11 days Post Ablation - FOUND help for breathlessness & afib

[DrOxford]

I'm currently 12 days post-ablation. Like many others here, I turned to this website *just* last night hoping for some reassurance and answers.

I was feeling extraordinarily breathless for the last 6 days and was tired and getting very anxious because I was in ‘afib' and feeling ever so much worse than before my procedure.

I read many posts by othere on this website with great interest Someone posted a the video about how acid reflux, gastro intestinal issues and afib may be related. Doing more research, I read among other things a research paper by Roy, et al entitled, “Hiatal Hernia Is Associated With an Increased Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation in Young Patients”.

Then I remembered that my doctor prescribed omeprazole capsules for acid reflux. He said my oesophagus — being close to the cauterisation procedure — may be prone to causing acid reflux. I took the meds for the first few days after the procedure and then stopped because I thought it was something that I really didn’t need.

After reading other people’s posts on this website about the research and relationship between gastro-intestinal issues, reflux and afib ….I immediately started the meds again. And guess what?! I’m back in rhythm and feeling oh so much better!

In addition to the meds, I’m also being cautious about the amount I eat and trying to stay with foods that are largely anti-inflamatory. Finally, the last adjustment I made was to avoid sleeping on my left side —- something I’ve done for as long as I can remember.

So far, this is working beautifully. And, I’m posting this in hopes that I’ll stay in rhythm and perhaps help someone else find relief as well.

It’s early, but so far, it’s working for me and, I pray, it works for you too!

[CDreamer]

So pleased you found some relief. I am constantly amazed how we are able to help ourselves through sharing and that how little information the doctors share. I like to know how, what, where and how.

My only comment would be to really think about using omeprazole for anything other than very short term - 2 weeks? I found that Gaviscon Liquid worked just as well and you can also lessen the effects by not eating cereals and bread, especially for breakfast, sipping warm water frequently and doing what you are doing - eating small meals, with anti-inflammatory foods. Omeprazole as I am sure you probably already know, lessons acid in the stomach and over time this can have a detrimental effect as we need an acidic environment in the stomach to break down protein - especially important if you take Dabigatran as it requires an acid environment to dissolve the gel capsule, without absorption is affected which means the efficacy is reduced by sometimes as much as 70%.

Wishing you a speedy recovery, best wishes CD.

[DrOxford in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you for your thoughtful reply and advice, dear CD. While I've found some relief, I'm uncomfortable about continuing to use Omeprazole and, with your input, now even more so. I read another study last night -- “Proton Pump Inhibitor Usage and the Risk of Myocardial Infarction in the General Population” by Nigam H. Shah , et. al.. June 10, 2015 --- that makes me want to ask for another version of PPI that I can temporarily take. Thank you so very much CD, for your reply, advice and good wishes. I'm so very grateful!

[Buffafly in reply to DrOxford]

Ranitidine works for me, I had a ppi after my ablation and developed diarrhoea so was told to go back to Ranitidine. You can get it without a prescription to try first.

[DrOxford in reply to Buffafly]

Thank you for your reply and this recommendation.