Ibuprofen following ablation

[Hartingdon]

Is this a medication that is for life, or just to aid healing possible damage to the esophagus? My procedure was in February 2025

[BobD Volunteer]

I'm amazed frankly as Ibuprofen is a known cause of AF, is contra indicated if you are on anticoagulant which you will be at this time if not always. Who on earth prescribed it?

[Hartingdon in reply to BobD]

I was already on 20 mg daily for acid reflux (been on it for years) but the dose was increased to 40 mg by the electrophysiologist who carried out the procedure. I understand that it was a precautionary measure against possible esophagus damage, but thought it would be temporary. Yes I am on apixaban for life.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hartingdon]

Ibuprofen is not for acid reflux. It is an anti inflamatory. Do you perhaps mean one of the "azoles" like lanzoprazole which is a proton pump inhibitor for acid reflux?

[Hartingdon in reply to BobD]

So sorry, I am not good with drug names! I actually do NOT take ibuprofen. I should have said Omeprazole! I have noticed a bit of confusion/recall problems since Covid.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hartingdon]

I'm breathing again !

[Rhea11 in reply to BobD]

You are amazing .. 😇

[Karendeena in reply to Hartingdon]

Surely you mean lansoprazole or something similar not ibuprofen that's dangerous and to increase it as well!! Not a good idea on anticoagulants

[Hartingdon in reply to Karendeena]

Yes I got confused on drug names!

[Snowdrops_17 in reply to Karendeena]

I was told that as well 👌 Ibuprofen a big No No after my heart attack and then on heart meds 👍 But now all understood here! Meds 🙆😱🤔 they either keep us alive or kill us 👌 To be or not to be 🙏

[DennisVA in reply to BobD]

Thats not exactly true, chronic use of ibuprofen (2400+mg) per day for a long period of time increases your chances of afib. Regular intermittent use is fine. As a matter of fact I was told to take as much ibuprofen as needed after my ablation.

Some people are sensitive to ibuprofen, which is just like anything else, but for the vast majority it is fine.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to DennisVA]

Not the studies I have read and of course totally contra indicated if you are taking anticoagulants which most of us are. Thankfully the OP was confused about what drug they were taking and it was not ibuprofen.

[redpine in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob,

I’m texting from the U.S. and was reading through this thread. I’m curious about your claim that ibuprofen is a known cause of AF? This is the first time I’ve run across such a claim and I’m 74! I had my second ablation recently and have been prescribed Pradaxa for two months following my procedure, but I was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and can’t wait to get off the Pradaxa so I can get some relief from the pain and swelling of my hands. I have used ibuprofen in the past as an anti inflammatory.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to redpine]

There was a Danish study about ten yeasr ago which found this. Common knowledge this side of the pond.

[redpine in reply to BobD]

This is a link to that Danish study. The conclusion is worth noting.

nicswell.co.uk/health-news/...

[Snowdrops_17 in reply to redpine]

Read that 👍 I have heart disease so Ibuprofen is not recommended! And this study is highly interesting 👍 Thanks for posting this redpine 🥰

[jeanjeannie50]

Do you really mean that you had your ablation in February 2025 (that would have been today) or should that year read 2024?

Ibuprofen is not usually a medication to be taken constantly and is a known AF trigger so is usually avoided.

I would speak to your GP today if possible.

Wishing you well.

Jean

[Hartingdon in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks for your reply, yes 2024. I ran out of Omeprazole on Friday so cannot obtain any until Monday at the earliest. So far so good. Just contemplating not restarting, or weaning off by reducing to 20 mg.

[Buffafly in reply to Hartingdon]

Omeprazole should not be for life as long term use can have undesirable effects including dementia. So the less you take the better.

[ForensicFairy in reply to Buffafly]

I actually just read an article somewhere which states it is bad for cardiac health too! I immediately thought of all of the people in this group in PPIs because of the cardiac issues.

[DawnTX]

I don’t really understand what you’re saying because I’ve been told not to take it if I need anything for pain relief it’s acetaminophen although I have regular pain medication to take as needed instead. I am on my anticoagulant for life. Nothing else has been mentioned as far as my Metropol, etc. although I am still on them. I’ve never heard of a pain reliever for life. It doesn’t make sense if nothing else because of your stomach, having issues with it. You definitely need to speak to a medical person.

[Hartingdon in reply to DawnTX]

If you look through the thread you'll see I named the wrong drug, sorry.

[DawnTX in reply to Hartingdon]

no I get emails when something new comes on. I still don’t know what your drug was. Hopefully you got your answers.

[Hartingdon in reply to DawnTX]

It was Omeprazole.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Hartingdon]

Hi

Yes I was on it.

But first a colonoscopy and then throat to stomach investigation. These OK, Then an ultrasound around the gall bladder. They could see small stones "but enough in size to worry me!?.

Then I recalled my grandfather had his removed.

Surgery through tummy button. Gall Bladder removal.

Surgeon found gall bladder disintergrated! I have 6 portal holes to remove bits stuck on other organs.

