AF, in or out

[NorfolkGal]

I’ve been in AF for 5 weeks and booked to have Cardioversion this Friday, but today I feel so much stronger and not breathless. Would this indicate that I’m back in normal rhythm. How does one know? Or is this wishful thinking so I do not need procedure on Friday

[CaroleF]

I guess the simple answer is to take your pulse. If you feel a regular beat then you are not in AF since AF is characterised by an irregularly irregular rhythm.

[NorfolkGal in reply to CaroleF]

It’s hard to tell as I have left branch bundle block

[jedimasterlincoln]

I can usually tell straight away if im back in NSR, but then my AF is quite debilitating so when it lifts it's like a hamster has fallen off a spinning wheel in my chest and I'm suddenly lifted in mood and energy.

Can you get someone to take a radial pulse? It's quite difficult to get your own.

[NorfolkGal in reply to jedimasterlincoln]

I’ve just done an ecg on my AliveCor and although it doesn’t say AF, it shows HR of 120 and many odd beats. I also have left ventricular failure, left branch bundle block, and left Atria impairment. So I really don’t know what it should look like.

[jedimasterlincoln in reply to NorfolkGal]

As others have said I'd certainly still go just tell them how it's been feeling. They will probably ECG you before and after anyway

[NorfolkGal in reply to jedimasterlincoln]

Thank you

[Olliemonty58]

Hi.

I've got my jump start Tuesday.

I think it's best you still go. They will want to see why. And we have good and bad days. Good luck x

[NorfolkGal in reply to Olliemonty58]

Are you having pads or internal Cardioversion?

[Olliemonty58 in reply to NorfolkGal]

Having pads on Tuesday x

[NorfolkGal in reply to Olliemonty58]

Wishing you all the best and speedy recovery x

[NorfolkGal in reply to NorfolkGal]

We can compare notes after my internal Cardioversion on Friday

[Olliemonty58 in reply to NorfolkGal]

Good idea x

[Olliemonty58 in reply to NorfolkGal]

Thank you x

[NorfolkGal]

Thank you Happy Jo

[NorfolkGal]

Just seen community matron, who says I still have AF, not feeling great today!

[Nybroc]

First afib incident was in early 2010. Several cardioversions - last one internal but now I think I'm in permanent afib. Good side is I'm almost symptom free. As to fooling ourselves - I've wrongly thought I'm back in sinus rhythm several times. Steady pulse and no symptoms. Only real way to tell is by ECG. I bought my own hand-held machine mail order from China. Cost about £65 - £70. Well worth it and now I know exactly where I am. Don't get concerned about rhythm - try and minimise symptoms. Exercise is the best medicine, unfortunately some peoples symptoms put a block on exercise.

[NorfolkGal in reply to Nybroc]

Thank you for your comments. For me AFib is not my only problem as I have heart failure and been carrying extra fluid these past 2 weeks but I am feeling better, like a cloud lifting. Hope I feel better after Friday. You Nybroc are the only person who has mentioned having internal Cardioversion? How was it? I’m so scared

[grandmadogs]

I have had 2 cardioversions this year and although neither worked and I ended up having an ablation they are really nothing to worry about. Of course the first time it is scary and I was really worried but I think everyone would tell you that it is really very simple. Good luck.

[Hidden]

NorfolkGal,

I always found, apart from taking my blood pressure on my machine which also detects AF, that if my chest and abdomen felt light ( as light as a feather) than I was back in NSR. If it felt heavy (like there was a large rock in my chest/abdomen) and everything I did was laboured and damn hard work requiring much effort, then I was in AF.

John