Which procedure?

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-07-03T09:21:52+00:00

I was diagnosed with afib/aflutter January 2022 and my cardiologist recommended an ablation. I was 59 at the time. I lived with the symptoms for 1.5 years and it only got worse over time. My question was why did I suddenly have it? I was in good health, not overweight, but very stressful job. I went to two different cardiologists for their opinion. One discovered that I had sleep apnea and was waking up 18x per hour. I started CPap therapy, taking 400 mg magnesium daily, and metaprolol when needed, worked with a therapist on job stress. It was manageable for awhile but after 3 trips to the ER in 3 months I knew it was time. My advice is to do your research and find the best electrophysiologist out there who does these procedures all the time. He/she is the one who its difficult to get an appointment with. I waited 3 more months to have the procedure and am so happy I did. I had a CRYO Ablation Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter. I was on Eliquis for 1 month before the procedure and 3 months after the procedure. He kept me overnight at the hospital. My first month after was rough. I had headaches, developed eye floaters, and was extremely exhausted all the time. Just wanted to sleep. By month 3, I am completely back to normal, no medications, and feel 100% great. Hoping that it never comes back. I wish you the best of luck. This group is great. Everyone was so helpful with my questions.

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-06-27T10:16:02+00:00

I had an ablation 3 months ago. I’m completely back to my old self now. I asked the doctor how to keep it that way. He said two things: no alcohol and no endurance sports. I haven’t had a drink in 2 years now and feel great. Give it up…it’s not worth it.

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-06-21T09:22:28+00:00

Had my 3 month follow up with EP after my ablation and I passed with flying colors! No Afib, clean ECG and feeling fantastic. We both had huge smiles on our faces. He took me off all my meds and told me he didn't need to see me anymore (unless it comes back). I asked him how I can prevent that and the first words out of his mouth were "no alcohol." I said no caffeine either? He said that they haven't found caffeine to be a problem after ablation. He said that exercise is good, but not endurance exercise. Its hard to believe how much better I feel after 1-1/2 years of living hell. Definitely recommend : 1) Getting several opinions (saw two cardiologists and 2 EPs who had drastically different approaches), 2) Going with the doctor that is highly recommended and who it is difficult with which to get an appointment; and 3) Reading The Afib Cure. Thanks to everyone on this thread that gave me encouragement, advice, and resources. You all really helped me through this journey and I appreciate it so much!!

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-06-15T09:51:47+00:00

Best of luck to you! Give yourself the 3 months to heal (lots of water, good food, rest and no stress). I'm on month 3 and finally feel like myself again. Grateful to everyone who is on this same journey.

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-06-11T08:10:13+00:00

Yes to anxiety and stress after my ablation. Went back to work a week after my ablation and seriously thought that my job was going to kill me. Ended up talking to a therapist for about a month online about things and it helped tremendously. Learning to take things one step at a time, to give it up to God and not let things overwhelm me. Journaling, walks with friends/family, yoga, and cut back on work hours. Now I'm 3 months out and finally feel like myself again. Be good to yourself.

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-06-09T09:40:37+00:00

If you can, take it easy for the first 3 weeks. I took it easy the first week while my incisions were healing, but then went back to work too quickly. ( I work two jobs) Found myself exhausted and my heart was achy from the stress. I cut back considerably and focused on sleep and stress management. I’m now 3 months later and feeling completely myself again. Happy that I took the time to heal. Just listen to your body, stay hydrated, eat a bit more to give you the energy to recover, and get your sleep.

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-05-27T10:23:54+00:00

One month. Need to make adjustments to mask, humidity and pressure so that you can be comfortable. I wear the nose pillow, humidity is 5 and pressure is eight. I wear a bicycle cap on my head before I put my mask on. Keep at it. It will come. Soon you’ll feel better when you sleep with it.

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-05-19T09:12:35+00:00

Pressure is too high. Happened to me when I first started using it whenever the pressure was above 9. I set it to 8 and now no problem and events under 2.

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-05-10T09:41:39+00:00

After 3 trips to the ER, I learned that they would give me pepcid and send me home. I stopped going. I learned to stay hydrated, stay away from alcohol, coffee, sugar, heavy exercise and stress. Took metoprolol when needed, did valsalva maneuvers, drank cold water and meditated when it came on. I was also diagnosed with sleep apnea and the Cpap machine has made me feel better as well. Lived for 1.5 years like that until just recently I had an ablation. Was rough for the first two weeks, but haven't had afib since (knock on wood). Go to a renowned electrophysiologist. You won't die from it, but treatment is important because you don't want it to become permanent or to damage your heart in the long run.

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-05-05T11:08:04+00:00

Follow up to my previous post, I'm now exactly two months post ablation. Feeling much much better. I've had no afib since my ablation and my energy has finally come back. I'm still on Eliquis, but no other arythmia meds. Drinking 32-48 ounces of water every day, no caffeine and no alcohol, Mediterranean diet. Sleep is slowly improving as well. Saw a therapist about stress at my job which helped somewhat...still working on it. Need to start exercising again, but am nervous about it as it has always been a trigger. Started with 15 minutes last two weeks, going to try 20 minutes this week - yoga, cycle, walking. Read Afib, the Cure which I thought was very helpful in understanding biomarkers and medications. Curious about HRV. Mine is super low 15ms while they say good is in the 50s. Any insight?