2 clips were needed only (up to 50 for others).

I still can get a little reflux if I bend over too soon after a meal.

But so great - no more acute pain circulating to around my back.

I ask for a special general anaesthetic. Stopped being sick.

Have your reflux checked out.

Omeprazole would compete with the Synthroid I take. Take minimum. Some folks take it for side effects of anti.co.agulant pain and reflux.

I take PRADAXA 110. Twice day. I take it with juice or fruit. Also when you have no gall bladder, bile acid drips into the stomach continuously.

Take care, JOY. 76. (NZ)

[DawnTX in reply to Hartingdon]

I did see it now. I don’t think that should be for life either but I’m not a doctor. Usually they try to find out what’s going on why you need it and try to get rid of the problem.

[Ducky2003 in reply to Hartingdon]

You may wish to edit or delete the thread in case it causes more confusion.

[Hartingdon in reply to Ducky2003]

I was going to edit my original post but could not see how to

[Ducky2003 in reply to Hartingdon]

Underneath what you have typed in, it will say "written by" followed by your profile pic. Under that, you have "reply" "report" and "more".

If you press "more" it gives you the option to edit or delete. 😊

[Hartingdon in reply to Ducky2003]

Ta duck 🦆

[Ducky2003 in reply to Hartingdon]

👍

[Adalaide2020]

I'm so glad that is cleared up. My heart nearly stopped when I read your original question. Be well and stay away from until inflammatory meds where possible. I had my 5th ablation which was successful. Jack McCreedy did it October 2022 . He said I can come off apixaban after a year but to limit anti inflammatory meds or not take at all because they can start up af again. That's the unscientific reply. I have chronic arthritis and hoped they would help me but to be honest I dont want to risk it !I hope you have a very good outcome 🤞

[Hartingdon in reply to Adalaide2020]

I take nothing stronger than paracetamol. I have not had ibuprofen or similar for over 10 years.

[XandChurch]

I had to take Omeprazole for 1 month after my ablation to protect against possible damage to the esophagus, then stopped.

[Qualipop]

Omeprazole or lansoprazole is automatically given after a heart atack to protect the stomach from the effects of the other drugs you are given; mostly the aspirin. which might cause an ulcer.In that case they usually prescribe it for life or as long as you take the aspirin. However recent research suggests it can cause or speed up dementia. My husband's supposed to take it all the time for silent acid reflux which has damaged his oesophagus and voice box. But he won't take it and now sounds like a frog.I can't take it; I react really badly so I take famotidine which works differently. I'm just about to speak to the G P 's pharmacist about stopping it because I now take a coated aspirin that doesn't dissolve in the stomach and even famotidine has long term effects. If you are not taking other tablets that might affect your stomach or oesophagus I would certainly ask your GP why it's still being prescribed. Don't just stop without advice

[SirBeatalot]

Hi.I am having an ablation on Friday 7th Feb and expect they will double my Omeprazole dose from 20mg to 40mg for a month as they did after my 1st ablation 3 years ago.

I have a Barretts Oesophagus and so am on Omeprazole for life unfortunately.

[riffjack846]

I keep having to remind my doctors since I had Afib I can't take NSAID's. Ibuprophen isn't just bad for AFIB patients but it will kill your kidneys if taken long enough. Beware.

[Icenae]

hi. I realise you mean omeperazole or lansiperasole. To snswer your question , my oesophagus was damaged during ablation. I took omeperazole to help it. I still do 8 years on as I have gastro reflux now.

It isnt a problem. But if your oesaphagus is healed now and you dont have gerd or any pain ask your cardiologist if you can stop.

[Chuyueling]

Without being too personal and slight tangent but what is your diet like? I dealt with reflux by cutting rice/pasta and veg right down and increasing animal protein. Couldn't believe how much better it got. Obviously everyone is different. Lanzopresole made me so ill.

[Hartingdon in reply to Chuyueling]

I don't suffer any obvious side effects of the Omeprazole, but I do wonder about any 'hidden' long term effects. I have not taken any since Thursday night, so far so good, but I have ordered some more (just in case)

[Chuyueling in reply to Hartingdon]

AFAIK It doesn't reduce the reflux action, it reduces the acidity basically, in your stomach (it's a PPI). This affects your stomach's ability to destroy permanently lurking bugs like c diff and prolonged use can allow these infections to take hold. More reflux could be a result of your digestion having to work harder to break down vegetable matter, or processed carbohydrates and sugar, which we are not designed to eat in great quantities. Not a doctor, just my experience and understanding.

[Snowdrops_17]

I found this post very interesting and clarifying altogether Hartington, despite your mistake of your medication name 👍 To read through all the answers and questions it makes you more aware what's being prescribed at times! Some meds are good, some for a time and some lifelong! Wished we could stay young 👍🙏🥰

[Hartingdon in reply to Snowdrops_17]

I was just thinking yesterday, that although I made a silly mistake (had I known at the time of posting how to delete it) it turned out to be quite an informative thread.

[Snowdrops_17 in reply to Hartingdon]

Absolutely Hartington 👍