Post Ablation Issues

[CNickels77]

I had an ablation done two weeks ago and have been having trouble ever since.  I had to stay in the hospital overnight because my heart rate was spiking everytime I sat or stood up.  Since then it has gotten better but my pulse still will jump about 20 beats going from laying to sitting and sitting to standing.  This is making me feel extremely unstable almost like my equilibrium is off and short of breath at times.  I spoke with my surgeon and he said this isn't all that uncommon in young females and suggested I wear pressure support hoes, increase my salt intake and drink tons of fluids.  That sounds like a lot of bs to me but I tried it and it made a slight difference.  But at the end of the day I can't be salting my self and wearing pressure hoes to feel ok.  I called him back again and he ordered a cat scan, echo and holter.  I just finished up with those three so we will see.

In the meantime I went to my cardiologist to get a second opinion and he said that this is rare and thinks there is something going on.  I am starting a low dose of Toperol today to see if that will bring the swings down.  I am unhappy about this because the whole reason I got an ablation done was to be done with everything and not be on medicine.

My hope is that this just goes away with time but I am extremely nervous that by doing the ablation I have encountered a whole new set of problems.  At least with SVT it was every few months versus I've been feel so so at best since I got the ablation done.

Any thoughts?

[mabebesc]

I am not working so I can pace my recovery.  I think it's great yout tests came back  normal.  I know all will be just fine. I think we both have to be patient as our hearts heal from the ablation.  It's only been 2 weeks since we had it done.  Perhaps your natural pacemaker is just irritated from all the poking around and will calm down before you know it.  You were so smart ot get this taken care of before you get pregnant.  I was always so scared the SVT would start up during my 2 pregnancies.  The wierd thing was that for 9 months both pregnancies , it never started.  I have a feeling all of this will settle down for you soon- don't get discouraged. The ablation was definitely worth going through.
Betty

[lagoya]

ah thats great news for u
u will be fine --

[CNickels77]

Thanks everyone for the support.  The cat scan and echo came back fine so it looks like I am still stucturally fine.  They think it must be something with my electrical system.  I'll probably know tomorrow with the results of the holter.  I would actually be more comfortable if my heart was firing quicker randomly but because it seems to be isolated to when I sit up or stand I am worried that something is wrong with my natural pacemaker.

It seems that a lot of people on here have taken a while to recover from SVT ablation.  I went to 4 surgeons for consults at some of the top hospitals in NYC and not one ever mentioned a longer period of recovery.  They all explained the ablation as a quick and easy procedure with relatively low risk.  I think they should tell you that it takes some time for the heart to heal so that patients understand what they are in for.  A lot of my frustration comes from not ever cotemplating having issues weeks out.  I figured through 5 days or so I would be back.

[lagoya]

hi
after my ablation i had a lot of those feelings and i just put it down to the fact i was on a few heart meds and beta blocker  before and was taken off all those straight away so i was just kinda adjusting--but i still get pvcs some days not a whole lot others quite a lot.it can take up to 6 months for the heart to heal after an ablation .i hope things are ok for u i think yours was only a few weeks ago it could just be firing a little more seeing that there was wires in there.

let us know what the tests bring

[Barbmag]

Please continue to keep us informed about your heart issues. I had an ablation a long time ago, in '93 for SVT but have PVC's throughout the day. I feel for you and I would try to have a follow up with the dr. who did the ablation. I hope things improve with each passing minute and that you are as good as new.

[CNickels77]

Thanks for the post, I hope this is just a temporary thing that will go away.  I am just so eager to get back to normal so I can get back into a routine.  This morning seemed to be the breaking point for me where I just didn't know what to do.  I got this done at my age because the doctors said that the episodes would only become more frequent (which is consistent with your post) and if I want to have kids I should factor this into future pregnancies.  So I figured nip it in the bud but it doesn't seem as simple at least not for now.

On another note, have you been working while you are recovering?  I'm trying to but have been out of the office quit a bit doing all of these tests.  Work has been understanding but I am feeling a little bit guilty.  I actually live and work in NYC but got the ablation done near my parent's house over an hour out so each time I do a new test I have to go all the way to my parent's area.  In hind sight I probably should have done the ablation in the City but I never anticipated having any problems...

[mabebesc]

I can certainly understand why you feeling frustrated and upset.  I've read on this forum many people have issues with fast heart rates afterwards but it settles down as things heal. The low dose of Toprol might help in calming things down for awhile while you are healing.  I'm guessing it will give your heart a chance to reset itself.  This medication may only be a temporary thing.   I doubt very much you've started a whole new set of problems.
Some people bounce back right away and others it just takes a little longer for everything to return to normal. I'm finally feeling less tired and more energetic but not completely 100% yet. We both had our ablations at the same time. Keep us posted as to the results of your tests.   I still feel getting rid of the SVT with the ablation was the way to go.  I absolutely hated dealing with it when it kicked in.  As I got older, the episodes were coming more and more so it's good you got it taken care of while you are still so young.
Betty