Parasympathetic dysfunction

Just curious to know if anyone else ended up with Parasympathetic dysfunction after ablation? I’m 9 months out and this has greatly affected my quality of life.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/24/2019 08:31AM by ajr1960.

It's an unusual complication but it can happen. It's usually just referred to as autonomic dysfunction. The good news is it usually resolves on its own, but nerves heal slowly and it can take a long time. What sort of symptoms does it cause for you?

Hi Carey -
Lots of Symptoms but the worst is when I stand my HR increases by 30-50bpm. Can you pm me the link where read about this eventually healing itself? My Autonomic specialist basically said I’m screwed after 9 months of dealing with this. . You’ve given me hope

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Lots of Symptoms but the worst is when I stand my HR increases by 30-50bpm.

If you are seeing an autonomic specialist I’m sure you are aware that this must be POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). I have another type of dysautonomia (Systolic BP drops precipitously when I stand) so I am very interested in the connection between the autonomic nervous system and heart function and will be following this discussion.

Hi Daisy -
Unfortunately (but fortunately) I do not have a true POTS case as these symptoms all started AFTER my ablation. Also, I’m 59. As you know with your Autonomic history- No one develops POTS at 59. One can only assume or make an educated guess that ablating the Ganglia Fibers has put my Parasympathetic response in a tailspin that my Autonomic system can’t figure out how to correct. I’m unable to function in a normal way. I can’t wait to read the link that will support self repair of these fibers as to date I have not found anything. n

I certainly sympathize and would also find an explanation enlightening! I really hope your ANS figures out how to deal with this. Strangely, I did develop Neurally mediated hypotension at 62, though there had been some faint ghosts of it earlier. A recent “valve fix” helped a great deal.

I had the opportunity to ask the head of the heart failure clinic at Vanderbilt if she saw a relationship between the ANS and Afib, and she said yes, definitely and said that she would discuss it with Vanderbilt’s significant autonomic clinic but I haven’t heard back.

I don't have any specific articles in mind that give exact numbers, but virtually everything I've seen says it normally does recover and it takes months. How many months and whether it can be permanent aren't answered, but I don't think you should conclude that it will be permanent. Nerves do heal, but they're very slow. For example, in my 20s I had dental surgery that left my chin completely numb. It took almost a year for feeling to return.

Yep.

In a spectacular failing of an intelligence test, I placed the tip of my left index finger under a corn cob I wanted to split in half with a large kitchen knife that I was holding in my right hand. I succeeded in splitting the corn cob and more. That was 2014. I’d call it normal now.

I had POTS like symptoms after my flecainide overdose- orthostatic with 30+ increased HR when standing. ICU had me wear compression knee high 20-30 strength and it actually helped. I bought 3 pack on amazon for under $10. Perhaps it will help you and if not it’s a $10 gamble. I’m 8 days post Natale ablation and my HR now only goes up 10+ numbers when standing - probably normal- so I’m not wearing the compression stocking.

Wolfpack -
A sphincter says what? It says this...

Yep.

In a spectacular failing of an intelligence test, I placed the tip of my left index finger under a corn cob I wanted to split in half with a large kitchen knife that I was holding in my right hand. I succeeded in splitting the corn cob and more. That was 2014. I’d call it normal now.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/27/2019 07:12AM by ajr1960.