Afib and sleep.

[higgy52]

Hi all,

Got constant A F but dont notice it much during day, bit short of breath if i suddenly move quick,

take Bisoperol 10 mg, Ramipril 10 mg, and 6 mg of warfarin.

Go to bed at night try to sleep on left side but all i do is feal heart pounding against bed,

If i face roof can hear heart beating in my right ear, and if i face right side my wife is breathing on me,

any one else on this site have the same problems.

Dave

[cbsrbpm]

Same

[Frances62]

Hi Dave, yes have exactly the same problem. I was last diagnosed with my AF coming back earlier this year but (still) waiting for results of echocardiogram to see if I can go on to flecanade - so not sure even if I'm in AF at the moment! However, same as you, if I lie on left side (practically impossible) as feel/hear heart thumping away. Don't lie on my back anyway as find it impossible to sleep in this position. The only way I can eventually drop off to sleep is on my right side, sometimes holding a small cushion against my heart as it sort of muffles it, doesn't make the thumping so obvious. I am by myself so no-one breathing over me, unless you count the cat who ventures over sometimes! Hope this helps, you are not alone on this site. Best wishes.

[higgy52 in reply to Frances62]

Thanks Fances62,

its nice to hear what other people ar feeling

Dave

[stix]

yes, i have noticed your wife breathing on me too

[BobD Volunteer in reply to stix]

I deliberately didn't mention that. ha! Though it might offend as not everybody has our sense of humour.

[higgy52 in reply to stix]

Thanks stix

When you've got what we have you've got to have a joke,

or was you serious, ha ha ha ha

[stix in reply to higgy52]

so glad i did not offend, its very true, we must try to keep our humour in this diagnosis

good luck

[wendicarro]

Had exactly the same, was usually able to fall asleep on my right side after a while.

Its a strange one, but very common amongst us afibbers I think?

Wendi

[Mazza23]

I treat it like having a new baby in the house never know how many times it will wake you up or if you will sleep through the night most of the time don't have a problem sleeping can do it anywhere anytime

[porridgequeen]

I can't stand being breathed on either. Somebody else I knew with this problem used to have a barrier of pillows down the centre of the bed to keep his wife's breath away.

I just went for a bigger bed!

[RichMert]

Swap sides in the bed or go head to toe.

[CheryllandDene]

Hi Dave

You're not alone with those symptoms

Think it's pretty much across the board with most of us with AF

I used to be a bundle of energy but have turned very lethargic since I was diagnosed with it a couple of months ago

As a HGV driver I am not allowed to drive until my heart beats back in sinus rhythm and my doctor gives the DVLA the all okay

Awaiting Cardioversion which got cancelled for yesterday due to unforeseen circumstances ,now awaiting a new date

Hope that puts you0 a little at ease

Dene

[Hidden]

Same here except my drugs control it. I can still feel it slightly but not much. Have you been prescribed drugs by an EP? Is it acceptable to have to put up with this at night, I don't know, guess we're all different but maybe another drug would work better????

[-Tony-]

Hi Dave

I am in NSR at the moment have been for 8 months now since last episode.

I do suffer from the heart pounding and blood pumping noise in ears.

Mentioned to GP but don't seem too bothered.

I am still not used to it but happy to be AF free at the moment.

Get wife to turn around and face away from you!

[CDreamer]

When I had AF I had the same problem. Solution was to sleep supported with lots of pillows so was never supine. Took a little getting used to but improved sleep.

Have you been tested for sleep apnea? After successful ablation my EP referred me to Physiology for sleep study which showed sleep apnea. I now use a CPAP machine at night to support my breathing. My EP said it was the biggest culprit for AF returning after successful ablation and there have been studies which demonstrate a link between sleep apnea & AF especially at night.

[Dave_F]

I have constant AF too, I have always (pre AF) preferred to sleep on my right side, but don't have the issues you have on the left. I mainly (though much less since my first ablation) feel it in the chest and have referred to it as 'someone tap-dancing in my chest', when the AF is playing up it is worse on my back.

[PeterWh]

I have persistent AF as well (I had an ablation in March this year but reverted to AF). I have learnt to sleep on my back most of the time though sometimes on my right. I used to turn over onto left occasionally but generally woke very quickly.

Also once I get woken in night over half the time I find it is difficult o get back to sleep for at least an hour - sometimes two or more!!!

Worthwhile getting tested for sleep apnoea as it is apparently quite common in AFers. In my case only have it very mildly.