Miserable today, near 6 weeks post ab... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Miserable today, near 6 weeks post ablation

Misseyj55 profile image
19 Replies

Hi everyone have been good until last night coping with ectopic/palpitations and not much else then got a really crappy episode of fast heart rate and a serious adrenalines rush which scarred the bags out of me....last night kept being woken by similar thing then this morning whole thing started again with pain in epigastric region and feeling huge amount of nausea no appetite again. Feel breathless at times.... am off to see gastroenterologist tomorrow so that's lucky date has arrived and having an echo tomorrow too... but am so nervous still as my depression has set in again and anxiety levels have crept up too...

hanging in there but wish this all would settle down now am getting tired of telling myself its ok and feeling worn out....

Jo

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Misseyj55 profile image
Misseyj55
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19 Replies
Rellim296 profile image
Rellim296

It's disappointing to have setbacks, but they do not necessarily mean things are not going well. They always seem worse to start with. Perhaps you will make some progress tomorrow and will feel more relaxed.

Appointments are always a hurdle, but it can be helpful to have one when things are not perfect so that consultants are better able to see the big picture.

Hope it goes well tomorrow for you.

Misseyj55 profile image
Misseyj55 in reply to Rellim296

Went today and had echo done. The consultant said that my heart was doing all the right things and the palpitations I am having are normal but also understood that when I get runs of them they will make me feel sick etc. HE was reassuring just have to wait to see cardiologist for actual report though....

I am going for a colonoscopy on the 8 December meanwhile keep taking the nexium 40 mg twice a day he suspects its all tied together to the ablation and was reassuring... so happier tonight...

thanks for your encouragement so helps when you feel alone ....

Jo

Rellim296 profile image
Rellim296 in reply to Misseyj55

Hi Jo. Glad to hear you were reassured yesterday. I do hope the palpitations will subside. Now you know that they are normal they might not bother you much if they occur.

It's difficult when it seems that more than one thing is giving trouble, so hope your colonoscopy will show no problems and you'll be reassured by that too.

Loo61 profile image
Loo61

So sorry to read you are so unwell after your ablation 6 weeks ago. I got given Omeprazole 40mgs to take for a month to keep any stomach acid away from the heart to help it to settle. Also I had what you had up until recently with my heart and was told this was normal and it would settle. There is a strong link between the brain and the heart and as soon as I was reassured by the cardiology team that the fast banging heart rate I was experiencing was fine if it was a steady one ironically its gone away. Extra beats are also normal. But glad you're going to see someone about things let us know how you get on !

Misseyj55 profile image
Misseyj55 in reply to Loo61

Thanks am taking Nexium 40 mg twice a day.... am to stay on it for the time being until scope on 8 December. The echo was ok had extra beats while he was doing it so he could see how strong they are....he was reassuring and I felt much calmer....had a better day today.... hope that yesterday won't repeat itself too often now....

Jo

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

Setbacks can set you back psychologically, the only thing that helped me was the thought that even though this feels dreadful now, it won't last, something will change.

You are welcome to have a good moan, I for one have certainly been there! Can you spoil yourself a bit today? Coddle yourself, talk to someone you care about who will nourish you.

I send love and caring and healing for you.

Misseyj55 profile image
Misseyj55 in reply to CDreamer

Yes, sure did, yesterday felt so alone and miserable....I am so lucky to be able to talk/have a whinge on here because you are all so supportive.... and suggest some wonderful helpful wisdom of your own experiences....I rested near all day yesterday....ended up taking a 1/4 of Valium and paracetamol together which calmed my anxiety and let me have a sleep....when I woke I felt a lot calmer and the tummy pain had subsided a little....today has been a lot better...

I have kept saying to myself today this will change for the better thanks...

I don't have anyone close to chat with here ....except my poor hubby who is I think being brave and is overwhelmed by my problems....I try to be brave for him and I don't find it easy to tell him everything because I have frightened him way too many times in the past 4 years....and we didn't expect the really bad days post ablation so he's edgy too....he works every night for 3-4 hours and I don't need him to be scared to leave me either....esp. because he needs a break from being a constant carer....he is tired I think too.....

Thankyou for your healing and caring I so appreciate this support ....

Jo

iris1205 profile image
iris1205

Dear Jo, so sorry to hear.... I know it can be disappointing, frustrating, scary in general - waiting for a stretch of peace which seems tenable! Get answers, take a list of your questions with you, we all forget or worry about wasting the doctors time. KNowledge is power, keep asking and posting until you feel better and then as well!

All the best for a calmer Sunday and comfort from whatever that soothes you!

