I guess I thought I'd bounce back quicker, maybe because my first EP didn't seem to think an ablation is a big deal, but I guess you guys on here were right. I had my PFA on Tuesday afternoon and I am still completely wiped. I feel just as zapped (literally) of energy today as I did on Wednesday. When i get up I feel light headed and just want to lay down again, however I am walking around to get things pumping and moving. I am assuming this is normal? How long does recovery take? Thanks...
Totally wiped after ablation - Atrial Fibrillati...
Totally wiped after ablation
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Iamfuzzyduck
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BobDVolunteer
That is why we patients wrote the Recovering from ablation fact sheet!
I can totally understand why!! A complete mismatch!
Is this Recovering from ablation fact sheet available for reading somewhere? I would love to read it. I’m 65F and just recently diagnosed with AFib. Leaning towards going forward with ablation, but also trying to learn all I can to prepare.
Both are on this link
heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...
Best wishes
PS, once in that site you can navigate from the Menu button.
right here
I think you've been unlucky, seems plenty of folk suffer with weakness etc post ablation for a while, apparently it can take up to 6 months+ for maximum benefit to occur. My personal experience of PFA this january went well, no tiredness/breathlessness aftewards. Had slight chess ache for a few days and the groin took a few weeks to recover, I rested for 1st week, long walks 2nd week then gradually re- started my sports, cycle/row & swim after that with no ill effects except swimming took longer to build up. Bear in mind that your journey has only just begun and yoy will eventually feel much better, build up your exercise and try and do at least every other day, in no time your exercise will increase from 10min to 1hr+
I guess I need to give it time, especially for the GA to wear off. On the plus side the groin is great with very minimal bruising. I am glad your recovery is going well …
It varies. I've had 3 ablations and felt differently after each one. After my first I felt drained for a few weeks, after second had on and off periods feeling drained which went on for months. I could still only walk so far and then would suddenly feel I couldn't take another step. After my third I felt good right away and was told to stop all my pills, but tachycardia set in as I was about to leave the next day and I was put back on pills and kept in for another day. My heart then reverted back to normal sinus rhythm. Sorry to say that wasn't the end of my AF story. There followed lots of cardioversions until I was told I wouldn't be offered any more. I am now in constant AF between 60-90bpm but can live a fairly normal life. Some days I have energy others I don't.
Jean
I am sorry to hear that the ablations didn’t work for you. I am hoping mine has been ablated early enough before the rogue cells forged their merry little paths. I have been quoted a 90% success rate but only time will tell. I am probably just overthinking my tiredness but at least I had an excuse not to go to the supermarket just now 😊
Yes, I let my PAF attacks go on for too long. I didn't realise what was happening when I had periods of extreme tiredness. I did a lot of sport, including cycling and cross country running (hashing) but was always last. I could never understand how my best friend could cycle up a very steep hill and I couldn't.
My heart used to bang in my chest if I walked up a hill but I thought everyone's did that. After my first ablation I never had that experience again.
I changed my diet drastically and cut out eating anything that contained artificial additives. Wish I'd done that before having any ablations. For me they weren't the quick cure I thought they were going to be.
My last ablation was in 2016 and I'm sure there must be more successful procedures now.
Jean
You mean not everyone’s heart jumps out of their chest going uphill? Interesting!! I will test it out in Colorado over the Summer but I know it happened to me pre ablation…
I answered your post above but it seems to have disappeared. Won't write it again now just in case it turns up.
No my heart never bangs in my chest when I walk uphill now!
Oh how I envy you going to Colorado, it's somewhere I've always wanted to visit.
My sister has lived in Dallas for over 50 years. I've been out to visit her quite a few times but that's not picturesque like Colorado must be.
It's our go to place, at least twice a year, also my daughter lives there in Boulder, but Steamboat Springs is my home away from home, especially in the Summer...I shall test out my heart next month then and see if it bangs!!
I'm having a relatively new endo-epicardial ablation in 11 days time. I'm in the last chance saloon . It will be pace/ablate if not successful.Feeling positive but what will be , will be. I've had so much treatment as you know !
Good luck with your ablation…
Bless you, yes you've had a tough time. Hope all goes well for you.
Jean
Hi jeanjeannie May I ask you a question? I noticed you said you were in constant AF between 60-90bpm. Before my ablation and shortly there after when presenting the question to my electrophysiologist, that at times my bpm were wobbling though out the day periodically, not back and forth quickly, if this was afib? He always answered that if my bpm were under 100 that no I was not. Can you convey according to what you know to be true about this?
AF is an irregular heart rhythm. My sitting rhythm is irregular bouncing between 60-90bpm. I can remember that back in the days when I had PAF, between attacks my heart would beat normally and was at a constant 62bpm when sitting. As we move around and exert ourselves obviously the bpm will rise.
