I’ve had 5 ablations over 25 years.....most worked for a while...most meds tried..now The consultant is exploring a link between AF and sleep disorder so i have been referred to a sleep clinic and await the study in 3 weeks time. Has anyone else been down this route, or, found that improving sleep has made for a better expereince living with AF.?
Thanks
Yes - it is a well known link and I was treated with CPAP which I’ve used now for 4 years and found very helpful. Fatigue and tiredness have improved dramatically as has my sats which used to linger around high 80’s, low 90’s and are now 97-100%. My sleep quality is now around 70 - 90% for the majority of nights ie 6-7 hours of unbroken sleep. I still have the odd few nights of unrest but I can normally cope when it’s just the isolated night.
I had an excellent experience of sleep clinic run by our local NHS hospital which I can’t praise highly enough. Lots of help, support, tips and I can still ring the physiologists at any time to get immediate help as there is nearly always one available or they will ring me back normally the same day.
Hope you have a similar experience, best wishes CD.
Thank you very much, encouraging. I wonder if AF triggers sleep disorder, or vice versa?
My understanding is that with sleep apnea you stop breathing - I was stopping breathing about 11-20 times per hour for up to 30 seconds - O2 sats go low - HR increases - triggers AF. That seemed to be the progression in my case from my sleep study.
I do know that when I have disturbed sleep or less than 5 hours and then have to do "stuff" the next day I tend to go into AF. Night shifts and bad nights with the kids tend to make me flutter or totally flip into AF. It's the only pattern that is regular with my AF and its cause.
Not gone down the route of a sleep clinic, for years I was on Amytriptaline due to night pain from my knee, but stopped that when baby came alone as it was at odds with the safe sleep regime we were working alongside.... plus I used to feel lousy on it if I did have to get up or wake up early after taking it.
NHS shifts are bad for your health!
Sleep Apnea (SA) will lead to CHF etc.; CPAP/BPAP are the standard treatments; SpO2 monitors at home will tell much details about your apnea; for me, 5HTP & L-Arginine & CITRULLINE seem to reduce SA slightly
Take a look at this site: rennickschiropractic.com/ch...
My lengthy experience has proven to me that my AF is related to nerve issues in my neck and back. Chiropractic has made a significant difference and I am fortunate to have found a chiropractor who is willing to listen to the results he obtains when trying treatments based on his medical know how. Most chiropractors don't know or can't say that they treat AF. One of these days, I will write an update on my ongoing experience.
Sleep problems 
AF and Tired 
AF and sleep aponea
Af and sleep problem
Sleep apnoea, a trigger for AF
