Really struggling P-AF

[Dolly1962]

Hi

Just wondering if anyone else gets breathless and goes into AF for doing the slightest thing , I also get tightness in my chest feels like something is crushing me it aches .

On and off since 2011 I’ve had pains in chest headaches etc but nothing was diagnosed really one thought I had angina and 2 years ago had a angiogram nothing found but then last year sept / Oct they also thought I had heart spasms went back to the Gp and kept having abnormal ECG s then on them on day found I was in AF ! and put on axprizpan ( among other anti quags but can’t tolerate them ).

All I’m taking is bisoprolol 1.25 mg morning n tea time Amlodipine 5mg once a day and dabigatran 150mg twice a day . Today even before I got up my chest on left side is aching . I have a GTN spray for as and when needed .

My heart rate is all over the place , AF the past few days is on off longest from 9.30 pm till 6pm next day then on and off a hour here and there . I desperately want to go back to work ( im only 55 yrs) as I really can’t afford to be off only state sick pay but feel arwful , headaches tight chest out of breath tired and if I do anything my chest is worse I’m normally on the go all day , any tips on this please ? Is there anything I can take herbal or any suggestions ?

I know none of you are medical trained , but if any body has had similar problems and can point me into a different direction it would be gratefully received.

I also have a hetis hernia which I take esomeprazole 40 mg once a day and Ranitidine 150 mg x2 gaviscon tabs after meals or when needed

Oxbutynin 5mg x2 for my bladder .

Tried flecinde and other ant quags and 2 other beta blockers etc can’t seem to tolerate them I’ve asked to be refured to a EP but I think it’s a long wait . I’m over weight I had lost 1 1/2 stone but since this put it back on due to lack of excerise otherwise it starts my chest off it seems like catch 22 , really feeling down at moment , I have in the past suffered depression which I think was triggered by ( loosing my brother at 58 to heart problems which we knew nothing about the 12 weeks later my mum through a embolism) but not taken any thing for it now for a few years , I think because my hubby was unwell for the past 6 years ( heart attack sepsis blocked bile duct gall stone in the duct liver problems etc etc ) but last year it came to a head which put my stress levels up which I think has not helped me at all .. I really want to be able to go back to work as the bills don’t pay them selves ( I’m a health care assistant ) .

I don’t smoke ( gave up 15 yrs ago) I used to drink wine not loads to relax and socially at weekends but don’t since told about AF I have now changed to caffeine free tea coffee lemonade coke .

I did have sleep issues but since I had zopiclone for 2/3 nights to get me back into a patten I’m fine I don’t take them anymore as now I’m tired most of the time anyway .

Is it just me or is this part and parcel of this and how long does it take to stability ?

[BobD Volunteer]

OK Dolly first thing is to learn all you can about AF so go to Atrial Fibrillation Association website and read all you can. Knowledge is power . Next get to see that EP even if you have to pay privately for a first visit.

You are on an anti-coagulant to help prevent strokes which is great as this is your biggest worry right now.

The next most important thing is to get some weight off and aim for a BMI of less than 25 as this has been shown to drastically reduce AF burden. In fact, should you see an EP, it is highly likely that he would insist on this before considering treatments such as ablation.

Mental attitude is all important with any long term condition and you need to accept that you have it and work round it as many of us do. Deep breathing exercises can help reduce stress ( search with the facility top right) and if I were you I would avoid alcohol of any sort. My wife is a community carer so I do know how stressful this sort of work can be but please work at it.

I do think that we have all been where you are right now but trust me when I say it does get better as you learn to accept that life has changed and you can't do some of the things you once could.

Oh yes and AF wont kill you even though it may feel like it sometimes.

Bob

[Dolly1962 in reply to BobD]

Thanks bob , I’ve not drank since Oct , I had 1/2 glass of wine on Christmas Day , I’ve had a alcohol free wine when celebrating new year in but that’s it .

I will be looking into what you suggested ..

[CDreamer]

Hi Dolly - you do have a lot going on and stress will definately contribute to all of your illnesses, especially AF.

I posted some notes on coping with AF and what helps sometime ago, after doing a talk at our local hospital on anxiety. I also posted today about a Mindfulness course with a link to the course we are following. Nothing really works like attending in person but there are some excellent stuff on Mindfulness on the net which many people have found helpful. Many people find that following a Mindfulness practice helps them to stay in work.

I would also suggest you seek out and watch some the Dr Sanjay Gupta videos - some posted here but all available on YouTube.

[Dolly1962 in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks I have started to watch some of the videos and also befriended him on Facebook.

[Buffafly]

Hi Dolly, it seems to me your main problem at the moment is not being able to work, may I suggest you visit your local CAB and ask if there is any further financial help you might get in view of your several health problems. As you say losing weight would help solve your health problems but that can't be done overnight. Perhaps your GP could provide a sensible diet you can use long-term as it probably isn't practical for you to join a slimming group. I'm sure the lemonade and coke you mentioned are diet versions? I wonder if the hiatus hernia is causing the chest pain, as I know someone who went to hospital to be treated for severe angina and came back with a hiatus hernia (diagnosis)! If you have any tendency to asthma Bisoprolol will affect your breathing so you could ask to change to Diltiazem though unfortunately that also has side effects!

Best wishes, hope things improve soon.

[Dolly1962 in reply to Buffafly]

Yes I think I will have to see about cab I don’t drink loads of pop but I’ve only ever drank diet versions . They tried me on diltiazem but I couldn’t tolerate it , it’s was only last year that I was diagnosed with hiatus hernia at first they was treating me for a chest infection after 2x antibiotics and X-ray and blowing into a machine and a camera they found it six months later. Slimming clubs don’t come cheap either , I’m trying to get a gp appointment but I like to visit just two of them at least they know what’s the matter and not explaining myself , one was very pleased at what weight I had lost in the summer before feeling not myself ..

I just wondered if I will ever feel well and my old self again .

[Buffafly in reply to Dolly1962]

💞

[bisop]

Hi Dolly1962

I just wanted to let you know that I, too, find that almost any exertion tends to start things up a bit. I think it is very important to maintain a very healthy diet ( I am vegan) and eat very healthily. I also think sleep is very important as well and try to get to bed and rise at the same time daily. I also drink a glass of water with a squeezed half lemon as it cleanses out system so well and what with all the drugs and pollutants to which we are exposed this seems like an excellent idea. Maybe you could consider returning to work on a part time basis and see if you can tolerate it and slowly work back up to a full work week. I wish you the best of luck as I know how very debilitating this afib can be at times. Hang in there girl...better days ahead <3

[Dolly1962 in reply to bisop]

Thanks bisop I was thinking of may be part time , I reckon your right about sleep I had a bad nights sleep last night and I’ve had a rubbish day today , but when I’ve slept well the next day I’m not too bad . Today it felt like I’ve been sat on my chest is aching, headache, lightheaded , and tired had some fluttering, but I’ve not napped , everything was such a effort, hopefully tomorrow is a better day .

[bisop in reply to Dolly1962]

I do hope things improve for you Dolly. I went through soooo much the past year that the last few months have been such a blessing....try to keep your stress level down too...mindfulness helps as well. I wish you all the luck in the world....I know how debilitating this can be.