Post Catheter Ablation

[GR123]

Hi. I had Para Afib for about 3 years now and been on Bisoprolol (made me extremely tired) and then 1 x 5mg. I thought I knew how many episodes I had. Recently I went to see a private consultant and he put a heart monitor on me for 2 weeks. That showed up 8 episodes when I only felt 4. My heart otherwise is in good shape with the exception of a slight leaky valve. My consultant said that with Afib it can stretch your heart after a period of time which isn't good. He said that a Catheter Ablation is 70-80% successful in people like me. I had it in November last year and I have not knowingly had a period of Afib yet, although I am going to have another monitor fitted to check. I am glad that I had the procedure but I was very scared before the procedure, because let's face it, someone is messing with your heart. The Ablation procedure itself went well. I was in the Cath Lab (bit like Star Trek with the amount of screens they have) for about 2 hours but it takes a while to set you up on a special table. I was heavily sedated and can only remember hearing someone talk once, and then it was over. I feel pain more than the average person because I also have ME so when I came around I was very uncomfortable in my chest area. However, a dose of Oramorph and that sorted that out. You stay lying down for 2 hours because of the puncture wound and then you can sit up. You can't go to the toilet until your stitch can come out so will need to use a bed pan if needed. The wound is then checked and if it's healed OK the stitch can come out and you can move around. I had an uncomfortable chest for about 5 days. My sister has just told me I look better than I have for a few years. I'm not as breathless as I was and not as tired as I was. Apparently she could hear my breathing down the phone but not now. I was petrified but so glad that I had it done. If you have it done you need to heed the instructions about not lifting anything heavy and to rest. The consultant told me very recently that new research just coming out (from the Netherlands I think) is showing a link between Afib recurrence in those with Sleep Apnia.

[BobD Volunteer]

We produced two fact sheets a few years ago on preparing for and recovering from ablation so your comments are pretty well known but good to read. Yes sleep apnoea has been a known cause of AF for some years now.

[Peony4575 in reply to BobD]

Glad all went well and thank you for sharing detail. So useful to those of us on the waiting list

[Cavalierrubie]

Thanks for sharing your story. I found it interesting and helpful. It is from posts like yours that we learn lots of knowledge and it’s always better coming from the horses mouth.

Having an ablation is a big decision, unless your quality of life is very poor and intolerable. Most of us on here are at different stages with this journey and to hear of others experience is actually priceless and so reassuring.

So a big thank you, to you. I am so pleased you are much better and it was all a huge success. Bless you.

Chris.

[bassets]

I'm glad you have had your ablation and hope you will feel much better after it. It took me a long time to feel really like myself after mine but I have felt much better since. Best of luck for the future.

[Ppiman]

That was a lovely and useful account, Thank you! The link between AF and OSA is, I believe, well established.

Steve