Newbie Deb

[Deb1838]

Please excuse my ignorance if I say something that sounds really stupid. My brain doesn’t seem to be working so clearly. I recently posted as newbie explaining my new diagnosis. I am waiting for my first appointment in December to see the cardiology team at local hospital, however my question is what do I do if I have an episode in the mean time. Do I sit it out or do I go to A&E, how fast do I let my heart rate get to before seeking medical help. Many thanks Deb

[Buffafly]

Hi Deb, I just read your original post and noticed your heart is sometimes going below 50, so it seems your medication is working very well. I am assuming your rhythm is still AF? No wonder you feel zombified! The usual criteria for going to A&E unless advised differently by your docs is if you have chest pain, faintness, nausea, sweating, extreme breathlessness - ie symptoms your heart is struggling, though noone would blame you for going if you were just plain scared.....

It sounds as though you shouldn't have to make this decision though. Don't forget to keep checking your pulse because it is weird how often the appointment for a CV sends hearts back into NSR 😀

[Deb1838 in reply to Buffafly]

Hi buffafly thank you for your response. I don’t know whether I am in Af at the moment, I am having an ecg at the gps next week. However I had an episode last week and my pulse was 149, it did sort itself out but I panicked as I realised I didn’t know what to do and when you should go to A&E. I am aware that I seem to lose all rational thinking when I have an episode.

[jennydog in reply to Deb1838]

Deb1838 Buffafly's advice is excellent. Can I suggest that you keep a record of all episodes with details of heart rate, blood pressure etc to show your Cardiologist in December? It's impossible to remember everything so this record will be important.

[Deb1838 in reply to jennydog]

Yes I have been keeping records although my gp said I was taking it too often !!

[Deb1838 in reply to jennydog]

Yes I have been keeping records although my gp said I was taking it too often !!

[kiki1952 in reply to Deb1838]

I was told at the A&E just to go if I get chest pain or shortness of breath etc, mine starts every 8 days and lasts for 2 days. So now I don't go to the A&E I just wait. I just keep checking my pulse to find out when it has stopped. I cant take my pulse to find out what my HR is because it is fast and missing etc so I can't count it.

[Deb1838 in reply to kiki1952]

Hi Kiki. I didn’t experience any chest pain it’s just that I haven’t been given any advice and it will be 3 months since first af before I get my appointment. So far it doesn’t seem to last that long. However another thing that keeps happening is that I seem to feel like my chest is fluttering in my sleep which stops when I wake, question is am I dreaming this or is it actually happening? I know you can’t answer that, just wondered if this a common occurrence

[kiki1952 in reply to Deb1838]

I get like a fluttering in my chest sometimes I think it must be common because I have heard other people get it also.

[rosyG]

Cardiologists at our support group say decode by your symptoms but all seem to agree you shouldn't wait too long with high heart rate ( 130 upwards)

[Hertbeat321]

My brov started in June this year, and took himself into A&E first time and the following 3 times it went fast, then we all sat down and talked about it, as he got use to the idea that his heart will go back into nsr and life didn’t end, he became more knowledgeable, helped me being a cardiac nurse to explain everything to him, and to keep a pill in the pocket, which actually serves as a mental guardian, he only on 1.25 mgs bisoprolol so he can easily take another one, new job happened 3 wks ago his normal on meds hr is 50/55 but new job it’s 60 so he is actually less tired, from a low heart rate, now it’s upped a bit.

The advice from buffafly is spot on, use those parameters and if your scared go in no one will blame you.

Jeannie

[Deb1838 in reply to Hertbeat321]

Ok that’s sensible advice thank you

[Hidden]

Had my first real Afib attack back in February. 140-178 for five hours. 111 said go to A&E and after I had been treated duty doctor said to go if I went to 120 for more than 15 minutes.

Di

[Deb1838 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you that’s very helpful

[porthole1 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Hylda,I’ve also been told to dial 999 after 20-30 mins, I’m on bisopralol 7.5 mg daily with a back up of 2.5mg if this doesn’t put my heartbeat back to normal then it’s A and E.!! I’ve missed a flight and a cruise because of my AF, this in my case is diagnosed as SVT.....However I’m booked on another cruise and have to fly to America first so fingers crossed it will be without incident this time. I’m trying not to let it control my life.

[Hidden]

Hi Deb. We're all different, but everybody here understands your feelings in the early days. You've been given good advice already, so all I can add is that you'll get better at knowing what feels right for you and when to seek medical help. It sounds like you'll be fine until you see the cardio, but keep educating yourself about this condition and don't worry about going to A&E if you are anxious.

Over time A&E visits have changed for me from being desperately wanted to being total pains in the backside, but for now you probably need that reassurance, so go in if your symptoms worry you or it just feels too scary.

Best wishes.

[Deb1838 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your advice. Everyone has helped with fantastic advice. I think my main issue Is that I need assurance that what I am experiencing is normal and because I don’t have a name for my cardiologist I have nowhere as a point of contact. I just hope I don’t become a pain to everyone with my questions!

[Hidden in reply to Deb1838]

Replying to questions and giving the benefit of our experience is one way for us to feel like there's something positive coming out of our af.

I've had to learn such a lot over the years and it would have really helped if somebody I trusted could have just told me it all on day 1. So keep asking the questions and we'll keep helping you find some possible answers.

[Hertbeat321 in reply to Deb1838]

No you are not ,,,,and once you have seen your doc you will be given the arrhythmia nurses contact, usually you leave a message and they get back to you,

[Coco51]

Some good advice above. While you are waiting to see the consultant there'd be no harm in going back to your GP and asking for a plan of action if you have an attack. I was told to take an extra 1.25 of bisoptolol which worked quite well. Good luck.

[Deb1838 in reply to Coco51]

Thank you very good advice.