Hi and Merry Christmas.Not sure I'm posting this in the right place, new to the forums but il try to keep it short.
After years of experiencing AF I was diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White about 9 years ago and I was prescribed various beta blockers over the years but they never really agreed with me so last July I was offered a pace and ablate.
The surgery was fine but post surgery I feel my quality of life has decreased and find no benefit to the procedure given.
I really struggle with everyday tasks, I get discomfort in my chest, struggle to get a breath when I exert myself, feel tired, can't sleep, have stabbing pains and discomfort in my heart area, feeling of a lack of blood flow to my legs and feel my chest is tight and under pressure, difficulty concentrating, I still get erratic beats and flutters and feel my heart is working harder to pump the blood which makes me shaky, dizzy to the point of feeling I'm going to pass out.
I'm currently taking bisoprolol and awaiting results of a CT scan.
I just don't feel any benefit of the surgery and feel things have taken a backwards step which have been life-changing.
My cardiologist has referred me to a anxiety therapist as he thinks the symptoms are anxiety related, I told them I'm not convinced! But will see if it helps.
Maybe I have to just accept this is the way my life will be....scary
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Nomis21
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Sorry to hear you are having a rough time. Of course anxiety will play its part but if your feel convinced anxiety isnt the cause then persist in your quest for a more comfortable and peaceful life. Only you know how much anxiety is a culprit and if your body says not its more than this then insist you are looked into further. Best wishes and happy Christmas.
You sound just like I did since April when I had the Vein of Marshall plus other ablations done same time. I never felt good after that in fact I regressed to the point of barely being able to walk at all more like a shuffles and yes my legs were horribly affected as well as my forearms. To even pick up a sandwich took effort I felt almost dead along with horrible pain and breathing. To simply take clothing from the washing machine made me almost cry. I also began to have a pain in my stomach and never knew when I would suddenly start to vomit. It would come out of nowhere no matter what I was doing. When I had my cardioversion in October all of this stopped along with having to run to the bathroom and barely making it. I slept through the night for 3 1/2 weeks. The cardioversion failed and all of that came back. I had a chest x-ray for pre-admission Monday and had to have them wheel me to the bathroom to be sick. This is not psychological. They attempted a cardioversion again the other day and it failed three times which meant no ICU with a new medication. Right now I was put on digoxin when they sent me home and it has my heart rate down. I will know in two weeks what is next for me to try to get rhythm. I have a typical flutter right now the actual eighth fib evidently is quiet. Doctors need to admit when they don’t have the answer instead of making stuff up. They either blame it on your weight or mental capacity or whatever. They are far from having all the answers. As someone said to me earlier today you know how you feel.
Hi Dawn,Thanks for your reply, I can relate to your symptoms.
Ian convinced my symptoms are not related to anxiety as my cardiologist suggests, I get the feeling its the easy option and I am at the point of giving up trying to pursue and highlight my symptoms to the health professionals due to a lack of support.
I have suffered since I had my pace and ablate procedure and I often think that damage has been caused during the procedure which is why I am feeling no benefit and worse off.
I am no expert but I know my own body and 99% sure this isn't down to anxiety, these symptoms started when I came out of surgery.
I was in surgery for 4 hours, 2 hours awake 2 hours asleep with sedation, always new the risk of av node ablation and I woke up with a surgeon stitching the pacemaker in place.
1 st week post surgery I couldn't bend over to tie my own shoe laces, seriously out of breath couldn't walk far without feeling dizzy and feeling I'd pass out, stomach/bowel problems, feeling sick and chest discomfort and pain.
3 months after surgery I was admitted back to hospital with chest discomfort, wheezing and pneumonia.
6 months on and I still suffer, stabbing chest pain/ discomfort, feeling dizzy, lightheaded to the point I may pass out, pressure on my chest, difficulty breathing under exertion, feeling sick, tired, erratic heartbeat and flutters, bloating around the abdomen, feeling my heart is working overtime and weakness in my legs, wheezing, husky voice, I've gained weight due to not being as active.
I have had ecg's, echo cardiograms and under investigation for asthma also awaiting results from a CT scan but at present my cardiologist has refered me to mental health for anxiety.
I don't believe I don't suffer anymore than the next person with anxiety but willing to try, I feel discomfort even when I'm totally at ease mentally and physically.
At the point now of just accepting this hardship as a way of life which isn't what I expected post surgery.
Wow you could be describing me. Except for the pace and ablate that’s a very good possibility coming up soon. I am not ready. It has not been suggested to me about the anxiety and even though I have it and PTSD. It is not being blamed for what’s going on with my heart. Long boring story about my other doctor that did that surgery. I blame the surgery also. He was the pioneer and it’s new and I think it failed mostly and did more damage than help. Now it appears I have limited options although I know there’s a few more but there may be reasons I cannot go for them I will see what he has to say. Please keep in touch if you’d like and don’t except feeling as you do I know there are more options.
good morning Novis21, I had a pace and ablate 2021 which was successful. However the Bisoprolol did cause problems with feeling tired and lack of energy. After coming off the Bisoprolol and only taking a blood thinner I am back to normal.
I would check with your Cardiologist on alternative tablets
Hi Eastwick how are you after your anode ablation? It's the next step for me. I'm a 51 year old male with persistent AF and HE. EF is 36. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
EF not very good is it? I have been absolutely fine after pace and ablate. Like you was worried as it was the last step but t enabled me to get on with my life more or less as normal. Have been put on furosemide as I had congestive hart failure about a year ago and that’s working well too! Had my old pacemaker replaced in August - wore the last one out. (Not really) they do have a lifespan of 7-8 years but the new one has a lifespan of 10 yrs apparently. It’s a real game changer - no more being ambulanced off to hospital or wondering if I can give a dinner party without collapsing in the middle of it.
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The Ablate part of the Pace and ablate procedure
pace & ablate update.
pace maker /ablation 
pace and ablate and the rationale of doing it 
