HI John,
I am not sure I know what you mean by blanking period issues.

Blanking period The three-month period of time following an atrial fibrillation procedure in which atrial fibrillation episodes can occur as part of the bodys healing response. Any afib activity during that blanking period is not counted in a studys results and is not used in determining success or failure of the procedure.

Hi John, I had an ablation on the of Dec, I have had several small episodes and a few of several hours. My EP said this would happen, and would for the next 3-4 months and it gets better every day like he said it would.. Had only a couple of small ones in the last couple of days. I seem to have most at night after I lay down.

Hang in there

Daisy when was your ablation. Id like to hear more details about your episodes Thanks, John

Thanks John. L I learn something new everyday on this site. :)

Hi John, my husband had an ablation Nov. 2012. 11 weeks post ablation he had a 6 hour episode. His EP put him back on a 30 day event monitor after that and things were calm. My husband is 49 with no health issues other than electrical issues of the heart. His EP told us that the event he had was not uncommon. He also experienced a lot of pac' s post ablation which have also resolved. Good luck, hope this helps. Lisa

I apologize John if much of what I'm about to write is fundamental for you but it might help visitors that are less informed.

What you're describing is a normal blanking period reaction. You're heart is reacting to the lesions created in the ablation and as the heart heals erratic rhythm can and many times does occur. Because the heart is so efficient at healing it can sometimes heal too well and reconnect pathways that were intended to remain blocked. It's far too early in the healing process for you to be concerned about that however. If four to six months down the road you're still experiencing episodes of Afib then you may need to discuss the next steps with your EP. But for now from my experience what's happening is normal. I had two episodes about six or seven weeks out from my Pulmonary Vein Isolation and Atrial Flutter ablation. My EP performs the Atrial Flutter part of the procedure as precaution as many post ablation Afib patients will develop Atrial Flutter or may have had it to start with which for some triggers Afib episodes. My episodes stopped after eight weeks post ablation, I had a few Premature Atrial Contractions at about three or four months but they also ended and I've been in NSR now for about 15 months. Prior to my ablation I was in Afib about 70% of the time and always when laying down. I hope this helps in some way.

Steve

Does a blanking period last a year? Because if so I am still in mine. Thanks Doc. Fear none, my Brotha. 11hrs after my ablation, I had a 9hr episode. The first month after the ablation, I had more AFIB than I did the entire year before the ablation. I keep a daily log. As some on here know, with my whining, I was pretty deflated. Anyway, as each month passed, the lesser it got. You have to give it a good 6 months. Yes, they say 3 months and for a lot it is like that, but for others which I have found many on the web, it took 6 months. My Doc told me, 3 months after the ablation, to give it 4-7 months. His office staff, on one of the many phone calls, said 6 months. I am still having the AFIB, more frequently than before the ablation, which I blame on the ablation although many would disagree, but I am much better off from that horrible first month after. Your heart is pissed and not liking the spanking you gave it, so it is letting you know and will continue to do so. Hang tough, it'll all work out.

Third episode of afib since ablation was this morning. Starting to think this was a big mistake. How does one go from an episode once every month before ablation to an episode every 3 days after ablation???

Sorry to hear you're having episodes but try not to abandon all hope until you've had more time to heal. I know first hand the disappointment at this stage but try to remind yourself that the frequency change has a lot to due with the reaction to the multiple lesions that your heart received. When I went through this I was wishing that patience came in a pill form. I hope things improve for you soon.

Steve

Thanks Steve

Steve's right and told me the same thing when I came on here after my ablation thinking I had made such a huge mistake. I really thought I was doomed. I wasn't sleeping because I was in AFIB so much after the ablation and at times getting really depressed. And once in the ER I got really emotional and lost it. Funny, because after I lost it I went into NSR. I might not know all the ins and outs about this illness like some on this site but I do bring first hand experience. So my experience tells me to tell you to hang tough. It will get better. Call your doctor every week if you have to. Have someone you can call everyday to assure you. I had my Mother there every step. Keep getting on this site and posting and venting. I did and everyones support and experience really helped. If I do the ablation again which it looks like I will be, I'm sure I will have the same problems again. Except this time I will know that it will get better so I won't lose it again. I was talking to my Dentist about it back then and he actually called his brother who is a Cardiologist. His bro said he has seen people get worse before they get better with the ablations and to give it at least 6 months. And so that's pretty much what I heard from the ER trips and everyone else. YOU GOT THIS!

Everyone here has given you good info, I know how you feel about having more afib "after" the procedure than before but as Steve mentioned it is to be expected. I don't mind telling you that part scared the heck out of me and was "afraid to do the ablation. It gets better!

John: I have heard this story repeated over and over again... most of those that have crazy times after ablation wind up the happiest 6 months later. Some EPs believe the activity is a sign that they have hit the right spots. Everyone seems to think in "their case" it is going to be the one case that doesn't turn out okay... and that is understandable. Hang in there! petey

Peter, I was told that lots of afib after ablation is a sign of more durable legions. Have you heard this?