Not breathless but ......: I'm writing... - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

32,400 members38,733 posts

Not breathless but ......

DoubleEm1 profile image
6 Replies

I'm writing this on behalf of my husband:-

Was diagnosed with paroxysmal AF in 2016 but only take Warfarin. Beta-blockers caused severe loss of mobility and, with my Consultant's approval, I have been able to manage without any alternative so far.

Lately I've been feeling like I'm catching my breath on and off but have no chest pain and am not actually short of breath - just a very weird sensation and frightening. Happens even when I'm not exerting myself. Have been going through considerable personal stress for approx. 18 months which has improved lately but mention it as I'm aware that anxiety can also cause this feeling.

Has anyone else experienced anything similar as part of their AF symptoms?

Written by
DoubleEm1 profile image
DoubleEm1
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
6 Replies

We are not medically trained DoubleEm, so flying a bit of a kite, but I wonder it might be caused by ectopic beats. Does it only happen when you are in rhythm......maybe a good idea to ask for an ECG

DoubleEm1 profile image
DoubleEm1 in reply to

Happens anytime really - no pattern to it. Thanks for your reply

antindauk profile image
antindauk

Hi there, I suffer with the same symptoms, I end up sighing all the time I have it. I also have PAF and had an Ablation last September, it did disappear for a bit but I was recently taken off all meds a couple of weeks ago and I now seem to gasping again. It almost feels to me like my throat is slightly closed and I just take a deep breath to clear it. It does make me feel a bit anxious but I just took it a being part and parcel of the AF.

Hope this helps if it's the same symptoms. Ant.

DoubleEm1 profile image
DoubleEm1 in reply toantindauk

Sounds very similar. Thanks for your reply

Alun135 profile image
Alun135

I have had PAF for last 16 years, I am on Flecainide maximum dose 200mg morning and evening, Tidium warfarin and Digoxin.

My symptoms of onset of an attack is.

Initially it feels like I get thumped in the chest followed by butterfly's fluttering there then it goes off like a police bike in hot pursuit.

The speed varies moment by moment down to 45 up to 210 (it has gone to 220).

Taking my pulse it feels like there are beats missing/hesitating not like a metronome going click, click regularly.

Take his pulse and You will know what i mean this You will probably find this is what is causing the symptoms you describe.

Breathlessness, lethargy, gasping, faint, very irritable.

I am not a doctor this is just my personal experience with medication, the cardiologist who first diagnosed me with paf put me on Flecainide another one put me on Sotalol a beta blocker.

It left me totally on my back unable to do a thing I thought I was going to die, I was in Portugal on holiday at the time, fortunately my wife had some of my Flecainide in her bag, so took that, I immediately improved, so Sotalol was off the menu I have been on Flecainide for the last 16 years.

My condition has grown steadily worse initially it was only few times a month then every couple of weeks them weekly now its every couple of days the initial attacks were for a few hours now they can last up to 48 hours at a time.

I track them for the cardiologist so I can show him how often they are occurring I have sports watch with heart Monitor function its very accurate I put it in training mode and connect to an app on my phone this shows the highs and lows of the heat rate also it had a graph of what's happening.

My watch is a MIO Alpha 2 its connected to the SGT app the only one I have found to actually work with The watch.

So this is my experience and symptoms, sorry You are experiencing what You are but I would certainly discuss your medication with your cardiologist a beta blocker might not be suitable for you as it was in my case.

DoubleEm1 profile image
DoubleEm1 in reply toAlun135

Thankfully my HR has not reached such dizzying heights as yours ..... yet! Not looking forward to the progression, I will have to get my head around it sooner rather than later. Lots to discuss with my Consultant next time. Thanks for the information.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Not in AF but so Breathless

Hi Everyone. I have only had two instances of AF since I was diagnosed in A&E in November 2022. My...
MKG50 profile image

Breathless

Anyone experiencing breathlessness . Taking Apixaban and Bissoprolol for 2 weeks lm out of breath...
A-U-B-Y profile image

Breathless while walking

Breathless when walking Recently I notice more and more being out of breath while walking. I take...
emsling profile image

Why am I breathless ?

Symptoms of AF have been fairly mild lately but have been suffering terrible bouts of...
Bowlingfan profile image

Feeling breathless

Feeling very breathless. I've got to get the pace maker tested on the 16/2/2015 then see the...
Terjo profile image

Moderation team

See all
Kelley-Admin profile image
Kelley-AdminAdministrator
jess-admin profile image
jess-adminAdministrator
Emily-Admin profile image
Emily-AdminAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.