Update: 4 1/2 weeks post ablation

[moni1572]

Hi everyone. I had EP study with Ablation on May 29th for AVNRT (common SVT condition). I just had another follow up last Wednesday with my EP. I am experiencing very "forceful" heart beats that only last a few minutes at a time, but they leave me short of breath and with a sore chest. My heart rate was averaging 95-105 on a daily basis and when the "forceful beats" would come along, my rate would drop to the low 80's. My Dr. did an EKG and it looked normal, although he said my heart rate was too high.  He felt the forceful beats I was getting was the sudden change in my heart rate that I was feeling. He prescribed a low dose (3.125mg) of Carvedilol twice a day to slow my heart down and to also steady the beat. I have to say that I felt immediate relief the first night I took it. I actually slept the whole night with out any crazy heart beats! I am on day 5 of being on this medication and so far the only side effect I am getting is a little fatigue. My blood pressure before taking this med was 120/80 and my heart rate was 96. Now it is 114/75 and my heart rate is 72. I am crossing my fingers that I continue to do well on this med. My Dr. wants me to try this med for 6 weeks and then he wants to see me again. I was hoping that after my ablation I would be done with my heart problems, but I am finding that it is taking time. I am trying to stay patient and positive but it's hard. Hopefully and God willing that 6 months to a year from now, I will not need any more heart medication and I can go back to normal, but for now (since now is all we have) I am thankful for just feeling better.  I will continue to post updates in case anyone else is going through this.

[ka1218]

I'm doing well. A few weird beats here and there but nothing like your experience. I know how depressing it can be, though. Hang in there! You will get better! Keep us posted on how you are doing. I'll be thinking of you and hoping you are feeling better! Keep swimming!

[MichelleP_3811]

I think growing up with the svt, having episodes ever since i can remember and it always generally being short and stopping on its own I was never afraid of it.  I actually thought it was normal and happened to everyone.  I just overdid something.  But it did get more persistent as I got older.  For the most part I haven't been too afraid of the ectopics except when I had the storm 5 weeks out. I think I was having around 15,000 of something a day for about a week and it made me really sick. If I had stayed that way I definitely would have accepted the meds but they calmed down quite a bit by the time I got in to see the doctor.  Though it did take months for them to settle down to maybe a hundred a day and then a year for them to almost fully be gone.  Not sure I will ever totally get rid of them but now I am use to not having so many so they almost take me by surprise to have one as opposed to me being aware of my heart all day long.  So hang in there it will surely get better.   But there is nothing wrong with taking the meds if it helps you to feel better.  They really do affect people differently so no two people can really compare on what should or shouldn't be done.  Just go with what feels right to you.

[moni1572]

Hi! How are you doing? Hopefully you are recovering much better and quicker than I seem to be! I feel like Dora from Finding Nemo... just keep swimming, just keep swimming...

[moni1572]

Thank you Tom. I am thankful for everyone's input. It helps knowing that there is a light at the end of this tunnel! My beta-block worked all weekend long but I guess since I was pretty much inactive, my heart was really calm. I went to work today and put in a good 9 hours and I had palpitations all day. I hope they won't need to increase my dosage! I'll see how my day goes tomorrow. When you were going through your episodes, how did you manage to get through the days? It's such a horrible feeling, almost like your heart wants to give out! It's so hard for me not to freak out and get depressed at the same time. Thanks again for your comments:)

[moni1572]

You are so strong! I don't know if I could have kept going with my heart like that!  I did have a few palpitations while at work today. It's the first time since I started the beta blocker. I don't know what triggered them. My heart rate jumped to 99 but gradually went back down to 89. I called my Dr. and he said to just keep monitoring it and if it continues again tomorrow, to call him. So, I just gotta keep going day by day:)

[ka1218]

Hi Moni! Glad the medication is working! You are so strong to keep so positive! Hope all is well.

[tom_h]

My heart took well over a year to settle down after my ablation for AVRT.  At 7 months post ablation, I suddenly began to experience severe arrhythmia one evening while I was sleeping.  Walking across the room or climbing steps caused a jumble of PVCs, PACs, and salvos of brief SVT.  My cardiologist was concerned that the ablation was not successful.  Then two weeks later it vanished, and I was fine and have been great since.

So bear with it and give it lots more time.  The healing process takes a long time!

[MichelleP_3811]

He said he would but I told him I would wait to see if I felt better with time.  It is a slow process but it does get better and better.  So do keep positive thoughts you can get off the meds in the near future.  

[moni1572]

Thank you Michelle, I hope I have as good an outcome as you did:)  I'm trying to hang in there and not let depression and anxiety take over. Did your Dr. put you on a beta blocker when you were 5 wks out when your heart went a little crazy?

[MichelleP_3811]

You are likely to feel all sorts of oddness as your heart recovers from the svt.  The thing is now that your svt is cleared we can feel this other stuff more distinctly.  Though the forcefulness of it is likely due to all your heart has been through but do have confidence within 6 months or so your heart will get stronger and more calm.  I actually had a whole bunch of oddness happen for me 5 weeks out so about the same as you.  Not sure why but it is likely just a matter of the heart readjusting itself to a new way without any svt kicking in.  So just stay strong and tr5y to not let any of it distract you too much.  Take care.