I just had a cryo ablation 4 days ago. I woke up from the procedure in afib. I went back in rhythm but the next day afib started again and continued for 3 days. Is this normal or did it not work? I have also been having sulfur burps and diarrhea. I’m 36years old… every dr I’ve seen has never seen afib in anyone so young. Any other young afibbers out there.
In afib day after ablation - Atrial Fibrillati...
In afib day after ablation
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Afib_girl
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I was 38 when first diagnosed with Af and I know there are people way younger than me(and you) who have had it. You’ve got a long road to recovery in front of you from ablation as they can take a lot longer to heal from than three months, , be gentle with yourself and don’t panic if Af shows up. Hopefully after the three months are up, things will settle down. Are you still taking any meds to help calm things down?
Thanks for the reply I am on metoprolol 50mg… before the ablation I was also on flecainide 100mg that worked very well but the dr told me to stop that one
If you have too much af could you ask to start the flecainide until things settle down?
Hi I’m 34 years old and I have had Afib/flutter for a about a year currently in persistent flutter and I’ve had two failed ablations don’t want to discourage you I’m a certain case because I have a congenital heart condition so don’t loose hope I’ve seen a lot of people who had a successful ablation and their quality of life increased. Regardless of the outcome you have to remain positive their is always a solution I’m on medication and my quality of life has improved significantly from where I started. So be kind to your self and don’t stress because stress is the biggest trigger factor for afib.
I’m glad you mention stress because I recently read from a large hospital, it said stress was not a trigger. Yet I believe as you do that it is a huge trigger. It’s why there is so much lack of understanding of our issue.
I would definitely say stress is a factor.
BobDVolunteer
AF events post ablation are very common. Our fact sheet on recovery (see second pinned posts) explains this and lots of other things you probabaly don't know.
What Bob said ….also Flapjack. I first stumbled onto this group when I was having a difficult ablation recovery. My EP wasn’t much help - had told me I’d be fine in 5 days…and many people are. But NOT me. Once I understood I was not just crazy, I settled down and slowly recovered - took 9 months before I felt at all like myself. I credit advice on this board and fellowship for saving my sanity.
I did end up leaving alcohol in the rear view window and I do take flecanide because regular AFib came back after a year.
Everyone is different and I’m Flapjack’s age so I hope you are better quicker. You might want to consult with another EP …
I’m 75 yrs young so in your eyes, I’m likely to be as helpful as a chocolate teapot!
It’s true, it is unusual for someone in their 30’s or younger to have AF and a lot of those who do, have been involved in what we call extreme professional sports such as athletics & cycling etc. It can also be caused by binge drinking and drug abuse but only saying! It is important to be aware that an ablation does not always work immediately. Because the procedure involves scarring tissue within the heart which is causing the rogue impulses which cause AF, the tissue has to heal before it does it’s stuff and that can take time. I’ve added a link which will take you to the AF Association factsheet about recovering from an ablation which I think you will find helpful. You will see that it can take in excess of 6 months before you get the full benefits of having an ablation but generally, any symptoms you experience become progressively less. So be patient, see how things evolve but if the problems do persist, there are still things which can be done. The important things to do now is not to put your heart under any unnecessary pressure, to eat healthily, avoid alcohol, caffeine and most importantly, anxiety…….good luck.
healthunlocked.com/afassoci....
Afib_girl in reply to
Perfectly healthy 30 year old before afib no drinking no sports etc … just kind of came from left field. My dr didn’t do a good job w after care… sent me home and said see u in 3 months
in reply to Afib_girl
That tends to be what many doctors do unfortunately. It comes as a bit of a disappointment for the patient but the reality is that once they have completed the procedure using all the equipment at their disposal, they do things to try and induce AF. Provided the AF doesn’t return whilst you are in the cath lab, their job is effectively done. Reviews are very often done 6 months later so you are better of there than most and that may be due to your age. Also, they normally provide contact details for an Arrhythmia Nurse just in case you experience any problems before the review…..I’m sure you will do fine, but we are all here to help if need be…….