Perhaps your EP meant that you would be fine with a heart rate under 100 and shouldn't present at A&E.
Hope this is clear for you.
Jean
Yes it does! Thank you! 
Perfectly normal to feel that way three days post ablation. How you feel is the best guide. Very few ep's have actually had an ablation and while you're recovering, they are in the lab doing someone else It took me three weeks to get out of the stage where you are now. After that a slow climb back to normality, maybe three months.
Jim
Thank you, so I don’t need to worry I’ll be stuck in this state and shall just enjoy being looked after-three weeks seems like a long time, glad you reached normality in the end. Maybe they pump us full of drugs in the US 😵💫during the procedure!
Yes and I think it's more for the ep's so they can keep the assembly line going, rather than the patients, although they may say otherwise
Jim
But I did sleep well that first night!!
Are you totally clear of AF now Jim?
Jean
Hi Jean, thanks for asking.
Cryo PVI one year ago. Stopped daily anti-arrhythmic meds 10 months ago. Only one episode at the six month mark which converted in 3 hours with PIP Flecainide. As far as I'm concerned, the ablation is a big success so far.
I still have my self terminating tachycardia episodes but that pre-dated the afib ablation and the aflutter ablation. I'm now 40 days without one of these episodes (they used to be every 14 days) and I'm attributing that to stopping coffee -- but as you know, just as soon as think you found the trigger, another trigger proves you wrong
Jim
So true regarding thinking you've found your trigger. Thinking that comforts me, so why not pick on something to blame. It makes us happy and feel we've nailed it. I try to avoid any food containing artificial additives. I've not had a very high pulse since doing that. The trouble is I have a sweet tooth and can often give in to sweets and what I call rubbish food. It sounds like you're doing really well. I pray that those 40 days you've managed AF free continue to mount up even more.
Jean
I pray that those 40 days you've managed AF free continue to mount up even more.
Thanks for the support.
But to clarify, except for the one episode, I've been afib free for a year now.
The 40 day streak is for non-afib tachycardias. They are an annoyance, but don't last more than 30 minutes and I don't need any meds to manage them.
Jim
I'm a week on from my ablation and just starting to function again. I suspect everyone's experience will be different. I was told not to drive for a week... I couldn't have if I'd tried. I had plans for a car trip tomorrow and that won't be happening.
My advice is to listen to your body. If you're struggling you're doing too much taje it easy and allow yourself to heal from some significant trauma. Good luck with your journey.
I was supposed to go to a rock concert tomorrow with my son 🤣. Tickets booked before the ablation but they told me last week I could go. I definitely can’t go, noppity nope. I hope you feel better soon!
Same for me... my consultant said yes you'll be fine for a longish road trip after 8 days. Maybe some people would be.. I think medics tend to generalise rather than say 'it might be fine but it might not be'. We all react and heal differently.
I don't think I will go to a rock concert again. Last time I went to one I could feel the drum/bass beating at a different rate to my heart. It felt like my heart was in conflict with it, competing with it. I could feel the wave of sound going right through me. Made me feel very uncomfortable so didn't enjoy it. I spent the whole time checking my pulse to make sure I didn't go into AF (which i didn't thankfully). Shame as I enjoy live music.
I think I’d worry about passing out! That would be off putting to feel your heart beat!! I keep buying tickets and then give them away because of one thing or another-kind of annoying because it is my thing to do with my son, go to concerts with him. Except I never make it..
I was totally wiped out too, however my heart stopped during the ablation and then I had undiagnosed complications (pericarditis, pleural effusion, and water accumulating in the liver) which eventually led to me spending 9 days in hospital. We don't know what caused the complications. They could also have been due to the angiogram that preceded the ablation. But I know I really struggled for weeks. It was a full blood examination that alerted my GP to the problem - my liver enzymes and my CK levels were very high. However it took my sending these through to my cardiologist for action to be taken. He was the only one who connected the dots to something serious, finally.
That sounds awful. I hope you are better now…
Did you have a general anaesthetic? That can make you feel dodgy for quire a few days - nausea and light headedness. Take it super easy for 3 weeks is my experience.
Yes. It may well have been that looking at the cocktail they gave me!
I had a Pulsed Field Ablation in September 2022 (having been in persistent AF for 4 months) and other than some minor chest and groin discomfort felt fine afterwards. I did however still take things steady for a few weeks before building back up to normal (for me) exercise levels. The ablation was a success and as far as I am aware I have been in SR since the procedure. I hope you feel better soon.
That is good news!
Where did you have your procedure done and by whom, Please. I have persistent A-Fib with a low sitting heart beat (60-90). Considering the Pulsed Field Ablation and have been talking with Dr. Natale but i live in Florida. With him in Texas has me worried should i need a quick visit! Looking to somehow get back to SR!
