You will see from my profile that I have not had a gret time getting to see an NHS cardiologist and have been in persistent AF for over a year (18 months nearly) with GPs not understanding. However, I was eventually referred to Royal Papworth and I had my outpatient appointment on 13th September. The COnsultant was wonderful and I was seen before my appointment time (it all seems very efficient there). He agreed I needed an ablation and I was told the waiting list was 4 - 6 months. He did ask if I was prepared to take a cancellation if one came ingup and - of course I would.og like a trooper and shouting out in real pain, having been brought back from the catheter lab in the bed next to me,, I really did get nervous.
Anyway, the staff were wonderful and yes I was in paind afterwards. I was allowed home by 4pm and have been resting up since. I have very little bruising in my groin but still have an uncomfortable feeling in my chest and the headaches are lessening.
I have been told to stop my Digoxin but increase my Nebivilol to 5mg. I am in normal sinus rhythm but I won't know for some months if it has worked as my Consultant does a cardioversion after an ablation which I know does put meback into NSR. It is so good to get a Normal reading on my Kardia but I do know that the long term success rate on a first ablation is only around 60% so fingers crossed.
It is quite had for me not to be doing anything but I know the big "no no" is lifting. Any suggestions as to how to ease myself back into "being normal" again would be good. Thank you.
Written by
Nosila07
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The answer is to listen to your body and take it SLOWLY. I’ve had two ablations as I am one of the 40% whose first was just a temporary fix and needed another for a “touch up” which has worked pretty well so far. I don’t regret either although at the time you feel like you’ve been hit by a train!
The pain from the procedure should ease in a few days although you are likely to be black and blue for a couple of weeks. The uncomfortable chest should similarly settle down and each day you will start to feel better. Part of it is the procedure and part is probably the fact that you’re getting over a General Anaesthetic which knocked you out for best part of three hours.
I found I was going for slow but steady walks around the garden after a week and felt so much better after two weeks. Don’t push yourself too hard or expect miracles just pace yourself - it’s not a race. You should feel a whole lot better this time next week if you take it steadily. Gentle walks every few hours and enjoy the fine weather that’s due the middle of next week.
The factsheet others have referred to produced by Arrythmia Alliance are really good
Congratulations.My experience.Take it really easy.Do virtually nothing for the first week but do keep moving. second week maybe the walk round the garden or to the end of the street.It was about 3 weeks before I did part of my neighbourhood walk.About a mile.Wear loose fitting clothes.I dug out trousers that where way too big and shock horror even went commando for a few days.
Expect ectopics ,maybe chest & back severe aches.
Some things immediately changed for the good.Chest more open,slept better.Some things take a while.I was given 50% chance as Persistent for 2 years.8 months in NSR.I quite expect I will need another ablation at some time.I think my mind still thinks my body is still in AFib.But I have aged a bit since it all started .2 years 8 months older.75 in a couple of weeks.
So a push on weight loss & enjoy life in NSR as much as possible.
Good luck .With help from this forum & hopefully good Arrythmia Nurse back up you will not worry about things that you may experience in the blanking period.
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