I am 6 years post ablation (cryo) and was doing well until a few weeks ago. Out of the blue, I started experiencing my heart bouncing around again, but only after eating. It starts after lunch for a couple of hours on and off then calms down, then starts again after dinner and continues until bed time. Not continuously, but sporadically.
Then today it has started in the morning, no food eaten!! Back to the cardiologist who signed me off a couple of years ago! 😔
Did well to give you 6 years. Are the symptoms as aggressive as prior ablation? When my AF returned after about 3 years I was not nearly as symptomatic as I had been.
Hi CDreamer, not as aggressive as before admittedly, bearable at the moment, fingers crossed it stays that way. I don’t get the rapid heartbeat, it’s the bouncing erratic rhythm that I experience.
I’m also confused about the fact that it only occurs after eating!
Have you had a subsequent ablation?
Had 2, ended up with CRT Pacemaker which has stopped most AF episodes since 2018. I cannot take any meds which is the reason why I was offered PM.
Unfortunately ablation is not everlasting solution for some people who have anything up to 5 or 6 ablations.
Sooner you return for treatment the higher the chance of successful treatment - AF keeps on giving. Bummer.
Hi CD is that a three lead pacemaker? I had a two lead snd was doing well with it until I had covid in February now back to previous afib
Yes it’s a 3 lead to keep ventricles in sync - can’t tell you much it has helped me. It seems to becoming a more popular option as there is quite a lot of evidence building of efficacy so worth researching.
I typically start into AFib when I'm eating - usually within the first few bites. It's by far the most frequent 'trigger' for me.
Are you absolutely certain that it’s Afib, in that you’ve monitored them via something?
I only wonder as after covid late last year, I must have had some inflammation, as I started getting frequent ectopics after I’d eaten. Theses would go on for a couple of hours after every meal and eventually calm down, but they were very, very noticeable. They virtually disappeared after a couple of months.
Hi Teresa, that’s very interesting! I haven’t had any monitoring done recently, only when I was first diagnosed 8 years ago with PAF. I’m going to ask for a referral to cardiology, but as you say it could be related to something else. It started about a month ago out of the blue. I had Covid 18 months ago which has created ear and sinus issues for me, still ongoing and no sign of a resolution. So I wouldn’t be surprised if this could be a long Covid issue too!
Thanks for the reply.
After 6 years I bet you thought that it was beaten, so that must be a big disappointment for you. Good news if an ablation worked for you last time, I'm sure the chances are high it will work again. Good luck! On a different matter, interested to hear you had ear oproblems post Covid. Can I ask what they were as I've had problems with my ear and associated tubing, ever since I had Covid back in 2020.
Hi Cainessence, thanks for the kind supportive words.
I had Covid back in late august 2022, wasn’t very ill with too many symptoms, but the mucous in my sinuses were terrible… thick and had a horrible taste. It caused a feeling of pressure just above my eyes centrally. I got better as far as the cold/flu symptoms disappeared, but by November my right ear started to feel full, and had popping and crackling sounds. I felt off balance while walking. Not typical spinning vertigo, just felt unsteady. My GP said she could see fluid behind my ear drum, and advised me to spray hypertonic natural sea water up my nose, ( said the salt would dry out the fluid that you can buy at the pharmacy. I did this but to no avail.
By March 23, still no better, hearing affected, balance off etc, so I went to an ENT specialist. Prescribed steroids both oral and nasal, and antibiotic ear drops. Still no effect, fluid and bubbles behind my ear drum.
Had 2 MRIs and 2 CT scans to eliminate other causes, like fistulas developed from inner ear, or even my brain fluid. Nothing found except inflammation of middle ear and the cells in the mastoid bone behind my ear.
Decided to insert a grommet in November to introduce air into the middle ear, first one fell out in a week, so had a T-shaped one inserted in December
Within hours, fluid (like water) started leaking through the tube and out of my ear. This continued until April, then I decided to get a second opinion. The new doc didn’t like these types of grommets, says cause too much trauma to the ear and ear drum which could be the cause of the constant flow of fluid. He’s never seen this in a patient before. Neither had the first doc.
