I got Afib in March of 2022 i only had an ablation 5 days ago the cardiologist i saw in the hospital was an intern as i had to leave early to get home..
What apparently happened was that once they had ablated me for Afib it turned to Atrial flutter i then i got a cardio version..
Unfortunately my last cardio version lasted only 5 days my pulse is around 60 yet i am no more able to do anything and have added 4 kilograms in weight in 4 days despite having very little to eat..
The part that got me the most is a few minutes prior to surgery i got a piece of paper saying because of the cardio version failure it was unlikely to be a success..
I suppose the plus was i was part of a study and my odd results might give them a boost i hope and pray it does..
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Was this the first time that you weighed yourself following the ablation ? I put on about 7 pounds, despite not having eaten, when I weighed myself on day 3 following mine.
Fluid retention is normal in those first few days - my feet were very puffy too. I eventually found one place online that mentioned it! If radio frequency ablation is used, then there is irrigation involved. This causes the fluid gain. It does come off once you get moving a bit.
Though, as Jalia feels this is more concerning, do mention it to your medical advisor. I told my GP, as I had gone back into A Fib too.
I did feel very low, as I am usually such an optimist and didn’t really consider that ablation was not going to work out for me. I kept on thinking that I would get a second one, but with being part of a study, they reckon that further ablations and even cardioversions would be in vain. Too much fibrosis apparently. If I did have a cardioversion then it would mean Amiodarone for weeks beforehand and for years afterwards.
So, it’s rate control for me - but I’m able to get on and just enjoy life. Stairs and hills are a bit taxing, but I just plod on up them. Of course I would have preferred to get rid of this entirely, and I worry about every little bit of brain fog etc., but I don’t have an alternative. There are also so many in a much worse position on the forums.
With yours being A Flutter though, they might consider a further, simpler, flutter ablation? Also, five days is early - lots of recovering still to do. I am crossing fingers for you,
Thank you for that with the weight gain i found no sign of edema i am very careful with that as i have suffered heart failure ..I took part in a study too i live in hope now that due to my rather odd circumstances they can learn a lot from it..I actually have a really good pulse rate but i am led to believe the cardio version is why..My last cardio version lasted 5 days and to be honest despite a better pulse i am struggling just the same as i was..The thing that really got me was a few minutes before surgery they gave me a piece of paper saying the operation was unlikely to work could have told me that months ago..I am thinking next stop a pacemaker..
I did not have flutter until after they ablated me for Afib then to temporarily get rid of the flutter they gave me a cardio version..I live in South Australia but did live in Alice Springs for a number of years..Have seen a doctor yesterday but was unaware of the weight gain until after the visit..
So sorry to hear this. It's a bit much to put you through it when they weren't expecting it to work.... Even if it was part of a study. They should've told you this at the beginning so you could consider & have a proper discussion with time to think it over before deciding whether to proceed. . It still early days so rest up.
That's dreadful. Poor you. Patients welfare/well being should be at the heart of any treatment.... Whether there is research involved or not. If it were me I'd complain.... When you are well and truly over your op. You don't need any extra stress currently.Years ago when I was diagnosed with cancer, my Oncologist asked me if I'd consider taking part in some research trial. It did not affect the standard treatment or the time line to start it. It was thoroughly discussed with me & I was given time to think about it. It all took place in the week before I started the standard treatment. Clearly it didn't proceed further as I haven't heard about it's use since.... Though maybe it led to other more successful avenues. At the time they were very clear that it wouldn't benifit me. However I do wonder as I had a remarkable response to the standard treatment & remain in remission 8 yrs later.
Well i hope things go well for you health wise i have had a nightmare 15 months even i still cannot believe it..
I cannot completely understand how much the fear of cancer too must affect you once you have it... I was diagnosed with around 1 cm long lymph nodes in my lungs last year and was terrified when they told me it could be lung cancer i had to wait 2 months and got the all clear..
Because of my run of illnesses the nodes grew i couldnt have been more thankful that i never had the big C..
Awww that sounds very tough. Poor you.For me the big C taught me appreciation & not to take things for granted. I don't worry about what maybe but enjoy what I have. I'm lucky to still be here.... No one knows whats round the next corner.
A...thank you. Be kind to yourself. And the wonderful thing about forums like this one is that others have been there and often there are great suggestions/advice.... And kind words to cheer you on.
I have to say I don't have a great scientific mind, so have to rely on others to interpret.... Lol.
Don't understand why going into flutter would cause them to stop the ablation. Next time around definitely find an ep that can treat both afib and aflutter, but maybe I misunderstood something. Weight gain probably from pushed fluid during procedure. Definitely bring this up to your doctor as they may want to take action.
Bad luck. That's interesting because my own ablation in 2019 was for atrial flutter (AFl) in 2019 and succeeded well, although I now have lots of ectopics and some AF. I understood that an ablation for AFl was far safer and easier as well as likely to be near 100% successful.
Had an ablation 6 years ago to remove 33000 ectopics per day and all they could say u had electricity coming from everywhere it was successful and is still going well with that part..
I once saw a cardiologist who told me I had lots of ectopic beats but that he had thousands a day more than I had and fully expected to live a long and happy life!!
I know what you mean, but I don't like them at all and feel little different with them as when in AF, so long as the rate stays low-ish. It is a high heart rate, maybe above 130 or so that I find the hardest of all to cope with.
I had a lot of trouble with Afib a lot of dizziness and being very limited physically worst part for me being though is my pulse rate is great now but stll struggle physically but not much dizziness thank goodness...
Hi, I'm not sure I fully understand your post but I agree that a check up sounds a good idea given the weight gain and how you feel.My understanding is that a cardioversion following ablation is standard. At least here in the UK, that is my experience.
I've had 3 ablations. Unfortunately none have worked and pacemaker is the next step for me also but they are reluctant due to my age (too young apparently).
5 days of NSR following cardioversion is not great but not terrible. Its more than I ever achieved and they still went ahead with 3. They weigh up multiple factors, and that is one of them.
For me, the chances were always quite slim as though I am still in my 40s I have had AF for 18 years. Obviously there is a much better chance of an ablation working if AF is treated sooner, and of course they look at other factors. I'm not a medic but...
It sounds to me like you need a review with your EP and a conversation with your cardiologist about next steps. It might be that they would consider another ablation or move from rhythm control to rate control medication. These might be considered before pacemaker. Again they'll look at multiple factors. Let us know how you get on.
Cardio version is not standard here after ablation anyway not sure where i stand a week from it as they gave me the CV to stop flutter which started after they ablated the A fib..I am not sure once the CV wears off as to whether i will have flutter or A fib..
Anyways just got out of hospital after 4 and a half days went up Sunday for shortness of breath and they suggested i have had a mild case of heart failure..
you are still in the blanking period which lasts for awhile after an ablation. Talk to your cardiologist about what to expect. And what meds will help. Good luck!
Anne took your advice to ring health direct was at the ED within an hour they told me to go so thank you very much i had heart failure again just spent 4 days in hospital..
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Not sure of I should have an Ablation 
Failed cardio version
8 months post ablation 
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