Ablation

[TommoHFC]

I am 62 years old and considering having an ablation. I work as a rug driver on the docks,how long would you think I would need to stay off work ?Thank you in advance for any replies.

[stoneyrosed]

Personally I would suggest at least 6-8 weeks. You may feel much better after two weeks but I would think your heart will need time to strengthen itself. You can only really tell if your ready when you put your heart to work through exertion, but at the same time you don’t want to over do it and ruin the work of the ablation. The fact sheet on dos and do nots is available on this website. Take it easy.

[Hidden]

As long as possible Tommo, but not less than 2 weeks. It’s not only the heart that needs to recover, it’s also the entry point in the groin, so any form of excessive activity is potentially dangerous. I’m no truck driver and I’m sure that there are a load of “power assisted gizmos” which make driving easier but getting in and out of the cab alone must be quite challenging. I guess loading and unloading is fairly automated too, but the risk of damaging all the hard work must be high. Take a look at the Pinned Post top right of this page, titled “preparation for and recovery from an ablation” to find out more……..

[TommoHFC in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for replying .I will take all advice onboard.

[Jalia]

I would take advice from your EP in your particular case.

[MarkS]

I was driving a long distance 6 days after my ablation. As you are a truck driver, I would suggest 2 weeks, and a bit longer if you had a general anaesthetic rather than just sedation.

[jeanjeannie50]

At the very least two weeks, but possibly more.

[localad]

For the catheter entry points I'd say 2 weeks before any med-heavy lifting. Driving ....I'd suggest a week (so brakes can be applied hard)

Heart wise......as long as you can ! I've had 3 femoral entry ablations. I took 4 weeks off work each time.

[localad in reply to localad]

Tommo .....was that rug driver or tug driver !

[TommoHFC in reply to localad]

It was predictive texting. It should of said Tug driver. Sorry......

[fairyfeathers]

l would say a minimum of 2 weeks off work for groin to heal but your heart will need longer to heal. I had Ablation 26 Sept 2022 and am still having wobbly days with tiredness and fatigue. Please don’t rush back to work. I wish you well

[Luisa1987]

I was told not drive for 2 weeks

[bileyininjurytime]

My groin wound healed quickly (certainly within a couple of weeks). But I had inflammation (and possibly my oesophageal nerve tweaked) and felt really poorly for the first two weeks. But the other thing to consider is the effect of your meds. I was on Bisoprolol + Flecainide and my HR was sub 50, and I often had moments of light headed ness. In week 2 my consultant advised to stop the Bisoprolol, and I then felt hell of a lot better. I started light exercises in week 3. But as you’ll see from these and other med replies, everyone has a slightly different experience. Good luck 👍

[Jajarunner]

Minimum two weeks and for me it was two months before I could do much.Btw, what is a rug driver?

[wilsond]

2 weeks minimum,but its so worth it longterm.

[TommoHFC]

So sorry everyone. Predictive texting put an r there instead of a t. I'm a Tug driver on the docks and an ex class 1 truck driver. Many thanks for your replies.....

[Samazeuilh2 in reply to TommoHFC]

I would suggest planning for 2-3 weeks, but recognise it could be longer. Basically, it isn’t easily predictable- it will depend on how the procedure is carried out, particularly how much ablating they have to do. When you do go back to work, try to go on a Thursday or Friday- that way you won’t have a long week ahead of you if you have any problems.

[jd_fatboy]

Just throwing it out there but make sure you follow the DVLA guidelines as if listed as lorry. Coach or bus you cannot drive for 6 weeks. DVLA also need to be notified of any arrhythmias if you have any. Corrected or not. I'm currently awaiting a response from DVLA via my consultant as to whether I can be safe behind a wheel at all times.