Results on 3rd March, scared....
Palpitations every day since Monday 3... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Palpitations every day since Monday 3rd February, sometimes a herd of horses in my chest, is that likely to be AF? ECG/bloods taken today
Written by
Lizziefin
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9 Replies
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BobDVolunteer
Lizzie, AF is scary so you are not alone. If it is a very irregular palpitation then it probably is AF. Check your pulse and it if is just very fast then it ma not be. AF is an irregular irregular heart beat with no consistency at all. Who is treating you and what drugs have you been pout on so far?
Bob
Thanks Bob, I saw my GP and she said she heard 'something' and ordered the tests. I am seeing her again on the 3rd March. No drugs prescribed. She told me to give up caffeine, which I have ( headaches from hell for 2 days, OK now) and stop going to the gym. If it got worse to go to a A & E but I am not sure what 'worse' means. It's pretty much ok all day, but relaxing sitting down or lying down In bed it goes wild. I have used the app from the AFA and Instant Heart Rate app both of which show very weird pulse measurements when I can feel the palpitation. It's getting quite debilitating really. Hopefully in 10 days I'll have a diagnosis and plan of action....
Hi Liz
If it was AF then surely the ECG will have shown it immediately, unless of course you were feeling fine when they did the ECG or there was no-one there to interpret it?
I've had AF for 10-20 years and describe mine (until it was treated) as like a rabbit trying to jump out of my chest, but everyone says different things. In the meantime (if I were you) I'd just be wary of too much or maybe any alcohol, and I'd also cut out caffeine (decaf tea and coffee etc). Both are triggers for a lot of people, possibly most.
Try not to be scared because it just makes matters worse. Maybe if you're having another bout, go to A&E, they may be able to tell you something quickly? If you're feeling anxious, maybe speak to your GP about having some pills to help keep calm? Some people poohoo that but it has worked brilliantly for me but only as a temporary measure.
Just some thoughts. I'm not medical by the way.
Best wishes
Koll
Lizziefin in reply to
Thanks Koll, there was no one there to interpret it. I have thought about going to A & E but as it's not life threatening ( although it does feel like it sometimes at 4 am!) I haven't.
Will retire from work now though, even if thus is just a one month wonder, I think the stress from there doesn't help any....
in reply to Lizziefin
Yeah, if you've got stress at work, it's really not a good companion for any ticker issues whether AF or otherwise. I changed jobs when I was diagnosed to something that has no stress as such. I farm now, so the only problems I have is difficult sheep which are a lot easier than difficult people 
.
If it is AF, I wouldn't worry about it, it can be dealt with if you see the right people. And seeing the right people is what it's all about.
Koll
Hi Lizzie and welcome,
People describe AF in all sorts of ways - like a floppy fish in your chest, or a horde of rats (ugh) or like water boiling (me)... So a herd of horses sounds about right, and breathlessness often goes with it. If you take your pulse when you have this feeling, it may be very fast or unusually slow, but it will also be very irregular - there is another issue where the heart just speeds up a lot, but that's a different problem. Proper monitoring will work it out, and if you are scared a trip to A&E during an attack will help figure out what is going on. They will look after you very well, and don't worry about it, AF is a valid reason to go. However, it's important to remember that it is hardly ever fatal, it just feels that way, if that helps!
Lis
When you go to GP ask to be referred to an EP (electrophysiologist) not just an ordinary cardiologist as they are the specialists in AF. Do the episodes last for very long. Was the ECG taken whilst you were having an episode. If not it might be an idea to go to a&e when you are having one as then they would catch it on the ECG. Good luck and I hope you get it sorted soon.
errrrmmmm.....if it sounds like the chorus of `Goodness Gracious Me`, its probably AF
