After 2 years completely free of AF started in AF 30 mins ago. HR 150-170. P*ssssss & other expletives.
Not on ACs so will ring GP for emergency appt. tomorrow & email EP for advice - can't take anti arrhythmia meds nor HR drugs so rather stuck.
Feeling very frustrated!
CD
Bummer. Im on my 2nd time of going close to 2 yrs over a 6+ year period. They seem to come in bunches for me. Tho Ive not gone down the ablation road and have no plans to. Ive had some close calls. Not saying I know when it is going to hit, but its usually in the summer heat and after some stressful times. I overload on some supplements Ive found to be helpful weekly and self converted a few times that way. Maybe just a rate control to start will get you back to NSR>
Poor you and sorry to hear that. What a big drag.
Were you on apixaban before as it kicks in very quickly?
Hate to say this but your case certainly amplifies the advantages of staying on Anticoagulation even if in NSR. Don't let GP talk you out of having AC.
GOOD LUCK a shops it flips back ASAP.
Awww CD.....difficult to know what to say as its the situation many of us worry about and hope will never happen. Hopefully you will get some good advice from your EP and the GP will get your anti-coagulants sorted........quickly! As many say, it can take 3 or more ablations so there may be scope there.....just hope you can keep calm until your situation becomes a bit clearer.....good luck, John
What a bugger CD. So sorry and know how you feel. Try the deep and slow breathing. Nothing ventured.
Bob
So sorry to hear this. What is there to say except we feel for you and can imagine just how this unwelcome development must feel. Write AF in big letters on a bit of paper, pin it on a dart board and throw darts at it.
Thanks folks, back in NSR but HR still 140-150. Rang 111 & spoke to Devon Docs who are sending Paramedics, prepared bag out of closet & CPAP packed - Mg complicates everything so want me monitored.
Let you know how I go 2morrow.
Take care I will be thinking of and hope they can stabilise you.
Last week after my ablation my heart was then back in NSR and took 24 hours to get down to an acceptable rate.
Pete
All the best for a successful outcome and going back into nsr at a reasonable rate. It still feels horrible when your HR is that high even if the medics say you're in normal sinus, I know.
Looking forward to hearing all's well again and some sort of plan arranged for the future.
Hugs being sent your way, Gracey
So sorry to hear your story and hope that all works out well. Your story reinforces the idea that you are never really cured of AF, the possibility of relapse is always there.
Best Wishes
Ian
Buggar that's a shame hope you get sorted quickly hugs comming your way
Keep us posted xx
Bother, bother, bother! You poor thing, how disappointing that must be for you. Now waiting to hear how you've got on.
Big healing hug.
Jean
Disappointment doesn't come anyway near how you must be feeling right now. I am so sorry.
Hopefully its an isolated one again. Are you taking magnesium ?
Hi Elaine and thanks for your good wishes and the suggestion, unfortunately Magnesium in any form is contraindicated for me as I have an autoimmune disease which is exacerbated by Magnesium and my choice could be suffer AF or stop breathing - think I'll stay with the AF! The AF did weaken my muscles.
Magnesium relaxes muscles so can be enormously helpful for some AFibbers, but can also weaken essential muscles and as I lack the neurotransmitter that sparks muscles into action, along with a whole list of drugs I have been told to avoid, I would never take Magnesium.
Best wishes CD
I'm echoing all the comments above, please report when you can.
Gutted for you.
I have benefited greatly from your input on this site. I do hope that to-day is a one- off.
Very best wishes.
Hope the hospital can get you sorted with ACs , glad it has settled for the moment. Best wishes Jackie,
How about that for a kick in the teeth! Definitely follow Rellim's advice and also your own to other people - always informative and comforting. Hope all goes well.
For someone who has helped me on this forum, I hope you get plenty more hugs and well wishes, but most of all lots of help for you to regain your rhythm /rate again.
I share your utter disappointment CD. Just goes to show that AF is always lurking in spite of all thst you do to help yourself.
Hope you get sorted quickly.
Best wishes
Sandra
Sorry to hear this CD. I'm sure you'll be sorted, but you know the drill. My heart is with you.
Phil
I like many on here really appreciated your replies and I am thinking of you and hope you get things solved. Hopefully its a one off. Hugs from elsie
Very best wishes CD and hope it's sorted soon.
Thank you all for your loveliness, caring and support. Paramedics came about 11.15 and after they did a 12 lead thought it could be SVTs or AF - no P wave. We tried all the usual maneuvers including a new one on me which involved lying supine on floor and then they raised my legs quickly - didn't work so decided to take me to hospital.
I didn't feel that bad and walked to ambulance and settled down - HR started to come down so Hubbie made tea and produced biscuits and we waited to see if it would revert as I really didn't want to go to hospital! It did thankfully and after 30 mins of monitoring and a talk to the doctor who called the paramedics I was released and went to bed, course I didn't sleep for hours, you can't help but press the replay can you and wonder what triggered that then!
