Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
Arrived at the hospital at 10:00 for prep. I opted for the French Wax instead of Bill's Brazilian, so Bill I still want to borrow your thong -g-.
The transesophageal echo was at noon. Pretty much under for that. I had to swallow this thick gel to lubricate and desensitize my esophagus. The results were negative, no clots in my heart. The ablation team ran over on their first procedure of the day, so they didn't start on me until 2:45. This was a concern for me since I didn't have catheter (my choice) and was wondering if I could last. Anyhow, what I didn't expect was two groin punctures, one of each side. I latter heard this was standard practice, If they needed the second one it would be needed right away, so they put everything in place.
The EP zapped a few spots and then I went into AFIB, so she went to the other side and zapped the offending area. The AFIB stopped immediately, continues on with her task So I guess going into AFIB on the table is a good thing.
In the recovery area about 6:30, I was pretty much out of it, cold and shivering. They gave me heated blankets. They had my legs in some sort of harness so I couldn't move them and upset the punctures. I was flat on my back and not allowed to sit up even a little bit. My back was killing me. I got up to the room a little after 8:00 pm. I had to stay in the harness flat on my back till midnight. Peeing in the urinal while flat on my back was just not working. By 10:00 pm I'm counting the minutes until I could get out of the harness and go pee (and relieve my aching back). At midnight off came the harness. I tried peeing in the urinal while sitting on the edge of the bed, that didn't work so the nurse and I tried to make it to the bathroom. I got about 5 feet before I passed out. Luckily, that 140 lb nurse was able to guide 240 lb Paul to the ground gently. Then I was able to pee while sitting on the edge of the bed AHHHH. They gave me a IV to bring my fluid up, by that point my BP was really low. Once the IV was in I felt better almost immediately.
I was able to get two 1 hour sleep session that night. I had a little pain on the left side of my heart, but that's gone now. When they took off the dressing a sizable portion of leg skin came off with the bandage. ouch!
I AM IN NSR! No driving till Friday, no gym for 10 days. They didn't give me a heart monitor that talks via the cell phone. They provided a ROZINN Event Recorder that can record up to 20 events per day, either on its own, or by me pressing a button. It has two leads. I don't know how it defines an event. I have had it for 3 hours and it has recorded 6 events. Each night I have to call in and transmit the data to the service. It uses an old style acoustic modem type transmission (ancient technology). I have to wear the event recorder for 30 days.
I feel good, I little weak, but the heart seems stable. Now for a nice massage. And I'm hungry.
The transesophageal echo was at noon. Pretty much under for that. I had to swallow this thick gel to lubricate and desensitize my esophagus. The results were negative, no clots in my heart. The ablation team ran over on their first procedure of the day, so they didn't start on me until 2:45. This was a concern for me since I didn't have catheter (my choice) and was wondering if I could last. Anyhow, what I didn't expect was two groin punctures, one of each side. I latter heard this was standard practice, If they needed the second one it would be needed right away, so they put everything in place.
The EP zapped a few spots and then I went into AFIB, so she went to the other side and zapped the offending area. The AFIB stopped immediately, continues on with her task So I guess going into AFIB on the table is a good thing.
In the recovery area about 6:30, I was pretty much out of it, cold and shivering. They gave me heated blankets. They had my legs in some sort of harness so I couldn't move them and upset the punctures. I was flat on my back and not allowed to sit up even a little bit. My back was killing me. I got up to the room a little after 8:00 pm. I had to stay in the harness flat on my back till midnight. Peeing in the urinal while flat on my back was just not working. By 10:00 pm I'm counting the minutes until I could get out of the harness and go pee (and relieve my aching back). At midnight off came the harness. I tried peeing in the urinal while sitting on the edge of the bed, that didn't work so the nurse and I tried to make it to the bathroom. I got about 5 feet before I passed out. Luckily, that 140 lb nurse was able to guide 240 lb Paul to the ground gently. Then I was able to pee while sitting on the edge of the bed AHHHH. They gave me a IV to bring my fluid up, by that point my BP was really low. Once the IV was in I felt better almost immediately.
I was able to get two 1 hour sleep session that night. I had a little pain on the left side of my heart, but that's gone now. When they took off the dressing a sizable portion of leg skin came off with the bandage. ouch!
I AM IN NSR! No driving till Friday, no gym for 10 days. They didn't give me a heart monitor that talks via the cell phone. They provided a ROZINN Event Recorder that can record up to 20 events per day, either on its own, or by me pressing a button. It has two leads. I don't know how it defines an event. I have had it for 3 hours and it has recorded 6 events. Each night I have to call in and transmit the data to the service. It uses an old style acoustic modem type transmission (ancient technology). I have to wear the event recorder for 30 days.
I feel good, I little weak, but the heart seems stable. Now for a nice massage. And I'm hungry.
