I’m taking a moment here to celebrate one year on from my ablation for persistent AF. Still in normal sinus rhythm and feeling fine, forever grateful to the EPs, supportive GP, the whole cardio team and all the support I received from you all.
I know AF is a tendency I now live with and rogue cells sometimes like to remind me with the odd ectopic beat. So I’m making sure to keep weight reasonable and walk or cycle every day. Restricting alcohol to very occasional eggcup of (only the best) wine or sip of husband’s beer. But most importantly I’m making most of every moment of life - holidays, trips, local events, friendships new and old - I’ve got twice the energy I had before and I’ve learned to use it without pushing the limits.
Love and best wishes to all
Written by
Rainfern
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So glad to hear your success story, Rainfern, and how you are making the most of life.
The jury’s still out on my ablation, performed in March, and whether I’ll need a top-up. But I’m finding that weekly acupuncture is really helping my general health in many ways, so I’m hoping that will eventually filter through to my heart!
I have read good things about acupuncture and AF. I had a few sessions last year and heard of research showing improved recovery and success rates from ablation!
It’s good to get an encouraging post and you sound as if you are having a very good quality of life. Well done Rainfern for telling us what can be achieved and giving us all hope. Thank you. 🥰
I’m delighted for you! So uplifting, such good news. As we should, we all bring our questions, worries and troubles to the forum, and get the support we’re needing. Amid all that, it’s so great to read just a plain old-fashioned, feel-good report! Thanks!
P.S. I’m hoping to follow in your footsteps soon. I’m still in optimistic-wait-and-see mode for a few months, with fingers crossed. Right now, all’s good. Just gotta keep it that way. My lifestyle echoes yours. It feels good.
Thank you! 🤗It’s early days since your recent procedure isn’t it? So take it easy and enjoy those little daily milestones that continue to accumulate until it’s all just one big everyday milestone!
Good morning. That is lovely news and reassuring for so many of us. It’s great to hear success stories. I am nine weeks post ablation. I have had almost three weeks now of no AF and the annoying ectopic beats have reduced significantly. Some days I felt like I didn’t notice them at all (so perhaps they weren’t happening) yesterday I felt a few harder thuds but definitely getting a lighter burden than the first six weeks post ablation. I too am starting to look forward to enjoying life and retirement now at the grand age of 64. I sniffed my friends glass of wine at the pub the other day whilst I was drinking my water with ice and a slice, it smelt great but I am staying well and truly alcohol free for at least another six months so that I can let my heart heal totally. I don’t want to undo the good that has been done. Enjoy the good times. 🙂
Excellent news - am very pleased for you. Am very much in the same place as you following ablation and cardioversion almost two years ago - not as active as you and that’s what I am working on. Feel it’s important to play my part to support my heart as much as I can and whilst I have lost 2.5 stone I also need to move more so that’s the next step.
Wishing you continued good health and a happy life x x
Fabulous Rainfern. I'm nearly at the 18 month stage and I'm extremely grateful to the EP who took the chance on a third go. This, despite the slim chance of success with me being in heart failure after now 20 years of AF and two prior unsuccessful ablations. Unfortunately I since developed rheumatoid arthritis which has severely impacted my quality of life otherwise I'd be as cockahoop as you are. It's certainly good to hear how much this gas made a difference to you. Long may it continue 😊
I tried to “like” your post but it went from 38 to “unlike” so it should be 39 “likes” or quite possibly more! Great that it has worked so well for you.
I'm six months on from my third ablation and I'm so happy to say that so far I've had no arrhythmia at all. After my first two it had quickly returned. Like you I've identified alcohol a main trigger (along with eating too little or too much) and am now avoiding it completely as I just can't take the risk.
I haven't yet had my follow up appointment which should have happened at 3 months but I did e mail my arrythmia nurse yesterday to ask for news of when that might happen.
I'm feeling well and so much less anxious. I've also manged to lose just over half a stone which can only help ! I just couldn't do that before because my heart would react very quickly.
congrats its encouraging for all to hear any successful stories. As i've not had an ablation can you tell us why your doctors prefer the Cryo vs RF ablation?
I've been away for a few days so just catching up on this post. Oh you lucky, lucky person. I've had 3 ablations and still in AF. You must be so happy to feel normal again.
I hope you had a good time away Jean. I do feel lucky and it’s not fair you’re still in AF after 3 ablations and caring for your health and all the support you give others here!
I had my ablation in Exeter with EP Dr Lovell. It was on NHS but they use the private facilities at Exeter Heart (Nuffield based). It was a cryoablation. I believe over time the procedure and expertise has improved so more recent patients are in with a better chance. Even so, Dr Lovell did say he thought I’d need a “touch up” ablation in the future given that my AF was persistent. So I don’t count myself entirely out of the woods!
I had Guy Haywood at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth 3 x RF ablations.
I always reverted to normal sinus rhythm after one shock when having a cardioversion (at Torbay hospital) but was eventually told they wouldn't offer me any more and I was left in AF about 5 years ago. Just lately I get very weary. Think I'd had AF for too long before having an ablation. I was diagnosed in 2005 but can recall episodes of extreme tiredness for years before then, maybe late 1980's. I would say that I felt weak and weary and would sit for a few minutes and it would pass, it probably started in my late 30's. My daughter's boyfriend would imitate me, sit down and say he felt weak and weary. I cycled and did cross country running but was always last finishing and could never understand why that was.
It's good to hear that you have benefitted from your ablation, as it gives others on this forum hope that there's will help too. How long did you have AF for?
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