My story so far

[rovi27]

Hello all

I would just like to put my story out there to read your comments and observations. Last weekend I spent all night Friday and all day Saturday with my second quite bad attack of A/F in hospital. The format was exactly the same as the previous month in that I had been in bed and apparently snoring for about an hour when I woke up feeling unwell and my wife noticed even before I spoke to her. This time my son in law took us to hospital but last month we dialled 111 and was told to dial 999 right away. My blood pressure was through the roof and my face a beetroot colour and my heart rate was wildly erratic with huge deviations. I was given an infusion in resus before being moved to a ward but that didn’t work so I was given a second infusion [monitored] and over a few hours this brought everything back down to normal which is around 47 bpm probably due to my medication. Since then I have been on 60mg Edoxaban Lixiana.

This second attack I was given infusion in resus again then moved to a ward and the cardiology consultant moved me to CCU where I was given half a tablet of [not sure but could have been Flecainide ]. It was afternoon by now and still nothing happening. I spent my time listening to the machine telling me that I was tachycardic . I was nil by mouth as they were planning the cardioversion in the evening.

Later in the afternoon my wife, daughter and son in law arrived and were sitting watching me and the very erratic figures on the machine when suddenly I tried to say that I felt unwell but couldn’t speak and I lost vision for a few seconds. I then heard them say that they couldn’t believe it as I had a perfect sine wave and a steady beat of 47bpm. Apparently my waveform flat lined and my heartrate read zero before giving a perfect reading. Is this normal and is it liable to happen again if I have to take my Flecainide pill in pocket ? I have suspected for many years that I had A/F as I have had many lesser attacks but never with the 24 hour monitor on. Sorry about the long winded explanation but keen to hear any comments.

[BobD Volunteer]

What you had is very unusual although many people do report feeling faint or dizzy at transition from AF to NSR as there may be a beat or two missing. Rarely more than a second or two though.

Obviously in view of what has happened you must not drive at least until things are more clear or you could be in serious trouble both legally as well as physically. DVLA rules are that if your AF is distracting or incapacitating then you must not drive.

[pattiannj]

I went for my check up today & as I had experienced a couple of episodes like yours when returning to normal rhythm asked for an explanation. Evidently it’s when our pace maker comes back into action there is a delay of a few seconds & that’s why we experience this. He said it was nothing to worry about. When Im AF the pace maker isn’t preforming it’s role. Hope this helps you.

[rovi27]

Thank you both for your replies as I am interested to find out more about A/F and what it does to us. I was allowed home with my family not long after normal service was resumed therefore the people in CCU weren't too concerned. I just found it odd after a gradual recovery the first time and the sudden change the second time. Bob , I am looking at the driving situation and both times had a couple of days recovery before driving. I stress that I would not drive in A/F unless home from work.

[Jeanie-p]

Hi there

I had an ablation in 2009, but when I had a recurrence of AF in 2014, we dialled 999 because I was blacking out and felt really strange. Anyway I was in hospital for 5 days when I was put on 50mg Flecanaide twice a day, plus Bisopronol. Felt really awful again at home so Gp took me off Bisoprolol and I have been fine on just the Fleconaide until another blip in July 2017. Stayed overnight in A and E ward, had various tests but no idea what went wrong except my consultant said my electrics went haywire! Anyway back on the Flecanaide and been ok since. Also on Riveroxoban of course. They said I wasn't bad enough for another ablation, and it was a risk at my age, 78 now. Forgot to say both times I was given a drip with magnesium the first time and no idea what they put in on the second occasion. I just keep taking the tablets and hope I don't have any more episodes.

[JaneFinn]

Hi rovi, and welcome. Sorry you’ve had such unpleasant experiences, though it’s good news that you’ve ended up in sinus rhythm! I don’t have any wisdom or experience to add to what happened, sorry. Presumably you’re being referred to an EP to follow this up? If not, I’d ask for a referral.

This may be a complete red herring, but your mention of both attacks happening when you’re in bed and snoring made me wonder if you’ve had a sleep study done to check you don’t have obstructive sleep disorder? Even very mild forms can trigger AF.

Really hope you have no more events. Best wishes.

[rovi27]

JaneFinn

Thank you. Yes sleep apnea has been suggested by someone from work who has it. My wife is not too sure but says that I do snore very heavily so she will monitor the situation and I will get checked out if it happens again under the same circumstances. Also when discharged was told that I will be attending a nurse led clinic. Looking to lose a bit of weight and lower my blood pressure which should all help.

No alcohol involved either time and I don't smoke but hopefully other changes will help.