Just asking!

[Gladaven]

Does anyone ever experience a Very sad 😢 feeling in their tummy, what is it and how do you get rid of it please? Is it caused by worry over our heart condition?.

[meadfoot]

Probably is worry, our gut is very sensitive and I certainly know mine is closely attuned with my brain and heart. If it's troubling you see your GP for support. Best wishes.

[Gladaven in reply to meadfoot]

Hi meadfoot, thank you for your kind reply. Cheers Gladie.X.

[Ajitriturado in reply to meadfoot]

Check out vagus nerve. Heart and gut. I've had times when I've had tachycardia plus having to visit the loo 10 times in the night. On regularly nights I sleep through. Luckily it passes.

[meadfoot in reply to Ajitriturado]

Thank you. Yes I agree heart and gut closely aligned via vagus nerve can be an issue for many of us. Just wish medics connected the issue sufficiently to do something helpful in their treatment for us.

[wilsond]

Yes,like butterflies,and quite often heralds a visit from the AF fairy! Think the digestion has a lot to do with my AF,might be the same for yourself? If I'm upset or unwell,my tummy is upset too!

Best wishes Gladaven

[Gladaven in reply to wilsond]

👋Hello Dawn, so glad it is just not me, hope you enjoyed your leaving day. Cheers Gladys xx.

[wilsond in reply to Gladaven]

Its today....3pm just getting ready and getting a bit fluttery !!!! Thank you xx

[Alidol]

Hi I too get a horrible sad feeling in my tummy like a feeling of grief. This happens when l am AF .

[Gladaven in reply to Alidol]

Hi Alidol it really is bad but so glad others can understand the feeling too. Hope we can all learn to deal with the feeling. Cheers Gladys. X.

[Wightbaby]

I am in PAF and something happens most nights when I lay (lie?) down to go to sleep.

After about 5 minutes, as I start to relax and drift off, I get this horrible feeling in my stomach, like butterflies, a very anxious "fight or flight" feeling. ......I imagine it is either my AF and/or caused by an adrenaline rush?? Its horrible, because it sort of wakes me up again.

However, I am learning to accept it will happen and I do a bit of mindfulness breathing until it passes, which it always does and quite quickly.

I am glad you put this question up because i have often wondered if it was "just me"!!

[Gladaven in reply to Wightbaby]

Hello 👋Wightbaby please could you tell us all how to do this mindfulness breathing to help us suffer'es, I never realised so bad feeling was so common Glad I mentioned it. Cheers Gladys.X.

[Bertiedette]

I have this feeling nearly every morning...it's like a kind of grief and. Sadness..

[Gladaven in reply to Bertiedette]

Dear Bertie it is the worst feeling of sorrow one could imagine let's hope Wightbaby can give us a bit of help. Cheers Gladys.xxx .

[Buffafly in reply to Gladaven]

The official name is 'feeling of impending doom' - it is a recognised symptom of AF 😰

[Gladaven in reply to Buffafly]

Hello Bufffafly, Thank you for your words of wisdom is there anything you know of that will alleviate this, other than a stiff drink, which I cannot take asIam on Warfarin lol. Cheers Gladie XX.

[Buffafly in reply to Gladaven]

I tell myself it's just a physical imbalance, not a response to a real threat or loss. Fortunately my episodes are brief but I would try to get help if they were long lasting as I'd be scared of what I might do.

[TamlaMotown]

I too have the same feelings. My heart & my guts are in cahoots with each other I think. I thought I was just imagining it at first but now I'm sure I'm not. It's a horrible feeling 😔& it never goes away!!

[Gladaven in reply to TamlaMotown]

Dear Tamlar it is not your inmagination it is a real bad feeling of deepest sorrow , let's see if these breathing exercises can help. Cheers. Gladie. Xx.

[Bridges4]

Great question. I get it very occasionally and never thought to articulate this to other people. However, nobody has convinced me that they really know whats going on but very interesting to read the views of you all.

[goliath123]

Its called anxiety these are the symptoms

Feeling nervous, restless or tense

Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom

Having an increased heart rate

Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)

Sweating

Trembling

Feeling weak or tired

Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry

Having trouble sleeping

Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems

Having difficulty controlling worry

Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxeity

[Gladaven in reply to goliath123]

Thank you Goliath 123 for your informed reply have you suffered or experienced this condition yourself. perhaps you could give us some tips. Cheers Gladie. xx.

[Ajitriturado]

When we first exist, as embryos in our mothers' wombs, our hearts beat before our brains are even formed. Everything that happens to our hearts is existential in a profound way. That's how I explain my feelings of anxiety or grief. If our heart is off, we are off. I have improved a lot with treatment from the first days of AFib, and am accustomed to some of the sensations now, and do not frequently feel anxious. If I do, I check my pulse, and usually find it elevated. Sometimes I may take a little extra metoprolol, if it persists. Also I had a problem with the amiodarone. After a few years it triggered hyperthyroiditis, which caused tachycardia, and I had to stop it. But I find over time I have gotten accustomed to my heart not being perfect. It keeps beating however. If it stops, I guess it won't be my problem any more. We all have to die some way and that is not the worst I can imagine.

[Wightbaby]

Sorry for the delay in replying to your request about Mindfulness....it seems to be the NEW therapy.....well, not quite so new, now!

There is a very good app for your phone (free) or a website, if you don't use a smartphone.

Its called HEADSPACE, and the first 10 sessions talk you through the basics of Mindfulness. A 10 minute session a day can be very beneficial to all (not just AF'ers!!)

Basically, each session talks you through concentratingand really focusing on your breath/breathing, and not getting caught up in "thoughts", which are likened to cars passing by.....its about "being in the moment".......and staying calm!! Not easy when you are in AF I know!

so when you get the "bad thoughts" or anxiety etc., that you were talking about, this kind of helps you through it......it doesn't stop them!!

PM me if you want more info......

[Gladaven in reply to Wightbaby]

Hi Wrightbaby, thanks for your kind information sorry I have not replied sooner. We are living at our daughter's looking after her house and 🐱cat as she and hubby are on holiday. I will try to practice what you have told me when I get home Cheers, Gladie. Xx.