Migraines from ablation

[Elizka]

MIGRAINES FROM ABLATION

I've had a migraine since the ablation. Using my regular medication but these are different types and consistent with terrible aura all day long. My brain is scrambled and I don't seem to be getting better.

[CDreamer]

Migraine with aura is very common after ablation and usually doesn’t last for more than few days although I’ve seen some posts when they’ve lasted a few weeks. It’s thought caused by the puncture wound in the atria septum so when that heals all should be well.

How long ago was your ablation?

If you are concerned then ring your arrythmia nurse or the clinic where you had your ablation and ask for advice.

[Elizka in reply to CDreamer]

My ablation was April 20th. I honestly had no big issues before but wanted to get off Flecainide so I could resume cardio and other workouts.

[BobD Volunteer]

Yes very common and caused by the transeptal puncture. We mention it in our fact sheet on Recovery from Ablation.

[123-rpp]

Hi Elizka. I started looking at this forum after an ablation back in October 2022. I had terrible migraines (up to three a day) starting the evening of my ablation. They lasted for two and a half weeks gradually decreasing and then stopped abruptly and not one since. My symptoms included numbness in my hands which was very worrisome as I thought I might be having a stroke. Ablation was a success by the way so hang in there.

When I was in the middle of them I felt terrible and searching on this forum made me realise it’s common and temporary so that helped greatly.

[Elizka in reply to 123-rpp]

Thank you. Steroids seem to be stoping the cycle.

[Elizka in reply to 123-rpp]

Yes, I'm having numbness in my back and arms. And it stays for hours. I have had that before but it only lasts about 20 minutes. Now seeing weird images when I close my eyes due to the Steroids,

[KentAndrew]

I experienced occasional painless Aura migraines for about a week following my ablation.

[Banquo]

I had a few days of bad migraines after my ablation, and they slowly let up. After a few weeks I also had a couple of episodes of the aura without headache, which I'd never had before. Since then I do still have head aches that come and go somewhat suddenly, more than I ever had before ablation, but nowhere near migraine level.

[Sharonsue]

I had an ablation Aug 2022. I started getting migraines 24/7 within the month. My Dr said the medication I take ( Sotolol and Xaeltro) does not cause migraines. So I am believing it was the ablation procedure. Now I am going to a neurologist to help with the migraines. I am very frustrated.

[DawnTX]

Hi. you don’t mention when you got the ablation and how long you’ve had the headache. I did not get a headache with my previous two but when I had my AV node ablated had a heck of a headache for about five days that nothing would touch. From what I have read here it seems to be very common after an ablation so I guess I had been lucky previously..

[Elizka in reply to DawnTX]

The migraine started the minute I woke up from the ablation. I was put on steroids to break the pain cycle and so far is seems to be helping.

[DawnTX]

I am sorry to hear that just curious have they actually tried a migraine drug? Mine finally seemed to go away, although I keep getting a headache pain in the upper right top of my forehead that hits me out of the blue. I had never had a headache after an ablation until this time around it’s very strange that so many of us get hit with it did they give you any idea as to why?

[Elizka in reply to DawnTX]

I inject myself with AIMVOIG every 30 days and take Nurtec for break through migraines. I've had them since I was 14, but nothing like this--7 days straight of the worse migraines I've ever had.

[DawnTX]

My headache hit me before they even rolled me down the hall from the procedure. May be from the anesthesia, but I have had so many procedures since the end of October until the end of February, and this is the first time having a headache. I have also had ablations, including. A very aggressive triple hitter a year ago yesterday. I forget what I had for pain med in the hospital the headache went but only while I had the medicine in my system. Thankfully it’s gone now I’ve had migraines before the longest was six months after being hit by an 18 wheeler. It’s just lousy to get a headache when you wake up from a procedure.

[Elizka]

Terrible for sure. I've never had one everyday and with such vivid colors when I close my eyes. Got Botox today and I'm hoping that helps as I usually don't go without it.

[DawnTX in reply to Elizka]

In reality my migraines are coming because of my neck damage when that was ablated on both sides the migraine was gone. I had procedures done on C3 through six on both sides of my neck. It has been very rare since then to get a migraine. Usually my headaches are weather connected when a storm is coming or allergies. The good thing is those things can be handled. Much easier. The migraine I had was never ending no relief until the neck was fixed. Hmmmm I wonder how they position us like when they did my AV node I know my left shoulder and other parts including down my left arm really hurts for quite a while and it’s still a bit sensitive. I picture them putting us in funny poses while we are sleeping lol. Actually I was in restraints this time because of the delicacy of the surgery and as my doctor said even 1 mm off and it would not have worked. I had warned him I was Italian, and I talk with my hands lol.