Feeling of fullness / bloating 3 weeks after ablation

[Green_pink]

Hello, I am nearly 4 weeks post ablation and only for the last few days have had a feeling of fullness / bloating after eating relatively small meals. I have read on the information leaflet that there can be some digestive issues after ablation is this the kind of thing it is referring too? I also googled it (big mistake!) which made me worry and sent me down a scary path about Atrioesophageal Fistula etc. I wondered if others have experienced the same and if it just goes away on its own. It is very uncomfortable. I’m going to speak to the GP tomorrow but I often feel that you all here have better knowledge and experience of such matters. Whilst writing this another member has replied to a message to say they experienced similar which is reassuring. Would love to hear from another with similar experiences and how long it lasted for or if it’s a cause for concern. Many thanks.

[Bob56]

I had my ablation a few years ago when there was less advice given post procedure in terms of what to expect. I suffered badly from digestive issues, namely a tight full feeling at the top of my stomach and bloating even after relatively small meals. In the short term I learnt to eat even smaller portions, more frequently, and had my "main meal" of the day very early, eg 4 or 5 pm with nothing after that for the rest of the night. I was concerned, and did go to my GP but subsequent investigations, including an endoscopy, revealed nothing.

My own, less scientific, analysis is that the ablation causes quite a bit of trauma in the general region and the sheer proximity of your digestive system to the heart is the probable explanation. Yes, on rare occasions, damage can be done to the oesphogus but I doubt that is what is happening with you.

I found that the problem subsided after a few weeks, and even though I was prescribed various medications to help with indigestion etc this didn't really have much effect and time was simply the main healer here.

My only consolation was a bit of weight loss, and a general long term tendency to not eat big meals late at night, which is good advice for all of us.

As always, if it persists, then by all means take it more seriously, but I am pretty confident you will get better soon.

its a shame that even today EPs and cardiologists tend to shrug their shoulders a bit when you talk about the side effects you have after the procedure. The information sheet is a step forward but I think medical staff could acquaint themselves a bit more with the various problems some of us have have post ablation.

Good luck with your recovery!

[Green_pink in reply to Bob56]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your reply. Very reassuring as it sounds very similar and guess I just need to have more patience with the healing process. Waiting for the GP to call now but as you say, time might be the best healer. Thanks so much.

[Murdy1 in reply to Bob56]

Could it be a hiatus hernia, I have one and it makes anything but small meals impossible! I have permanent afib and get short of breath with physical exercise. Best wishes for your heath. Tom

[Rainfern]

Hi Green Pink. I had an ablation 9 weeks ago and subsequently started getting stomach problems, much as you describe. The arrhythmia team told me this was common but suggested I could book in for an endoscopy through my GP in case it continued or got worse. They seemed confident that I wouldn’t actually need the appointment. My GP wasn’t keen to make the referral before trying me on Lansoprazole so that’s what I’m now taking and it has greatly helped the symptoms. I understand from someone on this forum that some EPs put all their patients on Lansoprazole (or similar) for a few weeks following ablation. If I’m still getting symptoms in a few weeks I’ll get back to the GP and book that endoscopy.

[Green_pink in reply to Rainfern]

Thank you for letting me know. My GP didn’t call back today so will try them again on Monday. Do you know what they gave you the lansoprazole for regarding your stomach? I’m just wondering what is going on in there! Do you think it’s acid related or have any pain? Thanks again

[Rainfern in reply to Green_pink]

I’m sure there’s people here with far greater knowledge of this than me! Lansoprazole is a PPI which reduces production of stomach acid and stops regurgitation. I wouldn’t have guessed my symptoms had anything to do with stomach acid - the bloating, acute discomfort at times, loss of appetite and only being able to eat small meals. But the Lansoprazole has definitely made a difference so I’m sleeping better instead of having to prop myself up half the night and I ate a huge lunch with my sisters today and feel quite comfortable. I can still feel there’s a problem but have faith in the AF Association info sheets that suggest it will get better!

I hope this helps. It may be worth contacting your arrhythmia team as well as your GP as they’ll have more specific experience. I hope you soon feel better.