5 Week post ablation - Exhaustion...

[Chrissy7]

HI Everyone,

Just wanted to check in and ask a question even though there are no simple answers...since ablation I had to start taking some Diltiazem usually 1 x 30 mg around 4 pm when I get tired and odd rythms were starting not sure if AF...but it's not helping the fatigue...it does help from faster heart rate from fatigue. (keeping my HR from going too high and jumping around as it was 2 weeks ago...)

I have never been a typical AF'er...not sure if it's due to varying arrythmias that they put under the umbrella of AF...anyway, I've started feeling a kind of exhaustion around 4 or 5 pm (usually when my heart would start acting up)...this exhaustion is like no other ...it's so bad I can barely stand up. during this time (just after I take Diltiazem) my heart rate is quite good in 60's etc. while sitting and goes to 80's walking, normal. however, the exhaustion is so strong that I can barely walk when it's present. It's always gone after I sleep the next morning; so maybe the answer is I'm doing too much...but not more than previous 4 weeks ...so why should exhaustion set in on week 5?

I'm wondering if it' has anything to do with my endo just reducing my synthroid but it was such a small reduction ... I don't think so.

It's the kind of exhaustion I used to get with AF (arrythmias) ...but my watch is showing that my rate is good. I am wondering if I am still having some odd rythms at these low rates ...to make me feel so exhausted. I checked my blood pressure during this time when I feel exhausted and it's a little low, but not bad...117/78 yesterday.

Strange that it would start now....anyone have this experience?

Am I missing anything here?

[CDreamer]

I think this happens to many people following ablation, no 'norms' are applicable. I have no experience with Diltiazem but exhaustion by 3-4pm - a LOT! Listen to your body and plan your days so that you can rest BEFORE you get to the exhaustion stage. Pacing yourself is everything. 9 months following ablation before all irregular beats or ectopics stopped. Fatigue I still get but knowing which is caused by AF and which by another condition ??

[Chrissy7 in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks CD, it makes so much sense, but seems harder to do? Here I end up rushing around making a big meal ...its just my thing...then wonder why I'm exhausted after....

[jeanjeannie50]

I was going to ask if you'd had your thyroid checked, because that's exactly what your tiredness sound like to me, an underactive thyroid not being medicated correctly. Then I read that you'd had your meds reduced. That would be the first thing I'd suspect.

Jean

[Chrissy7 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

interesting.....thanks Jean, I will try to contact my Endo to see what he says...

It's only been a couple weeks since he changed them however, so I don't think it would change that soon?

[bantam12 in reply to Chrissy7]

Yes reduction in thyroid meds will have an effect this soon but I see you also likely have hyperparathyroidism and that will definitely make you feel exhausted amongst other symptoms, needs sorting asap !

[Chrissy7 in reply to bantam12]

Apparently my level is not high enough to suggest hyper parathyroidism

There is an APP ., i downloaded

My level is only 9 for PTH

my endp I think it’s because my TSH is put of whack…

[bantam12 in reply to Chrissy7]

Thyroid and parathyroid are not connected so one being out of whack doesn’t affect the other.

If your calcium and pth are raised you do have a problem, most Endos have no idea how to diagnose hpth, it took me 3 years to finally get a diagnosis and the surgeon was furious it had taken that long.

I ran a Hpth forum for some years and all our members had the same problem with getting a diagnosis and then surgery, it’s an uncommon issue which is why most Drs have never come across it. Have you looked at Parathyroid.com ? It gives you all the info.

[Chrissy7 in reply to bantam12]

Bantam, this is very helpful!

I am exhausted today and just healing from ablation ....

Endo said he was going to order another ultrasound of my parasympathyroid.

I have to go look at this website...thank you SO much for the information!

(and it's possible that I misunderstood him re: my TSH causing the PTH out of whack...

I will go speak with my GP about this ...this week. PTH has been high for a year I think.....

who can i see that can help diagnose this?

Also, I stand corrected; from the website parathyroid.com I downloaded the app and it does say I am VERY likely for hyperparathyroidism...now to find a doctor that will treat it...

[bantam12 in reply to Chrissy7]

You need an Endo who is very experienced in pth disease, most aren’t so you may have to try a few !

Good luck 🤞

[Qualipop in reply to bantam12]

I hope you don't mind but I am sending you a PM about a friend of mine who is having awful problems with her thyroid. |She's not computer literate.

[nuked1066 in reply to bantam12]

I would like to know more about this. I had my radio iodine 'treatment', leading to my being hypoactive and am now on 150mcg Thyroxine but it never seems to have settled. Had a review with an endo, said that antibodies were present but because TSH was 'normal', left it My gut and my body tells me this is still wrong and 150 is quite a high dose.

[bantam12 in reply to nuked1066]

Probably best to post your question with latest blood results on Thyroiduk as more people to offer opinions. TSH is a poor indicator of how you are doing on thyroxine, you need T4 and T3 results plus which antibodies are high and how high.

[nuked1066 in reply to bantam12]

Thanks, much appreciated.

[Hidden]

Chrissy, the day is obviously too long for you while in the healing process. Split it in two halves - about 1 p.m. go into horizontal position, for an hour or more. It gives more convenient conditions for you heart to pump the blood through the body. You do not need to get to sleep, but if you do, God will not punish you, lol. All the best!

[Chrissy7 in reply to Hidden]

Good plan Nesko!!

