Cryoballoon Ablation

[dangalf]

Hi there, been a bit of a lurker on these pages. They've been a great resource since suspecting and diagnosing Afib at the start of the year.

I'm 43 M, diagnosed with paroxysmal afib in March, although first flagged overnight by fitbit in November last year. Initially came on at night, sparked by sleep apnea. Had thought my apnea was treated by ops and a mouthguard but the appliance was not bringing my jaw far enough forward. Since rectified and apnea incidences down to very mild level.

Episodes have been increasing in frequency over the year. Most reasonably mild and can get out of by a bike ride. However, have had a few scarier intense episodes. Have Flecanide as pill in the pocket which has worked ok. Done lifestyle modification as well - much reduced drinking, lost some weight etc.

Now been put forward for Cryoballoon ablation in the new year (on private health) - have read some posts on here and the helpsheet which were useful. Excited at prospect of being better but also pretty nervous about the prospect. Any top tips for recovery would be gratefully welcomed!

[BobD Volunteer]

There are two fact sheets on preparing for and recovering from ablation which may be helpful to you. I shall add links shortly. Whilst many people find that they are greatly inproved by a first ablation we are all different and the procedure should be considered part of ongoing treatment.

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

[CDreamer]

Normal to be nervous but most people find the actual procedure the easy part as all you have to do is lie there, it’s the EP who has the hard bit!

Seriously - best advice is tune in and listen to your body, not your mind which may say ‘you should be able to by now…..’, NO don’t push yourself doing stuff too soon. Two words - rest and pace yourself. Do very little for the first few weeks, you may find that although you may feel great and start doing stuff that fatigue will suddenly become quite overwhelming - that’s you body telling you that you’ve overdone it, avoid getting to that stage. Read the recovery sheet and note that you may experience AF in the first few weeks, that doesn’t mean the procedure has not worked. That some people have migraines auras, they will pass after a few weeks.

Ask for a graduated return to work. Stay positive!

[Lenlec]

take it easy for a few weeks afterwards.

Could you ask for the new pulse field ablation if it’s on private health care ?

[Sixtychick]

I was very nervous, as I’m sure most people are, but it was ok. I just took it easy the first week and gradually got back to normal after that. Felt fine. No after effects, apart from an enormous bruise in my groin where the catheter went in.

[Rainfern]

That’s good news dangalf. Those info sheets are excellent- read and re-read them. Put your heart first, and as others have said rest up well. I taught myself relaxation and breathing techniques while I had AF and made that the focus of approaching the procedure and recovery following the cryo ablation. The Balance app is very good. Re the different types of ablation, I’m of the opinion that the skill of the EP is more important.