Afib_girl in reply to
Yea I woke up from the ablation in afib which didn’t settle until I left later in the evening. Only to come back the next day and stay for 3 days. I did call hospital and they just said give it time. Hoping it’s just inflammation like he said..
Think of your heart being very grumpy snd irritable at present! It's sore even though you can't feel it. Anything tends to set it off. Although it's frustrating, do as little as you can physically and mentally. Be gentle wuth yourself for 3-4 weeks. Things usually start to pick up a but after then but still take it easy - don't physically exert especially lifting etc. Walking was fine for me.
usually antiarrhythmics drugs shouldnt be discontinued so early to avoid new arrhythmias . Why you are not taking flecainide any longer? Anyway It is not unusual to see AF recurrences after the procedure since the tissue is healing. Also and if it is possible try to sleep on your right side.
I got afib when i was 42 because of covid, perfectly healthy before.
We often say, if your groin is bruised, just imagine what the inside of your ticker must look like!
Afib_girl in reply to
Yea they actually tried thru the wrist… so I’m waiting for that bruise to go away.. it’s a good reminder.
I had my first episode at age 19, second one at age 26. They got increasingly frequent after that, and I belatedly got my ablation at age 74. By that time, it was an episode about once every 2 or 3 days. After the ablation, it was much worse for a few months, plus I had pericarditis so bad I could barely breathe, and visual migraine aura 2 or 3 times a day for a few months. I thought the ablation was the worst decision of my life, but the pericarditis only lasted a day, the aura a few months, and the afib eventually became much less frequent than before the ablation. So now I'm glad I got it, but it wasn't as easy for me as they make it sound.
My son had an ablation at 36. He is 52 now and it has never returned and he is regularly checked. He was and still is to a certain extent an extreme athlete (canoeing , white water rafting etc,). As there was no EP in our province he had to go to Cape Town for it. He takes no medication. My Cardio told me that after familial patients (I am one , my four sisters have it) his next most common group of patient are athletes.
Makes sense. The heart is under more strain when your body is making very strong demands upon it.
There are a few in their 40s I believe. You might also appreciate the story of Dr Rupy Ajula who's an I influencer, podcaster, nutritionist and medic. He developed AFvin his 20s and is in what appears to be permanent remission. Check out some of his earliest podcasts in The Dr's Kitchen, or read one of his books. Lifestyle changes for you are going to be key to improving your chances of ongoing wellness.As for getting AF soon after the procedure I expect every other responder has told you it's absolutely to be expected and not to worry. Rest, stay calm, kero hydrated. Things will settle down.
Keep us posted if you feel in need of support
I was diagnosed with Afib when I was 44. I had ablation in 2016. I had two bouts of Afib over next 5 days. I have been fine since. Cardiac nurse told me bouts were due to trauma heart had experienced and were not uncommon.
Don’t despair. It takes a while for your heart to settle down again after an ablation. In my case it took 6months. An ablation is a shock to the system and you need to give it time. Above all stressing about it will only make things worse. Be positive. Diet can help and give your body time. Don’t try and do too much too soon and good luck
I first had afib in my late 20s. I'm 47 now. Had 2 ablations in the last couple of months.Neither worked for me unfortunately. First was a failed procedure. Second I only managed 36 hours in nsr. They are debating a third now. But I've had a long long history of AF. And heart issues in the family. Could be VERY different for you. Certainly ablations work for many.
In terms of success or failure, this depends on a lot.
For me, as I'd been in persistent afib for many years prior to ablation I was told that if I went back into afib after the 2nd then it would stay and the " blanking period" wasn't really valid in my case. This was indeed the case. It went straight back to persistent.
What did your surgeon/ consultant advise you?
I was told to report any occurances of AF and to get it recorded on an ecg. I went to A And E for this. Its important information for them. Also, in some cases, they can cardiovert you back into nsr following ablation. They tried that with me.
I would suggest you contact the cardiac nurses and ask advice.
And really sorry to hear you don't feel you had good advice / after care.That's a real shame.
Do read the leaflets and also I have found BHF helpline helpful.
