Woke feeling dithery and shallow breathing.

[Valdoot]

This morning Ive felt very odd. When I got out of bed I felt a bit dithery, shallow breathing and a feeling in my throat as if Id been running. I checked my pulse and the beat was all over, not even at all, yet it was beating at approx. 60. I'm on 1.5 bisoprolol, pe day. Was this the start of an PAF attack? I don't know, walking stairs has puffed me out today, but now I do feel fine? Am I looking too deep ? I'm fine now. Ive got a holiday booked and I'm not one bit happy about leaving the safety of my home.

[pattiannj]

I know how you feel - how easy it would be to stay at home but then AF would be controlling us & we can't let that happen. So have a holiday, make sure you have all your meds, be sensible about eating & drinking & know about emergency care locally. Enjoy. When I asked my consultant about flying even with AF he said go for it but keep hydrated. Of course if I felt really unwell I wouldn't

[Valdoot in reply to pattiannj]

Thanks Patti, it s all new to me this even tho its a year September I was diagnosed. Ive been lucky to have only one attack since then, that was 2 weeks ago. I read tho that the condtion worsens so I'm scared its happening. Wish Id never read it. I feel as if I'm on a downward ski slope just waiting to fall off. To be honest I'm scared.

[pattiannj in reply to Valdoot]

We are all scared to a certain degree & you are so new to it. I've had it for years & it has got worse - episodes longer. Earlier this year it got out of control but gradually has settled on the drugs. I do have some side effects but can cope if it makes episodes manageable

[Valdoot in reply to pattiannj]

That's a real shame, best wishes. Have you had the symptoms I mention? See, I'm not even sure it was that?

[pattiannj]

I always know when AF strikes it's usually at night not long after I go to sleep but sometimes I do feel similar to you best described as panicky or anxious but my pulse rate is steady

[Valdoot in reply to pattiannj]

yes, like that. Its just recognising it I suppose for me now. Thanks Patti, hope you keep well. :))

[jeanjeannie50]

If the heart beats very fast then the pulse in your wrist is not always correct. Is that how you checked it?

By the way, my sister used to have bouts of AF and eventually it just went away - so live in hope!

Jean

[Valdoot in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Yes My beats in my wrist were 60ish but I was breathy and my neck had that feeling that I'd been running almost. My legs were tired but arms ok. (Last time I couldn't wash my hair my arms wouldn't stay up) I just feared another attack was coming. I had one 2 weeks ago. I just need to know how to recognise the start of an attack really then cope as needed. Your lucky sister! That's wonderful! :))

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Valdoot]

So your heart could probably have been beating a lot faster in reality. I have no medical training, but don't like the sound of your not being able to keep your arms up and feeling dithery. I think you should let your GP know about this tomorrow morning.

Most people, me included have no idea when an attack is going to start. One minute your fine and then wham it starts from nowhere. I can be sat watching t.v.and minding my own business and then suddenly there it is!

Please let us know how you get on.

Best wishes

Jean

[Valdoot in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks Jean. My arms were OK this time, but my legs had no power going upstairs. Thankyou for your answer and hope you stay well.x

[Buffafly in reply to Valdoot]

I remember the 'no power' feeling 😖 I told my GP I felt breathless going downstairs never mind up but he put it down to asthma. You are lucky you are having all the tests and hopefully you will soon get suitable treatment, in the meantime take care and don't push yourself 💕

[opal11uk]

Have you been feeling anxious about your holiday, anxiety can cause problems like this so try and relax if you can and look forward to your trip however if you are worried then consult your GP for a check

[KathFrances]

This may be similar to what sometimes happens to me, often from first thing in the morning. I find myself in a state that I call 'pre AF' as from experience I know that in this state I'm particularly prone to an episode of AF. The feelings are of weakness, ditheriness, fragility, shallow breathing, tight feeling in the throat, difficulty in functioning properly and a sense of disassociation as if I'm not quite here. At these times I take it easy, rest a lot, cancel anything active and am very careful not to over exert in any way to avoid kicking into AF. Usually this state passes after a few hours or overnight and then I go back to feeling normal again. For me, it's a warning sign that an AF attack could easily happen and I need to take measures to avoid it. As long as I listen to what my body's telling me, I can generally avert another AF episode by careful management.