It’s now eight days since my ablation and I have spent a lot of time carefully resting, not lifting and generally following the usual advice. Today was my first day out - a five minute drive to the seafront and 500 yard walk on the flat, a thermos of decaf coffee - sheer bliss in the sunshine! (Sorry Scotland!) I felt good but have been resting on the bed all afternoon , feeling quite immobile.
So I’ve a question to ask those with experience of ablation- what activities did you first introduce following ablation in the first week, the second week and week three. I’m not expecting big things of myself. I have not yet started cooking again, but plan to make breakfast pancakes tomorrow morning. My husband is doing all the food prep though I helped a friend make coleslaw 2 days ago and spent the afternoon sleeping off the effort of grating carrots and being sociable. How soon were others doing daily tasks of cooking, light shopping, cleaning? And spending time with friends without feeling exhausted? Did it help to push yourself everso slightly (eg I’m making myself get out of bed in the morning!)
I discussed the return to exercise with my EP who recommended I stick to walking on the flat in the first couple of weeks. So how soon were people walking normal distances? I know we’re all different and my question is really like “how long is a piece of string” but it would be good to hear some stories of recovery to normal life!
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Rainfern
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After feeling better after a couple of weeks, I eased back into my exercise program of walking and light weights. Turned out to be too much too soon. Best to take it slower than you think necessary. It took me a bit over 3 months to get back to where I was before.
Thank you Jim that’s helpful. I don’t have an exercise programme as such, but normally try to get half hour daily walks, longer when the countryside beckons. I hope to get back to this gradually but in light of your experience I will add “very” gradually! I thought an ablation would test my heart but the real test is patience!
The thing is you can feel wonderfully well, go for a walk and then like a light switch being turned on you suddenly feel extremely tired - too tired to walk any further. I coped on my own at home after a few days with help. Felt differently after each of my 3 ablations, but the tiredness was always ready to pounce for a few months after if I overdid it. Just listen to your body. Little and often may be better. What you did today sounds perfect.
I think that’s a good description of the kind of tiredness it is Jean - it pounces! Thanks for helping me understand that as it doesn’t work like a normal rehab at all, where you can more easily set goals and know what to expect. And as Bob often reminds us, there’s no normal with this condition!
Hi Rainfern, so glad you got out - I have a feeling you did what I did! Felt so good but didn’t actually realise what was too much! Maybe go by by time - set a scale of parking somewhere you can then do 5-10 mins to a nice bench then have your hot drink and a sit down, look at the scenery & same back & head home. Go by how you feel, tread the same terrain next day if you were ok and just built by minutes a day. I found going to the same place may be boring but I could see improvements as I knew where I was. Don’t force yourself as I learnt the hard way. Even now, 11 months later I’ll do something I feel capable of then think oops. Have you felt any racing heart, palpitations or is it ok so far? Take care x
I think that’s a good idea going to same place for a while, and it’s probably good to keep in with driving even just 5 minutes. I didn’t think I’d pushed myself while out but should have put feet up immediately on getting home. I felt a lot of racing heart on day 2, but has settled now. I haven’t dared do an iwatch ECG, but keeping eye on heart rate which is good despite being off digoxin since the ablation. Just simple relaxing, mindfulness and listening to what heart and body say seem in order xx
You seem to have this all in hand, mindfulness, relaxation (I found certain Reiki or spa type music was calming) I did the ECGs which actually pinpointed the 4month marker point when the heart became submissive. It’s been stable since April, the odd individual beat might shoot up but nothing remarkable (it did pump very hard/ rapidly for a moment after only a 50yd yard jog out of the rain the other day (didn’t occur to take any readings & it settled once I sat & relaxed for a few minutes (just the little reminder to say (don’t think you’re too clever so watch it & behave warning I think) xx
Great news that all is well, Rainfern. Sounds like your recovery is going well. Nothing to add to what the others have said already, it’s all good advice. You’re getting there!
I am so pleased you are taking it easy, keep it up!
