Hi I had a surgical ablation 2 weeks ago which will be followed by a RF ablation in 3 weeks’ time (the procedure which I am going through is a staged hybrid intervention). Since I was discharged I have been suffering from the symptoms of GORD (bloating, belching, constipation, then diarrhoea, dry cough, nausea etc). Although I was diagnosed with this disease 3 years ago, I never had any symptoms since diagnosis. I suppose the flare up can be put down to the irritation to the oesophagus during the procedure but these symptoms are so awful and make me so unwell and worried, especially in the knowledge that I’ll have to undergo another procedure very soon. I am just wondering if any of you has gone through this after having an AF ablation and how long it lasted. I’d be very grateful for any comments and advice. Thanks so much. x
Flare up of Gastro-oesophageal reflux... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Flare up of Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease after surgical ablation
Never had this problem with any of my ablations.
Thanks Bob for your reply. You are lucky then but you know we are all different.
It's quite normal after an ablation and people are usually prescribed PPI's to help prevent this. Give your GP a call when the surgery is open and explain the situation and I feel sure they will prescribe some.
Jean
Thanks a lot Jean. Actually at discharge I was prescribed Lansaprazole 30 mg 1 tablet a day by the hospital which I have taken as prescribed since then but I still have this problem. I may ask at the pre op for the second procedure if the dose may have to be increased. Thanks you very much for your advice anyway Jean. I do appreciate it. x
I too have Gerd and have had two ablations but never anything unusual or worsening symptoms after the ablations. I teke lansoprazole once a day.
Thank you very much for your reply. I am glad you didn’t have to undergo through this. x
Hope you get sorted, I am sure it will resolve x
Thanks a lot. x
GERD very common after ablation. So common in fact, that many ep's prescribe a course of PPI's for "x" weeks after, or even starting before the ablation. I also had my GERD flare from my catheter ablation.
That said, you don't mention throat or chest pain in your list, which is the most common complaint. So, if no throat or chest pain, then maybe a stomach bug, either picked up in the hospital or elsewhere?
If chest pain, heart issues such as pericarditis have to be ruled out as the symptons of GERD (chest pain) often overlap with pericarditis, the latter fairly common after ablation and treated with anti-inflammatories like Colchicine.
If me, I'd be on the phone Monday to my doctor(s) and try and sort this out. If GERD, you should be on PPI's if not already and something to calm your stomach plus maybe a dietary intervention like the BRAT diet. If Periocarditis, then at least Colchicine. If a combination, then both like I'm on right now 
Just don't let it slide.
Jim
Thanks a lot Jim for your very useful reply. Actually, after the procedure I was prescribed Lansoprazole 30 mg 1 tablet a day and Colchicine 500 micrograms 1 tablet a day by the hospital which I have taken since then. Still I have suffered from these symptoms for about 10 days. I also had sharp chest pain for a few days which has already gone. Sometimes I also feel a bit breathless. By now the nausea and the pain in the bottom of my oesophagus have gone but the hoarseness of throat, difficulty in swallowing and cough are still quite bad. I hope this is GERD and not pericarditis and will go away in time for my catheter ablation scheduled for 16 June. Thank you so much Jim for taking the time to respond to me. I appreciate it very much. x
Could be a combination of the both, but sounds like your doctor has got you covered with the proper medications and you're only a week 2, so really not unexpected.
As to the catheter ablation, June 16th? What do your doctors think? How important is the catheter phase because I know some do very well just with the mini maze. Personally, I'd be discussing with them the pro's and con's of holding off on the catheter part, until you are fully healed from the mini maze. I only had a catheter ablation and it took a lot more out of me than I expected. Good luck. The doctor's sometimes get focused on a specific condition or procedure, but it's really your whole body that has to be taken into consideration.
