Ablation & Moving Home

[Peakoverload]

I've been told I need an ablation over a year ago and finally got added to the waiting list back in June. They've said that the waiting list is around 23 weeks (5-6 months) and so, theoretically I could have it November/December time.

The problem is that whilst I've been waiting for this, we've also decided that we want to move and yesterday we instructed an Estate Agent and will be on the market by the end of next week. We currently live in West Sussex but are looking to move to Devon. This is therefore going to involve a lot of travelling back and forth to view potential properties. As what we are looking for is quite niche, I don't expect to find a property quickly but believe we'll find one long before I have the ablation. I think it's very unlikely we'll move before Christmas but would hope that it would be in the early part of next year, Jan/Feb time.

As potentially this is not too long after having the ablation I'm a little concerned over how I'll be feeling, what I'll be physically up to etc. Whilst we will employ a removal company, when it comes to unpacking and moving furniture exactly where we want it, that will be down to my wife and I as we don't have any friends of family in Devon and I doubt any would come down to help and wouldn't want to ask anyway.

I know everyone is different and obviously we pay more attention to the horror stories of people being laid up for weeks or months and not being physically capable of doing more than get dressed, than we do of the stories of people being back at work after a week. As a result I'm really not sure what to expect in terms of recovery. My cardiologist is next to useless. You can never get in contact with him, he never replies to messages and he is very non committal about everything. The only thing he has committed to saying is that he thinks it highly unlikely that one ablation will work, but then we all know that anyway. I have told him we are moving and he seemed unconcerned about that but that's because he was looking at it purely from a treatment point of view, saying that he'd expect the first ablation to take place before we move and then would hand me over to the hospital in Devon and they would take over treatment. This is nothing to do with, will I be physically able to do anything in the move.

I know nobody can predict how I'll recover but just wondering if there were some stats that would perhaps show the likelihood of various recovery times or anything else like that?

[BobD Volunteer]

Read our fact sheet on recovery which I will link below but do remember that we are all different. It is important not to lift anything for a couple of weeks and listen to your body. I am sure that my first ablation failed because I didn't rest enough and was laying on the floor looking at the underside of a classic car for somebody a week after my procedure. A good reason to help prepare the fact sheet!

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

Personally I would expect your move to pre date the procedure as a more likely scenario but I have been travelling from North Devon to London for my cardiac care now since 2004 and apart from the obvious expense one can make a day of it and quite enjoyable.

[Jalia]

Obviously difficult to predict but having had 5 ablations, the last one in June at the age of 79, I would think that after 2 weeks you would be ok but not to try moving anything too heavy. Just live around the chaos when you get to your new home and take it easy and slowly arrange things to your liking.

Best of luck with your move. Rather you than me ! I’ve lived in same property for 48 years and the thought of moving fills me with horror. I live in West Sussex also but used to live in Devon!

I think that a lot of medics think that we should be up and running in a few days but we ‘victims’ know differently.

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[Buffafly]

I’d move first and postpone the ablation if necessary. If you go the other way I highly recommend ’sliders/gliders’. You need a gadget to lift the furniture fractionally, slide the slider underneath the feet/base and sliiiiiide! Better still, measure up, decide where heavy furniture is to go, put down markers and watch the removers like a hawk - ‘Two inches to the left please….’ Been there, done that 😬

[Cavalierrubie]

Sounds like a bit of bad timing for you. Personally, l would move before having an ablation. Moving is very stressful and could possibly hinder your recovery and the success of the .procedure. Also, l would rather be at one hospital, preferably the one nearest to where l live, to be on the safe side. You are moving to a beautiful part of the country, so l would do the enjoyable bit first, one thing at a time. Hope all goes well and best wishes.

[CDreamer]

I’d agree with Buff, move then ablation, especially if you aren’t too happy with your cardiologist. It’s a good team in Devon now.

Good luck with finding a house in Devon, I ended up renting for 6 months to allow me to view and make offers quickly and the whole process took much, much longer than I ever thought possible. Even if you find something quickly, solicitors these days take so much time.

We have just moved to E Sussex from Devon, it was much easier to find what we wanted in SE but I do miss Devon sea and countryside terribly.

[CDreamer]

PS - all the stats in the world can’t predict how you will be but the fitter you are, the more likely you are to recover quickly.

[Model52]

You write that ‘you were told that you need an ablation’, does this mean that all other solutions have been exhausted? Rythm- and/or rate-control medication? Do you agree that you need one? Are you having a heart rate that is intolerably high and an unsustainable burden on your quality of life? If not, it might be worth reconsidering ablation altogether.

[wilsond]

Agree,move first get settled and then proceed with ablation with new team. You say your current cardiologist is useless,so wouldn't wouldn't inspire me to let them lose on my heart!However:

We moved 6months ago,put our house up 23/8/23. Sold within 8 weeks . First time buyer,our new house was vacant possession,still took over14 weeks for legalities to be completed.

This is Warwickshire.

My friend lives in Devon and says property is at a premium demand,including rental. So the process may be quite lengthy.

Your question on recovery and success difficult to answer. By no means is it inevitable as your cardiologist suggests that ablation always requires a second attempt.

Many people have a good recovery and success, including me.

However it is essential to avoid overdoing it physically for at least 2 weeks.

Best wishes

[Paulbounce]

Hi Peakoverload.

We are all different and the times to recover from ablation vary from person to person. One thing is sure - you'll need to rest after. I suggest you get your house move in pretty quick or leave it until next year.

Paul

[2learn]

Hi, I would really consider why you want to move. If you have no friends or family in Devon consider what happens if you can't move stuff, do things etc. this will only get worse as you get older. and after an ablation you should perhaps not do stuff for a month or so, both stress and fitness might be problems.

My experience moving to a country area from London 12 yrs ago is that while you are fit and active its ok, but as you age and your medical condition deteriorates then having no friends or family nearby can be hard. Maybe choose an area relatively near a major heart hospital as long journeys back to London may not be as easy or enjoyable as some contributors think.

[Ducky2003]

I took 4 weeks off work and wished I'd had more time off as went back into AF 2 weeks later.☹️