I am 3.5 weeks after ablation and like everyone else who has replied I have to set my exercise - walking, a little bit of gardening, household task, to the minimum as I tend to start with the best of intentions and suddenly really have to sit down.
I feel well though,only 1 episode of AFIB straight after the ablation and that was it. I am feeling some missed beats and bumps but only to be expected.
We were cut off from our short forest walk today by flooding, the area is very flooded but managed a small walk on a cycle path. Then an hour of feet up and reading!
Just take it gently as you are, it is the best way to gradually build up your strength again.
Hi Scot, good to hear from you and glad you are making a good recovery.
It’s really helpful to hear how you’re managing 3 weeks on. It’s so odd feeling quite well but so easily zonked! Nice to think I might be doing the odd bit of gardening in a couple of weeks time.
Thanks for encouragement and hope you get some fine weather soon 😊
Didn't walk anywhere first couple of weeks except house & Garden.I have a range of walks from 2/3 mile to 2 and just took shortest 1st .Probably about week 4 before 1 2/3.
This thread is really helpful Redfern. I'm booked in for my first ablation on 27th October, and feeling nervous about the logistics of recovery as much as the procedure. I'm a widow, so will be on my own a lot of the time.
Hallo Hanne. Have you got the AF Association info sheets on ablation and preparation for ablation? I found these most helpful.
My husband has chronic fatigue syndrome so it was really important to get things right. We set up a Tesco order and filled fridge and freezer with ready meals (including some nice homemade ones!) and easy cook vegetables. You need things that are easy to digest (see replies to my pre-ablation posts, so much helpful advice!!)
It can be hard to accept we might need help as we get older. But after a conversation with Age UK we decided to fork out on a cleaner. Just fortnightly for a couple of months. I’ve never had a cleaner and the whole idea horrifies me in some ways! But it means one less thing to worry about, and the agency pays a reasonable wage. I’m not sure how our home will feel being properly clean!
I sorted out everything I would need over the next 3 weeks onto easy to reach wardrobe shelves, including writing and art/craft materials. I didn’t want my husband running up and downstairs for me.
Finally, we asked help from friends - people want to help and it’s useful to give them specific roles. So one friend is helping with the pear harvest on the allotment, another came and prepared lunch to give my husband a break. You’d be wise to have people look in on you and wait til they arrive before doing anything daft - I pulled a whole shelf of books onto the floor my first night home and that set my heart beating fast!
Wishing you a successful ablation! Don’t hesitate to put your questions out here on the forum- people are so kind and helpful.
Thanks again Rainfern. Yes, I have got the information sheets and I'm sure my sons, friends and neighbours will rally round! I'm off on holiday next Sunday for a week, so need to get on with some preparations this coming week. I could really have done with a bit longer between the holiday and the ablation.I'm going to get a regular cleaner as well. I used to have one when I was working, but not since. It will be odd to actually be there when the cleaning is happening. I'll be looking for a gardener too next year. I've found it hard to keep up with this year as I haven't got much energy, and I've never enjoyed gardening anyway!
Just two weeks away from the three month blanking period for me. I took it easy the first month. Did some light housework and meal prep in the mornings during weeks three and four. Rested the rest of the day.
Second month pretty much back to doing housework and some yard work. Had to pace myself to avoid overdoing. Still tired in the afternoons. Back to exercise slowly on weeks seven and eight.
Third month back to normal activities driving, shopping, etc. Heavy work days require a couple of lighter days to recuperate but probably just age related 🤣 No AFIB so far. Some ectopics when overtired but very seldom during this third month. Hoping to be off the Sotalol soon. I am having days when I forget about AFIB. It’s lovely and surreal.
