Post Ablation : Had my cryoablation... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Post Ablation

PrivateRyan profile image
27 Replies

Had my cryoablation yesterday at Wythenshawe under Ian Temple, so just thought I'd give a brief summary. I arrived at 7-30 and went into theatre around 12. My blood pressure was high all day, white coat syndrome perhaps. The procedure itself was extremely uncomfortable, and I was relieved when it was finally over. In hindsight, I should have said something as they may have upped the sedation, but I didn't want to say anything at the time. I had a scare in recovery as my blood pressure dropped suddenly, and I felt awful, but they soon put me right by lowering my head below my body. I was released around 7-30pm the same day, and have spent most of the day in bed at my wife's insistence. I must add that the care I received from every single one of the staff at Wythenshawe was exemplary. They were friendly, professional and compassionate and I thank every one of them. I've been told to keep on my medication but stop the flecainide in 6 weeks, I'll then have a review after 12 weeks to discuss my progress.

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PrivateRyan profile image
PrivateRyan
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BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Now rest and if you haven't already please read the attached-- all teh things thye never told you!

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

PrivateRyan profile image
PrivateRyan in reply toBobD

Thanks for that. I had downloaded it a while ago but forgot all about it. 🙂

Down10FTN profile image
Down10FTN

I am 4 weeks post--same procedure. Follow up in 2 months like you. I DID have trouble getting a full, complete breath after a couple days. My PA prescribed Furosemide to get rid of excess fluid. Breathing well now. Just a possible thing you may notice. That post from BobD has great info!

PrivateRyan profile image
PrivateRyan in reply toDown10FTN

Yes my breathing is a little shallow, but it seems to have improved this morning. I've just managed to remove the dressing on my groin, I think it was stuck on with super glue!

lovetogarden profile image
lovetogarden in reply toPrivateRyan

torture glue! I actually tore a tiny bit of skin removing those bandages. Glad you’re feeling better today!

DawnTX profile image
DawnTX in reply toPrivateRyan

lol I am laughing about the superglue. They must use it in every country.

Lumps profile image
Lumps

hi

Hope you have started to feel better in your recovery I was wondering if you you could remember how long you were on the waiting list I have been told about 6 months how long was your wait?

Take care

PrivateRyan profile image
PrivateRyan in reply toLumps

I was put on the waiting list sometime in July, so 8 or 9 months. As we're all aware, waiting lists in general are far too long, but I believe this isn't too bad considering.

Lumps profile image
Lumps in reply toPrivateRyan

Thanks I was put on the waiting list in February so I may have to wait until autumn which isn’t to long.

Thanks again take care.

PrivateRyan profile image
PrivateRyan in reply toLumps

Yes September October time would be my guess, fingers crossed. I did phone the arrythmia nurse at one point about my medication, and during the conversation she gave me a rough idea of when I could expect to be called.

MummyLuv profile image
MummyLuv

here’s hoping for a successful procedure and NSR for many years. Rest up now xx

PrivateRyan profile image
PrivateRyan in reply toMummyLuv

Thanks, it's quite reassuring that so many people have gone through the same process. I'm naturally someone who hates doing nothing, but in this case I'm going to do what I'm told, at least for the first week or two.

2learn profile image
2learn

Hi abit off the mark, any way, I've had 3 ablations, 3 cardioversions and 4 colonoscopies. Each time I'm given a sedative and wake up in recovery. First time I asked when they would start and was told it was done and I had been awake through out. I have no memory of any of the procedures and was told that they used something like Rohypnol, the date rape drug, which wipes your memory.

Yet it seems lots of people have bad memories of their procedures, so don't other people get similar sedation?

PrivateRyan profile image
PrivateRyan in reply to2learn

I'll be honest with you, I didn't feel I was under sedation at all. There was one particular bit I hated which felt like a very strong rhythmic beat in my chest which went on for a few minutes and was repeated 2 or 3 times, very scary. I do feel much better today though, so it's a distant memory.

DawnTX profile image
DawnTX in reply toPrivateRyan

Poor you 😢 I cannot imagine having any of mine without General. Why did they do that to you? The only time I have had different was my first catheterization to look for blockages, and even that I was put under twilight. It’s a good thing is I am also a lightweight with the anesthesia so I go right to sleep. I’m sorry you had to go through that.

lovetogarden profile image
lovetogarden

I’ve had 4 procedures now. 3 were done with pretty deep conscious sedation, awake but you don’t remember a thing, Just before the last one, they mentioned conscious sedation, but I think they forgot! I remember every minute of it. That last procedure was for tachycardia, hard to trigger if one is too deeply sedated.

GordonS profile image
GordonS

First time I've seen a post mentioning Wythenshawe hospital. I have persistent AF and I am currently under Mark Ainslie and awaiting a cardioversion (listed 5/1/23) and an Echocardiogram (waiting list 8-9 months. I've had 2 ablations RD in 2010 and Cryo 2018, AF returned last year. I remember on the RF about saying that feels a bit hot and then nothing until I woke up in recovery, Happy to meet up if you are local to Sale

PrivateRyan profile image
PrivateRyan in reply toGordonS

Unfortunately I'm almost 15 miles from Sale in Atherton. Wythenshawe has a great reputation for cardiac care so we're in good hands.🙂

GordonS profile image
GordonS in reply toPrivateRyan

No worries, good luck with your recovery and don't rush things!

GordonS profile image
GordonS

I'm also under the team at Wythenshawe (Mark Ainslie) awaiting a cardioversion listed 5/1/23 and an echo told 8 month for that. Happy to meet up if you are local to Sale

GordonS profile image
GordonS

When did you have your ablation and who was the EP?

PrivateRyan profile image
PrivateRyan

Done a little too much today and paying the price. Did the weekly shop and had to rush downstairs later when my car alarm was going off. Bloody dashcam had fallen off the windscreen! Just feeling a little tired and dizzy, so another lazy day tomorrow.

DawnTX profile image
DawnTX in reply toPrivateRyan

Just remember you don’t have to rush for anything unless it is life-threatening

PrivateRyan profile image
PrivateRyan in reply toDawnTX

Thanks. I'm having a really lazy day watching Race Across the World on iPlayer. 😀

DawnTX profile image
DawnTX in reply toPrivateRyan

lazy days are good for us

PrivateRyan profile image
PrivateRyan

One week post ablation and feeling better day by day. My breathing still isn't quite back to normal, but I feel much better. I'm going to do some very light cardio next week, and then perhaps some light weight training the week after. My sleep is much improved since the ablation, not sure why that is, perhaps I'm just feeling tired after the Op. My one piece of advice to anyone having their first ablation, would be to do as little as possible for the first week, and then take it from there. The next real test for me will be when I stop taking flecainide after another 5 weeks, so I'll post an update then unless anything else happens in the meantime. Stay healthy everyone. 🙂

PrivateRyan profile image
PrivateRyan

Just a quick update. I'm now 10 weeks post ablation and I'm approximately two weeks away from my follow up with my cardiologist. The first week after stopping the flecainide at 6 weeks was a bit rough, I had an increase in ectopic beats and just felt a little off. I'm happy to say I've felt better each week and I'm feeling quite optimistic that the ablation was successful. Early days I know, but that's my state of mind at the moment. I'm now wondering if they'll stop my 1.25mg of daily bisoprolol, as my heart rate is quite slow at rest i.e low to mid fifties. For anyone thinking of an ablation, I'd say go for it if offered, although that depends on how your AF is affecting your QOL.

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