Jim
Thanks Jim for your comment. Actually, I did not have a mini maze, the procedure I have is a staged hybrid intervention starting with a surgical ablation and the close of the left appendage followed by a catheter ablation in 4 weeks’ time. This is one procedure in 2 stages. So, with the first ablation only half of the work was performed , just half of the scars were done. That’s why I’m still in AF although at discharge I was in sinus rhythm. So, it is really necessary to do the second ablation to complete the procedure. Hopefully, after the second one is done, I will be and stay in NSR. As the docs told me this is the only procedure that might get me back me to NSR although they admitted that this is a rather challenging task for them. I have been in persistent AF for a long time, so I am quite a complicated case.
So, sorry to hear, what you are going through. I would definately contact them tomorrow because they need to know so they can advise further. Whether it's a, reason to delay the second half of your proceedure is something I'm sure they will discuss with you if needs be. However letting them know is important so hopefully the can get this sorted before the next due date. Thinking about you....
Thank you so much for you advice and kind words. I’ll call them tomorrow as I also think they should know about this. Thank you! x
I hope your horrible symptoms calm down soon and you feel ready for the next stage of your treatment. Best wishes
Thank you very much. x
Hi
Next time ask for a SPECIAL ANAESTHETIC. I do as I have reflux even though Gall Bladder now out.
No gall bladder bile drips into the stomach throughout day or night.
It builds up in my sedated state and after ops etc I'm very sick. A special amaesthetic stops all that and I awake ravenous ready to have a sandwich.
cheri Joy. 74. (NZ)
Best thing to have my disintegrated gall bladder out at 50.
👍 Thank you very much for the advice. x
I suffered exactly the same as you and there is some literature suggesting it’s to do with over stimulation of vagus nerve during the process that can bring it on. I had an ablation and it came on two weeks later. Following that a further bout when I had a Watchman device fitted. This was despite having Lansoprazale. It has subsided but had the occasional rumble 6 months down the line. Better than having Afib though - a million times better!
Thank you so much for your reply. Now at least I know I am not alone in the field with this. 😊 Yes, you are right it’s much better than AFIB but don’t forget I am not out of the woods yet. Hopefully, I’ll be in NSR and remain there for a long time eventually but I still have to survive the second ablation. 🤞Thanks again for your reaction and reassurance. 🥰x
May I just have a question? Have all your symptoms gone eventually in both cases? Or did you have to seek medical help? Thanks for your reply. x
Thank you so much for your reply. Now at least I know I am not alone in the field with this. 😊 Yes, you are right it’s much better than AFIB but don’t forget I am not out of the woods yet. Hopefully, I’ll be in NSR and remain there for a long time eventually but I still have to survive the second ablation. 🤞Thanks again for your reaction and reassurance. 🥰x
I found that it tended to subside generally but any tummy upset tended to provoke it and Covid brought it back with a vengeance.
My second ablation 9 months ago made a world of difference and I would say recovery was much faster then my first ablation. It’s not uncommon for this to be needed to complete the job. I feel like a new man - reduced medication - no more side effects, back swimming three times a week, doing volunteer driving for health service and most importantly playing with the Grandchildren.
I then had the Watchman procedure which blocks off the left atrial appendage and thereby reduces the risk of stroke from afib as part of a trial I am involved in. I no longer take anticoagulants as a result. It was similar to ablation and resulted in a few weeks Gerd symptoms and associated discomfort. At the time I was convinced it was more serious but conferred with my GP and we agreed that after a few weeks to see how things went. It receded. I am so much better.
My first bit of advice is to speak to your Arrythmia team and your GP as we are all different. My second piece of advice is that my second ablation made a world of difference and it’s well worth it despite the side effects. It’s worth it. Good luck!
Hope that this helps
Very best wishes
Jeff
Thank you again so much for your support and useful advice. The thing is my symptoms are alleviating and I am getting a bit better slowly. I still have heartburn, some pain in the top of my stomach and cough but the heavy breathing which was the worst symptom has gone. My concern is that tomorrow I’ll have my pre op assessment for the second ablation and although I do want the doctors to know that my recovery hasn’t been without any problems and I do want them to be even more careful to make sure that I don’t have to go through this hell again, I by no means want my second ablation to be postponed. I want to get this job finished and get my life back. I want a life without AFIB! Thank you so much again. You take care. 🥰x
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