Hi Nezzera, I’m so glad to hear about your recovery and successful ablation. That’s wonderful. Thank you for your encouraging words. It certainly does seem to pay off to take it easy and not expect too much of ourselves in the first few weeks. It has occurred to me that my dream of a full recovery includes the expectation of feeling 60 again! 😊
I was doing cooking tasks week 2 but husband lifting heavy Le Creuset pots etc. Taking short walks. I blocked out 3 weeks from anything work related. 5 weeks after my 2nd one we went on holiday to Cornwall where we did all the usual holiday type things though too early to swim. I did climb St Michael's Mount in a headwind so i wouldn't recommend that 😅. Had a bout of tachycardia and had to lie down later. I didn't mow the lawn or strim till after the 3 months mark
Thank you Singwell. I am slightly frightened I’ll do something like you describe - climb hills in the wind too soon! I have a tendency to go into things two feet first. But yes, the Le Creuset pots … definitely leave these to my husband now and into the future 😊
Hi Rainfern, was great to read your post and glad you're making good progress following your procedure. As per all the replies below, take your time and be kind to yourself around your expectations. Prior to my procedure I worked in a school doing general maintenance and covering about 20k step a day across the site so felt at 55 I was fairly healthy and would be back to work in no time, but that wasn't the case for me.
I went back to work after 3 months, but after a days work I was shattered and struggled to find the health levels I took for granted prior to the ablation. I had a lot of chest discomfort for months afterwards and eventually was identified with some mild pericarditis and once that was on the table things started to improve albeit slowly. All in all it was 8 months before I felt good about my health again. My EP said some people just take longer to recover and that's OK. Now a full year on I can walk good distances, jog if I can get motivated! and do everything I could before the ablation although I do still get fatigued much more quickly than before. But for me life without Afib is a game changer so I just have to adjust to my new normal.
Lots of people do seem to recover much more quickly than I did and had I been kinder to myself around my own recovery I think it would have helped my mental health post ablation. So as per so many of the replies, take your time, don't push too hard and just be kind to yourself re those post procedures goals and expectations.
Oh goodness SJ that’s a long rehab you had! I hope you found some positive interests and activities to keep you afloat during that time. Thank you for sharing your experience and it reminds me to look out for mental health as well as physical. It seemed to take them a long time to identify the pericarditis - given that’s a known risk. Certainly my EP mentioned it. I guess it’s all so new and they’re learning all the time.
Anyhow, great to hear that you’re now AFib free! Thanks for sensible advice. 😊
Hi. I am coming up to 9 weeks post ablation and apart from day 2, have been fine. On day 2, encouraged by my EP, I took my dog for our usual 3 mile walk in the morning, felt fine still so carried on preparing and cooking dinner, clearing away and walking the garden after which bang, an AF episode. Obvious now, I overdid it and didn't take notice of the advice from the hospital and the AF sheet given on here. Took it easy after that and waited until about day 5 before I tried the dog walk again. Managed it and have carried on ever since but doing just one or two household tasks a day ie washing, ironing or hoovering. No more problems but do tire more easily and flag around lunchtime. Only trouble is, now having hip trouble so am using sticks to dog walk and that is tiring. Apart from that, back to normal and now have an appointment at the end of October for a 24hr Holter ECG monitor to be fitted. Presumably this is check all is OK before my follow-up appointment with the EP. Hope all goes well with you. Take care Liz
Thanks Lizzie it’s great to hear from you and others who are a few weeks ahead of me! My EP is very keen to advise walking though I think 3 miles is a good 3 weeks away at least! You’re doing so well! It sounds like you have a really good routine going now, wishing you very best with follow up appointments! 😊
I’m about to embark my second ablation and this one may be diferent recovery to the first, I’ve learnt on here that it varies a lot. But I will do the same regime to start….two weeks at home, first week nothing….week to still at home pottering…..
The most I started to do after that was simple walks in morzine, cafe,rest and walk bavk to car. I remeber it was ad hoc good days and totally zonked days which disconcerted me and I wrote on here only to be told hey it’s normal…..had little ectopics which I went lie down or early bed whrn happened….three months I’d say was the up and down energy phase….
