I had an ablation on the 6th October. It took 4 hours and according to my report, I had wide area circumferential ablation of all 4 pulmonary veins, and posterior LA wall box isolation. I was still in AF after this and was electrocardioverted.
Now 3 months later, I have some AF daily lasting from seconds to mabey 30 min several times a day. Also lots of ectopic and I’v had 4 episodes of fast forceful pounding hr 140bpm. I can become sob suddenly for no apparent reason, lasting 10/30 seconds. I still don’t eat or drink anything that caused my AF prior to the ablation.
The most difficult thing to cope with is a stomach problem I have since the ablation. It seems I have gastroparesis, as my stomach has ‘severe delayed emptying’ with the food I’ve eaten still in my stomach 12+ hours later. I feel hungry but there’s no room in there for more food /liquid.
I did some research, and it seems the vagus nerve can be damaged from the heat used during ablation.
I wondered has anyone else had this, and how long did it take for the vagus nerve to recover. ☘️
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Eirecara
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Hi Eirecara, sorry to hear that you are experiencing some problems, I’m not too familiar with the vagus nerve connection but I know others are so I’m sure you will get some help on this. Just a quick question, generally, but not always, pulmonary veins are isolated with a Cryoablation which freezes the tissue around the veins rather than using heat. I’m sure you know that already but just asking because I don’t know if a Cryoablation can effect the vagus nerve.
It’s still early days, so hopefully the recovery process will continue and things will improve for you......good luck
Ps Have you seen Quinnie’s post just before yours, might be helpful too......
I assume the gastroparesis has been officially diagnosed? I wondered because I think there is a medication that improves gut motility though I don’t know if it is suitable for your problem which sounds very upsetting.
Hi Eirecara - I'm sorry to read that you are having such problems. Your ablation seems to have been a sizeable affair and, from what is said by other ablatees on the forum, it takes months to heal up and recover, so from that point of view, it is early days for your heart which has been through a lot.
Regarding the vagus nerve - I have read that healing from ablation damage can take 3-6 months but also somewhere, which I cannot find, up to a year. I'm assuming Prof Keane and his team are on the ball on this and you have been referred to a gastro consultant?
Hopefully as your heart recovers and the vagus nerve settles, things will improve - together with getting that all-important professional advice. Very best wishes and keep in touch. xx
I haven’t been back to see Prof. Keane yet Finvola. I have to have a holter monitor next month, but that’s in Waterford. I spoke to my gp and she’s given me anti nausea tabs which help a little. Some days are very bad and I have to try to sleep sitting up. Not pleasant, and is causing neck pain. xx☘️
In a word - yes to the stomach not emptying and yes it recovered but took about 8-9 months following ablation. I found that I had to avoid any and all carbohydrates as that made symptoms a lot worse. I also found sipping warm/hot water helped, eating small quantities at a time and the worst thing to eat was bread and breakfast cereal.
I have not had long term gastric problems - now +7 since last ablation.
Sorry to hear that. My vagus nerve was damaged as well during my ablation procedure. I had symptoms immediately. All the GI areas/issues involved. Doc didn't admit it until 6 months later after my going through many tests in which ALL specialists diagnosed my open esophageol valve, closed pylorus valve, delayed emptying of stomach, etc. as directly caused by vagus nerve damage!! At the time I had my procedure there were only 4 other cases known about this and unfortunately that has changed. The vagus nerve doesn't recover after this. It has been over 10 years since my ablation and I still suffer all the GI issues from it. My doc said I just have to "deal with it".
I am so sorry to hear about your experience, but thank you for sharing it. Are you talking about the same Doc when you quote "deal with it." If so, how crude. I hope he apologized.
Hi, I have gastroparesis, probably due to EDS, but for some it is permanent and it gets ever worse. From what I can gather the nerve does not mend itself so you may need to prepare yourself for the permanent stomach issues. Things can help such as medication, change of diet etc, so if you have any queries feel free to ask as I have had this for many many years, and am 49 now. It is difficult to manage, and frustrating. Keeping positive is important and not seeing food as the enemy is also best. Working on what foods to have and not falling at hurdles like craving foods you can't have is good advice.
Thank you for your reply DISC. I’m sorry you are dealing with so much. I have learned about EDS since researching gastroparesis and it’s seems to be a very difficult condition to live with. Gastroparesis alone is difficult to deal with, so I admire your resilience indeed. I understand that nerves are very complex and healing a bit of a lottery but I am keeping up the hope that eventually it will. Thank you for your advice 🌼☘️
I have Metoclopramide for Gastroparesis. It's a horrible condition. I ended up with a bezoar. I'm on a drug called Metoclopramide which has helped me a lot and even helped me gain some of the weight I had lost.
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Ablation update 
The vagus nerve
Feeling disheartened
My AF story (well part of it anyway)
ECTOPIC HEARTBEATS MY STOMACH AND THE VAGUS NERV
