Ablation over!

[nikonBlue]

Hi all, well it all happened as arranged on Tuesday and I needed peeled from the ceiling I was so nervous.

Anyway, I'm home again and doing things just a bit slower than usual. But, I'm having some weird vision issues happening, can anyone reassure me? It's like there's an 'edge' of blur round one side of my eyes and I have had an awful headache actually since after the procedure. Seems that the 2 are related. Groin wound is fine though my word I've never had or even seen such bruising on my right leg before!!

I actually think I feel pretty ok then I suddenly feel rather grim again, is this normal and when will it stop?

I've never had issues with either vision problems or indeed headaches like I'm having and it's just a wee bit worrying...any advice folks?

Actually really hard to see what I'm trying to type.

stat well all,

Blue

[Gumbie_Cat]

I was lucky to escape the migraine, but it’s a known problem caused by the puncture of the septum. It’s explained in the fact sheet here - api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

Hopefully it will pass soon. Take it really easy, and good luck with your recovery. I also got spectacular bruising, though it disappeared reasonably quickly. The only thing I didn’t expect was quite a bit of fluid retention for a few days. Had to google that, and it’s normal too.

[BobD Volunteer]

Migraine aura as described and explained in our fact sheet.

[lovetogarden]

I’ve had ocular migraines during and after ablations. I hear it’s not unusual. But check it out with your doctor if it’s worrying you, you don’t need any stress right now! You mention feeling ok and then grim - do you mean physically or emotionally? I’d think that fluctuation I both would be pretty normal, your body has been through a big trauma, so have your emotions. ❤️

[DawnTX]

I had never had those issues until I just had my AV node ablated. Almost immediately I had the headache and it lasted about five days. Somehow I believe that edge of blur is related and just so you know it is all gone now. It will be three weeks tomorrow since the final procedure for my pacemaker and AV node. Don’t get nervous I don’t know if it’s from the anesthesia or? I would make a call to your doctor or nurse to make sure it’s normal for you.

[OldJane]

Sounds normal- I’d have hoped you would have been given leaflets which set out these possible even probable effects. Good lick

[nikonBlue in reply to OldJane]

Hi,

Nobody mentioned anything about this vision issue being possible and therefor I was a bit worried when it happened. Still the same and not nice but at lease I know it's normal!

[bassets]

I had the migraines too. I was wiped out after my ablation and had to take it easy for a long time, but it was worth it! Have a good rest and good luck

[Ppiman]

I get those weird vision issues very occasionally. I was told they are harmless and of no consequence, although I have forgotten what causes them. On odd occasion, they have moved into the centre of my field of vision for a while before clearing.

Well done on the ablation. Let's hope it's a 100% success!

Steve

[nikonBlue in reply to Ppiman]

Hi, apparently it's a trans-septal puncture (TSP) to gain accesss to the left of the heart and can cause an iatrogenic atrial septal defect (ASD) with a transient right to left shunt which can predispose patients to stroke or migraine. This migraine pain is the pits with the blurriness. I so hope it goes away soon. No way would I be driving with this. This info from the link BobD gave me.

Stay well all,

Blue 😐

[Blueflags]

Hi nikonBlue, yes, I had exactly the same as you. I never had anything like that after my first ablation, but two days after my second ablation I was sitting quietly in the chair and suddenly had strange visual disturbances, this was in the Covid days. No-one, at any stage, warned me that this may happen, you get the normal warnings of other side effects but not this. I was terrified and thought I would have to go to hospital again but my husband was very good and made me take deep breaths and relaxed. Thankfully it stopped after about 15 minutes. If only we were warned about this!! Hope you’re on the road to recovery.

[nikonBlue in reply to Blueflags]

Hi there. Still all out of focus so to speak and battling on but oh lordy this headache seems to have been a permenant thing since the day after the ablation. So hope it goes away soon. I sure don't wish to go through this again!! Stay well,

Blue

[MummyLuv]

pleased you are through and can now look forward. As others have said the headache/vision impact is normal. There is a school of thought now that as well as piercing the septum it is also caused by disturbing tiny particles in your vein as the catheter moves through which end up in the brain causing the headache. (These are not large like a clot).

[nikonBlue]

I am still a bit miserable with all this ablation thing and having the migraine aura to boot and today I've been bothered all day with flutters and feeling like I'm about to pass out.....damnit!! I'd hoped that was all over with. Perhaps I'm being too hard on myself to just 'feel better' when I actually am feeling rubbish. Not sick or anything but shaky and going from too hot to being too cold and feeling faint as that danmed bag of worms does it's thing........sorry guys, just feeling a bit disappointed methinks that I don't feel raring to go!! You all stay well.

Blue

[nikonBlue]

The story continues! After 48 hours of horrible flutters and racing worms I had a visit from paramedics as the local gp surgery on hearing the words 'chest pain' insisted on it, even though I explained about having just had an ablation and was aware I'd be sore. Anyway, they came they checked me all out they threatened to admit me and as I tried to explain to them about the ablation they did admit they knew nothing about it and even said I probably knew more than they did. So they phoned the cardiologist at the hospital and related all info to him. He insisted that I be seen 'today' by my gp. So after the paramedics spoke to the surgery and sorted that for later in the afternoon, off they went. At 4pm my son was here to take me to the gp appointment and after explaining the previous horrible 48hours I'd had to him, I asked about getting Flecainide again even to use as a PIP.........he didn't know so ushered me back to the waiting room whilst he also called and spoke with the cardiologist at the hospital...the outcome was that I shouldn't have been sent home without the meds for the first 4 weeks after the ablation!! Now, on my discharge letter it is hand written "continue Flecainide for 4 weeks" and then it's scored out again. Just makes me wonder really as it would appear that all this upset and discomfort, no actually pain could have been avoided. I got the Flec again with instructions from the cardiologist to resume it as previously prescribed, 150 mg morning and again in the evening. I am now feeling so very much better again. The massive bruising on my right leg is also starting to fade a bit. I still have pain on breathing in and heaven help e when I need to cough..ouch!! But all in all, I feel I am improving so fingers crossed now that all will be good. It's so hard having to 'slow down' though when there's so much I need to do, but I am listening to my body and appreciate this old heart of mine needs time to recover. I really hope it's onwards and upwards from here on!!! Have a great weekend everyone and stay well!

Blue

[Gumbie_Cat in reply to nikonBlue]

So sorry that you’ve had all these worries, and very glad that it’s sorted. Sometimes I feel that communication, or the lack of it, is the worst part of being a patient.

Wishing you many days of good heart rhythm!

[nikonBlue]

awww, thank you, yes here's hoping!!