I had a catheter ablation under GA for my PAF some days ago and I am now taking it easy while recovering. The whole process was a little more complicated than I had expected and I have various aches and pains which are slowly improving - my right groin is a bit sore and bruised, my chest aches when I try to take a deep breath, and my throat is sore from the tubes that were placed in it during the procedure. I'm doing a gentle walk each day but nothing more in terms of exercise.
I had one visual migraine episode the morning after the procedure which was quite concerning at the time, but it got better after about 20min.
My procedure was an RF PVI as this is the technique that my EP uses. I can use pill-in-pocket therapy to treat any AF that occurs during the blanking period. So far I've noticed a few ectopics from time to time but nothing more. Early days, but I'm hoping it will be successful - the increased frequency of PAF episodes over the last few months had been affecting my quality of life.
Yes, catheter ablation is a bigger deal than the doctors make out. I can also personally attest to that, also having been ablated some days ago.
Chest aches on a deep breath are somewhat common. I was prescribed a 30 day course of Colchicine, an anti-inflammatory and it helped. Interesting drug that has been around for a long time and study data suggests that it can actually improve the odds of a successful ablation.
Good you're taking it easy, because you only have one chance for your heart to heal after an ablation.
And while no one should panic if they have episodes during the blanking period, study data shows that AF occurrences during the blanking period are associated with treatment failure, so we should do everything in our power to let our heart heal and for many of us that means taking it a lot easier for a lot longer than the doctors tell us.
Same to you! It's early for both of us and it seems so far, so good.
You mentioned PIP in case of any events. In addition to that, are you on a daily anti-arrhythmic now, and were you prior to the ablation.
I was on 50 mg Flecainide twice a day prior to the ablation and was asked to continue that for one month before weaning, but I plan to push back on that advice an continue for at least 60 day.
I was on propafenone regularly prior to the procedure, but post-procedure my EP suggested I stop regular therapy and just take it on a pill-in-pocket basis for any AF episodes that occur.
I think the reason for this is that he prefers to know early if a further (touch-up) ablation is likely to be needed. With RF the risk is that the PVI circles may have gaps which allow AF recurrence.
I agree with that. Unfortunately my EP took me off my meds the day after my RF ablation last July which I am pretty sure contributed to my rocky recovery rhythm wise.
hi Lily I was only on Diltizem and my BP was going too low, so EP said use as pill in pocket, I'm sorry you had a difficult blanking period, I'm hoping it goes smoothly!
I took the same medication. I’ve had it several times now so when I get Pericarditis, which is every time I had a procedure. It’s not a bad little pill. Lol my pharmacist questioned it the first time. It is actually used off label by our doctors and it is actually made for gout. I love that my doctor does not blow off anything he will tell you it’s gonna hurt. He also is very big on making sure you rest and let it heal properly. He doesn’t tell you to stay out of work forever if you need to work, but he doesn’t want you doing things you don’t need to do.
Most of us just need to use our brain. People seem to panic when common sense tells you that this is normal however, it’s hard for first timers. I was lucky my cryo- lasted six months. My RF over a year. I forgot how bad if it could be until it hit me really hard and I have just gotten released in February when I got my pacemaker.
Best of luck to anyone going through this just remember even a little cut hurts so don’t get freaked out when things like your groin etc. hurt for a bit and just like you wouldn’t use your cut finger don’t stress your leg and groin area or do anything you don’t have to do right away. We’re in this together.
Do hope it goes smoothly Blue Hamster. I have heard that RFA ablations are likely to be more thorough than the simpler cryo ones, so your EP may be thinking ahead
Hi Blue-Hamster - welcome to the world of post-ablation!
I had my ablation 5 weeks ago and although I've been in NSR since, I'm still on Flecainide (50mg) twice daily and anticoagulants. My EP wants me to maintain the meds for 90 days and then review with the hope that the Flecainide can be discontinued. Although my CHADS score is 0, I suspect anticoags will continue for life. Although I'd like to be off all drugs, I want to reduce any risk of stroke so safer to remain on them.
I hope the recovery continues well. The bruising was gone in about two weeks in my case and I was back at work without any issues so far. Everyone is different so take the time you need to allow the heart and body recover. Good luck.
