Hi all my AF roomies. As you know I had Ablation bout 2 weeks ago and my dry cough is horrid. Can only take shallow breaths. I was under for 5-6 hours and don't know if cough is coming from throat or chest. Throat I would suspect. I did have a transesophageal echocardiogram during the procedure, maybe that is the cause?
What say you more experienced than I ? Thanks :^)
1/15/17 - Update: long story short. Unable to breath lying down, breaths getting shorter and shallower. EP recommended trip to Emergency Room ASAP for CT heart scan. Thinking ablation problem or Pneumonia? - Was just released from overnight in Hospital - Tests prove pulmonary embolism, looks and feels just like Pneumonia. UGH. Through all this at least the Ablation is rock solid!! :^) Old blood thinner did not stop EP from happening. Now on 2 shots daily of Lovenox to the belly self administered. Pradaxa blood thinner should preclude clots from forming so now I am really concerned..
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RiderontheStorm
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Hi, I've had three RF ablations two under sedation only and one under general anaesthetic. I didn't have a cough after any of them, so like you wonder if it's caused by you having a transesophageal echocardiogram.
Think about having it checked out as you are having trouble taking a deep breath. I had fluid on lungs after a different long op and a pneomothorax discovered a couple of months after my ablation (though that may have been a coincidence). I believe the dry cough is common after an ablation but worth a checkup.
I had that cough after the same procedures as you and it was gone by 2 weeks. I'm 41 days post ablation now and have no cough left at all. I noticed it slowly getting better, but I wasn't under nearly as long as you were. It couldn't hurt to call and check about it.
I'd feel the same way as I've had some of that happen...hahaha If it's really that bad, you should insist on an earlier followup. My cough was very irritating for a good week or more.
I have had a number of ablations always had a TOE and GA.
I had a sore throat for a couple of days but no cough.
Seems to me this is going on too long for you I suggest that you at least talk to your GP. Normally you are also given a phone number to ring if you have any problems on discharge so if you are at all concerned I suggest you give to number a call.
Not related to ablation but I do know from personal experience that anyone with even a minor asthmatic condition will cough forever if taking beta blockers
I had a persistent cough for about 8 weeks after my first ablation (Cryo). Eventually went away and did not return. Did not have a cough after my second RF ablation. This side effect while annoying, typically will dissipate over time.
I had an atrial valve replacement and ablation at the same time last March. I developed a very dry cough a few weeks afterwards which meant I could hardly speak. I discovered that a strong cup of cocoa lined the throat at night or when the coughing was bad and after about a week of this, the cough disappeared. It might have gone on its own anyway, but I think it helped. Any excuse for some cocoa!
After my 1st ablation I developed a chest infection, cough and tightness, given an antibiotic and was fine after a few days. Have you had this investigated by your GP. May be worth a visit.
I had cryoablation under ga in August 2016 and had that cough, the one where you think some lung might come up, for about 8-10 wks. Gone now but shocking and worrying at the time.
Thank you all for your input. At least I know I am not alone in this horrid cough that still plagues me 14 days post op. I was beginning to wonder if I had something else wrong with me and the nurse was trying to put me off with the "Wait and see" attitude. Chest infection, etc, is something I had not thought of but if this does not either bet better or worse in another week I will be getting much more aggressive in my search for answers.
The story gets better, or worse I should say. UNABLE to lie down to sleep now without extreme muscle in chest pain. Breathing very shallow. Had to sleep in Recliner last night. EP nurse scheduling a Chest CT to see whats going on.
Fine other than the Pulmonary Embolism from the Ablation procedure. . I got to the ER just in time. I feel like I got a new lease on life. Humbled and thankful. Made my Afib look tiny in comparison. 3 years later I am doing fine most of the time.
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