It’s been worth it as I had four years free…but I’m seventy now and the recovery time does make me feel a tad retissent as I feel so full of beans right now…..but I tell myself it will be worth it and to just do it…
I did a three month road trip in Australia six months after ablation,if I’m honest walking in the rainforests did seem like I still wasn’t the old me….but who knows, could just be I’m old and the heat was too much!!
Take it easy as you’ve only done a week…the body soon puts the brakes on but it’s best to stop befire your body tells you to stop…..walkies always have a cafe to go to…then walk bavk I think if the way to walk .
What a beautiful place to live - just seeing pictures of those mountains makes me want to cry! It really helps to read everyone’s different experiences, so thanks for sharing yours. And good advice to stop before the body tells you to stop - the habit of pushing ourselves is something we learn when we’re very young. I’m finding it helpful to have a meaningful activity to hand, so I’m learning Greek and dreaming of my next trip to Crete!
Good luck with your forthcoming ablation and wishing you a speedy recovery 😊
I live alone and I guess I don't follow rules very well. The first week after my ablation(s), I did normal household things like prepare my meals, feed pets, wash dishes, etc. The second week I was in the garden doing minor chores; drove to the grocery store to shop; came home to unpack, etc. I think I did just about everything I normally do on that second week. However, my downfall was lifting something too heavy and felt achy in the chest for a few days after, so I took it easy for a while. But don't take my lead on this; follow what your instructions say.
I think your experience shows just how different we all are, at same time you give me hope that I’ll be able to do daily activities soon without it knocking me sideways! I’m not following rules, just following what my body tells me and getting an overview by listening to everyone’s experiences.
Please make sure you keep that arm close. I just mentioned to someone else my nurse suggested pinning the left arm of my outfit so that I cannot use that arm because it’s really hard to remember tonight reach etc. you do not want to pull your lines out trust me. As long as you are not out of breath, you are OK. You doing things with your right hand. You do what you can do but don’t push it. You aren’t proving anything. Your entire body just had trauma, including the anesthesia in you. I have been told it could be up to a year before I fully heal. Light walking even now is all that my cardiologist tells me to try to do nothing else. I am 71 and also have heart failure although it has. Turned around for the better since my pacemaker. I had mine done in February. You need to be patient but you don’t have to be an invalid. There’s nothing about making breakfast that should kill you. Good idea to have a team though.
Although I live with my cousin, he works every day, so I’ve had to do everything by myself on the hardest, was showering, and washing my hair without raising my left arm. Also be very careful, pressing your left arm and hand down to get up out of the bed or a chair again because of your lines and you they need a while to plant them selves. My stuff is a bit different, but even right after my surgery when the doctor came to see me, he was impressing on me the things not to do.
I’m glad to know you finally got it over with prayers you are going to be happy and there’s nowhere to go but up in happy feelings. Be ready for anything once in a while it may throw you a little blip. Each time they change my pacemaker I get flutter the last time they had not told me and they did it remotely. I still have a few words to say about that when I go back in November. For over a week I had a terrible time, especially because I did not know they had touched it. I will make sure that’s not done to me again I probably had the worst flutter like a horse kick. A few days later I discovered someone had tinkered to give more battery life I do not get the 10 or 11 years because of what I have for a pacemaker and HIS wiring. It was down to five years now they have brought it up to 8 1/2 life in the battery. It’s amazing what they can do for and to us.
Don’t panic over anything you may feel. Odds are pretty good. They just forgot to mention it to you. I think it has become so routine to them, but they need to remember it’s not routine to us Big hugs.
I haven’t had a pacemaker, just an ablation so I think using both arms is fine (I hope so!) It sounds like there’s more to it with a pacemaker and you’ve had to be twice as brave as me.
I’ve been on this forum a year now and if I ever need a pacemaker I won’t be afraid thanks to all of you who’ve been there.
I think I was taking short walks after 10 - 14 days, just around the block sort of thing. Mine wasn’t successful, as you know, but I still noticed the recovery time. I would say it took about 4 - 5 months to feel that I was completely back to ‘normal’.
Managed the 5 days in very sunny Venice, then back to Scotland last week and rather appreciating the cooler weather. The relentless rain - not so much!
