Diarrhoea caused by Colchicine after ablation

[Csingicsong]

Hi I have recently had a surgical ablation. Since my procedure I have been taking Colchicine which causes a quite severe diarrhoea to me. Has anyone had a similar experience after an ablation and can anyone suggest something to stop it? Thank a lot for all your suggestions and thoughts. x

[jeanjeannie50]

I'd be letting my GP or AF nurse know right away, you can't go on with this medication. You could call the hospital switchboard where you had your ablation and ask to speak to the AF nurse, or secretary, of the consultant who did your ablation.

Jean

[Csingicsong in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks a lot for your advice. I’ll try to call them. x

[Teresa156]

Hi Colchicine,

I’m afraid I don’t have any experience of this medicine, but I just did a google and the NHS site ( link below) advises you to go to A&E.

nhs.uk/medicines/colchicine...

I hope this helps. Perhaps give it a little longer ( not too long) and someone else may have a different solution, as I know A&E might not sound very favourable, but it is the NHS site and you should perhaps go.

Good luck,

[Csingicsong in reply to Teresa156]

Thank you very much for your advice, Teresa. I’ll have a look at the website and then consider going to A&E. x

[Teresa156 in reply to Csingicsong]

I’m sorry I called you Colchicine too - it must have been early 😳. I hope you feel better soon.

[Csingicsong in reply to Teresa156]

No worries. Thanks a lot. x

[Jalia]

If its causing diarrhoea then you need to seek urgent medical advice. It is known to cause this . My OH had this prescribed for a bout of gout and had to reduce his dose.

[Csingicsong in reply to Jalia]

Thanks a lot, Jalia for the advice. x

[mjames1]

I did two weeks of Colcochine after my Cryo Ablation and no side effects.

I stopped for a week and then started again.

Several days later pretty intense stomach pain, cramping and diarrhea. Since the second course was somewhat optional, I just took myself off of it. Felt better in a couple of days..

So cannot be sure if it was the Colcochine, or some kind of stomach bug, however Colcochine had to be suspected because these are known and common side effects.

I would contact your doctor now for instructions moving forward, be it to stop, reduce dose, stay on and treat the diarrhea, or switch to a different anti inflammatory.

FWIW i always found Pepto Bismol best for these kinds of stomach issues, however Pepto may interact with other drugs (absorption issues) you're taking, so speak to pharmacist about any interactions or if you need to space it so many hours before or after other drugs. Meanwhile hydrate to replace lost fluids. I find an with an electrolye drink like Gatorade works faster than plain water.

Jim

[Csingicsong in reply to mjames1]

Thanks a lot, Jim. That was really useful. x

[mjames1 in reply to Csingicsong]

Glad my experience helped. Again known and common side effect. There may be a substitute drug. . In my case the diarrhea was tolerable, and probably could have been treated, but the cramps and stomach pain were too much. Did you develop periocarditis or was taking colcochine just a precaution? I developed it but seems to have resolved at week 5-6.

Jim

[Csingicsong in reply to mjames1]

Hi Jim I don’t think I have developed pericarditis, at least nobody told me so. I think it was just a precaution. I am going to have my pre-screening this Wednesday in Royal Brompton before my catheter ablation on Friday, so I will tell them at the pre-screening. I don’t really want to do anything “drastic” until then, if you know what I mean. I just try to grin and bear it. x

[Buffafly in reply to Csingicsong]

You won’t be fit enough for the catheter ablation if diarrhoea persist so I would get advice straight away.

[Csingicsong in reply to Buffafly]

Thanks, Buffafly. I’ll try to get some advice asap. x

[frazeej in reply to mjames1]

PeptoBismol is an aspirin derivative (bismuth salicylate), but I'm not sure if the absorption of it in the gut is sufficient to possibly interact with anticoagulants. I should look into that, as Pepto was one of my "go to" meds before I started on this afib journey.

[Csingicsong in reply to frazeej]

Thanks a lot for your comment. I do appreciate it.x

[4chickens]

I had dreadful diarrhoea from colchicine, up to 8 times an hour. I contacted mr hunters medical secretary who emailed him, his reply was to stop instantly as soon as stomach issues occur

[Csingicsong in reply to 4chickens]

Thanks for your comment. Mine is not so bad but still bothers me. Will try to get in touch with my GP. Thanks again. x

[Lilypocket]

Hope it resolves asap for you. I wasn't given it for my ablation so can't comment. I'm a bit confused - in your opening paragraph you say you HAD an ablation but later in the post say you are having it on Friday. If it is Friday I wish you all the best for a successful procedure 🤞🤞

[Csingicsong in reply to Lilypocket]

Just to clarify. I am in the middle of a staged convergent ablation, meaning that I had a surgical ablation 4 weeks ago and I am going to have another ablation, a catheter ablation as well. Until yesterday the catheter ablation was scheduled for this Friday. Unfortunately, yesterday I got a phone call that my catheter ablation had to be postponed and is now scheduled for 7 July. I’m so disappointed. 😢

[Lilypocket in reply to Csingicsong]

Oh no that must be so disappointing for you! I would have thought that it wasn't something that could be delayed being part of an ongoing procedure especially as you are taking Colchicine that is giving you side effects.On the plus side it might give you time to see your Dr about the side effects of diarrhea and get that sorted and let your body recover before your ablation.

All the best!

[Csingicsong in reply to Lilypocket]

Thank you very much. I also try to see the positive side of it but it is not easy. x

[Mgal]

I was prescribed colchicine for a gout flare-up and subverted the same consequences. If you read the drug leaflet is says that if you suffer this was to stop taking and contact GP. I rang 111 and was told to cease use of the drug!

[Csingicsong in reply to Mgal]

Thanks, Mgal for your comment. x

[MummyLuv]

please take advice, I had reactions to post surgery drugs and came off everything except Amiodarone early. That tablet is an anti inflammatory and so your surgical team may feel that it’ll be fine to stop now as you are a few weeks out.

[Csingicsong in reply to MummyLuv]

Thanks for your advice. x I was said that I should take Colchicine for 6 weeks after surgery, finishing on 1 July. But as my ablation was postponed and will take place only on 7 July, I don’t know whether I should take it during this 1 week period. I asked my GP today but he didn’t know either. If things had happened as originally scheduled, by that time my second ablation will have already been done and Colchicine has been prescribed again anyway after the ablation.

[MummyLuv in reply to Csingicsong]

I wouldn’t think you should continue, it’s to reduce the inflammation from the mini maze. Is your GP checking with your surgeon? If not then email or call his secretary and ask to be sure

[Csingicsong in reply to MummyLuv]

Thanks a lot for your advice. That’s what th GP suggested. I’ll try to call the secretary. x

[lwm1198]

Had pericarditis after ablation and colchicine ws prescribed - just glad to have the awful pain relieved, no diarrhea. But five years later it was prescribed for gout and was warned about that side effect!

[Csingicsong in reply to lwm1198]

Thanks for your comment. I do appreciate it. x

[Snowgirl65]

Since I just recovered from food poisoning which sent me to the ER, ending up on a saline IV drip for dehydration from diarrhea, I was given Lomatil which immediately helped. You should inform your doctor of the effects that Colchicine is giving you, especially in light of your recent ablation. I hope all turns out well for you.

[Csingicsong in reply to Snowgirl65]

Thank you very much Snowgirl65. x Will do.