I am still on metropolol since my pacemaker was fitted and my AV node ablated he will decide in June how to proceed, but I also have heart failure. We don’t know what’s coming down the road as far as new things have for now anticoagulants are for lifetime for me. I’m fine with that. I have no problems with them and the thought of a stroke terrifies me. They have other things for people that cannot handle anticoagulants such as the watchmen however, those are not for everyone lol. And I’m not sure I have much room left in there. I’ll be sounding like the tin man in the Wizard of Oz. When I walk you were just here clank if I have other things put in.
If you're not on warfarin try co enzyme q10 for the ectopics, worked wonders for me personally. Also are you taking magnesium taurate as recommended by Dr Sanjay Gupta London cardiologist. Cut sugar as much as possible. AFib doesn't like inflammation, sugar drives inflammation, q10 reduces inflammation, so hitting it from both sides helps. Loads of info on both in research studies on Google scholar. Long may nsr last. I'm four months post ablation and still in nsr.
It literally knocked my PACs /PVCs on the head. Two days and they were weaker in strength. Even though I've been sick all week I've only had a few PACs /PVCs. Amazing supplement altogether in my own personal experience. Granted if I go crazy with lots of sugary drinks or cakes then no q10 will keep them fully away, but they definitely do not appear as strong as before. Have you tried it yet?
I have held off while they are checking my heart failure etc keeping everything but prescribed by my EP to avoid confusion if any problems but I have a big bottle ready. I’m glad to hear your opinion.
At the moment I'm taking a triple magnesium capsule and CoQ 60mg each day. I've taken a daily magnesium supplement ever since I was diagnosed with PAF and I think it did help to reduce episodes of AF.
I've tried CoQ (and taurine) on and off over the years, but I've not seen a noticable difference with either of these.
I do plan to tidy up my diet and hopefully lose a little weight too.
Your post-op symptoms sound like mine did, perfectly normal. Take it easy and you'll find improvements every day. Best wishes for a successful recovery.
I agree these are normal pattern op symptoms. And don't forget if you had a GA that takes a while to get over too - I had some nausea after my 2nd ablation - which was due to the GA. Not immediately afterwards, a few days later. Don't worry too much if you get an outbreak of AF. Take the PiP as directed and aim to knock the episode on the head. I was told to avoid extended episodes but not to worry too much with the odd outbreak.i consider my 2nd ablation to have been a success as I'm now almost 12 months in NSR. I think I had about 4 outbreaks of AF after the procedure- one towards the end of the blanking period- and none since.
if you should need GA again tell them ahead of time about the nausea they can put some thing in your IV. No nausea. I’ve been getting it for years now. Just make sure when the anesthesiologist comes in to speak to you that you tell them easy Peezy.
I had my ablation on the 24th March and I'm supposed to stop the flecainide after 6 weeks. We're going away for a few days tomorrow, so I'm going to keep on taking it until we get back, as I don't want to go into AF whilst we're away. Good luck to anyone who's had an ablation and hoping for a successful outcome.
Pretty much everything you mentioned is normal. Even after you cut your finger it hurts so think about it. You have to heal. It doesn’t take long. The ache in the chest is some thing I had forgotten about after an ablation until I had my AV node done in February. It’s a dull ache. Whatever your doctor allows such as Tylenol should help find out if you can use a heating pad some say yes some say no. Maybe you can put it between your shoulder blades it still helps. Mainly, they don’t like you using anything with magnets obviously and some of those over the counter, back massagers, etc. have them. And as far as your throat, yes, my first ablation I looked like a bullfrog for 10 days. I don’t remember what they use down my throat. Perhaps someone wasn’t all that good at intubating. If you think about what you said, it’s pretty much normal common sense. Unfortunately, there is nothing fun about a fib not when you have events and not when you have procedures. Once you start feeling better from it, I think you’ll consider it worth it.
It was a much bigger deal than I anticipated. I had migraines for 15 days which has left me worn out, and a big depressed. for me, I'm not sure I would have done it if I knew about the migraines. My RHR is higher than it was, sometimes 78 when I'm asleep but I'm hoping that lowers over time.
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Update 6 weeks post ablation
3 month post ablation-update 
54 days post cryo-ablation update
Post ablation update.
