My doctor diagnosed me with atral fibulation 7 weeks ago I have to wait until December to see a specialist . I get shortness of breath

[Francis777]

At night and cannot sleep. Is this expected . Can someone please tell me what all the abbreviations on this site are. I find this site very helpful

[Maitha]

Welcome to the group

We all share same symptoms and concerns here

It is really annoying illness but can be managed

Are you on any medication ?

You will find patients are having the same case long time back , myself I had diagnosed since more than two years back

Try to read more to be able to understand your body more

Regards

[Francis777 in reply to Maitha]

Thanks Maitha, Doctor has put me on Warfarin , Losartan and Bisoprolol.and tells me to continue until I see a Specialist.

[jennydog in reply to Francis777]

It looks like your GP is up to speed. It has taken 5 years for me to be given warfarin and your medication. I am now being recommended for ablation. You are right to recognise that this site is hugely helpful. I have been greatly helped since I found it several months ago.

[poppystorey in reply to Francis777]

Hi Francis ,I have been were you are now for a few weeks waiting for my INR to stabilise between 2.0 and 3.25,that took me about 7 weeks to do,once I acheived that all was well .my cardio version went ahead last Saturday successfully .Keeping an eye on my diet helped ,watch the wine though as it also thins the blood ,I do participate myself but am very careful also vitamin k needs an eye keeping on it .I got hold of a great food list after googling Ideal Food that goes with warfarin .As all these wonderful people assured me don't worry all will be ok,and they are so right , its just the waiting ,do take care poppey storey

[BobD Volunteer]

Hi Francis and welcome to the site.

Abreviations.

NSR normal synus rhythm. How you heart should be.

AF Atrial fibrillation where the left atria pulsates out of control and doesn't pass blood to the left ventricle

Left atria Top left chamber of the heart.Purpose is to fill the pumping chamber below.

|:Left ventricle Lower left chamber which does all the pumping round the body.

Right atria and ventricle. pumps blood through the lungs.

INR International normalised ratio. How quickly your blood clots. Normal is 1.

EP Electrophysiologist. a cardiologist with special interest in heart rhythm disorders

Hope that helps but any I may have forgotten ask again.

AF tends to make people very scared and nervous and this often results in poor sleeping and can result in breathing difficulties. Try to relax and go with the flow. I find it unacceptable that you have to wait so long to see a specialist but sadly treatment is often fragmented and variable in UK. Af is a long journey but you have some great travelling companions here so make use of us.

Bob

[Francis777 in reply to BobD]

You are very reassuring thanks. My GP says The specialist will not give me the electric shock treatment to my heart which be says I require until the warfarin is completely balanced so I just have to wait. Thanks again

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Francis777]

Direct Current Cardioversion or DCCV needs to be done either within 24hours of AF starting or after the patient has been on warfarin with an INR of between 2 and 3 for at least four consecutive weeks. DCCV attempts to return the heart to NSR and for many people this works fine. It is not a cure and may not be permanent depending on how long you have had AF for and whether it is paroxysmal (comes and goes) or persistent/permanent.

[flyfisher]

francis 777

I have the same condition , during this summer I found that sleeping on the left side increased the symptoms . I put some pillows down the middle of the bed to stop me rolling over onto the left side and slept better as a result.

[Francis777 in reply to flyfisher]

Thanks flyfisher When I sleep on the left side my left nostril gets blocked up. Then I turn on my right side and my right nostril gets blocked up and then my left nostril clears. I think this is worse when I have that extra glass of wine , must stop it.

[Offcut in reply to Francis777]

A strange fact of the human nose is we alternate our nostrils to breath. Put the back of a finger under your nose and breath though it, very often it will be only one side you get the breath.

[flyfisher in reply to Francis777]

francis , ''extra glass of wine'' , are you sure you should be drinking alcohol at all , perhaps a single glass should be your maximum . Take care and good luck.

[Francis777 in reply to flyfisher]

Thanks all, what a wonderful and informative site. Kind regards to all Francis

[Offcut]

I am a long term AF'er diagnosed 1992 So I have probably had the tablet or procedure at some point Some tablets will affect people in many different ways such as tiredness and breathlessness etc. As will the condition while in an episode try to work with it not try and fight it. If slowing down or not doing something helps go with it.

I have other conditions that I am afraid to not compliment each other and their drugs can be a problem to the other condition

It will take a little time to get it right but we are all here with the willingness to help in any way we can.

[smw112]

I was diagnosed at the end of June and my out patient appointment with the cardiologist is not until the end of December. I feel very annoyed at having to wait 6 months to find out what is going on. I have found this site helpful but shouldn't have to depend on this for information.

[Vivante]

From one Afib to another. I was diagnosed in 2004, put on warfarin then, also digoxin for Bradycardia, which is a slow heart rate, I have hypothyroid. I noticed a big difference. Strangely enough, when I was told I had to take the meds, I did not feel any anxiety, I knew I had to take them.

The nose and breathing, if you become aware of your breathing throughout the day, you will find the same thing happens, it is normal. At this time, my left nostril is clear, when the changeover takes place, for a moment you will find both nostrils clear.

Regarding foods to avoid, We have been led to believe Garlic is good for the heart, but it should be avoided, including Ginseng and Gingko Biloba. . I check everything I buy to ensure there is no Garlic in list of contents. Alcohol, I have a Guiness one night,wine the next night, I am enjoying Jacobs Creek, only tried it some months ago,so many people say red wine is good for the heart I then the other nights I have a glass of J20,

Info the check out, The AFA provides info Warfarin and Diet.

Web MD, Contraindications and possible adverse effects of therapeutic diets and supplements. I rather like that one, on Page 2, it states, and I quote"Well meaning and perhaps sound dietary advice may be offered by other practitioners, ranging from massage therapists to yoga instructors. It is wise to be wary of advice from anyone who has not received formal training or to implement such advice without doing some research of your own" Unquote.

Look for "A guide from the National Consumers League and US Food and Drug Administration. Avoid Food-Drug Interactions".

The Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, Volume 70 Number 4 April 2003

Clotcare Care Vitamin K content of selected foods.

I was told by another yoga teacher that I had to stop eating Brocolli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage etc. I ignored that information.

Those vegetables contain calcium which is needed for the bones.

The National Osteoporosis Society provides information regarding foods to help prevent osteoporosis,

I will enjoy my glass of Jacobs Creek tonight while I watch the box, The wine will contain lemonade.

Cheers everyone.

[Mamamarilyn]

Your yoga teacher was absolutely spot-on! These veggies are all high in Vitamin K which counteracts the effect of Warfarin. It's not that you have to cut them out completely, just a little of any of them, eaten regularly, seems to work for me.

[Loquitir]

I found being vegetarian a nightmare with my INR especially Special K cereal. Since been on rivaroxaban I'm back on my 9 portions of fruit and veg a day.

I also discovered I have acid reflux disease caused by a hiatus hernia and some foods cause higher degrees of acid regurgitation and definitely affect AF episodes. I now take nexium for acid suppression and discovered I was intolerant to gluten and diary so that hot taken out the diet and I have had less attacks of AF after eating which I used to get a lot.