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Just had my ablation and now having terrible heartburn...Please Help!
I had my ablation on May 14th. I was given 40mg Protonix to take for one month due to the doctor explaining the heart and the esophogus are so close that there will be irritation and the Protonix will help. Well...Protonix and like drugs have no effect on me. They changed me to Prescription Pepsid explaining that possibly an H2 Blocker would work on me. That hasn't worked either. They tried taking me off of the heart rhythm drug Flecainade and that helped at first but I am still having episodes of bad heartburn.
The only thing that has helped me is drinking Aloe Juice. Can anyone offer some advice? I am praying this will go away eventually but I am so uncomfortable and worrying about the damage the acid might be doing.
I see my EP on Thursday and am hoping for a solution.
My friends...can you help?
CeCe55
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I considered the ablation from a lifestyle perspective but did not want to risk the complications.
Where did you get the ablation done?
Obdoc2001
I got my ablation done in Dublin, Ireland. My electophysiologist is excellent. I have great faith in him which is so important.
Hello, CeCe. If it's any comfort, there are others in the very same place you are. I have had five ablations for my obstinate a-fib, which always seems to return. Been on Flecainide for many years, which kept the episodes pretty infrequent; I eventually failed that drug. Am using Amiodarone now, but still get episodes. My EP has also suggested convergent ablation and I am considering it. It seems to be the "latest and greatest" advance in surgery for arrhythmia and is often successful; my doctor said she treated a patient with a medical/pharmacological history much like mine, and he is now 95% free of all arrhythmias. I will make this decision soon. You have my empathy and prayers. J.
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1 ReactionI HAVE THE SAME AWFUL HEARTBURN AND AFTER EATING I THROW UP
OK, I too had a recent ablation, one of the most serious side effects of which is the possibility of an esophogeal fistula, which can be fatal. My EP explained to me that during the surgery there is a temperature probe inserted in the esophagus which will set off an alarm if there is too much heat in your throat, as depending upon your anatomy the esophagus may be very close to the area of the heart they are ablating.
After my surgery they kept me in the hospital another day to perform several tests, including an endoscopy and ultrasound of the esophagus to assure there was no damage. They also prescribed Pantropopazol (sp?) twice daily for a month or so after the procedure.
Heartburn sounds to me like a potentially serious side effect of your surgery. You should consult your medical team immediately and take appropriate measures. Good Luck,
So sorry to hear this. I experienced exactly same thing. I had no heartburn until EP insisted I take Protonics. In 2 days hellacious heartburn. Begged to stop Protonics, was told had to take. Finally after 6 wks weaned myself off snd in 4 days, no mre heartburn. EP said impossible it was from Prot but had it happen once before when taking for throat issue. I'm 'allergic' to ppis but docs refuse to believe. I sympathize, its horrible
I had my ablation almost 2 years ago. It was successful in that I went from weekly a fib to two incidents in 18 months. I do recall heartburn in the few weeks following the procedure and was very attuned to it because I did have signs of Barrett’s Esophagus prior to Bariatric surgery in 2014. That GERD completely resolved.
My Electrophysiologist referred me back to my Gastro. He prescribed protonix and within 6 weeks the heartburn was gone. It has not returned.
Your doctor should have given you medicine for that, I received 2 pre
I have not had an ablation but I have dealt with heartburn for many decades. The proton pump inhibitors are supposed to stop basically all the acid being produced from your stomach, and the doctors are always puzzled when this doesn't turn out to be quite true. Also I gather from posts here that there has been physical interference with the esophagus which has left it raw.
So some things I found that help me. Lying down on a slope with the head and shoulders elevated helps keep any stray acid in the stomach; also lying on the left side. Lying on the right side lets the contents of the stomach drain back into the esophagus, If the esophageal sphincter is not really tight. For the burn, whole milk is soothing sometimes. Also the best antacid is gaviscon regular tablets. You chew them and they basically make foam and when you swallow the foam it's like the foam from a fire extinguisher, coats and protects. Ignore the instruction on the label to drink water afterwards. If you want, drink water before. Gaviscon extra strength, weirdly, does not do this and is not as useful to me anyway. And the various liquid antacids are okay but not the same.
I hope you find some relief soon!
Hello I'm alfo on Flec 50mg twiccce daily for anumber of years. Can it make A-Fib worse?? I take Inderal 80mg daily. To keep the rate ddown. I recccccently had a paaace makeer put in during tthe surgeery my lung was punctured. I've delvoped extremem anxiety and depression conceeerning my heart. I'm 77 years old. It seems nothing is safe.
I'M ALSO ON FLEC