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Atrial fibrillation post ablation

MKMafib profile image
12 Replies

Hi everyone!

I have read the info sheet and noted that palpitations are normal for some time after an ablation. I had my second ablation 5 weeks ago for afib and flutter. Everything was quite quiet for 4 weeks and then bam a few minutes of afib. Now I have had a minute or so of afib everyday. My EPs receptionist was sick and now he is on vacation this week. I have an appointment with him next week to discuss.

I am feeling a little disheartened with this recurrence and I know everyone is going to say this is normal but I could really use a pick me up with some positive stories of people doing well after having a fib runs 5 weeks out.

I am currently on bisoprolol and xarelto. They took me off of flecinide post procedure

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MKMafib profile image
MKMafib
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12 Replies
BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

You might think about worrying in three to six months but please not now. As we say in our fact sheet many people are still improving at nine months or a year. I was well past six months before my last ablation settled down in 2008. .

stoneyrosed profile image
stoneyrosed in reply to BobD

Three months after my 2 ablation I had afib for a few mins, two later another attack for a few mins, Not had anymore for 7 month. Sometimes feels like I am going into afib but touch wood nothing sustained. Give it chance to settle.

Consider an ablation as a procedure rather than as surgery. In simple terms, surgery tends to mend something thats broke and apart from recovery issues, when it’s done, it’s done.

An ablation procedure modifies tissue within the heart by scarring it to prevent rogue impulses from causing AF. However, the effects of scarring are not instant, it takes time for the tissue to heal before the procedure can become fully effective.

Of course this is not exactly as the medical aficionados might explain it but it works for me……be a patient patient, it will settle.

nikonBlue profile image
nikonBlue

Hi, I like FlapJack's description! It takes time for the scar tissue to 'settle'. I'm now coming up to 4 months since my ablation in March and am still having episodes that make me think, oh oh here I go again when actually it doesn't go any further into AF and these 'episodes' are definitely getting less. Nothing like I was having pre-ablation so yes, give it time....in this case time really can be a great healer!

stay well

Blue :-)

Sharonsue profile image
Sharonsue in reply to nikonBlue

Totally agree

KMRobbo profile image
KMRobbo

Best thing currently is not to worry about it! Stressing causes palpitations! They become self sustained - excess Adrenaline going nowhere useful.Chill out and relax! We

MisterMagoo profile image
MisterMagoo

I had my ablation 2 weeks ago today and I'm still getting a few hours of afib on the odd day - that last episode was on Wednesday for about 12 hours or so but I was in permanent afib before the ablation so I'm taking this as a positive.

I'm taking 25 - 50mg of Flecanaide a day, depending on whether I feel an episode is likely or is occurring.

We all have different aspirations but I think a minute or so of afib a day for the rest of my life would be an absolute dream for me.

2learn profile image
2learn

Hi, how do you know you had the Afib? Are you monitoring continuously, cos that in itself could be a contributor, as BobD says give it a few months to settle in.

MKMafib profile image
MKMafib in reply to 2learn

unfortunately as my afib is very rapid i feel it immediately when I flip and I have confirmed it on my Apple Watch and Kardia although trying not to do that now

Banquo profile image
Banquo in reply to MKMafib

I certainly feel the AFib quickly also. Not to mention thise with the condition become pretty paranoid to heart rate, flutter, triggers, etc. Especially due to the mysteriousness with which it come and goes sometimes. Everyone is different in the healing and everything else. As has been mentioned here...nothing can be figured out for you yet. It's still in the blanking period. I stayed in all my drugs (including flec) during my 3 months blanking, and then they took me off all cold turkey.

I could tell you not to monitor monitor via electronics .. but really when you can feel the palps and the HR and other symptoms naturally like you do, it doesn't really hurt anything. Mentally you already know you're in AFib.

So I will just wish you patience, with yourself and this condition. It may take several more twists and turns before you're done. :)

Take care!

momist profile image
momist

Everyone is different. I had AF occasionally for over ten months after the ablation, then nothing for the last 15 months, then 2 sessions in the last fortnight, sadly. I'll review again in another six months.

Softpaww profile image
Softpaww

I had one only incident of a-fib in July 2017 and nothing since. I am on sotalol 2x a day so not sure if that is just doing its thing but no issues and have worn a monitor 2x and did a sleep study. Now, to Xarelto; I was on it until April 3, 2023 and honestly, would never take it again but have not absolute confirmation that it caused my major "female bleed" but I had been having small issues ever since I started on it. The ER physician said to get off it and when I stopped; it was like a light switch; all bleeding stopped but because of it, I had to endure test after test to be sure nothing was really going on....that and $22,000 because we didn't have insurance. I would definitely get a 2nd opinion regarding any meds you are on as I never needed BP medicine but cardiologist put me on that, too. I was happy in my late 50's to not be on anything except a thyroid med and one for high cholesterol. That said, they also did an up through the groin thing and I was told no blockage, no damage, no issues!! Then, he put me on all these meds. So now, I have to wonder, do I NEED them or was I actually OK before? I had a specific incident that put me into a-fib and I do not have reason to believe it is something that would repeat.

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