Atrial Fibrillation

[Daboban]

I am new to this. I am in permanent AF. I have had 4 cardio-versions lasting from 10 to 2 months. I have now been referred for an ablation. I do not have many heart racing episodes. I also have ME. I wheeze when I go to bed but if I lie on my front it stops. I also judder and shake in my sleep almost like fitting. Any one have similar?

[CDreamer]

Hi Daboban firstly welcome, you will find this forum friendly, supportive and informative on AF, it was a life-line for me.

Do you really have permanent AF? Permanent means you cannot be cardioverted into NSR (normal sinus rhythm) which you obviously can be because you have been offered an ablation so I suspect you have either paroxysmal AF (PAF) or persistent. Paroxysmal means you have episodes which come and go, persistent means you are in AF all of the time but you can be cardiovertd by electric shock or chemical means and permanent means you cannot, no treatment will put you back into rhythm.

As to second question - anyone similar? - to what ME specifically or other diseases? And what would your particular concerns be if there were? What information are you seeking?

I have Myasthenia gravis with ME like symptoms - I have never sought a diagnosis as it is just one more thing and I have quite enough medical appointments thank yo very much and as there is no treatment for ME and didn't think it worth it.

I had AF before I had Myasthenia, it didn't bother me on a daioy basis. I had several ablations, first made my episodes worse, second eliminated it for over two years, I now have the occasional episode but nothing like the severity so I don't become as disabled by it.

I find the AF makes my Mg a lot worse and brain fog increases as Oxygen sats decrease, I can't take any of the drugs for AF as they are contraindicated for Mg, stuff like betablockers, calcium channel blockers, statins and anti Arrythmia drugs such as Flecainidel but I do take anticoagulants, I do find that HBOT treatment works for the ME like symptoms and I meet many other ME sufferers there, also helps my heart no end!

Other than that I cannot say that the two are associated in any way.

Go visit the AFA website for good information on AF and terminology, treatments and suggestions of question to ask of your Electrophysiologist,

Best wishes, CD.

[CDreamer in reply to CDreamer]

PS - the wheezing - YES - need to sleep well supported with lots of pillows. I used a CPAP because of both sleep apnea - an underlying cause of AF - and the Mg. It really helps clear the lungs of mucus so I sleep much better and I haven't had wheezing or any chest infection (I had some bad ones because I couldn't clear the mucus) for nearly 2 years now.

The juddering and shaking could well be associated with your body waking you up because of the breathing problems.