Post Ablation breathing difficulties

[SJ1000]

Hi all!

So, I’m 11 weeks post my (first ablation) and I seem to be one of the lucky ones with zero Afib symptoms since the procedure. Long may it last!

But I’ve been having breathing issues ever since the op and wanted to know if others have been in a similar position? Generally my chest just feels a bit tight but if I do anything that really gets my heart rate up my breathing really does feel uncomfortable something akin to a burning pain that lasts until my breathing rate has slowed but leaves me feeling awful for 3-5 days after! Even pushing the lawn mover around triggers the discomfort and this is new since the ablation. I’m waiting to get in to see my EP but wanted to get a feel for what I’m feeling and if others have been this way too.

Thanks all

[wilsond]

I have seen on here some posts about phrenic nerve sensitivity after ablation. Seem to remember it eases with time,same symptoms as you describe here.Good news on the AF side,me too since June . Xx

[MikeThePike in reply to wilsond]

Another argument for Pulsed Field Ablation in my opinion. I don't think I ever want an RF or cryo job because they affect surrounding tissues and heart structures. This can be very serious.

[wilsond in reply to MikeThePike]

Its a possible complication but not very frequent I believe. I had no problem at all.

[MikeThePike in reply to wilsond]

I'm glad that you had no problems however let's all spare a thought for those who have. It must be very depressing and lonely to experience a rare ablation complication such as dysautonomia. There is no cure for this condition and sufferers may end up dependent on daily beta blockers. That's if they are lucky. If they are unlucky that may develop symptoms like low BP and HR upon standing resulting in fainting after a few minutes. At least two forum members have reported this condition after RF and cryo ablation. It's not the kind of thing that's often talked about in forums like these but researchers in cardiology occasionally publish these cases so they do happen and they are real. We all need to be keenly aware of this potentially debilitating and life changing complication. Not trying to scare anybody just trying to raise awareness.

[wilsond in reply to MikeThePike]

I do spare lots of thoughts,but it is not very prevalent or inevitable that the 4 known possible complications will occur.Eg My EP has,when asked by a slightly nervous patient( me!).how many strokes he has seen due to ablation...1 in 20 years and hundreds of patients. That 1 patient had been high risk but elected to go for it.

Phrenic nerve injury,less than 30. Resolved in few months.

I cant remember the details for the others.

Yes they are real,and certainly people should know,as is the debilitating effect of AF and AFlutter,I had both.

It is explained in full the risks before one gets on that cath lab table,more than once.

Having seen the gradual and inexorable decline of my dear mum and nanna to Af,resulting in heart failure and massive strokes,I so wish they had the chance to stop it,even for a few years to give their poor hearts a rest.

I wasnt being dismissive.xx

[SJ1000 in reply to MikeThePike]

Thanks Mike, and sorry for not replying sooner. It’s been incredibly stressful and i just feel beaten by the whole situation. Appreciate the comments below in the thread. Everyone whose replied has been so supportive I just feel that at 54 I have so many limitations in my life (food/alcohol and now physical activity) so am grateful for the support. On the plus side still no Afib at 12 weeks post procedure! Thanks again.

[DawnTX in reply to SJ1000]

To have limitations on food and drink and some activity should not be a big deal. I know if I had a choice I would gladly give those up to feel as good as I did just a little over a week ago. Just like when you have to choose your battles for other things you should think of it like that. What do you want? To feel better and just be able to walk across the room and breathe without pain? I cannot think of anything I would want to eat or drink that could possibly be more important to me now. My first ablation lasted six months second a year and a half third aggressive surgery did little if anything from what I can tell. My Cardioversion failed last weekend. We over indulge in so many other things and people hurry so much they don’t enjoy life. Maybe a fib can be a good thing if it slows us down on these things. I am not doing anything that I am aware triggers my a fib but it shows up anyway 😿 I am 70 now I was mid 60s when this started and I know I didn’t need anything other than to feel good even then. I went out to feed the deer this morning and this evening and it knocked me off my feet. I never knew how much I loved being able to do that until I couldn’t. Positive thoughts think of the things you can do that you enjoy while you can

[SJ1000 in reply to DawnTX]

It’s not always easy to remain positive but I will try. Sorry to hear about your circumstances and wish you the very best for the future.

[SJ1000 in reply to wilsond]

That’s really helpful, I’m gonna see if I can find the related posts. I just need to get some sense of what’s happening as it feels like I’ve traded one problem for another. Thanks again

[MummyLuv]

After my catheter ablation I had difficulty breathing, my breathing was very shallow and I was terribly breathless. One of the pulmonary vein isolations had been too close to my phrenic nerve and caused phrenic nerve stenosis. I wouldn’t have been able to walk behind a lawnmower never mind push it. Took a few months to pass.

Hope whatever is triggering your breathing difficulties is identified and clears up soon.

Pleased to read of the NSR.

[SJ1000 in reply to MummyLuv]

Hiya, sorry for not replying sooner, been struggling with how I’m feeling with these new symptoms. Just seem to have swapped one issue for another. I’m hoping the breathing issue is temporary as it’s really causing me issues now. Raked up leaves for about 10mins yesterday and I’m still wheezing today 😥 My GP is referring me back to my Cardiologist so we can see how to proceed. Thanks again.

[Fryguy]

Good day , I had the same thing happen to me I couldn't breath worth a crap . I had to prop myself up to breath decent. It ended up that my pulmonaryveinisolation procedure caused some narrowing of my pulmonary veins and I still have some trouble . Good luck ..

[SJ1000 in reply to Fryguy]

Hey, thanks so much for replying and sorry for time taken to respond. How did you determine what the issue was and could your cardiologist do anything to improve things for you? Hope you’re not still badly affected?? Thanks again.

[Fryguy in reply to SJ1000]

Hi , I just keep tabs on it . It has to get to a certain point before they will do a procedure on them I am told. I am actually going for an echo tomorrow and I am sure that shows them as well as an mri will also . I haven't got back to normal and my heart rate stayed higher in my experience. Where are you from ?

[SJ1000 in reply to Fryguy]

Interesting. I should really keep a log of when I’m struggling and what I was doing when it presented. Hope the echo helps identify any probs for you. Sorry you haven’t got back to normal. I’m still on all my meds post op inc beta blockers (bb’s) and heart rate is a steady 75bpm at rest about 20bpm more than before the op and will be interesting to see what’s it’s like if I stop the BB’s.

I’m U.K. over in Norfolk.

Thanks again for the support.

[Fryguy]

I sure hope you can stop them , unfortunately I was on atenolol before my ablation and now I am on Sotalol an antiarrythmic drug which is more potent , So I kinda went backwards but I also have complex atrial arrhythmias and a dilated aortic root also . We all different I guess , all the best to you ✊️✊️

[SJ1000 in reply to Fryguy]

Thanks again and good luck to you too. 👊