Wishing you well. Hoping its just a blip for you 🌸
I had a similar situation following my cryo-ablation years ago where I had almost daily a-fib episodes after the procedure. My EP at the time ordered me back to the hospital and I was cardioverted right there on the spot which finally sent me back into NSR. Any chance you can have the same done?
I’ve had 2 cardioversion they don’t work on me unfortunately
Perhaps then just wait it out. Yours may just be a case of your heart not being happy of its recent trauma. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Iv had palpitations and ectopics on regular basis since I was 18.I actually then started with AFIB around 43 of age and it was confirmed at age of 45.!
I think more younger people are getting a earlier diagnosis due to availability of many different heart monitor watches and fitbits etc.?
Don’t worry too much about your episode of Afib. It’s early days yet and your still in the blanking period.👍
Best wishes.
Ron
HiI'm 73, diagnosed with AF when in hospital with a stroke and there they found Thyroid Cancer.
In 30s I had palpatations but never did anything about it, I had lots to worry about in those days.
Perhaps you are under some stress?
Take care. JOY NZ
Doctors have told me that AF is becoming more prevalent amongst young people. They don't know for sure why this is (there haven't been enough studies) but they strongly suspect its due to dietary factors and/or being overweight. If there is AF running in your family then it could predispose you to it. I would say it's far too early to determine whether your ablation has been succesful. You could ring the cardiac nurses at BHF for information and advice.
Mine started at 36, I am now 39. When the episodes hit I was hitting between 200-280bpm at rest. Extreme, terrifying, presyncope and sense of doom, vagally mediated Afib with RVR. I have been able to avoid episodes, and even most ectopic beats for 3 months now due to diet changes. Mine seems to be triggered primarily by acid reflux and bloating/constipation atm, so as long as I keep these things under control it seems I can be afib free, at least for the moment.
I too was healthy prior, and they have found nothing underlying after multiple hospital visits and echocardiograms.
A side note, I had taken a medication called Rizatriptan because I had been having headaches for months - a doctor erroneously prescribed it, even after I told her they were not migraines as I had had migraines in the past (the literature specifically states do not take if your headaches are not your usual migraines) - I woke up with chest tightness and pain in my upper legs. Looked closer at the info about the medication to find it can narrow blood vessels up to 30%. A week or so later I experienced my first afib episode. So I wonder to this day if that was the cause.
My first cardiologist told me "get more stamina" - essentially that there was nothing wrong with me, I just needed to exercise more. Multiple other doctors telling me I was just having panic attacks, regardless of how many times I explained I wasn't upset or panicked when it happens. It's unfortunately something women deal with in the health care industry much more than men. It took me 4 months after initial terrifying ER visit to get any answer.
They had me bouncing around all over the place to find answers because I refused to accept that there was "nothing wrong" and I just needed "more stamina" - even referred to an endocrinologist - where I did a lab test that tests for the rare pheochromocytoma - the lab then proceeded to incorrectly process my test and doubled my result - so for a week or so I thought I had that, until I noticed the test was done wrong, myself - and showed the endocrinologist, so she had me repeat the test and it came out fine. I then contacted the lab and they ended up refunding me the cost I had paid out of pocket for the test.
I've been offered ablation (despite my episodes being fairly rare) or flecainide, I refused both and I'm currently on 12.5 mg of atenolol every 2 days as I've weaned myself of it due to it causing me extreme fatigue and depression.
I was around 40 when diagnosed but I’m sure I’d had it many years before - I’d had palpitations on and off a few 24 hr ECGs but it was paroxysmal and never picked up when on so was diagnosed with stress for a long time. Finally I almost passed out while shopping with friends, we thought low blood sugar maybe so had food but it happened again! Finally diagnosed on stress test. My father had it so some say hereditary some disagree 🤷♀️ Hope you soon recover
Were you in NSR prior to the ablation?
Right before… yes
I'm in sort of the same boat, been in NSR for over a year on meds (amiodarone) but have an ablation scheduled for the 21st. I am really apprehensive about going into Afib afterwards. I'm really digging not feeling terrible everyday.
It’s been about a week and I have been in afib everyday except one so far… not having a good time.. I was fine on flecainide for months before as soon as I was taken off miserable
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