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post AVJ node ablation
I have HOCUM and I have AFIB. In order to control the effects of the AFIB, my UCSF cardiology EP team insisted I have the AVJ node ablation. Every doctor, including my family doctor, said I would feel better afterwards. They said in about two weeks post surgery I would feel the difference. I had the surgery Dec. 8th. Whereas I could climb the stairs to my apartment pretty effortlessly, now I am completely out of breath. I am seriously fatigued, more than ever. In a few words, I feel lousy. I am being monitored constantly by Medtronix and everything by this machine's lights looks good. When can I expect to feel decent again? To be honest, I'm worried for the first time since diagnosis.
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I had cryoablation in Nov 2017. First 2 months after I suffered a high rate of short duration arrythmias and called my EP. He responded that my experience was normal and would stop within two months of procedure - which it did. Most folks go through a 'blanking period' after the ablation. Explanation is that the heart electrical pathways that were altered by ablation need some time to recover from the damage. I was AFIB/Flutter free for about 3.5 yrs before experiencing short duration AFIB/Flutter spells beginning in 2021. Also lots of PVCs/PACs. In the last year I've pretty much eliminated these problems by adjusting my levothyroxine dose to keep my Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) on the high side.
Thank you. I have an appt. tomorrow at UCSF. From what I've been told, the pacemaker has now taken
over all my heart rhythms, which worries me a little. I have it monitored regularly but I feel like death warmed over. I look like the wreck of the Hebrides. We'll see what the doctor says tomorrow. I know he wanted to do a stress test about three months after the ablation. Couldn't do a stress test now if I wanted to.
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2 Reactions@jih123 I had an ablation and pacemaker implanted within a month of each other. I too felt especially wiped out while I was in the blanking period and a little beyond that. I called the device clinic several times during that period and they reassured me everything was ok. I was able to carefully go back to my routine- exercise 2x a week, clean my house, grocery shop. Recovery time depends on many variables- age, degree of heart condition, fitness before procedure. Keep in touch with your doctors, noting any issues you may have. And maybe keep a diary of your activities and how you feel. You may be surprised to find you are improving albeit one step at a time. Hope you feel better soon.
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1 Reaction@gram0322
Thank you for these encouraging words. No one told me a thing when I left the hospital, what to expect or if recovery would be long. I'll update after my appointment in a half hour.
Update: I had my pacemaker recalibrated to a pulse of 70 from 80 bpm. The hospital will recalibrate for the last time next month down to 60. Maybe I'm dreaming, but I felt much better afterwards. Still a little tired, but I don't feel like I'd prefer to be unconscious rather than awake. Now, I see where all of this surgery and adjustment might have a point. Thank you all for your support. It really helped.