All Done Now So Is It Onwards & Upwards?

[Afibflipper]

Well folk’s thanks to all your words of encouragement and wow, how surprised I was that of you did so - thank you again.

I apologise for the long post but hope it quells the nerves of some and the information helps others.

I went in this morning at 0700 and though pretty nervous it wasn’t panic, even getting all wired up and lots of people doing lots of things I just lay there, looking up at the ceiling thinking it’s fine and this is where I hopefully get my life back.

Before I knew it I was in recovery which I think was 2 hours ish from a 9am start.

I was also asked did I want to try sedation first - my lightening quick reply “oh god NO can’t take that again!” Was accepted and the GA was administered.

Some chest pain in recovery dealt with by meds as has the insertion site. This is continuing on and off and it’s now its 0300 the following early hours but not debilitating or causing tears like the previous occasions.

Apparently, they went in and created a map and the AV nodes on previous ablations were a pretty good job but, there were a few gaps where the impulses were getting through. They were ablated and then they apparently saw a strange rhythm happening which the didn’t know why it was happening or from where.

My fabulous consultant decided to go deeper to follow a more complicated, winding difficult route of vessels to see if it was down there - zapped - gone!

NSR with a HR 40 which then went to 60 and now sitting around 80-84. Still breathless climbing my stairs but that may be just my fitness waned again or the anaesthetic/ pain meds.

Only one drug change Bisoprolol down from 12.5mg to 2.5mg from tomorrow as in theatre 1.25 was good.

Staying on Flecainide 100mg twice a day as that had changed the AFib over to AFlutter but now flutter treated it’s highly likely AFib will return if stopped, and Apixaban 5mg twice a day

Appointment follow up 8 weeks

If ever returns no more just ablations it will be pace and ablate as so much done already.

Following a few disasters, anyone about to undergo same it’s all good this time with GA, great consultant EP & Anaesthetist plus all other staff involved - Gold 5* rating.

Good luck all 😊

[KiwiBlake]

Well done. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[Afibflipper in reply to KiwiBlake]

I tried to send you the message by copy and paste but it wouldn’t send and I had to contact admin - probably thought I was spamming people with copy and paste so

I’m sure you’ve read it by now 😂 thanks

[CDreamer]

So pleased to hear that - now rest and recover and listen to your body. Positive mind set and long lasting NSR for you. Best wishes.

[Afibflipper in reply to CDreamer]

I’ve copied & pasted this message as wanted everyone who replied to see it - wasn’t sure if I had to write a new post or reply to my own original Unfortunately didn’t get to sleep until 0530, asthma ? chest infection which is not great on an already sore chest and heart rate up a little so hope it’s just that and not a failure but is what it is & so not worrying for a change x

[wilsond]

Great news!! Xxxx

[Afibflipper in reply to wilsond]

I’ve copied & pasted this message as wanted everyone who replied to see it - wasn’t sure if I had to write a new post or reply to my own original Unfortunately didn’t get to sleep until 0530, asthma ? chest infection which is not great on an already sore chest and heart rate up a little so hope it’s just that and not a failure but is what it is & so not worrying for a change x

[stoneyrosed]

Well done and all the very best 😊

[Afibflipper in reply to stoneyrosed]

I’ve copied & pasted this message as wanted everyone who replied to see it - wasn’t sure if I had to write a new post or reply to my own original Unfortunately didn’t get to sleep until 0530, asthma ? chest infection which is not great on an already sore chest and heart rate up a little so hope it’s just that and not a failure but is what it is & so not worrying for a change x

[jeanjeannie50]

So pleased to hear that it all went well.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Jean

[Afibflipper in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Unfortunately didn’t get to sleep until 0530, asthma ? chest infection which is not great on an already sore chest and heart rate up a little so hope it’s just that and not a failure but is what it is & so not worrying for a change x

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Afibflipper]

Did you have a chest infection before you had your ablation? If not, it may just be the after effects of the GA. Hope it soon clears for you.

