Adventures in Ablation

In the months leading up to my recent ablation I found it very helpful to read accounts of ablation experiences here on this forum. I felt I should add mine in case it was of some use to someone here. I always read of ablations here and always thought that it wouldn't be me, but here I am. I was diagnosed with AFib June of 2018 and had a period of time with no episodes from March 2022 to October 2023. It always felt like their were beats that would possibly lead to an episode but It didn’t until I developed AFlutter In October. I was in 100% burden of that alternating to AFib along with periods of SVT when I had too much physical stress. On my way up the stairs to my cardiology appointment in February I had SVT that did not covert and required a cardioversion. Since then I have been in NSR with adjustments to the meds I was taking. Xarelto 20mg, Diltiazem 120mg, Metoprolol 25mg added in November and Propafenone increased from 150 mg 3 times a day to 225 3 times a day increased in February. I tolerated these pretty well but could tell it had an effect on physical activity feeling like I was weighted down. It was a strange feeling. I still felt odd beats as I had before but they were decreasing. I was nervous about having the ablation but with many posts here and comments on my concerns in my own post I felt it was the best thing to do. The possible elimination of the meds was a strong consideration as well.

The ablation on Thursday went well. The plan was to ablate 3 areas of concern, AFib, AFlutter and SVT. The Doctor explained to my wife following the procedure that he could not get SVT to occur so there was only two areas he ablated. I may show my ignorance here but I always felt that my SVT always occurred because of the AFib and AFlutter and never by itself. Please correct me if I’m wrong but the Doctor felt very comfortable in what he addressed. I know there are better ones in the country but my EP is highly respected in our area so I also feel comfortable with what he has done.

My only post-op complication was bleeding at the incision site in the groin which required me to remain in the hospital and extra hour before being released. Also, I have massive bruising and a bit of stiffness and soreness in that area. I spent most of the next day sleeping but I did play in my band on Saturday night. Of course no lifting and I sat the entire 4 hour show and also got up the next morning to play a church service. Yes, I am still tired but not to the point of not being able to do things. No extended walks yet which may reveal something different as far as the physical side of things are concerned.

I was surprised that the Doctor has already eliminated Propafenone and Diltiazem from my med menu. That change alone feels noticeable in a positive way but I will know for sure once I resume walking. I still feel the occasional odd fluttering beat, which I know is expected following an ablation, but so far at a far less intensity. The mind set of wondering what might happen will be a hard thing to retrain. Detonating the thought of being a time bomb ready to explode into arrhythmia may be harder to change after this many years than the actual ablation was.

My care at the hospital was exceptional and I felt very comfortable. I do feel like I’m not out of the woods yet but a bit more normal is coming and after six plus years that is a good feeling. I had two rounds of cataract surgery in May which is also contributing to recovering to a better quality of life.
Thanks for reading, if you did. Thanks for letting me share and I hope this info helps someone.

Thanks for your post – I also found that it was very helpful to read the posts here from those who had already gone through ablation. I’m glad that yours went so smoothly, and yes, I think you will be very glad to get off all those drugs! I also had two cataract surgeries in the same year that I had my ablation on the followup from the cataract surgeries was almost more of a bother than the followup from the ablation—just to give perspective for someone who might be very concerned about getting an ablation—no bending or lifting, impaired vision for a while, drops every few hours—but in the end, great vision. After your ablation you will hopefully have reliable NSR and freedom from drugs other than an anticoagulant.

Yes, thanks for taking the time to post about your experience. A few days after it is done, it is amazing the weight that lifts, how much more energy and less doom or dread you feel. You no longer feel or hear that wonky heart rhythm through your jaw and neck when on your pillow at night.

I wish for you a continued progression to a full sense of ease, and I hope you continue in NSR for many years to come.

I want to add that my BPM has been 68-72. I am on 25MG of Metoprolol so I am not sure how much higher it would be without that.