Midst of an AF attack

[Elaine1951]

Any tips from anyone what they find helpful mid AF attack.

[jennydog]

Whenever possible I take to my bed and try to sleep it off. Post-ablation my episodes are mild so I take 100 flecainide and attempt to continue with whatever I'm doing until it ends.

Having said all that, I do not have a high rate problem. I have never clocked more than 130. My problem is primarily arrhythmia.

[bonnie54]

Hello, I used to find sipping cold water soothing. Also my PAF was worse if my BP was low which can be caused by dehydration so drinking water is always a good idea. Otherwise, I found lying back against pillows helped calm things down, not lying right down , but resting sitting in bed or on the sofa with a definite lean backwards.

Good luck.

[Musetta]

Hi Elaine,

AF is such a mixed bag of tricks, apart from not trying to freak out, sitting or standing

comfortably and doing some deep breathing seems to help me while in AF. Main thing to remember these episodes do pass.

[Elaine1951 in reply to Musetta]

Indeed. Just done longer than others and so scary

[Upbeat2000]

I drink a glass of water and lay down. It always helps.

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Elaine - I didn't see your question yesterday but just wondered how you are this morning?

Jean

[weezergeezer]

get off your feet, get to bed and let it run its course, however long that takes !

[Elaine1951 in reply to weezergeezer]

Yes. It's prob best. Sometimes just not possible. I was in a car yesterday. Not driving but in v heavy traffic jam with no way out!

[SRMGrandma Volunteer]

Except for a few rare occasions, it was best for me to just go about my day as normally as possible. I have to admit that I converted back to NSR while shopping in my favorite department store on more than a few occasions. It made my heart happy

[PeterWh in reply to SRMGrandma]

And your purse lighter???!!!

[Elaine1951]

ha ha - no I say spend spend and enjoy yourself, without going mad. AF, I have to say has altered my approach to a few things!

[Kodaska]

Before my (successful) ablation last May, I had about a year's worth of paroxysmal a-fib. If it hit while I was doing something outside, I'd watch my functioning and see if it was impaired, and it usually was. I'd note whether I was sweating more (summer) or colder (winter), if I got tired faster, and generally how I felt. If indoors, I'd pay attention to what it was doing and take notes. Writing down my pulse (if I could keep track of it), as well as the severity and duration of the attack, helped get me into left-brain mode where I was much more calm. Before that, I had a tendency to get anxious about it and I finally realized I was working against myself.

So I'd say mindfulness - just a "present moment" awareness of what was going on - was the biggest help.