[Fullofheart]

I think it's still early days Chrissy and you are healing. It is tiring! For me the exhaustion with underactive thyroid is distinguishable from AF (worse in mornings/ slow to get going and comes with poor concentration, lower mood, slow food transit, reduced memory/ brain fog etc) but its no fun when both are kicking off. It sounds like you have a sense that this feels more heart/ arrhythmia related, which is fair enough given you're only 5 weeks post ablation. Your hearts had a bit of a "beating" (no pun intended). It needs to rest and settle back down. Give yourself plenty of TLC 🌸

[kkatz]

Chrissy I remember ringing the very knowledgeable Arrhythmia nurse after worrying symptoms and being told to take it easy & that I have had heart surgery.Your body is still recovering.I tried exercise classes at 7 weeks and that was too early.Also at 4 pm you could well be exhausted.Listen to your body.I take 180 mg Diliatezem daily am & that doesn't cause exhaustion.

[Chrissy7 in reply to kkatz]

Thank you Kkatz...some of my "friends" with a medical background say I haven't had "surgery"....they think ablation is nothing!

I know that rest helps because I always feel better in the morning when I wake up...I'm still experimenting with diltiazem as PIP, not sure I need it full -time...

[kkatz in reply to Chrissy7]

When you say you're experimenting with it as a pip.I hope this is with medical supervision!If not I think you are asking for trouble as they say.

After 2 years of Purgatory in Persistent AF and 3 years of Paroxysmal AF I really don't advise anything but taking it easy.Take advice and talk to the professionals that you are under.

Now I am not a person that takes it easy.Even in persistent AF I would probably have 15- 20 hrs of exercise per week.

In recovery from ablation I did no added exercise until 4 weeks then did maybe a mile a day.Back to some bowls at about 8 weeks & exercise classes once a week.

Please take professional advice.

[Chrissy7 in reply to kkatz]

HI Katz, the problem is that I am NOt getting any professional advice.

I used to take 3 x 30 mg Diltiazem/day which only barely kept me out of arrythmias, and sometimes they even broke through, especailly close to surgery (I think it was progressing and I would have needed more meds to control it).

In the hosptial following ablation, my BP dropped too low and stayed that way for a while, which is why I was taken off Diltiazem.

When I saw the EP for 5 minutes the day I went home, He said "you are going to keep taking the Diltiazem for a while?" as if it were up to me. I explained that they had taken me off it since my BP was so low, and I had none since the procedure. I said "can I use it as a PIP when I need it (if my HR goes high)? and he said "ok" . so I didn't take it for a while but when I started having symptoms (around 4 pm) I started to take one pill. Then at bedtime and first thing in the am, I take 1/2 a pill ...since I am not sure if I have symptoms or not...just don't feel 100 percent.

I will not see EP again and probably just my GP now.

If my symptoms persist, I had planned to go back to 90/day again as the EP suggested I may continue that if I have symptoms.

So, yes, I am following his advice....

thank you for your help and concern.

[Ppiman]

It doesn't sound directly related to the ablation, so it will likely be caused by thyroid hormone issues. A dip in energy is common in the afternoons, but not as late or as profound as you describe, I'd say. My cousin, also with thyroid problems, has been going through similar for many weeks now, but he refuses to do anything about it for whatever reason. If you get yours resolved, I shall report back to him that he should, too!

Steve

[Chrissy7 in reply to Ppiman]

thanks Steve, it seems so complicated, I am not only having thyroid issues, but parathyroid issues as well, which I am told (on here) has nothing to do with thyroid.

It is all very confusing....

[Ppiman in reply to Chrissy7]

Yes - the names are historical, I should think, as the glands are separate albeit next to each other. Life and health can be very complex. I’m currently struggling with a slipped disc which hasn’t happened to me for maybe twenty years. The pain is awful at times but today is mildly better.

Steve

[Chrissy7 in reply to Ppiman]

You are so right…I hope you get help with that Steve…🤞🏻

[Ppiman in reply to Chrissy7]

My GP says I’m a bit stuck for painkillers as I’m on anticoagulants. Paracetamol does nothing, diazepam helps a little so next, I’ll be trying co-codamol but codeine and me haven’t been good in the past.

Steve

[Chrissy7 in reply to Ppiman]

best of luck with that, too… I didn’t know that Diltiazem helped with pain.

[Ppiman in reply to Chrissy7]

No - it’s diazepam (“Valium”), a muscle relaxant.

Steve

[Chrissy7 in reply to Ppiman]

Ohhhhhh… on my phone… thanks for clarifying!

[Ppiman in reply to Chrissy7]

No - it’s diazepam (“Valium”), a muscle relaxant.

Steve

[Ppiman in reply to Ppiman]

As well as its use to treat anxiety, it’s a muscle relaxant, apparently. Doctors don’t like giving it as it can be addictive in up to 30% of people, but it doesn’t seem to bother me at all and does help a little.

Steve

[SB2352]

I had an ablation at the end of February. I also have thyroid problems. Despite what I was told I was exhausted for at least a couple of months. I think because there is only a puncture ie no scar to heal, it is easy to kid yourself that this is a minor operation - it isn't! Give yourself time to heal.

[Chrissy7 in reply to SB2352]

Thank you...every day seems different and of course, depending on how much I exert....

[SB2352]

I think everyone's experience is different.