms suddenly turned off like a switch was flipped.

[theohappy]

I'm 4 weeks today, post ablation, and I feel horrible! No energy, and have been in AFib more than NSR. So part of my fatigue is just being in AFib. Very discouraged. Not sure this ablation was at all successful. Sounds like you are doing quite well on the ablation side of things. Likely just need more time to heal.

[Lonelytraveller in reply to theohappy]

Hi theohapy, four weeks after ablation my experience is that anxiety is augmenting the load and increasing the burden. I would not know what you are into and not in a position to lecture you but I had/ am having some miserable hours /days from time to time. You are still post-ablation and having some inflammation complications maybe . I trust it won’t be worse then before. In time …Why don’t you talk to your EP or a nurse from the clinic and see if you need an examination at this point.

[Thomas29 in reply to Lonelytraveller]

I’ll have a ecg and consultant in 5 or 6 weeks so think I’ll stick it out till then. As most people say it’s all part of the healing process. Im sorry to hear you’re feeling depressed. Strangely I have been feeling down as well for no particular reason… which is a new experience for me and I couldn’t understand why. I have read that it can happen after the procedure for some reason but still rather unsettling.

[Thomas29 in reply to theohappy]

So sorry to hear that you’re in AFib so much, that must be so annoying.! Were you PAfib or permanent before the ablation? Mine was PAfib and I could go long spells without any episodes so was unsure whether to take up the offer or not. Nearly 7 weeks on I’m still nowhere near back to normal and have lost most of my fitness. I’m not sure I would do it again if this one fails. The recovery time is much longer than I anticipated. Hope you feel some improvements soon.

[theohappy in reply to Thomas29]

I had just recently transitioned to persistent AFib prior to the ablation. About 6-7 weeks in persistent AFib for the first time in my life. My EP, based upon my echocardiogram and history of AFib, felt I had an excellent chance of a one and done ablation. I’ve been absolutely miserable for 4 weeks now. Plus I’ve had painful nerve damage to my legs from the vein incisions. Improving slowly, but absolutely excruciating for the first two weeks. If this ablation doesn’t work I can’t conceive of going through this again!

[Lonelytraveller]

Hello,

I am 4 weeks out of ablation and have more or less the same conditions of yours. From what I have read and from the responses to my other post, I think ours is typical of a healing process. I see this a reason to be optimistic, and if I may, I would encourage you be hopeful. Do you have occasional , mostly after walking , ectopic beats as well ? Mine were lost for a week but now it is back …