34 yrs old, had Ablation, not the same since

[jayballs55]

I am 34 years old and was in excellent physical condition.  I go to the gym and lift weights 4x/week and was doing intense cardio (via hockey) 2 -3 times per week for years.  In 2009 I went into Atrial flutter for the first time ever.  Went to ER and ended up getting a cardiversion to restore regular rythm.  I was absolutely fine until May of 2011, when I again went into Atrial flutter.  By doctor's recommendation I went ahead and had an ablation.  They told me I would be able to resume all of my normal activities shortly after the surgery.  The flutter is gone and hasn't come back, but about 10 days after surgery, I tried going for a jog and immediately noticed my legs felt very heavy and tired.  That was over 3 months ago and l still have not been the same since the surgery.  I now cannot run 1/4 mile without my legs feeling so heavy I need to stop and walk.  I get light headed frequently when standing up or bending over and this used to rarely happen to me.  I also have frequent arrythmia now which the cardioligist says is unrelated to the atrial flutter I had before, but I DID NOT have this arrythmia before the surgery.  I feel skipped beats and hard "catch up" beats many times every day.  My resting heart rate used to be in the high 50's and is now consistently 72, but also jumps up to 150 just doing a few sets of weights which never used to happen either.  It is also often difficult for me to take a full, deep breath.

Are any/all of these symptoms normal side effects from the ablation?  Should I ever expect to get back to feeling like I did a few months ago, before the surgery?  The cardiologist has offered no explanation why my legs feel so heavy, does anyone have any ideas or experience with this symptom?  I used to be very active and the fact I am so limited now, compared to what I used to do, is very frustrating and discouraging.  I have had numerous tests done (echo, holtor montior, stress test, nuclear stress test, etc...) and the cardiologist says there is nothing major wrong with me.  But something is clearly VERY different than a few months ago.  I have an appointment with him again on 8/31...what questions should I be asking him?  Could something other than the ablation be causing all these symptoms, and is it just a coincidence they started immediately after the surgery?  Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Jerry_NJ]

Good to read some things are better now.  I'd not jump to any conclusions about the Ablation not being needed.  That is all lost emotional and physical energy and mussing about it will not change any of it.

I have had mysterious low iron, back about 20 years ago, before I developed AFib.  This was diagnosed because of my poor health and total lack of energy... my wife said my skin was turning yellow (I am Caucasian).  The blood test came back with my hemoglobin about 6, as I recall.  I went in for blood  transfusions and a full examination from both ends of my digestive system... looking for bleeding.   Nothing was found, I took a supplemental iron, over the counter stuff, and my iron enema and low hemo went away.  I never got to the hematologist as I was well.  I have had no problems since and I stopped the supplemental iron soon after things got back to normal.  I returned to running... but the AFib has finally put an end to that.  I am much older than you, so my experience related above started when I was about 50.  

[jayballs55]

Thank you for the feedback..it has been a long and stressful couple months.  I went back to the cardiologist in Sept. and they found my hemoglobin and iron to be VERY low and B12 a little low.  Almost all of the symptoms I describe in my inital post can be explained by this.  I recieved 2 IV's with Iron (ferratin?) and B12 shots and am feeling almost back to normal.  Doctors now need to figure out why my iron and B12 were so low to begin with.  I have been to Cardiologist, Hematologist, Gastroenteroligist, and Primary doctor and none have answers.

Normal count for Hemoglobin is 13 - 18.  It was a 12 when I went into the hospital back in May with the flutter, so it was already a little low then.  It is extremely frustrating since my Hemo was down to 9.8 in July, and I went to the cardiologist at that time with all the above symptoms and he was still trying to tell me there was nothing wrong, did not send me to the Hematologist at that time.  He even went so far as to prescribe Lexapro because he said stress from me worrying about this could be causing all my symptoms.  Now I'm finding out from the other doctors if my iron was low all along, that may have been a major contributor to my irregular heartbeat and the ablation surgery may not have really been necessary!!

[merileegal]

Someone posted in here that an ablation in the atrium takes longer to heal than in the ventricles. I had an ablation June 7th and have also at times felt discouraged with the lack of energy. With that said, I also feel the strength coming slowly back and I am tachycardia free which is a huge plus. I'm willing to wait the 6 months post ablation to give the heart a chance to heal before I make any final decisions.

[justanumber]

this is why i will never get an ablation done. i have atrial fibrillation and i am very symptomatic but i am not in shape and i do not intend to exercise. it does go away after 2 hours,sometimes it can last longer.  PS - deltadawn..you have AFib and you are 23 yrs old?

[achillea]

I assume you have been put on medication?  As Carey says, what you are experiencing, especially the 'heavy legs' sensation, could be common side effects of some meds such as beta blockers, but many others, too.

[Carey01]

That may be side effects from the medication.  Bystolic can cause that and so can Cardizem.

[DeltaDawn23]

From what I've read on this message board, it can take up to 6 months for the heart to heal and you to get back to normal.  I don't have any personal experience with ablation, but am interested in the posts, because I have Afib and may have to consider it in the future.