Second doc gave me more antibiotics, oral., and in ear drops. Steroids, oral and spray, and antihistamines, and whipped out the grommet! No change! Nobody knows what’s going on, and has no solution. The whole in my eardrum closed within a month surprisingly quickly really. Doctor checked, still got fluid and bubbles behind my now closed eardrum! Then declared essentially that I had a dysfunctional Eustachian tube! So I’m now back to squirting hypertonic sea water up my nose and steroid spray!
So for nearly 2 years now, my life has been confined to barracks mostly, can’t go anywhere alone in case I fall over, so I hang on to my husband, furniture etc for dear life, and can’t see an end to it!
I’m really sorry, that was such a long and detailed description 🥴
How strange! I had Covid quite badly but was never hospitalised as didn't lose my breathing. Then lost some hearing and developed these bubbles in my ears as you put it. Went to ENT saying I could relieve the hearing loss by holding my nose and was told I was imagining it, because when I held my nose I was expecting m,y hearing to improve. I explained I had an MBA and was a Chartered Company Secretary and wasn't thick and that the symptoms were not psychosomatic. When I sniff or blow my nose whilst pinching it, I can hear the fluid along my Eustachian tube all the way to my inner ear. Been told my ET is fine as it passes the pressure test which is apparently the only thing they do to test it. Been on steroid spray for nearly two years and been sluicing salt water up my hooter for the last 6 months. I get some physical relief from this for a while, but only because it washes away all the gunk accumulating around the nose bridge area. But after a short while it comes back, especially when pollen is high. Had allergy tests and about to have some more (food ones), but it just feels as if this could be cured by inserted a vacuum tube into the ET opening and giving it a good suck!
yes, it’s definitely worth getting it checked out via a proper ECG. I could clearly see the ectopics clearly on my Apple ECGs and on a Kardia ( I googled what they looked like on both things) I got both PVS and PACs, but mainly PVCs. If you get a lot, it can certainly feel like jumping around.
Also, it might be worth getting your electrolytes checked out? If these are out of balance ( as they were definitely for me, after covid, due to sickness) this can also bring on ectopics.
Good luck.
Hi again Teresa,
What’s the best way to increase electrolytes? It is something that’s occurred to me before. I’ve had IBS for many years, and often wondered if the constant toilet visits are depleting my electrolytes…
Hi Jeanette,
Really it’s best to get them checked out via a blood test first, to check if they’re ok?Though, for me, I looked up some re-hydration drinks on line. I took some hydration tablets that you just drop into water, made by a company called ORS who do Sports tablets toothat you drop in water too. Mine are the hydration ones ( lemon flavour) . There are a few various rehydration tablets on the market that are dropped in water that are similar too. I didn’t look for anything too ‘involved’ as I also take daily vitamins including magnesium.
A lot of the hydration/sports/electrolyte tablets for drinks, do seem to have sucralose added to them, which I seem to be ok with, though I do avoid aspartame or saccharin etc, do bear that in mind. There are some that use Stevia, but tricky to get hold of. I chose the ORS ‘hydration’ ones as they are also low in potassium, which you also have to watch out for as you don’t want to raise your potassium levels too much. They also say you can have these every day, if you want to.
It’s the the sodium in particular that I think I lost and which affected me and I’m constantly just below the normal limit and have been for a long time, so I try and replenish that as much as I can - and I never limit my salt. My afib burden is fairly low though too with only a couple of episodes a year currently.
You can make your own sugar and salt drink too and I believe there are ‘recipes’ on line, but I’ve never tried those.
Take care and I hope you get to the bottom of it. Time of course, also helps and they may just diminish on their own (if they are ectopics).
X
Oh bless you, thanks for your advice, suggestions and experience x
Like you, my sodium is always below normal. Is your doctor concerned?
Hi Cookie24,
No, he’s never concerned if it’s one below, unless it goes three or four points below normal which it has done a couple of times over past few years, then I’m called in. I always know if it is that low though, as I get twitchy muscles more around my eyes especially. They always tell me to up my salt and drink less - and salt isn’t something I’ve ever limited anyway, do they tell you that too? It usually goes back to one below normal again if i consciously try and eat even more salt for a few days and drink a little less water.
I’ve been generally feeling better overall though, since the hydration tablets, I have to admit and take either one or two most days, never more.
