Coming or going... wish I knew!

[Mejulie69]

What a vortex of confusion this illness is.

Went back to the GP this morning to seek advice (again). As covered in my earlier blogs, my last 2 attempts at exercise didn’t end well – foggy head, nausea and numb arms / hands.

Neither of us know whether the symptoms are caused by the heart, the anxiety, or the meds! First thing she said was “perhaps we are over beta blocking you”, and by the end of the appointment, the decision was to increase the beta blockers!

I consciously feel a lot better about this illness, but I have an inkling there are a lot of gremlins in my subconscious who are giving me problems. I struggle to comprehend the whole concept of subconscious, but it seems to be the best explanation at the moment.... but I'm not sure, and neither is the doctor!

[Beehive1]

Hi it might be worth trying some mindfulness or CBT to help combat the psychological aspects. I use hypnotherapy techniques and mindfulness.

[Finvola]

Mejulie - have a look at Dr Gupta's video on another post. Although he is referring to ectopics, I believe there is a lot to be said for tackling anxiety and its role in making some of our symptoms worse.

[Mejulie69 in reply to Finvola]

Thanks, will have a watch. The interesting thing is, I feel worse when in NSR with heavy ectopics than when in AF. The ectopics thump through my chest and make me anxious, where as AF feels a lot smoother!

[Mejulie69 in reply to Finvola]

I am already addicted. Think I'm going to be up all night watching his videos.

[Mejulie69]

Thanks Baraba! I am determined to navigate my way through this illness, and very much hope I will one day look back on the summer / autumn / winter of 2017 / 2018 and be grateful for how much it made me appreciate being healthy.

[Mejulie69]

My cardiologist suggested that is the route I go down, but I am waiting meet my EP. Perhaps his ideas will differ. My statistics are completely normal other than having done too much endurance sport. In the last month I have been in and out of AF 4 times, and naturally, my quality of life is suffering. I am keen to pursue a quick path to recovery, even if it is a difficult path.

[Staxman]

Vortex of confusion - so apt !

I've been on a monitor for 5 days and felt really well - i hand the thing back, walk away from the clinic, and go into AF. Sod's law.

[KMRobbo]

Hi MeJulie

When i was first diagnosed with AF 2 years ago, the drug they put me on was Bisoprolol 1.25mg

40 minutes after my first one I was asleep , woke up 2 hour later and was a bit confused , foggy head and I had what you could be describing as numbness in my arms /hands , but not numb like when you sleep on your arm, numb as it does not feel right bordering on sore. it was not just my arms either I had a similar feeling in my shoulders /upper body but less.

I was on this for a week with the same effects every time I took one. I tried to run whilst I was on this but literally 50 - 100 yard s was all I could do. my HR would not go above 120 even though I was straining .

After a week I got my GP to switch to attenonol 25Mg another beta blocker. This was better but still was really tired (no numbness in arms) and went to bed about 4-5 hours after having one. I went to work but only half days.

After a month on this I was taken off beta blockers and put on verapamil 120mg slow release (calcium channel blocker) which was a lot better, lost most of the tiredness and was less restrictive on the excercise. I eventually managed on 60mg Verapamil until recently when it stopped controlling the AF, so now am on other drugs (flecainide and adizem).

Anyway point is I did not get on with beta blockers.

It definitely was not in my head!

Now when I was in hospital recently they have me as allergic to beta blockers. (red wrist label)

[Mejulie69 in reply to KMRobbo]

Interesting. The beta blockers make me feel great (calm) most of the time, but they could be the thing that is causing me grief when exercising. Thanks for this post. I need to experiment!