Misseyj55 profile image
Misseyj55 in reply to iris1205

Hi Iris yep your so right.... frustrating and scary and exhausting....I so much want that inner peace back....I also know its just hit me that AF is something that may or may not return one day for me I'm hoping not after the Ablation .... but really I hadn't thought of it as something that may be with me for the rest of my life (uninformed) ....My mum had this heart problem and it took her life and destroyed her confidence and sole (her doctors never offered her any alternatives other than meds...I think her heart was damaged by the AF and I think she had it all the time).....I cared for her for 9 months before she passed away....its still raw and I think all this has just caught me on the back foot and am finding the anxiety levels ruling my body way too much.... I'm not over her passing and I didn't have this until just after loosing her in 2009 ....I had SVT and frequent palpitations that I believe now was the start of AF....too much anxiety.....vicious circle...and we also had the bushfires that year as well which wrecked our farm and destroyed us financially, we really haven't recovered from that either....

I took your advice....I got answers today the echo was ok I am in a normal heart beat with some palpitations according to the consultant but he said to wait for the cardiologists report in another weeks time.... and the tummy trouble is to be looked at on December 8th .... colonoscopy, he said no need to do another endoscope as he knows I had gastritis 8 months ago which has probably flared after the ablation. Keep on Nexium 40 mg twice a day and start a cereal drink for help with fibre.... also I am to stay on the Rivaroxaban blood thinner even before and after the scope....doesn't want to risk clots....my CHAD score is 2....... so asked lots and came away feeling a little less overwhelmed...

Again thanks Iris I slept for a while with the help of some meds.....

Jo

iris1205 profile image
iris1205 in reply to Misseyj55

Oh Jo, you've been through quite a haul... enough to give the heart cause to call out. Stay in touch, and remain courageous, as you are!

Thank goodness you are going to see the experts tomorrow... Some of the problem in AF is anxiety, from not knowing what's 'normal' and what isn't, so do ask them all about what you're experiencing - if they can set your mind at ease then things will seem very much better, I'm sure. Sending hugs.

Misseyj55 profile image
Misseyj55 in reply to

Yes you are right the anxiety is the problem.... I asked lots today...got some good answers heart beating normally and palpitations are safe....but he understood anxiety when they come thick and fast...must stop and rest... and 8 December for colonoscopy for tummy trouble stay on meds and keep appointments for further check ups.... I'm a lot calmer tonight.... thanks for the hugs .....

Jo

Hi Jo,I had the same problem and was diagnosed with hiatus hernia as well as AF so get the DR to check for it.

Misseyj55 profile image
Misseyj55 in reply to

Hi thanks....ok.... when I have this scope done will talk with the attending as I was diagnosed with a hiatus hernia years ago but its funny because when I had the endoscope done about 8 months ago there was no mention of it.....I didn't think they went away but he was adamant it was not there.... just didn't understand the link with AF and something about the Vagus nerve....lots more to learn here I think.....

Jo

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply to Misseyj55

There are lots of posts about vagal induced AF, do a search here and on Google. Basically the vagus nerve is a very large nerve which sends signals to our internal organs and runs very close to the heart and stomach. They are also part of sympathetic/parasympathetic nervous system so related to anxiety. People who find a corelation to AF triggers such as postural, exercise or diet believe that the vagus nerve stimulates the electrical system within the heart and triggers an episode of AF. So for instance some can't sleep on their left side without triggering an attack or as soon as they start exercising or eating too large a meal......etc etc...

rosyG profile image
rosyG

wondered if the wind is affecting the vagus nerve which would account for increased activity?? Make sure your doctor realises these are all interrelated!

cat55 profile image
cat55

Hope you soon feel better and that you get some reassurance tomorrow. best wishes kath

Misseyj55 profile image
Misseyj55 in reply to cat55

Thanks Kath yes got answers and then some more questions from everyone's advice here....had a better day less anxious now after seeing the consultants today...still some hurdles to cross ...

I hope each day is going to be better than the last as Iris was saying each day gets better must try and keep that thought....

Thanks for your best wishes

Jo

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

Hi Jo

You have certainly been through the mill in the last two years, hardly surprising your body is reacting! What part of the world do you live in? As you are talking about bush fires I am guessing either California or Australia?

Regarding the gastric problems - firstly if you eat a lot of carbs - especially first thing in the morning this can cause acid reflux, Assuming you haven't a hiatus hernia and there are no other obvious causes I would suggest you talk to a dietician. If you take NOACs they need an acid environment to work and carbs create a more alkaline environment which means the stomach doesn't empty as it should, so you get a reflux.

When you have gastric cramps or reflux I have found that sipping (emphasis on sipping) hot water, a cup every half hour really helps. Put a slice of lemon into it occassionaly and first thing in the morning and don't eat carbs for breakfast ie: any form of bread or cereals.

We are pleased to have you here and hope that our comments help ease your suffering, very best wishes

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