I’ve noticed it’s been lower more since I’ve been on bisoprolol. I’m sure it’s connected in some way.
Sadly ablations do not cure PVC's or palpitations.
I too have developed painful PVC's that carry on most of the day but I know there is no cure for them so I will just have to wait for them to eventually dissipate as they always do.
Can I ask, do your PVC’s give you an aching chest?
I’ll get an ache in my chest and thuds and bumps and check on my Kardia and it will read sinus with pvcs, they can feel just as bad as afib, if really bad they will go on into Afib.
It mainly happens when I get stressed or do more than usual.
I mentioned them to a doctor in a&e once when I was in fast afib and he said pvcs don’t give you chest ache in a very “end of” manner.
Also mentioned it to my cardiologist last time I saw him, and he said it must be a coincidence when you ache and check on you Kardia and it shows pvcs as they don’t cause chest ache.
I can only only say as I feel, I really dislike trying to describe my symptoms and feeling like I have to “explain myself”, usually when kept in after going to a&e, my cardiologist is much more pleasant.
Oh yes I know exactly how you feel! I try and describe it as not painful, but a raw ache, as if something has scraped my chest from the inside!
A raw feeling sounds awful, mine is a constant dull ache. I know when I test now it will have pvc and occasionally sve. When it goes into afib the worst symptoms eventually ease off and I’m just left very breathless.
The pain I get is about 5 on the pain scale and lasts for 2 seconds on every PVC.
Sometimes I have a PVC every other beat as in Bigamy and the pain is continuous for the duration of the Bigamy.
That sounds really unpleasant for you, mine is a constant dull ache, I only used to get this when in Afib but now with ectopics as well.
Hi, I hope you will not being rude, but what do you mean 'by signed you off' It almost sounds like a euphemism for 'washed his hands of you'!
Hi, I think it was because I was so much better after the ablation. I was on yearly checkups for the next 3 or 4 years, and I think the cardiologist felt it not necessary any more… but obviously with advice to contact them if problems developed. So I don’t think it was lack of care. I was always given an ecg and a scan of my heart, aorta etc at every appointment, so I always felt well cared for.
Thank you, I just thought it would be the patient's decision when they ceased to see a doctor!
I would be delighted with 6 years. That's good going I think.Not dismissing that you're probably not feeling that right now. I imagine you're in disappointment land.
But, fingers crossed this is just a blip for you. Or, if not, I hope you are able to regain contact with your cardiologist to discuss next steps. If you achieved 6 years of NSR, I'd imagine (obviously dependent on your history) the option of another ablation would be on the cards. Best of luck...
Oh dear. Poor you! From your description, it sounds as if you might be having a lot of PACs and similar, rather than AF. These are heavy with bumps and more that a little disturbing when in runs and for a long time. They can be precursors to AF, as we know.
My ablation for atrial flutter was in 2019 and that seems to be holding well, although I am now having a great deal of other atrial misbehaviour from the left side, not always easily bearable, and heading for an ablation of the AF and the ectopic foci. As the French say, "C'est la vie"; and as the English say, "What a life!".
Now what do the Spanish say, Jeanette?
Steve
Hi Steve
Apart from ‘mañana’ the Spanish say ‘asi es la vida’!
It maybe is a blip, it’s nowhere near the discomfort I used to experience, the sensations used to be never ending, thought I was going to die many times.
I’m nowhere feeling that I need to have a 24 hour monitor or ecg yet! Bizarrely, whenever I have an ecg, nothing shows up, only a fast heartbeat, but that happens whenever I have any tests done! I have white coat syndrome, so my heart races and my blood pressure shoots up… but both perfectly normal at home! 🤪
Same here with white coat syndrome. In fact, even putting a BP cuff on my arm at home sends the top figure up!
And thinking the end is nigh, yes... isn't it terrible? I had this twice yesterday.
Steve
It’s awful isn’t it? As much as I try really hard to relax (like they tell you to 🤣) I just can’t! Even if I take my pulse on my wrist, starts really well, and then can feel it increasing incrementally…
Oh, just out of interest, why cant you be Steve on your profile?
Yes - it’s a tough illness to deal with. Forums such as this tempt people, I think, to not make clear their true feelings and put on a hung-ho attitude instead (and when the feelings are gone it’s hard to remember them, for sure).