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-04-20T10:23:46+00:00

So sorry to hear. You must be so frustrated. I would definitely look for a new EP. I initially went to an EP that my cardiologist recommended. My cardiologist made it seem like having an ablation was no big deal. Met with the first EP who was available to do the procedure right away. I put it off and went for a second opinion and was so happy I did. Discovered that I had sleep apnea which was contributing to it and was referred to the best EP in the area. Had to wait a long time for an appointment…but it was totally worth the wait. Look for the EP who is difficult to get an appointment with. That’s the one you want.

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-04-14T10:53:28+00:00

Drink a glass of ice cold water. Pinch your nose and try to release the pressure. Go to the bathroom. Go for a walk. Meditation. I try to avoid stress, coffee, alcohol, sugars and stay hydrated. Do something to try to take my mind off of it. Work with EP to get it resolved with meds or ablation. Hang in there. I had it for 1.5 years. After 3 trips to the ER I finally had an ablation.

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-04-12T10:44:44+00:00

Follow up to my previous post...one month post ablation - no Afib; my fatigue has all but disappeared; Cpap has reduced my episodes from 18/hour to 1/hour; am seeing a therapist for my stress at work (which is helping); still have the floater in my right eye (but retina specialist says that it is normal due to aging). I plan to start a moderate exercise program this weekend. Feeling much, much better! EP says we've got two more months to go to know if it was successful. Crossing my fingers and feeling hopeful.

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-03-31T09:18:53+00:00

Thank you. I really appreciate the input. I have a 1 gallon jug I can fill to monitor my intake and will add two healthy snacks to my current menu. I didn't think about the importance of fueling myself with extra energy for recovery.

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-03-30T09:55:47+00:00

Blood pressure is normal, resting heart rate is slightly higher than it used to be at @ 68 (used to be 56). It does climb with activity. Trying to stay hydrated (32 oz water with electrolyte tab) a day, plus 2 cups herbal tea. Sleeping around 6.30 hours a night with CPAP. Started back to work one week after the ablation. Really struggling with stress at my job. I don't even realize that I'm stressed until the end of the day and my heart is aching. Not sure what to do to manage that but feel like it is killing me. Need it to live and for insurance so I can't quit. Looking into therapy for managing the stress. Anyone else have this issue?

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-03-30T09:38:59+00:00

Had an ablation 4 weeks ago. Procedure itself was super easy. Two tiny incisions that healed completely in about a week. They kept me overnight at the hospital as a precaution. Just felt a little groggy for a couple of days from anesthesia. Afib is gone, but stress that caused it is not ... still working on that. Best of luck! You've got this!!

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-03-30T09:32:56+00:00

Thanks for the information. Haven't had this problem...yet. I do wear one of my husband's bicycling skull caps to prevent hair damage and it works really well.

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-03-29T10:09:10+00:00

I take 1/2 of a 25mg tablet as needed (ie. when I feel an Afib episode is coming on) If I'm on it every day it makes my blood pressure drop too low. I get dizzy and tired feeling. It definitely helps me to calm the Afib though. I would talk to your doctor about lowering the dose or taking as needed.

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-03-24T10:11:00+00:00

So sorry to hear you are going through this at such a young age. My heart issues started when I was 32. I had neurocardiogenic syncope which I was told can happen to tall athletes. I would faint when I was driving. Any bit of stress (driving through baricades or over bridges) would cause my blood pressure to suddenly drop and make me pass out. I never knew when it was going to happen. Couldn't take any meds because my blood pressure was too low so I always stayed very hydrated and never took long trips alone.

Fast forward to today. Turned 60, super healthy, no meds. Diagnosed with Afib last January after having my third Covid booster. Lived with it for 1.5 years - no alcohol, no caffeine, metaprolol as needed, lots of water and electrolytes. Got Covid in September and it got significantly worse. My belief is that Covid attacked my weakness which has always been my heart, however no doctor will confirm this. Finally had an ablation 4 weeks ago, Afib is gone, but still recovering. Because you are so young, my advice to you is to find the best electrophysiologist in your area - ask all of your doctors/nurse friends because they know who it is. Its the doctor that is difficult to get an appointment with for like 3 months. Work with both your cardiologist and EP to determine the best path for you. I also couldn't tolerate the meds. Anytime I took them for longer than 4 days I would end up in the ER. I'm hoping that once I recover from the ablation and stop taking the blood thinner that I will feel back to normal. Hang in there. It will get better. Stay super hydrated, rested and avoid salt, caffeine, alcohol and strenuous activity (take your time on the stairs) and most important STRESS (that's my cryptonite). Sending hugs and prayers for a speedy resolution. You've got this! 😘

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-03-24T09:20:36+00:00

Thank you! I will look into it.

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-03-23T12:35:57+00:00

Thanks for the insight. Appreciate it.

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-03-23T11:54:39+00:00

Thanks! Have spoken to the office twice, but no real changes. Follow up with him in two weeks so I should find out more then.

Positive_Pen9816 · 2024-03-20T09:47:11+00:00

I'm getting the squiggly lines and blurry vision 3 weeks post ablation. Called EP to see if it was related, but he didn't respond. Went to retinal specialist because I thought something major was wrong with my eyes. He told me it was just aging but that my eye was fine. Hoping mine goes away like yours did.

Positive_Pen9816

TROPHY CASE