Sore throat after ablation

[frankiec5]

I had my second cardiac ablation two days ago. The procedure took about three hours under GA and a cardioversion put me straight back into sinus rhythm. Since then, both my heart rate and blood pressure have been perfect and the wound in my groin is healing well. Long may they remain so!

My concern is that my throat is still incredibly sore. Even swallowing water is like swallowing knives.

Apparently I had a tube in both my trachea and my oesophagus during the procedure so I realise that this will have irritated the tissue. But I’m anxious to know whether this discomfort is completely normal and how long it is likely to last.

I’m finding it very uncomfortable/painful to swallow, especially on the left hand side of my throat.

Any observations will be very welcome

[pottypete1]

This is typical if the aftermath of a General Anaesthetic. It certainly happened to me.

Give it a bit more time but if you have an concerns at all speak to your GP or the ward where you had the procedure done.

They used to recommend ice cream after having tonsils out and you would find this quite soothing too.

Pete

[frankiec5 in reply to pottypete1]

Thanks Pete

The ice cream sounds like a good plan!

Can you remember how long your sore throat lasted?

[pottypete1 in reply to frankiec5]

I think it was gradually getting better but was probably up to a week. By that time it was much easier to eat.

They put tubes down your throat and in my case I also had a TOE where they put a probe directly down to obtain an echo from behind the heart. The oesophagus is very near the heart as it passes down.

Pete

[frankiec5 in reply to pottypete1]

Thanks Pete

It sounds like we had the same experience.

I’ll keep my fingers crossed that my throat pain eases like yours did 🤞

[stoneyrosed]

Don’t forget to bear in mind that Ice cream can be a trigger for AF. Hope it isn’t and you recover quickly 👍

[fairgo45 in reply to stoneyrosed]

icecream a trigger for AF, well that's a new one on me

luckily it doesn't have that affect on me,there has to be

some pleasure in

[stoneyrosed in reply to fairgo45]

Unfortunately yes due to the amount of sugar, sugar induces adrenline which in turn makes the heart beat faster and can then trigger AF. I believe it is the same reason why alcholol is to be avoided. AF isn’t much fun for all kinds of reasons I’m afraid. ☹️

[GolfGirl51 in reply to fairgo45]

ice cream is certainly a trigger for me. In fact, any ice cold drink. It’s quite a common AFib trigger apparently.

[Norfolk_spaniel]

I had exactly the same after an ablation lasting 3 hours under anaesethic. I had a sore throat and was coughing for about 5 days. It then totally disappeared. Good luck with your recovery.

[frankiec5 in reply to Norfolk_spaniel]

That’s very encouraging to know. Thank you so much for getting in touch.

I’m still in a fair bit of pain in my throat. I’m worried that the tubes may have done some permanent damage and that this pain on swallowing will not go away.

I really do feel rather battered this time around. I just haven’t ‘bounced back’ like I did last time. Let’s hope that, like you, my throat will recover over the next couple of days and that I stay in sinus rhythm 🤞

Any more advice very gratefully received

[ETHEL103]

Yes mine hurt for about a week also gave me a cough.

[frankiec5 in reply to ETHEL103]

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Looks like I’ll just have to wait it out

[fairgo45]

it will pass just suck on a throat lozenge and ice poles

[GolfGirl51]

My doctor prescribed a four week course of omeprazole (OTC Prilosec) for any discomfort or damage after my ablation a few weeks ago.

[HiloHairy]

I had my ablation in April. As soon as I woke up I noticed the sore throat and phlegm condition. I asked the first nurse that came by and she said what do you expect? You've had two tubes down your throat for 6 hours.

It's now late October and I still have the phlegm condition and a little bit of hoarseness. My primary care physician at Kaiser has set up an appointment for me with an ENT for late next month.

[Victor805 in reply to HiloHairy]

Hi HiloHairy

Wonder how you went with your cough. I have a wet cough - now five days post ablation.

Cheers

[BlueINR]

It sounds pretty normal to me. I just had same procedure done this past Tuesday. Sore throat is probably from being intubated and the other tube you had placed. Have you told your doctor about this? If not, please do. Motrin should help you with the pain, and ask doc if this is ok for you.

[DawnTX]

Seems to me it’s pretty normal. Don’t forget they usually check inside first for clotting at Cetera before the procedure. My first afib procedure I ended up looking like a bullfrog from ear to ear under the chin. It lasted 10 days I hate to tell you. Since then, it has been less traumatic. If your cardioversion worked be thankful, take some honey or something for your throat. If it continues to bother you ring your doctor unless you have a follow up coming soon