[Afibflipper in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I am asthmatic and whenever I am about to have an attack or get an infection I always get a pre warning tickle for a few days before (very I’d I know). I did get this so increase my inhalers. I had isolated myself and family for the week before so maybe you’re right as I do have a sore throat but again that could be from the tube or the current condition. Thanks again

[Cha275rL]

good to hear you’ve come through that so well. Take care of yourself x

[Afibflipper in reply to Cha275rL]

I’ve copied & pasted this message as wanted everyone who replied to see it - wasn’t sure if I had to write a new post or reply to my own original

Unfortunately didn’t get to sleep until 0530, asthma ? chest infection which is not great on an already sore chest and heart rate up a little so hope it’s just that and not a failure but is what it is & so not worrying for a change x

[mrgwair567]

Good to hear that all went well! Take care !

[Afibflipper in reply to mrgwair567]

I’ve copied & pasted this message as wanted everyone who replied to see it - wasn’t sure if I had to write a new post or reply to my own original Unfortunately didn’t get to sleep until 0530, asthma ? chest infection which is not great on an already sore chest and heart rate up a little so hope it’s just that and not a failure but is what it is & so not worrying for a change x

[fairyfeathers]

brilliant that things went smoothly this time. All the best going forward x

[Gumbie_Cat]

Really pleased for you. All the best for the future too.

[Cha275rL]

chest infection or asthma can both put your heart rate up, but hope it’s just a normal getting better reaction. Let us know how it goes.

[dedeottie]

Glad it went well for you this time. I did feel a little breathless after my ablation but only walking up stairs etc if you think you have an infection make sure you at least speak to Dr before the weekend. If you can take your temperature, that may give you some indication.

You are right not to worry though

Now rest!

Jane x

[Afibflipper in reply to dedeottie]

Handy to know your experience - they’ve put me on antibiotics and steroids as precaution as both cardioversions went the same way with one lasting 4 days the other 6weeks but then they failed so don’t want this coming back due to an infection so soon x

[Nan1]

Good news. Take good care as you recover

[JC162]

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[4chickens]

great news that it’s gone well

[Lilypocket]

Well done and I hope your recovery is without bumps. As said above maybe best to check if you have a little infection? Wishing you all the best x

[Afibflipper in reply to Lilypocket]

I do and now on antibiotics and steroids x

[bassets]

Well done. Definitely onwards and upwards!

[Sniggetts]

Hi there, this is good news, I’m very pleased for you. Onwards & upwards.

[LadyLawson]

good for you and all the very best for your continued recovery - sounds like you have had brilliant treatment

[Afibflipper in reply to LadyLawson]

Fotunately as said above I went private but no my new EP has been faultless

[LadyLawson in reply to Afibflipper]

I fully understand your decision to go private. I did too and it was the best money I have ever spent.

[Afibflipper]

North West but was fortunate to have my husbands private health cover. My EP does do nhs but doubt I’d have been seen by now. I’d have had to request his local hospital - when I’d already seen him privately I was ill & GP said I needed to get to A/E - I requested to go to his which as we were going in our car was drivable and never thought just to turn up there - GP said no - they were awful locally, no meds all day no food or drink, told to wait in full A/E Dept despite GP saying she’d spoken to the team and I’d be seen straight away!! The A/E consultant was not particularly approachable - in the end my choice was, wait and bed block over night to be seen by another team the day after or go home and see. I chose the latter as was stressful being there, got home and it did pass luckily but I I’d been convinced it was a particular dose that had been increased on one of meds, not having it all day improved things so own GP (not the trainee GP who sent me to A/E changed it back down) and I improved.

It is awful that you don’t get to chose in nhs the way you can in private, if I ever don’t have the cover I’d hunt down the good guys and turn up (or get arrested for being a demanding stalker of consultants 😂 )

[Autumn_Leaves]

Wishing you well in your recovery. I hope it’s a success.

