Hey guys!
My boyfriend (who’s only 28) just had his ablation for afib two days ago. He woke up today and had a massive headache. A headache he’s never had before and we are both very worried that it’s something serious?! He’s on blood thinners now and we don’t really know where the headache would come from. He just doesn’t wanna go back to the hospital, it’s all been a little much for him lately..
It could be from the drugs but if you are are concerned your boyfriend should have been given a number to ring if you are concerned.
It’s quite common to experience aches & pains & some people suffer a migraine like aura for a few days after.
There is a fact sheet called recovering from ablation which explains common symptoms after ablation - written by patients:-
I think it's migraine. I had exactly the same. The morning after the ablation I woke up feeling dreadful and kept trying to be sick. It wasn't until the afternoon until it got a bit better. Originally we thought it was a reaction to the fentanyl.
Then the next day and every day after that for eleven days I had an attack of migraine. I was worried because although I have had migraine all my life I had never had it day after day like that. After five days my grandson took me to A&E and the cardiologist came down to see me and gave me some tablets.
After I had it for a week I googled cardiac ablation and migraine and found out that it was common and affected about 1-2% of people after ablation and that was when I found this site. The factsheet that CDreamer has recommended talks about this.
When I get a bad attack of migraine I eat as much as I can. This is to divert blood away from my brain to my stomach. If possible, I sleep and take paracetamol.
However, I could be wrong so it may be a good idea for him to talk to his doctor if he's no better in the morning.
I do hope your boyfriend soon feels better.
Also, important to keep hydrated, around 2 litres of water a day if possible…….
Migraine is horrible, but as Physalis says it's best to get help if it's too bad. I hope your boyfriend feels better soon. Best wishes.
See: heartrhythmalliance.org/res...
It mentions that headaches (migraine) may start a few days after the procedure and is the result of the transeptal puncture. I would mention it to your GP or cardiac nurses but it doesn’t seem to be of concern on the basis of what I’ve read. Of course, I am not medically qualified!
Migraine is common, but he should phone the ward where he was treated and explain to them, just to be on the safe side.Wish him a speedy recovery
I had my ablation on Monday and had migraines until this morning. As others have said it’s a quite common side effect. I sympathise and if he’s like me he will feel fatigued in waves and a bit beaten up. But I am slowly starting getting there - hope your boyfriend is feeling better soon too - rest is the answer. Drinking lots of water is important too as it helps flush your system of the anaesthetic and other drugs. Best wishes Jeff
Definitely seek MEDICAL advice.
How is he now? Did he go to the doctor's?
Thanks everyone for your responses! It actually made us less worried :-). He had one more migraine attack the next day but since then it’s been fine! We did not go to the doctors. It was just too typical the next day (first vision problems and then the headache started).
Ablation and headaches 
Aura (without headache or migraine) after ablation
pain relief for headache/sore throats after AF 
Headache
