Asymptomatic but persistent/permanent AF now seems to have symptoms

[reedman]

Hi All, I haven't posted for ages,done plenty of lurking though! I've had AF (asymptomatic) for something over 6 years now, always felt a bit of a fraud when I think of what some of you go through. I recently closed down my business which has involved me in a lot of quite strenuous work, moving stock, emptying stock rooms, up and down stairs ad infinitum, delivering sold stock etc. Gradually over the final month I began to feel very tired, quite understandable I thought in the circumstances. But the tiredness has persisted although the work has stopped, it's now over a month since I closed up and though I can still do physical work I tire very easily and there are new symptoms in that for the first time I can feel my heart beating erratically to the point that if I sit I can actually feel myself being moved by the thumping beat in my chest, in addition when this occurs I get out of breath and breathe heavily. My question is this, have I just overdone things and all will come right in time or have I caused my AF to deteriorate permanently? I also now get headaches and a bit of earache neither of which have I previously been prone to. I would be grateful if anybody can through any light on this. Thanks in advance.

[doodle68]

Hello Reedman do you think there might be an element of now you have more time and are not rushing about you notice things more.

I find when I have lots to do I don't feel tired but the moment I stop I do.

[reedman in reply to doodle68]

Thanks for the reply. I very rarely got out of breath before and I certainly didn't have the thump/thudding heart beat.

[Rellim296]

Why not get the big picture looked at as you could be short on some vitamin or mineral. Something simple like a vitamin D or B12 deficiency can have quite a significant effect.

[reedman in reply to Rellim296]

Hi Relim, It's just that the symptoms started very quickly following the extra exertion. I take Dabigatran for anticoag and I supplement with Magnesium citrate.

[Rellim296 in reply to reedman]

Well we know that AF can progress. But after such a busy time of change, you can, as you say, feel entitled to be weary. It might be wise here to think there could be more than just one answer.

[reedman in reply to Rellim296]

Thanks, certainly worth bearing mind. I just hope I haven't made my AF worse!

[reedman]

Thanks for the reply Goldie I think you are probably on the right track but I wanted to sound out the forum before I booked appt. But I actually have an annual checkup arranged for next week anyway.

[BobD Volunteer]

I think you need to see your doctor and get checked out with a new ECG when possible. Things may have changed to best find out now.

[reedman in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob, I think you are right.

[Hidden]

Maybe push for an echocardiogram when you have your annual check up too.....

[12string]

I had the same thumping/feeling of heartbeat. I thought it was the way it was. Cardiologist took me off Altaice (bp med), which I had been taking for years. Put me on metoprolol and thumping stopped immediately. That was over two months ago. FYI only, ask doc. I'm in USA, don't know if meds have a different name, there. Good luck.

[EngMac]

From my experience, I know the spine has a lot to do with AF. Even though I cannot find any studies about this and the common viewpoint is negative on this, I can only base my comment on my experience which has been a long road with an overall positive result so far and is still ongoing. The common viewpoint seems to be based on conjecture and not on facts since facts are not available.

My guess is you did something to your back through what you have done and now the nerves have been negatively impacted and you are having more symptoms. The new onset headaches and earaches also support this possibility. Since these new symptoms happened very quickly, this confirms my suspicions. If you message me, I can give you more specifics on what has benefited me. Since you do not take heart medication, it will be easier for you to see, if you do what I have done, results in a benefit for you. The great thing is it does not involve surgery or medication.

[reedman]

Thanks everybody for your collective replies. Well, back from hospital (A+E) a couple of hours ago, they kept me in overnight and most of this morning. It seems that AF is a sneaky beast and because apart from an irregular heartbeat I had no other symptoms I was lulled into a sense false confidence. Basically over the last few weeks I've overdone things closing down the business, gradually without realising it my resting heart rate has been increasing (137 bpm upon admission) of course once actually working the bpm increased way beyond this causing palpitations which was the pounding sensation in my chest which stupidly I ignored. The nett result of a very high heart rate is that the body retains more and more fluid apparently. High fluid levels result in poorer blood flow, poorer oxygenation blah blah. They found my ankles quite swollen (I missed that) they also found fluid in my lungs which explains my being out of breath (why I couldn't do a couple of jazz gigs a little while ago). Anyway, severely reduced blood flow to the the brain and over I went (sounds like a classic faint to me!). I have been ordered to take it easy for a while and now have to take a new med Digoxin (temporarily while further tests are done) to keep my resting heart rate down below 100 bpm, I have to see my GP on Weds to arrange some further tests as an out patient and I have been instructed not to drive for the time being. So all in all not a fun thing for a Sunday. It would have caused a bit of a stir had it happened on Friday when I played a gig while feeling rotten. Anyway I have learned my lesson and shall be more respectful of my AF condition in future!

[reedman]

Further to the above. I've just had the results of an Echcardiagram requested by the hospital. My LV ejection fraction has dropped way down to 25% (from previously, low 50%). So it would seem it wasn't overwork closing down the business but more likely my heart was having difficulty in keeping up with the demands I was putting on it. Since the hospital called for the Echocardiagram I'm rather hoping they will call me in for further tests? But I'm not holding my breath. My GP is looking into my case in depth and after consulation with "the team" and heart failure nurses is planning to get back to me next week. In the meantime I have not really recovered from syncope and fell very tired most of the time. Still as they taught me in the Army, "keep putting one foot in front of the other one lad".