I had a cryo ablation four weeks ago, the procedure went very well, I did go back into Afib a few days later, but converted back to sinus, I understood that can occur, I had no issue with my groin and a slight tightness in chest. Roll on another few weeks and now I have zero energy, I cannot walk up a hill or stairs without being short of breath, I have really bad heartburn and I sleep a lot. I had a chest xray and scan to rule out any effusion, my Electrophysiologist is very proactive.
I know I am in the blanking period and a lot of things can occur, but I am getting impatient. I had a really bad cough for a while but I was put on Colchincine for two weeks, I take Flecainide 100mg , and 50mg at night, 2 xx 25mg Metoprolol, 2 x 5mg Eliquis and Pantoprazzole. The cough has abated, only comes on if I exercise. I love to exercise and I really hope I can get back to my pre ablation workout. I know the heart needs time to heal, and hopefully it will improve. I have my follow up appointment soon, hopefully if they reduce the meds I might have more energy. Any advice would be greatly appreciated
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Tilos5
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It takes time. Forget what the doctors tell you, our fact sheet on recovery, written by patients< makes it clear that it is very variable. The so called blanking period is a minimum not a target and many people are improving at nine months or a year. I will edit to include a link. For now please be patient and try not to over do things
Seconding Bob’s comment that it takes time. My ablation wasn’t successful, but it also took about 4 - 5 months for me to start feeling more like my normal self.
It’s likely depends on age as well, though it sounds like you are really fit. It could be that the cough has really taken it out of you too? Good that your EP is pro-active and that you can ask when things are really worrying you.
it is difficult, but be patient. The procedure required a very small hole be made through one of the walls of your heart. That takes time to heal over…in the meantime you will feel more tired. Everyone is different, but it took me a full 6 months to feel normal again. I think adding a CPAP at night into the mix helped me. I slowly worked up to longer walks then finally more aerobic activity. Follow your doctors instructions on taking it easy. All the best to your healing walk.
• DilTIAZem (Eqv-Tiazac) 180 mg/24 hours oral capsule, extended release switched to this from Metroprolol agree with those that say it saps your energy plus caused me funny sad thinking I believe. I can function at work on the former but not the latter. Good luck.
the more you stress yourself the longer it will take. We are all just friends. My very first procedure was a cryo-. I see that you mentioned a cough. I came out of my anesthesia, coughing my head off. Trust me the other patients in recovery did not like me. My cough lasted over a week. I will see even the next day I felt a little bit of an improvement regarding shortness of breath. Because of how I have been feeling, I was impressed however, it lasted about six months. You need to take it slow. You were not instantly fixed. Just remember pretty much anything they do is temporary and your body was just put through trauma and needs to heal.
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