over the last few night i have been suffering badly from af but it only occurs when im either going to sleep or when im sleeping and then wa

[jeelly40]

kes me up does any one else have this im starting to get scared

[CDreamer]

Short answer, yes, most of my episodes start at night. It can sometimes be the way you are lying. You could try propping yourself with pillows, that sometimes helps. I found distraction also helps so plug my iPod in ears and listen to an audio book or music or relaxation tape and I am usually back asleep in no time. By the morning when I wake up the episode has usually ended, but sometimes can last for up to 36 hours. I know it's really hard not to worry, but stress can make things worse. Is there someone else in the house with you?

[flyfisher]

hi jeely, I had af problems in the night and found some relief from avoiding sleeping on my left side. I ended up having pillows down the middle of the bed to stop me rolling over in the night.

It may also be worth avoiding alcohol and eating late to see if they are a trigger for the attacks.

[Hidden]

For a while now I have been waking up between 4 and 5am every day. No idea what is waking me up and I cannot get back to sleep even though I feel exhausted. I am aware of an erratic heart rate and feel 'buzzing' in my chest at times so it could be either an AF episode or ectopics that are doing it. Gone are the days that the alarm clock wakes me up. Getting to sleep is a problem so only getting 4 hours sleep a night which makes you less resilient mentally to cope. I live on my own so no one to reassure you. No longer scared just really ticked off.

[Lucybod in reply to Hidden]

If I wake up in the night I listen to LBC conversation radio it's like having company with you. If you don't live in London they have now gone nationwide on Dab radio. I listen on my IPhone where I can set a timer so if I fall asleep it turns off automatically. The night doesn't seem so long.

[Hidden]

Hi Jeelly,

Yes, mine start at night as well, I think it does for a lot of us. It's a complete pain because it's hard to get back to sleep...

Lis

[lizwright]

I think it is because your temp naturally drops. I keep warm and keep still and I find deep breathing really helps me if it happens.

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jeelly - Yes, mine often start at night too. I'm usually aware of my heart racing after waking and going to the bathroom. I'm not sure whether it's started before my getting up, or if it's sudden movement after being still so long that triggers it. Can never get back to sleep once it starts. I have never, ever had an attack when I've been out walking.

[Rellim296]

Ditto to nearly everything above

[suzytoshoes]

Hi

yes my AF always seem to start in the night, when it does I feel exhausted in the morn, and look very dark under my eyes, so I rest up that day then seem ok again but it is scary I am waiting to see heart specialist 18th of march, writing everything down now see if it helps, Suzy

[jeelly40]

I actually have found listening to LBC a real comfort at night. I have my kids in the house with me so im not completely alone which does help. i get woken up my the felling of my heart just pounding i am having another holter put on 2moro as i just had an a ablation in October so they want to see if the af is defiantly bk

[GabrielleFaye]

I've also found mine usually start at night, the last couple of times have been after I've been asleep a couple of hours. I usually feel quite a few ectopics when I first lie down at night, especially on my left as others have said too.

I had an eposide last Thursday night which really annoyed me because I had to get on a plane the next morning! I was worried I would have to reschedule as I wouldn't get on a flight while in AF. But I got in the shower and ran bursts of cold water over myself and that seemed to kick it back into NSR, so that was a huge relief. Has anyone else tried that?

Cheers, Gaye