All praise to the paramedics who had me blowing down tubes and doing relaxation techniques and slow breathing etc none of which worked as seemed to be only the threat of hospital which converted me.
Have just spoken to emergency GP who has written script for NOAC which Hubbie will pick up from chemist later today and phoning EP for appointment.
Thank you all again for your concern, hopefully it was a one off.
Good to hear it has settled down as others have said let's hope it is an isolated incident. At least it was relatively short.
We are all rooting for you to get better.
Pete
So glad to hear you were able to spend the night at home. This bolt from the blue episode has at least enabled you to take the anticoagulation step and although you may not be feeling carpet under the feet you have the comfort that it was resolved fairly speedily and your paramedics were happy not to take you in. Nasty surprise though.
Well its a move in the right direction.....I bin racking my brains, but cant think why you have attracted so much care and support......musta missed sumfin!!...😉😄😎.....keep taking it easy....John
Hi John - CD has been a member of our forum for quite a few years and has always been very supportive to others in need. She is a very much valued and well thought of person here. So, to answer your question, that's why she has attracted so much care and support.
Jean
Hi Jeannie, t'was a little light hearted banter to encourage CD to have a chuckle to cheer her up.....fortunately thats the way she took it coz she liked the comment. 👍👍.....hugggsss to you and CD
Thanks Jeanie, I chuckled! I know Flapjack meant it lightheartedly.
I'll fight your corner gal! LOL.
Oh I do hope so CD, you have enough to concern yourself over without AF rearing its ugly head. Get AC'd and that will be one worry out of the way. The anxiety waiting for it to happen is the worst, try to relax and convince yourself this will not happen again. Best wishes and hugs.
Brenda🐝
So glad you are feeling more comfortable . What was in that tea??
Great to hear you are back to normal heart rate and feeling better. Thanks for you contributions and help on this forum, kind regards.
Hope its just a one off and your soon back on track.
thanks again folks.....it really helps to know there are people out there who can empathise and who care!
Just seen all today's updates. Hope it keeps up and try and rest (easier said tan done I know).
So glad that with your complex picture you were able to get back to NSR without all the upheaval and complicated explaining to A&E doctors etc.
Will you now get a review taking all your conditions into consideration?
Echoing all the thanks and appreciation you're received here,
XBoombiddy.
Glad to know you are finding solutions. Seems to me, in the times when AF free, we need to plan on what to do when symptoms start. Remember, you cannot usually fully diagnose what is happening. So, sudden heart rate of 150+ I would label as a kind of tachycardia. In the past for me these would stop spontaneously within an hour. Now, I try to work out which kind it is, and take a rest with either flecainide or bisoprolol. For my reasoning see a previous thread healthunlocked.com/afassoci...
Obviously, a lot depends on you, what meds you are on, etc.
For me, guessing why it starts, trying to remember what was happening the hour before it started. Was I nervous? Was I over-tired? This leads to prompt action.
Thanks I saw your thread. It was more than tachycardia as no P wave and irregular irregularity. Paramedics suspected SVT or AF but until I have an EP analysis I won't know.
Unfortunately everything gets complicated with Myasthenia gravis.
No obvious triggers, but then it is really difficult to say as I suspect I could have an autonomic disorder in addition to the autoimmune condition.
Diaphragmatic breathing didn't work, neither did cold water, ice pack, exercise or bearing down - which is why I called 111.
The meds I take for Mg - Mycophenalate mofetil - could be a possibility as the most likely suspect as the list of commonly reported side effects are far too scary and believe me arrhythmia is one of the more benign!
drugs.com/sfx/mycophenolate...
I have been on them for 2 years now and they are probably the least toxic drug available to me and keeping me functioning, mostly. I am trying to avoid steroids or IVIG if I can.
Unable to take anti-arrhythmias or beta blockers or calcium channel blockers without EP & Neurology consults so for the moment my only option is going to be to Be monitored, should I have another episode, hoping not.
Thanks for your reply.
Good that you didn't need to go to hospital - take it easy and try to relax. This damned condition has a mind of its own.
Hope you are feeling a lot better now.
Best wishes
Pete
Thanks Pete, yes I am! I have an appointment with my GP next Thurs and with EP on 1st Oct. I am now on Eliquis, having spoken to emergency GP On Wed morning which relieves the worry of stroke and have had no further incidents.
Unfortunately hubby has had 3 episodes of AF this week means cared for turned carer, persuading him to see anyone is not easy as he is one of those people who totally 'forgets' anything about feeling ill as soon as it is ended!
Great way to live as he only sees the positives. At 82 he has just gone down to retrieve the boat to put into winter storage, he volunteers for RNLI - showing people the facilities, the NCI as watch keeper and trainer and a member of local male voice choir singing weekly and concerts at week-ends.