[DawnTX]

I am so happy for you that things went much better this time. The fact that you’re climbing stairs already is amazing. I was told whether it’s a cardioversion or whatever your body still has to heal. I know I am out of shape I have barely been able to get across the kitchen floor let alone climb stairs if I had any. After my second ablation believe it or not I walked almost a half mile to go get my Covid shot. Going home I had to go for a ride I could not finish the walk but it showed what I could and could not do and it was so much better than the few days before. I think we forget how poorly we feel the second we feel better and that’s a good thing. Take your time you are not in a race being timed for anything. If you find something makes you breathless then don’t do it One day at a time 1 foot in front of the other😊 we are family here

[Afibflipper in reply to DawnTX]

I don’t have a downstairs bedroom or bathroom so no choice. I am just the type that literally doesn’t think to ask for help!

That’s the type of thing I do, set off get part way and think ok I’m not sure I will get back now! Invariably I eventually do. Was put on crutches once and rather than think my kids can’t get to school for a few weeks, there I was working out how long I thought it would take if I set off at a particular time - stubborn or just crazy maybe.

Take care x

[DawnTX in reply to Afibflipper]

lol when I bought my last house I made sure I had no stairs because I had always lived on the third floor it seemed. I do understand you don’t have a choice. I was the same way even though it was killing me getting things like groceries upstairs and cases of water. Thankfully the house I am in now only has one tiny step from the driveway. You sound like my cousin right now lol he is having his hip replaced Monday and has been unable to take any medication for a week now until after the surgery. I have never seen such strictness as what he is dealing with right now. I told him I keep having heart surgeries and I barely have to change a thing until the night before. There must be a reason but meanwhile all he does is complain lol. He thinks he will be back to work in a week which would be possible with a desk job but he is on his feet all day is manager of the casino he works at.

[Afibflipper in reply to DawnTX]

yes stairs are out when I move for the last time lol

[DawnTX in reply to Afibflipper]

lol I love watching HGTV people looking at new homes. The one thing I notice are all the stairs and I automatically rule those houses out lol. The best part about the house we are in is the one tiny step out back to the porch and we are looking to flip it to the side to make it even easier leaving in the car to the kitchen. Things we take for granted when we have no issues Suddenly become huge. Having a shopping cart to move stuff about as one of the best things I have done whether it is groceries or laundry. We all know when we are having events everything is difficult. I just woke up heart rate is 110 which tells me to take it slow. I cannot wait to meet my EP and get plans going. If I could get a cardioversion today for another few weeks of feeling good I would do it that’s how good it felt. Healing thoughts and prayers for everyone

[Afibflipper in reply to DawnTX]

cardioversions so much easier than ablations - instantly feel good

I was not good at all last night, all the coughing from my asthma being out of control made me anxious and had really bad chest pain, I toyed with 999 but stupidly too scared to call anyone as didn’t want to go to local A/E again for them to maybe mess up again.

I also realised I was behind on my general pain relief and so that probably covered up the ablation pain before together with the ventolin inhaler that speeds up the heart while relaxing the lungs (I’d needed a few puffs of that

Once the pain relief kicked in I was fine.

Still in NSR but about 3am for unknown reason it shot a peak up from 76ish straight up to 172 for few beats then plummeted straight back to where it had been - not a clue why.

Also having decreased the Bisoprolol today I’m getting back up at 93 again climbing stairs / breathless - like you all say it just needs time to settle I guess - I’m only day 3.

[DawnTX in reply to Afibflipper]

I agree about cardioversions being easier but my doctor does not believe in doing them over and over. He made it clear to me he tried it to see how long it would last and now back to an ablation not a temporary but long lasting hopefully. I know some people seem to be able to go a length of time feeling good with a cardioversion evidently I am not one of them. As my doctor said my body seems to be resistant to many things. So far the RF seemed to be the longest lasting for me as I went a year and a half doing quite well without AF acting up. It really shows how they don’t have answers yet but at least they keep trying and I get the feeling our doctors are almost as frustrated as we are. Good doctors are like that. I watched The family oncologist night after night trying to find a way to treat my mom he would sit there for hours while I was visiting and you could see the stress on his face. We had just lost my dad to cancer a year earlier. One doctor told me he was going to be an IT person when asked why, he pointed to my dad who was in a coma about to leave us. He said that’s why. We know big Pharma is always looking for money but I also know there are so many wonderful people who take what they chose to do seriously to try to help all of us. It would be great if all of us here get to see it in our lifetime.