Indigestion post-ablation

[Rainfern]

I started noticing indigestion keeping me awake at nights a couple of weeks after my ablation. I also had a CV two weeks post ablation as I’d slipped back into persistent Afib. I’ve been in NSR since (longest period in NSR in over a year! Hoorah!) but indigestion persisting.

So my question is has anyone reading this had this experience and if so did it clear up over time?

I have spoken with arrhythmia team over phone and there was no sign of esophagus damage and GP I saw yesterday didn’t think I needed an endoscopy, thank goodness. So Ive been taking gaviscon at night and GP will prescribe something stronger if I want. I understand there can be some nerve irritation with ablation (vagus? phrenic?) and wondered if it could be that. And my GP said Apixaban can also be involved.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated

Thank you

[Buzby62]

At the risk of being Captain Obvious, now you have created this post there are some related posts on the right of the page. It’s easy to forget about them, I do.

Watching with interest before my ablation, hope it resolves for you soon.

[Rainfern in reply to Buzby62]

Ah brilliant, thanks for the tip Buzby! Good luck with your ablation. I have no regrets and advise a real proper rehab with lots of deep relaxation, meditation and deep breathing. I use the “Balance” app - very straightforward and clear (I’m no good with new age and whale sounds.) All success ☺️

[BobD Volunteer]

Not uncommon and as you say irritation of the oesophagus. I'm sure we mention in our recovery fact sheet.? Try to avoid any PPIs for obvious reasons but many EPs do prescribe such for a month or so. post procedure. Good old Gaviscon eh.

[Rainfern in reply to BobD]

Thank you Bob. Yes, indeed it’s in the factsheet which has given reassurance in all directions! Just getting my money’s worth by checking out on forum.

[Buffafly in reply to Rainfern]

I find Gaviscon tablets good. I cured a recent bout of reflux pain by being careful what I ate and sleeping with the head of the bed raised - I bought an adjustable bed partly for that reason and it’s been very effective. A couple of bricks under the head of the bed is the usual method!

[Rainfern in reply to Buffafly]

What a lovely idea to have an adjustable bed! Somehow propping myself up on pillows just doesn’t do it! Didn’t know you could get gaviscon tablets - thanks for the tip.

[Frances123 in reply to Buffafly]

I started to use gaviscon tablets for convenience when out but then saw they had Aspartame listed as an ingredient. Never checked before as the liquid doesn’t so assumed the tablets didn’t. Not touched the tablets since sadly.

[Rainfern in reply to Frances123]

Thanks for the warning Frances. Yes, I avoid artificial sweeteners too. I shall keep swigging from the bottle!

[Gumbie_Cat in reply to Frances123]

Check out your local supermarket for GaviNatura - it has a little sugar in thought. I bought some, but yet to try. Not as easy to carry around as the tablets are in a bottle.

[Chinkoflight]

Hi, it's reasonable to think a new symptom might be related to an existing known condition but here's my note of caution.Meds blood tests following a stroke showed the GP some concerns about liver function so he sent me off for a scan. The diagnosis came back completely different, liver okay but I had a lot of gall stones that should be causing me a lot of problems! Do you have any chest pains, slightly right sides was the question. Not really but occasionally I get a bit of indigestion.

Four weeks later my gall bladder was removed in an inflamed ready to pop condition, causing my simple key hole surgery to be changed on the operating table to full open surgery.

But it could equally be a symptom for a whole range of conditions. But if it is relevant and someone else has had the same experience I hope they pop up here or you can do some Google search that makes a link.

For my part I tend to trust the medics .

[Rainfern in reply to Chinkoflight]

Thank you Chinko, yes worth keeping an open mind

[Afibflipper]

What wonderful news Rainfern, long may it last! Start polishing the sanding shoes - I had the same indigestion, mild pain relief & gaviscon saw it right fairly soon. X

[Rainfern in reply to Afibflipper]

Thank you Flipper and good to hear from you. I hope you are keeping well too 😊

[bassets]

Good news about your comfortable year in sinus - long may it continue.

[Rainfern in reply to bassets]

Thank you Bassets. Sorry my post was a bit unclear - I have actually only been in NSR for a few weeks, since my ablation 6 weeks ago! And even that needed a “top up” CV just three weeks later when I slipped back into persistent AFib! Previous CVs only kept my heart in NSR for a week! So although feeling 100 times better right now in NSR since that top up, I remain philosophical about the future! Thank you for your well wishes 😀

[Ppiman]

I don't think the vagus nerve is causing this. Irritation of that nerve would, I think, have wide ranging effects as the nerve innervates many organs, including, of course, the heart. It sounds as if you might have acid reflux, perhaps caused by a weakened sphincter at the top of the stomach or even small hiatus hernia which might have been made worse by the procedure. I would try some esomeprazole or similar for a week or two if your doctor agrees. Gaviscon does nothing for me at all and it sounds like that is the case with you.

Steve

[Rainfern in reply to Ppiman]

Thank you this is very helpful. I should have agreed to the doctor prescribing something stronger but we got distracted with other minor ailments. I’m going to email him now.

[Ppiman in reply to Rainfern]

It will do the trick. The drug is a “PPI” and is best for short term use ideally (I have to take it long term as I have such bad acid reflux).

Steve

[kkatz]

Sounds silly I know but chewing gum helps.I have probs with indigestion for 15 years and do take the dreaded Ppis.Chewing gum does help.I prefer mentos.However I am awaiting dental hospital appointment for a major tooth problem so back to Gaviscon dual action in sachets for when out & about.

[Rainfern in reply to kkatz]

I know that chewing your food well helps create stomach acid for digestion so this kind of makes sense. I’m no keen on gum though so will probably focus on eating mindfully - thanks for reminder.

[Sixtychick]

When I had my ablation on 19th September, the Doctor sent me home with Lanzoprasole for 6 weeks. Seems it’s a standard treatment after an ablation, as it reduces risk of injury or irritation to the oesophagus, which sits right behind the heart. Surprised they didn’t give you that.

[Rainfern in reply to Sixtychick]

Thank you this is very helpful Sixtychick. I wasn’t offered anything at the time of ablation, but am now going to email my GP and request Lanzoprasole. He did mention prescribing something stronger but then we got distracted looking at a blood blister on my toe!

[Sixtychick in reply to Rainfern]

hope you get something to help you.

[Cabinessence]

Yes I have suffered from it as well. Usually first thing in the morning, but I recommenced taking Omeprazole which had been prescribed previously when I was taking both Aspirin & Apixaban pre-ablation. This seems to do the trick. You might ask your doctor for it if it persists or if Gaviscon isn't up to it.

[Rainfern in reply to Cabinessence]

Thank you, our cat takes Omeprazole and it works for him - so tried and tested!

[Cabinessence in reply to Rainfern]

😂

[Gumbie_Cat]

Hurrah for all those weeks of sinus rhythm. I kept hoping that they would suggest another quick CV following mine, but perhaps they knew it wouldn’t work.

I do remember the indigestion, and the worries about the oesphagus. Trying to prop myself up in bed. It didn’t always feel exactly like indigestion, more a fullness around my heart.

Can’t remember when it stopped. Definitely before my three month check.

[Rainfern in reply to Gumbie_Cat]

Thank you GumbieCat