Best wishes CD
You really do have a lot to deal with with both of you having AF issues. I admire your husband with all the activities he undertakes. I am only 69 and I consider myself to be relatively active but he puts me to shame.
Bless you both.
Pete
So sorry to hear this! It makes you want to throw in the towel, can't take the meds and you're doing the deep breathing....make sure not to forget the valsalva maneuvers too, like make yourself cough as well, deep breath....hold it....cough. Do this several times slowly....Then one last time put your arms up high as you can to stretch your body and look up...now slowly inhale all the air you can and keep it as long as you can (like when you're trying to get rid of hiccups!) and one last exhale and cough and now see how you feel. You don't want to cough TOO hard cuz believe it or not you can break ribs if you cough TOO hard. Have you ever had an angiogram and you are in conscious sedation? They bring you up from it a little and tell you to cough? That's your "Valsalva" and you will see it on the report, and doctors like to see how your heart responds.
I just gave you a ridiculous valsalva that I do when I get an arrhythmia that is already making me throw up. It happened to me Tuesday! I had to go to the ER till 3AM! I already have a pacemaker and defibrillator, but the tachycardia can get outta hand.
So for you, if you could try that....after 2 years of being OK, it might help. Otherwise if you've tried everything, then you know it's time to call the EP for a checkup! Meantime, Best to you and Cheers! You are very brave and I know you are doing every thing you can!
Thank you, the paramedics tried several things, including the breathing and coughing, lifting legs quickly after lying down - which according to Josh, has never failed for him before......
(Hmmmmm I am the one that has to break the rule) and breathing into syringe and legs in the air - only the threat of hospital succeeded! As I am immune suppresses it is the LAST place I would want to be.
Throwing in the towel is not an option, it only lasted 3 hours and I am used to far worse - some episodes lasted plus 48 hours and I didn't feel that ill with it.
Sorry to hear about your episode, hope you are feeling better now.
Best wishes
Aw thanks, I'm doing better! I am still resting and trying to stay rehydrated (coconut water seems to be helping, I have Sjogren's Syndrome and it keeps me dehydrated) I'm going to try a walk later since the weather here in Chicago, IL is glorious! Yes you should say out of hospital with immune suppressants for sure, just my trip to ER on Tuesday and my husband has a bad cold, coughing and sneezing and blowing his nose! Just setting foot in that place puts you in a terrible risk! I'm so glad you are strong and not giving up! Just promise you'll keep your 29th appt and write down all your symptoms and circumstances such as, if you took a walk and how long the chest pain lasted. Finally, if you can get a Blood Pressure monitor at the Drug Store, that might be a valuable purchase! Meantime, Hugs and prayers to you, and I wish you all the very best! SMILES to you!
Thank you, yes I monitor myself with BP & ECG with the Kardia (AliveCor) and have a full report. I have Myasthenia gravis so life becomes a little complicated, Sjogrens often accompanies it, as do lots of other autoimmune diseases as they tend to come in clutches. I also find Coconut water excellent, full of the electrolytes we need.
The weather here in the SW of England is also quite nice, but not nearly as extreme ask we have a very moderate climate, no heat in summer and hardly any frost or snow in winter, it is a most beautiful area and we live by the sea, at the mouth of River Exe, with rolling green hills around. About as different to the Windy City as you could possibly get!
About the only times I ever went to Chicago was passing through, travelling to Denver, Houston, Portland or the West Coast so only got to see the skyline. Unfortunately we don't travel to US much these days although my husband still has business interests there.
I have had AF for about 10 years now, although until Tues was AF free for over 2 years. I don't know what the next step will be for me but am not a worrier and take things as they come and have plenty of coping strategies but it is so good to talk to people who understand what it is like when your heart races and thumps.
I love this forum for all the wonderful, supportive people I have met here, some face to face, I don't know how I would have managed without it, I have learned so much!
Best wishes CD
Good Morning CDreamer! Thanks so much for the message back! As horrible as it is, it all makes sense to me now! And you are the first fellow Sjogren's sufferer i've ever met here on the forum, and in a way it explains alot to ME as well when I get similar symptoms! The myasthenia gravis is such an unfortunate condition I so regret you have this my friend! I luckily had this ruled out on all my tests and I feel humbled that I can move on without it. Thank you for sharing with us and please continue to do so! The bad downtrodden days will strike hard at times, and the best medicine at times is to just reach out and we do care SO MUCH!!! I find that when I am stricken the most comfort does come from fellow sufferers and Heart Friends! And an occasional IV because I get severely dehydrated at times..it happened to me last Tuesday like I said. I didn't start to feel better till this morning. So I'll be praying for your heart to simmer down a bit and let you chill so you can enjoy the scenery where you're at, and meantime we do support you....and I'm so glad that I have a new HeartFriend! Hugs!!!
Af low HR
Normal HR and AF
