Support needed please ..

[Janna501]

Hello everyone who was so much help to me as a terrified afib newbie some months ago.I thought I was doing so well-- took the holiday after your great advice, and was sailing along, without event,on 1.25 bisoprolol and Riveroxaban protection . Then bang, e few weeks ago I was blue lighted into hospital with heart rate of 200bpm. Was returned to sinus rhythm by next morning with drugs, and kept in for several days ( (which was a shock ) for them to do angiogram. My arteries are fine, and an echo was ok apart from mild mitral valve leak. BUT, since that event I'm having awful ectopic beats every day ( runs of lots of them with a break in between, looking at my Kardia ) my bisoprolol was upped to 2.5 and I was given Flecainide as pip . I don't know if I should take one for the ectopics, would it help, or is it for increased hr only? My hr is in 60's but the ectopics jump out of my chest . My anxiety is sky high , my confidence has gone again , I'm tearful, and my family's suffering . I'd be so grateful for some advice ...

[Finvola]

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

You poor thing - such a letdown after your holiday, which I hope you enjoyed and should be a more positive memory than recent events.

Ectopics are a misery and are driven by many things, but one of them is anxiety unfortunately. I get runs of them and worry so they just get worse. The one thing which has stopped them with me is the slow, controlled breathing exercise in the link above. Basically, you take deep, diaphram breaths - no more than 6 a minute for a minimum of 5 minutes. I find counting helps me to relax as I breathe in and out and I usually do it for 10 minutes. Others have found it works too.

Flecainide is a rhythm control drug and I've seen various opinions about its ability to help ectopics. My experience is that it might just calm them slightly, but I take 200mg daily and still have the blighters occasionally.

Your heart rate is good but it sounds as if your anxiety level is making things worse and you probably feel like I do now and then - out of control after a nasty episode. Do try the breathing technique - when it worked for me by reducing and then stopping the ectopics - I felt as if I had won!

In the longer term, can your GP offer some advice regarding CBT or other calming techniques such as mindfulness? The psychological battle for all of us living with AF is as real as coping with AF itself but it is an area that we need to seek out for ourselves, very often.

There are many posters on the forum with advice in these areas so do keep posting and let us know how you are.

Big hug and best wishes xx

[Janna501 in reply to Finvola]

Thank you so much,I'll try the breathing.I'm relieved to hear that it won't go into a fib,I feel as if it's going to kick start it ..

[BobD Volunteer]

Finvola got there first and said everything I would have so just left for me to give cyber hugs. (((((( )))))). Ectopics are generally not dangerous so take that on board and try to relax. I find propafanone, a similar type rhythm control drug to flecainide helps mine if they get really bad but at least they are not AF!

[Janna501 in reply to BobD]

Thank you so much Bob,and thank you all for the cyber hugs.I've already taken a bisoprolol,is it ok to try the flecainide (50mg ) too ? I want to get through this Sunday without getting teary over the roast lamb it's taken such an effort to cook. Here I go again !

[Janna501]

Do you think the ectopics would be less in reducing the Bisoprolol ? I thought the opposite,what do I know ! Thankyou

[Hidden]

Maybe you're on the wrong drugs? They're clearly not working! My drugs are controlling my ectopics about 95%, but we had to try 3 others before getting the right one that worked on me, with varying results.

[Janna501 in reply to Hidden]

Would you mind telling me what you are on ? So far I've only been given Bisoprolol daily,and Flecainide as pip,which I'm going to try now, although I was told it was for rapid heartbeat ,which isn't the immediate problem.Thanks.

[Hidden in reply to Janna501]

My understanding is that we're all differet and what works for me may well not be for you, so what I'm on is probably not really relevant. But for what's it's worth, I'm on Disopyramide. I tried Flecainide (which gave me palpitations which is not normal I feel from what I know reading on hear), then tried propapfenone, which worked fairly well (it used ot work very well on me a decade ago), and then something else (forgotten!!!), then Disopryamide.

[BobD Volunteer]

Janna, flecianide is a rhythm control drug and isn't for rate at all. That is what bisprolol is for.

[Janna501 in reply to BobD]

Thank you Bob, I think then I should try the flecainide for these ectopics that are coming fast and furious ?

[Tessybear]

Hi I'm so sorry you're suffering with all of this. I completely understand how you're feeling, especially with the anxiety. When you are constantly getting ectopics and constanFly in a state of anxiety it can really affect your life, I know. Over a few years now I have learned to manage my anxiety by using different methods.

The first thing is to accept that although worrying is natural and human, it is not helpful to you. I tell myself now that just because I think something awful is going to happen,it doesn't mean it is true! You are taking protective medication, and AF nor ectopics will kill you. Breathe deeply and slowly, focus on your breathing. Two other helpful things I have done are:

Find a good councellor, who is removed from the situation, to tell all your fears and worries to- this is brilliant therapy. Talking about things to someone experienced in helping with anxiety clears your mind and gives you confidence.

Consult a qualified clinical Aromatherapist (find one on the CNHC website) I use the Essential oil Neroli, which calms my mind, and thus seems to calm my heart.

I hope this helps, and wish you well.

[Janna501 in reply to Tessybear]

Thank you so much. How do you think I should go about finding a good councilor?

[Tessybear in reply to Janna501]

Well in my experience , although you can see one on the NHS via your G.P, this is very limited in scope, as they are only allowed to give you a limited number of short sessions, and you have no choice who you see. If you can afford it, look online for a private practitioner.Often you can read a resume of what their approach is. He or she will be able to see you as often as required, and tailor meetings to your needs.

What is really important is that you feel comfortable and happy with whoever you see- if not, find someone else - that is what I did, and really benefitted from it. Generally they charge around £40 a session.

[Janna501 in reply to Tessybear]

Thank you Tessybear, I feel I do need that sort of help to stop this fear escalating, and will try to find someone...

[cat55]

Hi, I really feel for you. Anxiety is so debilitating, it's the constant what ifs, and for us worriers the uncertainty of AF feeds the anxiety. Please do as many others have suggested and try to get some professional help. I have had CBT and although anxiety sometimes gets the better of me and the ectopics abound, I have learned coping strategies which have helped enormously. I was told I had a generalised anxiety disorder, I still have thoughts that my family are amazed I have, but I am better at controlling them. Therapy is not easy but worthwhile. Do the breathing it does work and you owe it to yourself to get help. Take care of yourself and let us know how you get on. Best wishes Kath.

[Janna501 in reply to cat55]

Thank you so much