AV NODE ABLATION

Hi Guys I was just wondering if anyone can hlep. I am 77 years old I have Congestive Heart Failure but well controlled.Previously had a ICD in 2008. I just had a Pacemaker Boston Scientific inserted on May 7, 2013 for a 3rd Lead and two days ago June 4th, just had an av node ablation. I am exhausted take a shower now I need to rest. I believe they paced me at 60 but should I not have more energy today or does it take longer to recover than this to recover can anyone tell me there experience. Do I need to go back to the Dr. or should I just wait a few more days.
Thanks William R.

2 Comments

It Takes Time

by Many Blessings - 2013-06-07 01:06:54

Hi William,

I too have CHF/Cardiomyopathy (and other cardio issues) and had a CRT-P with AV Node ablation a year ago. I'm 52 (dang near 53), so I'm younger, but not a teenager either. :)

Everyone heals at a different pace, depending on what they did during your procedure, how things went, how your body heals, age, cardio issues, medications, etc.

I know with me, it took a couple of weeks to feel even okay. I had some issues with the pain meds they gave me. I was blaming the unpleasant side effects of the drug, on the PM and procedure, so look at everything that could be making you feel exhausted or uncomfortable, just in case.

Since it's been about a month, you're probably due for a PM check. During your check (whether it's with the PM tech or cardio doc) make sure to tell them everything you're feeling, even if you don't think it's PM related.

Since I was in high rate A-fib prior to my CRT-P/AV Node ablation, I was immediately paced at 90-150. After a month, they dropped it to 80-150, and again after another month, down to 70-150. I did not do well at all at 70, so they raised it back up to 80, where I'm doing great! There are also other settings that can be changed (rate response, etc.) Setting changes can make a HUGE difference in how you're feeling. A bad setting can make you feel awful, and a good setting can make you feel great! Sometimes, it takes a few tries for them to get your settings right. This will be explained to you when you have your PM check. Make sure you ask them about setting and rate changes, so they can explain that to you.

I really think you're going to feel better once you get a couple more weeks behind you, and you get in and have your settings checked and possibly changed. The two changes that made the biggest difference for me were the rate and rate response. I know many others have had this as well.

You're going to get a lot of great answers to your question, which will make you feel a whole lot better. Just knowing others out there have been through what you're going through, and are all doing great now, will bring some peace of mind. Hang in there! Things will start getting better and better pretty soon!

Good luck! And, let us know how you're doing!


Let me tell you...

by donr - 2013-06-07 12:06:04

...what my cardio told me today! On 13 May, I had a colonoscopy that lead directly to a major gut opening & some intestine removal on the 15th. I spent nearly 3 weeks pretty much bed-ridden since 13 May. Finally had my staples out Mon PM.

I am 77! (Sound familiar?)

I copied this from a Pvt Msg I sent to a friend today, but it may help you a bit. Went to Cardio w/ Good Wife this AM. Was sitting in room w/her awaiting the Great Man. He walks in, sits down & starts talking to ME (it was HER appt.). About my gut surgery.

Start paste:
He proceeded to treat my head, thusly: At age 75, there is a break point in recovery times following ANY surgery. For every day you spend in bed, it takes 4 days of NORMAL activity level to recover. I spent nearly 3 weeks essentially bed-ridden - expect it to take nearly 3 months to recover - as a minimum! I could feel the deterioration immediately on the first day bed ridden; you go in the tank very fast. At the end of about 3 days, the deterioration rate slows down, but you can still sense it continuing! So I lost nearly 20 lbs. I was lucky I had it to rely on. Insurance companies have determined that the mortality rate following major surgeries is NOT linear. The higher the BMI (Body Mass Index) at the start, the better you survive (Within reason) until you reach the BMI that puts you significantly overweight, then the mortality rate suddenly goes UP. I was near the ideal BMI for survival. Good Wife looked at me, smirked & said "I told you so!" Dr. Mom was right again! Aren't they always?
End Paste

From what he told me & the description of ALL your recent surgeries, I'd say that you can expect to be tired from just that for a matter of days to a week. An ablation, from what I read, is truly an energy draining experience. Throw in any issues caused by PM settings needing tweaking & the time increases.

I can recall taking my first shower post -op - on about the 4th day - exhausted when finished.

One thing he says is that at OUR age, we have to get our bods out of the bed & walk - get the guts & lungs vertical so the operate correctly & keep us from getting pneumonia. It also starts us on the way to recovery & stops the deterioration from inactivity. Each day you spend on your back now, even though post op, is another day of deterioration overall. Just a little walking, frequently during the day - not so much that it leaves you exhausted, but enough so you know you have done it. He promised me that I would recover.

I'd say give it a couple days of increasing light activity on your part to see if you start coming back - then call for help. But YOU have to get yourself moving a bit every day.

I overdid it yesterday & it really bushed me for today - slept away most of the day - beat from pushing it too much too soon.

Don

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