@ltb7
Hi- I can relate to some of what you’re experiencing. I had very minor afib episodes for several years. I was always super fatigued and lightheaded with it but it would resolve within hours. I was very active tho older than you and retired since an episode of many PEs and an infarct of my RLL 3years ago. Worked hard to recover from that. Then in December I had afib for 11 days w severe shortness of breath, presyncopal, weakness, wicked indigestion and couldn’t eat much at one time due to nausea- nonfunctional with activity. Comfortable only if I sat with my feet up. A shocking change in functional level. Hospitalized a couple of times. Cardioversion helped but afib recurred with all the symptoms if hr went over 115 which it did if I walked across the house.ugh.
In NSR since an ablation but I still notice that mid sternum sense of pressure and discomfort along with a real intolerance to activity- B/P v low, 80s/50s, hr goes up, feel SOB etc. I’m not on any meds other than Eliquis, a statin & those for preexisting (and worsened) GERD and midodrine which has helped keep B/P at a safe level. I am improving over time. Takes longer to get depleted and I recover more quickly but if I’d still been working, I never could have kept a job. I do see occasional folks on line saying that their ablation recovery took months. So even tho some people are up and running in a week or so not everyone is. Not us. I have a wonderful pcp who’s been v methodical checking every possible issue but it all seems to be a v slow recovery at this point.
Hopefully you will find improvement over time and a more supportive care team. It doesn’t seem reasonable for them to be as dismissive as they sound from your description. Hugs