I tried to use “Steve” (as I like to see real names and dislike the feeling of behind a fake one), but there already was a Steve.
Steve
If it occurs primarily after eating, it is probably being triggered by overstimulation of your Vagus nerve. If you have any conditions that cause inflammation of the Vagus, such as GERD (reflux) or LPR (silent reflux), treating these may be worth addressing first. There are also Vagal exercises in YouTube that might help.
Google "Vagal AFib" for more info to see if it sounds applicable.
The vagal connection is possible as the atria are innervated by it. My doctor has said that much more likely than vagal involvement is the physical effect of eating. This causes peristalsis and, with the oesophagus and stomach all-but touching the heart, this can bring on an ectopic beat which can then trigger AF. This happened to me when I was hooked up to a monitor once.
Vagal “irritation” will reduce the heart rate, rather than cause tachycardia, hence its use in SVT to reduce the rate with a Valsalva manoeuvre.
Steve
l recently had exactly the same thing after eating. I have stomach issues and this happened after an endoscopy procedure. It must have incurred some inflammation for me, because it just went away, thankfully. I would be looking at the vagus nerve and possible acid reflux, or it could just be after effects of Covid. Hope it settles down again as mine did, and that it’s just a little blip.
What are you eating?
Just a sandwich at lunch, maybe tuna, egg etc, and at night normal dinner, no processed or fast foods, everything made from scratch, no jars or microwave meals.
I follow and recommend Drs. Joel Wallach and Glidden and their teachings on health and nutrition. It has really helped me. They are on the Internet.
I follow and recommend Drs. Joel Wallach and Glidden and their teachings on health and nutrition. It has really helped me. They are on the Internet.
I would recommend totally quitting gluten.
l had mine 6 years ago and now have the occasional attack about two a year. Three major reasons1) stress and 2) something I have eaten and 3) Covid vaccinations so I try to avoid all three. My cardiologist was surprised I have so few attacks . Your heart may settle down! Certainly your attacks will not be as frequent or last so long. A couple of pill in the pocket flecanide works!
Same here Southkorea! Stressed to the hilt with ear causing balance issues, brought in by Covid I think. The first two vaccines caused problems, but the third was fine. Can’t pinpoint anything in particular food wise, but time will tell. I have flecanide for emergencies, but so far haven’t had to resort to them, thanks for your reply x
also try taking a couple of magnesium taurate a day. They will calm your heart x
I take daily magnesium citrate and taurine separately, also ubiquinol (recommended by a cardiologist) and have done for about 7 years or so. I’ve tried different forms of magnesium, because some are said to aggravate IBS symptoms, so I’m never sure which one to choose…
Magnesium glycinate
keep a food log it could be something your body does not want. Our food supply isn't always pure or recognizable to the body. I have that problem,
Hang In There… Remember Worry is a Worthless Emotion. 87%+ of things we worry about never happen…
I say this as Today I had my Cardiologist Appointment having some pain, turned out to be my neck… I am also post ablation with pacemaker…
Anyway, Wish you all the best…
awe poor you…. It’s a shock eh… sane happened to me last year. I couldn’t believe it.
However it only happened twice the next six months but the second lasted too long fir my liking and I asked fir ablation
I’m now a month after a second ablation.
I hope you calm down and not get thrm often
Sue
Hi Sue
Yes, you get lulled into a false sense of security don’t you? I’ll see what happens over the next few weeks. How are you doing with the latest ablation? I wasn’t great to start with after mine six years ago… took a long time to settle down x
Funny this ablation I felt
Liked I’d been kicked by a donkey the first few days chestbwas so tight it actually was almost shouting at me I’ve been hurt!
Settled down
Thrn I had all the jitterbugging and since it’s stayed calm and my energy is not bad whereas last time I was lie energy ages… I hope this lasts as long as last one!!!!
Sue
6 years is a good run. They have recently approved a new ablation technique called Pulse Field Ablation. It uses electricity instead of heat or cold. Causes fewer side effects and has shown to be more effective against afib. If you end up needing another ablation make sure your EP is well versed in PFA.
Post Catheter Ablation Recovery 
Alcohol post ablation
Post ablation 2 weeks
AF or Ectopics Post-ablation
Post ablation fatigue
