Some advice please

[Ashburton51]

It has been four weeks since my RF ablation and I have been making a really good recovery. No problems with my heart at all.

However I have now got sinusitis and my head feels as if it is going to explode. My daughter went to the pharmacist who said because of the AF there was nothing I could take. But she did bring me home some menthol crystals to inhale which do seem to be helping.

My question is last night my heart started racing about 115 beats per minute and I had some ectopic beats. Do you think this is normal as I have got a bit of a temperature with this sinusitis and see if it settles as I get less congested. Or should I be heading to my GP.

Thank you.

Gloria

[10gingercats]

I do not know about menthol crystals.However, years ago I suffered very badly from sinus problems and used friars balsam.....a very old fashioned remedy that did work for me. Not sure about the Afib compatability.If it is acceptable re. Afib you can buy it as Karvol capsules and put it on a hankie or pour some drops into boiling water in a small washing up type bowl.Put a towel over your head and breathe in deeply!Do this two or three times a day. Check it our re. Afib online or someone hear may reply .

[Ashburton51 in reply to 10gingercats]

Thanks gingercats. The menthol certainly does seem to be clearing my airways.

[Hidden]

Hi Gloria, as you will see from the AFA factsheet below, runs of AF, rapid heartbeat and ectopics are not unusual for up to 3 months (sometimes longer) after an ablation and your current infection probably wont help either. Do you now if your rate was regular apart from the ectopics. No bad thing to perhaps ring your GP to see if there is anything else he can suggest to reduce your temperature and congestion. Probably not a good idea to go out in the current climate...….

heartrhythmalliance.org/res...

[Ashburton51 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Flapjack. My heart rate had been regular up until last night when I started to get a temperature,

[Kaz747]

Have you tried nasal irrigation? It generally works a treat. Double check with the pharmacist but I don’t imagine there would be any contradictions. We have a national health radio show where people can call in for advice. One of the hosts is a pharmacist and herbalist and he’s always recommending it. It helps me. Here’s some general info -

webmd.com/allergies/ss/slid...

[Ashburton51 in reply to Kaz747]

Thanks Kaz. I was trying that last night but to no avail unfortunately. I think because the sinusitis is so bad.

[Buffafly]

You can take paracetamol which does help the symptoms, the problem is decongestant medication. I always get racing HB and ectopics if I have an infection, probably good to speak to GP.

[pottypete1]

At this stage after an ablation it is unfortunately often the case that you will get fast heartbeat runs and ectopics. You may also sadly get AF from time to time but hopefully not on the scale you had it prior to your ablation. This stage can often last up to 6 months. If it continues after this period you should have had a follow up appointment with your EP st which time he can assess the next potential course of action.

Try your best to not push yourself and still try and get some simple relaxation into your daily routine if you can.

Regarding your sinusitis it seems to me that this is not helping your recuperation.

I think it would indeed be wise to see your GP rather than rely on the view of the pharmacist.

Pete

[Ashburton51 in reply to pottypete1]

Thanks for all your advice. My daughter managed to get me some menthol crystals which I have been inhaling and they have started to clear the sinuses thank goodness. I also got in touch with my AF nurse who concurred that the crystals were good and also to take paracetamol for the temperature. She also confirmed that if my heart rate went over 100 beats a minute then to go to the GP for an ECG to send to her. Luckily the heart rate is decreasing now.

[Hidden]

Definitely see the GP. Quite apart from considerations of your recent ablation, the sinusitis needs treatment.

[Ashburton51 in reply to Hidden]

The menthol crystals seem to be working and the paracetamol for the temperature. So heart rate is going down now thank goodness.

[JudyMarieC]

About a month ago, I had a 10 day bout of sinusitis with severe headaches. I found that using a saline nasal spray helped. Whenever my head started to hurt, I'd spray twice in each nostril throughout the day. Within a couple of days, the sinusitis cleared up. I occasionally took a tylenol which helped a bit with the pain. Good luck!

[Ashburton51 in reply to JudyMarieC]

Thank you Judy. I now have some menthol crystals which are shifting the sinuses and taking paracetamol for the temperature.

[Tantaanna]

I use essential oils for sinus

[etheral]

Sounds like you need an antibiotic as well. IF you are not allergic to penicillin, Augmentin 875 mg twice daily for 7 to 10 days works well and will not interact with any anti arrhythmias or precipitate cardiac arrhythmias. Talk to your doc and ask about a prescription.

[Ashburton51]

Thanks Etheral. I have spoken to my AF nurse and she has concurred that the menthol crystals are really good to inhale together with paracetamol for the temperature. It all seems to be settling down now thank goodness.