Good to hear that you got to Venice - I’ve never been but sounds wonderful. We luckily chose a week in Scotland recently that was blissfully cooler and gave us a few dry days, but you’ve had a deluge since. Maybe next time we visit it’ll be to Venice-on-Tay!
Thanks for your thoughts Gumbie. I will be utterly amazed if my ablation works given that the Afib was persistent and Ive scarring on my heart from previous surgery. But through this forum I’ve learned how wonderfully life goes on whatever the outcome!
Every thing was exhausting to me for at least a month. For three months I had to stop every few hundred metres coz I was worn out though an electric bike in full power was ok. Then suddenly at four months I could walk a brisk four miles again. I stuck to gentle stuff like stretching and yoga in first six weeks. It was so boring, not looking forward to going through it again next year 🙄
Thank you Jaja, that’s really helpful. Interesting how sudden you were able to increase pace and walking distance. I’m already noticing big swings in how strong I feel day to day. I think that makes it hard to judge how much we are capable of or what we shoul be doing or not.
Despite reading all the right things about preparing for ablation I don’t think anything quite prepares us for the deep blow it inflicts. Maybe the AF Association info sheet should add, after indicating recovery time, “and you better believe this!”
You’re brave going for another ablation, but at least you do so knowing that the worst part is boredom! Very good luck and hope the Afib keeps away this time
I rested for two weeks which involved minimal housework, ready meals (I live alone), got someone to take the rubbish out etc and walks up the path but no more. Got up every day but mostly slept for about 1.5 hours each day in the afternoon. Then on third week I slowly did more but all at a gentle pace Didn’t do much walking until about 4th week and then it was limited and on the flat. Everything I read said slowly slowly so that’s what I did.
Thank you, it’s good to have all these go-slow messages! I’d read questions about the return to “exercise “ on the forum but not so much on activities of daily living. I guess this is the Occasional Therapist in me!
I believe your mental toughness to move around even if you only get some dishes cleaned up or walk out to the mail box. . . this is life affirming. I came home very tired following ablation and was determined to walk a little bit each week every other day.
The ablation put me back into NSR, so I had more energy in some respects. I changed my diet and watched & listened to our friend the "York Cardiologist". I am 78 now and after 20 months in NSR, I developed PVC's (Premature Ventricular Contractions). I live with these without much bother. EP and Cardiologist tell me my rate is too low to even think about doing anything different. Now I blame my age for things like balance problems. I am hard of hearing, family trait, and my memory requires waiting for a slower computer in order to get names out. I was told by my GP to walk at normal speed 150 minutes/week. I hit this goal without pushing it. I go shopping, drive the car. Do a lot of little handy jobs around the house and watch NO NEWS all bad. I had to give up caffeine and almost all sugar. I am grateful to say, I feel good most of the time. If I am tired no matter what time of day, I take a rest. a 1-2 hour nap works wonders. I will say, as so many do, take it slow and pace yourself
Thank you Dr Gohan, it’s good to read your approach to healing and to life. Adapting to our situation and current limitations is as important as the mental will to live life and move on, and you seem to have found a good balance. I guess it’s early days for me, post ablation and I’m scheduled to have another CV as the heart has rebelled and gone back to persistent quite fast, despite following all the good advice and info on the AF site and forum! I like how you’re meeting the signs of aging - ditto the hearing loss and blotting of memory for names! I’m still very young though, only 70(!), so I’m still wanting my heart to be back as it was last summer when I was fit, out on long walks, and running upstairs without being breathless. I’m still resting up and taking things very slow so plenty time to reflect - that has to be a plus!
Sounds to me like you are mentally and physically on your way to returning to a normal active life style.Baby steps then running up those stairs again in the not to distant future.
Thank you Buzby. 3 months down the road I remember just how helpful everyone’s comments were and how much everyone here has been part of my recovery. Glad to say that following the CV a few weeks after ablation I’ve kept in NSR and back to all normal everyday activities!
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