Symptoms 3 weeks after ablation

[Finnblu]

I am new to this forum. I had an RF ablation for Afib 3 weeks ago. My recovery so far has not been a walk in the park. The first week I had several migraines with auras, the second week I was so lightheaded I had to lie in bed most of the time and now this third week I have a dull ache in my chest and pretty bad nausea with loss of appetite. My heart rhythm has not given me a bit of trouble during this time. I have been in NSR since the ablation. All of these weird symptoms that are not heart related are freaking me out. I feel like my nervous system is on the fritz. I should mention prior to ablation I had paroxysmal AF with no other underlying ailments. I saw my cardiologist yesterday and he said my heart was doing great, but didn’t have much to say about all of the other debilitating symptoms I have been experiencing. Anyone else experience non-heart related symptoms post ablation? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Finnblu]

Thanks for the insight! I will ask my doc about PPI’s . Would be great if I could get the ache and nausea resolved!

[CDreamer in reply to Finnblu]

Please don’t take PPI’s - they are SO bad for the digestive system and actually does long term damage and absolutely nothing for the nervous system - which has almost been fried so hardly surprising that’s how you feel.

If the acid reflux is bad sip hot water regularly or get some Liquid Gaviscon.

[Buffafly in reply to Finnblu]

Ranitidine is another option.

[Buffafly]

It is a bit late now but there is a leaflet on the site detailing what may happen after an ablation - all your symptoms are normal and should improve with time.

healthunlocked.com/afassoci....

[CDreamer]

Hi & Welcome.

All of those symptoms are perfectly normal following ablation and explained in the fact sheet and quite usual for some people after ablation and they will fade and disappear with time. We just get fed up that doctors don’t prepare you for these symptoms - which is why the fact sheet which Buffafly gave you a link to was put together.

It can take up to 9-12 months to recover completely - I found the worst of the symptoms faded within a few days but the sore throat, acid reflux, irritating cough took about 12 weeks to completely disappear and by HR was elevated above normal resting rate for some 9 months. Many people find they continue to improve for up to 12 months after ablation.

Best wishes CD

[Finnblu]

Thank you all for your responses. The fact sheet is wonderful. It is very frustrating that the docs do not prepare you for these symptoms. I was told I would be back to normal in no time. Knowing ahead of time about these symptoms would have helped me not be so anxious and kept me from constantly wondering if these symptoms were a sign of a horrible rare post ablation complication. I will take it day by day from here and look forward to when this is all behind me. Thanks again for your support!

[CDreamer]

The difficulty is that you can get a rebound reaction with PPI’s when you cease to take them so I think it a tad over the top to prescribe PPI’s as a first resort - maybe as last resort to protect the esophagus or the stomach from some drugs or for stomach ulcers but the stomach needs a Ph of 1.5 -2.5 to do its job.

Altering the stomach Ph means you are more prone to food poisoning, less able to break down proteins and metabolise some drugs and many people, once on them, find they can’t get off them because once you stop them - you have a rebound as the acidity increases. I think other side effects are well documented & there are other, safer alternatives if you have to take something.