Words of wisdom gratefully received please!!

[12Potter]

Hi everyone- had 2nd ablation 7wks ago. After a pretty rubbish post op reaction, rested really hard, slowly improved & gently eased back into work/life over 3 wks 😊. Amazing 7 weeks in NSR tho - HOW good does that feel?! 💜

3 days ago i met regular atrial tachycardia for the 1st time! Captured on watch,ecg’s confirmed. Scared, disappointed, upset … the usuals!

After years of caffeine free i’d reintroduced that old flame 3 wks ago but no more than 6 - can reactions happen THAT quickly? Literally just read Bobs recent post (👍🏻) & all your fab replies - seems it’s trial & error for us all with food & drink, guessing that’s the future & acceptance is key but it’s hard at times isn’t it?!

Taken off all heart meds post op, now awaiting decision next steps. I appreciate we’re all at different stages & aware I’m still in blanking period & should be patient, just little deflated as had hoped it would be successful for longer.

Keeping as positive as I can - just wondered what others thought. Always on here reading but just needed to reach out tonight 🤗 thanks

[BobD Volunteer]

Atrial tachycardia post ablation is common enough. E mail you arrrhythmia nurse as I expect your EP will want to do a cardioversion (DCCV) if it persists.

[12Potter in reply to BobD]

thanks Bob - sent ECGs across to nurse earlier. Had one those in January - happy with another one if that’s their call. Good to know common 😊

[stoneyrosed]

Hi, I had my 2 nd ablation jun this year, felt great for around 6 weeks then bang 3 af attacks in the space of 2 weeks and another early Sep but….. since then nothing apart from the feeling of maybe going into af but not succeeding. Hopefully it is still healing and I am slowly improving who knows time will tell. So maybe you will be the same and it will eventually settle down. Fingers crossed for you. 🤞

[12Potter in reply to stoneyrosed]

Wow very similar story! Fingers crossed for you too let’s hope you continue to improve. Def no hard & fast rules re recovery as we are all so different 😊 - txs for replying.

[KiwiBlake]

I had my first ablation 8 weeks ago. I'm still on the daily meds of Flecainide and Diltiazem. I've been told to stay on them until my 3 month post op review. My ablation is holding, maybe it's the meds, maybe it was a successful procedure?Were you weaned off the meds or did you go cold turkey? I'm assuming it was under advice from your EP? Are you now PIP?

[12Potter in reply to KiwiBlake]

Good to hear you’re holding - long may it last!

Was successful, EP confirmed cold turkey (as with 1st ablation last year). Awaiting further instructions re PIP. None since posting but reacted to covid jab Thursday night with awful flu symptoms so maybe heart is being compassionate!!! I remain hopeful as ever 👏🏻🤞🏻

[Hidden]

take a look at the Valsalver manoeuvre for stopping tachycardia. It’s not very elegant, best done in private but can be very effective. It’s best to Google but take a deep breath, pinch your nose and keep your lips firmly closed, crouch as though you are on the toilet, clench your buttocks (firmly) and for as long as possible, try and force the air from your mouth and buttocks………

[12Potter]

I will Google indeed - 🙏🏿- am no longer concerned about looking glam tho I’ll heed your advice & spare my work colleagues blushes 😊😊