Post ablation pain and severe indigestion

[Tab1966]

Hello all, I had my ablation a week ago under general anaesthetic. As soon as I woke up I felt quite severe chest pain. Laying flat for 3 hours was agony and the pain increased. Was given morphine and a echo which was normal. Was discharged the same day even though I still had chest pain (described as 7/10) as they said they were satisfied that the pain wasnt cardiac. Over the last 6 days, the pain has subsided a little but still possibly 4/10. However, its difficult to sleep because the pain is worse lying down. I also have really bad indigestion (burping ALL the time) and the pain gets worse after eating. Gaviscon has no effect. I'm also taking Esomeprazole which I've taken for some time for IBS - this has been very well controlled for a long time.

The pain is central and is worse if I take a big breath in and out.

So, I'm thinking the pain is coming from my windpipe or oesophagus, or both.

So, my questions are:

Could either my windpipe/oesophagus be damaged/irritated by tubing or drugs/oxygen flow during the proceedure?

Or by the ablation proceedure itself?

My mouth and throat were both unbelievably dry for a good 24 hours after the proceedure and I wonder if my windpipe could be affected in the same way??

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

[secondtry]

I hope it will slowly improve. I am interested to see the replies. I have no experience of ablations, can only think of the endoscopy.

[Outsidethelines]

Hi Tab, I had my cryoablation ten days ago and was sent home with a months worth of Omeprazole to take. From what I remember, the surgeon said it’s because the heart lies right against the oesophagus so sometimes the ablation treatment can irritate the oesophagus and cause symptoms including gastric reflux. So they routinely send patients home with Omeprazole as a precaution. I don’t know if that’s any help. Hopefully others on here will be able to share their experience. I do hope you feel better soon.

[CDreamer]

The indigestion is usual, uncomfortable but antacids help, some people are prescribed PPI’s but I wouldn’t take them. Beware of taking Gaviscon in addition to your PPI although I’ve never heard of it being prescribed for IBS.

You don’t say if sedation or GA or if you had a TOE - a camera down your esophagus - any tube down will cause scratches, make you throat very dry and irritable for a few weeks and may cause a cough, so yes tubes will irritate.

I can’t say I had much pain after either ablation, a little discomfort for the first day or so around the chest and lying still does cause stiffness but a few paracetamol taken 6 hours apart for the first few days was sufficient. However, everyone’s experience is different and pain threshold varies. I had an overnight stay but discharge will vary dependent upon EP, hospital and patient condition and UK and US protocols differ so wouldn’t comment but again sounds usual.

Mouth will be dry - you will be dehydrated so re-hydrate.

Did you read the leaflet about recovering from ablation on the AFA website? IF not please do so you know what to expect as recovery is not always as rapid and straightforward as some doctors would lead you to believe so this was written by patients.

You have to be realistic about your recovery so I would urge you to read the leaflet

api.heartrhythmalliance.org....

[Buffafly]

Yes to all of those but it should improve. The time to worry is if it gets worse and you develop a fever. Best wishes!

[AmandaLouise77]

It's probably due to everything that you've mentioned above but give your arrhythmia nurse team a call tomorrow, they can give you advice on this.

[Morzine]

hi tab1966

Dud your symptoms improve I’m the day after ablation and feel how you did it’s scary isn’t it

I thought I was having a heart attack but everything I was told is normal in home but it’s so painful

I’d appreciate to know how you went in

Sue

[Tab1966 in reply to Morzine]

Hi Sue, the pain lasted for about 10 days and the indigestion for at least 3 weeks. The chest pain gradually improved, the discomfort in my windpipe lasted a bit longer - it felt scratchy and like I had something stuck.

Like you, I was so worried about being discharged after a heart proceedure whilst in chest pain. But the medical staff were so certain that it wasn't cardiac related that I had to believe that. I hope your pain subsides soon. Make sure you have people with you and that you have access to the arrhythmia nurses too - and don't be worried about calling them if you are worried.

But - my recovery apart from that has been very good. I've had no Afib and no rhythm disturbances either. My heart feels like its beating strongly and regularly and its been a very long time since it has felt like that. I feel very different post ablation and I'm really glad that I had it done.

I have everything crossed for you, that you'll feel much better very soon xx

[Morzine]

thanks so much for replying, you feel so alone whrn things aren’t whst you imagine, my last ablation I had no problems. Yes my throat feels scratchy and if I breathe deeper everything hurts. It’s onky day two . Like you thry told me my echocardiogram was good.

Sue

[Tab1966 in reply to Morzine]

Thats exactly how I felt too. My windpipe felt like the inside surface had been somehow damaged, but it did get better. I'm sure it will for you too 🤞I expected to feel weak and a bit unwell for a week and it was a bit worse than that. You're right, it's hard when how you're feeling doesn't really feature on the advice sheets!!