7 weeks post ablation and bang! Afib back after perfect day

[MisterMagoo]

Yesterday, on the 7th week anniversary of my ablation, my afib was under control with Flecainide as I prepared for a high stakes work presentation. The presentation went brilliantly and afterwards I did some rugby passing practice with my 14 year to help him -not me !! - get ready for the new season. Back to a busy work afternoon and then prepared dinner with a small beer. Settled down afterwards to watch the brilliant Mark Cavendish documentary with an initially complaining family and another small beer. A brilliantly normal day (apart from getting to choose what was on the TV) then bang! Afib at bedtime. Lasted all night and still going this morning - just as I thought it was safe to go back in the water.I've been getting regular short periods of Afib since the ablation and I'm now resigned to being back to square one and wondering when I'll get another ablation.

[secondtry]

Sorry to hear that is tough. I have commented on this a few times before. I believe it is a classic AF trap due to the Vagus Nerve.........you have a busy good day and then you relax in the evening typically to reflect and enjoy a favourite programme or flop into bed and AF triggers.

What I used to do (after such a day) was avoid sitting down with TV or reading in the early evening and instead due some light boring chores or plan work for the next day.

My own layman's diagnosis is that the Vagus Nerve is not 'normal' and instead of slowing easing down suddenly drops in the evening giving the opportunity for 'the little drummers' (aka AF) to start. To correct this I have found takes time, essentially de-stressing on all fronts, over several months/years.

[MisterMagoo in reply to secondtry]

Thanks, Secondary,That's really interesting and also correlates with other, shorter bouts of AF that I've been getting at bedtime.

This last session lasted a good 36 hours or so but thankfully I've woken up in NSR today. Just completely wiped out.

I have a busy job and teenage kids so not sure how to to manage this in future. I am hoping to start a new job with a 40 minute motorway commute 3 days a week. Maybe the wind down in the car on the way home might be the answer.

[secondtry in reply to MisterMagoo]

Glad it helps. Do invest time exploring de-stressing/consulting Alternative Practitioners/gaining new aspirations/don't forget the spiritual side (prayer and Nature interaction has helped me a lot), even seeing a psyche for half a dozen visits (my cardiologist gave me that introduction).

The easy way is to tell yourself stress can't be reduced and so you never make any improvements, just start, there are many options with big rewards and accept it is a slow journey without a destination. Best wishes.

[Oldiemoldy]

Just work with your doc/ PA to get meds right. Flecanide has worked for me but I get an occasional episode if I have real emotional stress.

Hope you get back to normal without medical intervention - I think 12 hours is longest I went…