PFA ablation recovery 5 wks plus

[37Polly]

hello to all who were so encouraging as began my recovery, late August. I sadly missed my grandsons wedding but have lovely photos. No one predicted double pneumonia and three return trips to the hospital, one in loud ambulance, (a first in my 84 yrs)….but no one at the hospital seemed surprised either. A bit of battle with fluid in lungs has stretched the recovery so this is first day I have enough energy to type this.

Now that I AM recovering, I am unsure what is post ablation fatigue and what is post pneumonia? Anyone’s help out there? The PFA has been easy, I think. Zero pain or tightness, but lots of SOB…likely the pneumonia and fluid…being treated. Also HR which was always steady and low except during afib and flutter, now all over the place, but not terribly high. Normal post ablation?

I’d do the PFA again in a minute, but never would risk the last five weeks of pneumonia ( another risk of being a senior, never knew.). Thanks again..this is the best community. You are appreciated. 💕. Hope I can return the favors. Polly

[jeanjeannie50]

I had pneumonia alongside covid two years ago and was hospitalised, it took months for me to recover, think the pneumonia was the main cause as I had covid a few months back and it lasted about 5 days. Are you coughing a lot?

Pneumonia is draining.

Jean

[37Polly in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you Jean…yes I think the pneumonia will be the slow heal…so exhausted. Cough is going. But the anxiety is new for me , almost panic at times. Feel so little control, but I am lucky. Have a great husband and daughter lives nearby, so I am well cared for. Good to know the slow recovery is not abnormal.

[Ppiman]

My daughter-in-law is a nurse and tells me that pneumonia is an important risk, and (I think you don't...) much more so in anyone who smokes.

You were unlucky to get it and I would think it will take a good while to get over fully. I hope you'll soon be fighting fit and running around the block again!

Steve

[37Polly in reply to Ppiman]

Thank you for your response. I know I will need to be patient with the lung recovery. Today I believe it will come. Ever so slowly..like watching grass grow. Hard on impatient types. A bit a day. 🤞

[MaryCa]

My EPs nurse said that post ablation recovery for a lot of people can feel like being hit by a bus. My second ablation, first one was a totally different recovery as I went into it so wrecked from long episodes of AFib rvr. This time I was at least a month before I had any energy back. And you have to deal with pneumonia recovery as well. My daughter's paediatrician said the lungs can take a good six months to clear. So listen to your body. Rest as needed. You will get there. Well done on going for the ablation. It really is life changing.

[37Polly in reply to MaryCa]

Thank you for thoughts. I hope in a few months I will look back and say I was wise to do this. It’s been hard to know given my early battle with pneumonia and early fight to find a successful antibiotic, and fluid in lungs. It’s beginning to feel like now I just need to heal, but I have put the family through hell and much worry, and that’s hard too . But my meds were failing for my afib, aflutter and tachycardia, so wasn’t necessarily a choice. And the ablation seems just fine.

Nice here to have a safe place to question myself with folks who “get it”.

Much appreciated.🙏

[MaryCa in reply to 37Polly]

You're very welcome. Don't push the recovery to normal. My first ablation definitely took six months before I felt normal. And boy was it a "I didn't realise how bad I felt until suddenly I didn't".

[Snowgirl65]

Glad to hear you're recovering after such an exhausting period. When I had pneumonia in the past, and Covid in 2020, I found that sleeping with a wedge pillow helped immensely in keeping my lungs functioning a little better. Best wishes on your recovery.

[37Polly]

thank you. Yes. I have found a bit of elevation has made a world of difference.