I had mine done with Dr.Natale in Austin. They ask you to send weekly ekgs. If there is a problem you can go to the ER or find yourself a local EP. I am two hours away from Austin so depending on the problem I could stay local or travel there. He is very experienced at the PFA having participated in the trials and was the first Dr to use the system after FDA approval
Sorry about messing you twice!
Where did you have your procedure done and by whom, Please.
Where did you have your procedure done and by whom, Please. Any other procedure info would be great. i'm on the fence with having it done (persistent A-Fib with a low sitting heart beat (60-90). generally don't know i have it but get tired easily which i don't like but the tradeoffs may not be worth it. I'm 74 male
I’m in the UK and it was done at Royal Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital by Professor Gupta. It was done under GA as I was told that for PFA that was necessary, which was fine as I’ve read about a few people who’ve has issues with sedation (obviously GA doesn’t suit everyone either). As my AF was relatively early persistent that did give the procedure a better chance of working. I also understand that as PFA causes less ‘collateral damage’ recovery can be quicker. but I took things steady in any case. I wasn’t sure about having the procedure (as my AF was well rate controlled) buy I’m early 60s so that was a factor if the AF was untreated and became permanent. Best of luck with whatever you decide.
Yes, mine was also done under GA in under 60 minutes but mine was early paroxysmal afib. 74 zaps in three areas-a straightforward ablation apparently. Minimal bruising at the groin. A very good team amd people come from all over the US for Dr.Natale. Recovery will take a little time. Good luck Marinoperna. I’m also conversing with an 81 year old lady on a different forum who lives further away than you and she had PFA with dr Natale two weeks before me and is progressing as expected. You may want to join US based afib forums for more localized information…
Goodness hardly a week has passed since your ablation. Your heart has taken a pounding so take it easy, listen to your body (or heart) and read the fact sheet. Move around a little and often and do all things in moderation. When your heart/body says stop then stop and sit down. Once you feel up to doing things do them slowly and work up back to normal activity gradually.
All the best and enjoy being looked after for a few weeks.
I think my first EP tricked me by saying I could go back to CrossFit on day 5!!
Wow! Don't think I would have gone back to Cross Fit on day 5 after a cardioversion!
Read the leaflet. I was weak and felt totally wiped out for weeks and still didn't exert myself for about 3 months. Even then I took life easy. Please dont rush anything. I had 5 procedures and I'm 6 months post now and i feel good with no af. I hope you get a good result🤞Dont rush it x
Thank you! I am glad you are af free!
Hi, Sorry to hear, but yes I and another friend who recently had a PFA ablation were both exhausted post ablation. I've had several RF ablations and never felt so tired, I must add another variable. My first ablations were 10 years ago, hence I am older and more fatigued from AF, so there are other variables to consider as well.
The best aspect is - the PFA ablation worked - I am 6 months out still in NSR, not even a blip.
Hang in there, hopefully the best is yet to come! Take care👍🙏
I am glad it worked! I have a friend who is a little younger than me who had RF ablation and bounced back quickly. I guess we are all different !
Had two already..second much worse than first..have a feeling EP is going to suggest another one..think worse each time.age..stamina. first one much easier
I am sorry it hasn’t worked. Have you had the PFA yet?
I was wiped for three months, weary for another three and it took me a year before I was completely over my first ablation - just lucky I think, but I am an oldie now. You will recover in your own good time and you have to let your body go at its own pace. Best wishes.
I hope yours managed to stop the afib?
No, not completely, and I am on fecainide and dilitiazem which keeps me in sinus. After that year I couldn't face another ablation so soon ,but I have been given the choice to have another if my arrythmia breaks through again. I am living an almost normal life now and can do most of the things I used to before my ablation. I don't drink, smoke and only use de-caf tea and coffee, and take magnesium taurate.
I hope it stays under control. My Mum is 91 and has afib and a pacemaker. She has never had an ablation…
My EP made it seem like I'd be up and running within a few days of my ablation - but I was wiped out for several weeks. I thought I was lazy until I found this site and its ablation fact sheet, which showed that my EP was a little overly optimistic. You are healing, so it's perfectly okay for you to listen to your body and take it easy (if you can - children and jobs don't make that possible for everyone). Before you know it, you'll be back on your feet.
Yes, that's kind of what I was led to believe!! And I am also trying to decide if I am being lazy or not!!
You are not lazy - you are HEALING! It's okay to step back and let your heart heal!
had my Pulsed Field Ablation 3 weeks ago tomorrow, and can honestly say I’m totally wiped out. The last 4 days I’ve really not felt great at all, wobbly on my feet, and just well below par. Hope I pick up soon
I am sorry to hear that, that does seem like a while. I hope you recover soon ….
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