My colleagues and friends have noticed my improvement in walking without my breathing becoming distressed. I can keep up with them now as life is returning to normal.

Pre microwave ablation

Over a period of about a year, I became extremely breathless. I found I could not walk more than 10-20 yards at a time without the need to stop and restore my breath. It felt as if my trachea had been squeezed and my lungs deprived of oxygen.  Stopping for a short while to take huge gasps of air to regain my breath did not resolve the problem which continued whenever I was on the move. My breathlessness was particularly exacerbated by, and noticeable when, climbing any sort of hill, incline or stairs. I had no breathing issues sitting down.

The effect of this was twofold. It impacted my physical capacity to walk distances - from five miles per day down to yards. I also tried to plan routes with the easiest flat terrain, avoiding hills where possible. It also impacted my social life, as I found it difficult to walk at anyone else’s pace. It was easier to travel on my own to events. My fitness level went down and my weight increased.

Discussion with my thyroid surgeon was also disconcerting. Surgical intervention to remove half my thyroid for a benign growth seemed overkill, particularly as this would involve general anaesthesia with surgical risk plus potentially ongoing thyroid issues (becoming hypothyroid) in future.

Having researched the development of ablation procedures I was very keen, and happy, that my GP referred me to be considered for this procedure. 

Post microwave ablation

I had no significant reaction to the ablation procedure itself other than a soreness in the relevant area. This lasted for 1-2 days. I had no difficulty swallowing or eating at all. My sleep pattern was also undisturbed. The insertion probe point was unnoticeable from day one.

Both physically and mentally, I feel my breathing has improved from day one. I no longer feel afraid to test my walking endurance or the need to avoid certain routes. I have continued to walk normally without feeling that my lungs cannot get sufficient oxygen. I have no sensation that air is being cut off in my windpipe. My average active energy level is improving - from 24.4 kcals last year to 40.0 kcals this year to date and my current walking speed is 3.4km/hr.

I managed a walking holiday one week after the ablation procedure. I have no doubt that I would not have been able to walk 5 km per day on my vacation in my pre-ablation condition.

My colleagues and friends have noticed, and commented on, my improvement in walking without my breathing becoming distressed. I can keep up with them now as life is returning to normal.

Read more about microwave ablation