My resting heart rate even on a beta blocker is still in the 80's, may drop into the high 70's on occasion.
Remember ablation has disrupted the hearts electrical natural pacemaker until the circuits reorganize.
John
Ive made it over two months since my second ablation. My resting heartrate was mid 40s before my 2nd ablation. It concerned me when I was recovering that my heartrate was in the 70s. I didn't have an elevated rate for much more than a week after my first ablation. Now, in my third month, resting heartrate is 55. I love NSR.
Take care
I'm counting my events from 7:00 PM to 7:00 PM each day.
Yesterday, after 7:00 PM I had only1 event, then about 10:00 PM 6 in a row; I was concerned so I uploaded the seven. The Event Monitoring Service did a preliminary examination of the events, and indicated that there as nothing to worry about. That was nice, I was a little anxious. Nice to know there's always someone there 7 x 24.
Between last nights upload up until about 5:00 PM I had 4 events. Then all in a sudden, I had 12 in a row. I wasn't doing anything extraordinary, I'm not really doing anything more than reading a book. Anyhow, I uploaded these 16 events, the service said the doctor would call if there was anything extraordinary. That makes 23 events in 24 hours. Gee, I was hoping the number in each 24 hour period would go down. Anyhow, during most of these events I feel palpations, but my Oximeter shows a steady heartbeat, no afib and my rate is about 60 BPM. I hoping I'm just a worrywart.
I think you are a little over-zealous about your events on the event monitor. I am just curious, why are you wearing an event monitor now? I thought the EPs don't really care about any events for the first 3 months since having some is considered to be normal after an ablation.
I did not have any event monitor after I came home after my ablation. Of course, 2 days later, I had a flutter (160 regular heart rate) that I had to go to ER for it. I have a feeling the event monitor is making you more nervous. How long do you have to wear it?
It sounds like you are doing well and feeling great except for the events on the monitor. Those shall pass too as they did for daisy0808 :-)
John -
your heart rate sound like mine, lower 80s resting even with the beta blocker. May be we have to continue always taking a beta blocker to keep the rate down. Small thing compare to having afib :-)
Have a great weekend,
Scott
You are right, the Event Recorder is making me a little nuts (and I certainly don't need and help in that department). On the other hand it is a comfort to have the 24 hour availability of services. Also, keep in mind that I'm the guy who had a stroke 3 months ago, so what is appropriate for me might be different than everyone else. Anyhow, the EP wants me on this for 30 days and she reviews the output daily. Maybe one day she'll say, good enough, send the unit back (I hope).
Sure, I hear you. I know what you are saying. I a really glad that you are doing really good (except for some events) and even your heart rate is coming down without any beta blockers. That is great.
By the way, where you impressed with all the equipment in the cath lab (procedure room) and what these EPs do these days? Also, I remember the cath lab felt extremely cold when I was rolled into it. Of course, it needed to be very cold because of all the equipment in that room. I told the nurses this is the 1st time I felt a little cold in Phx :-) A good place to be during summers in Phx, LOL.
Hang in there , you are doing fantastic.
Scott
Yes, at this time last week (Monday) I had just gotten to the recovery room. So here is where I am as of today.
My heart was going about 65-70 BPM until Friday. I was averaging about 20 events per day on the Event Monitor. On Friday and Saturday my heart rate dropped occasionally to 36-43 BPM as measured by my Oximeter and Blood Pressure Monitor so I called my cardiologist. We stopped the 25 mg of metoprolol that I have been on for about 5 years. By Sunday night the drug had cleared my system my heart rate was a healthy 65 BPM. I wanted to stop the metoprolol anyway. I guess without the AFIB for the metoprolol to fight, it just took over. I'm glad its gone.
In the last 24 hours I had only 7 events and the episodes of palpations have deceased in frequency and intensity. So, I guess things a calming down. I feel good, still tire easily. Went to the gym, saw my buds, and yacked. No exercise for another two weeks at least. Tomorrow I'm going for a short walk, maybe 1/2 mile.
As far as I can tell, there is no AFIB (I know what AFIB looks like on my Oximeter, and my heartbeat is very regular. I have no idea what the Event Monitor is picking up when it goes off, but I doubt that its AFIB.
I will continue to post updates once a week to document my recovery. Hope you all find this valuable.
AWESOME news! I know that I had tons of tachycardia after my ablation...little 5 or 10 second bursts of HR of 155. But none were afib. As I have mentioned several times, I got all goofy in the head and didn't exercise, until the Army doc forced me to. And the resting HR began almost immediately to come down. So once you get back to exercising (when it is safe!) , all your numbers will come into line. Awesome report!
Bill
Happy to hear how well you are doing.. Your updates are very informative and I admire your discipline in taking it easy and gradually getting back into physical activities.
I was curious if you have changed your diet or supplements since the ablation.
opsyn