I was diagnosed with PAF about 7 years ago. I am taking Rivoraxaban, Bisoprolol 2.5mg twice a day and Felodipine 5mg. In the main I am managing my AF reasonably well. I have been offered an ablation, but refused on the basis that I don’t think that I am symptomatic enough for such a drastic procedure. My cardiologist agrees with that. He did refer me to an EP who was willing to do the ablation, but I declined. I have private healthcare and sometimes you have to wonder if the suggested treatment is really needed or just about money. I know the triggers for my AF, but am still learning. When it started it always wakes me during the night. Never starts during the day. Last night I was woken about 4am and felt that AF was about to start. Hard to explain but my heart felt like it was racing , but is wasn’t. I have a clinically validated BP monitor that also shows if heart rate is irregular. My BP was sky high which is normal for me when in AF. The monitor did not show that my heart beat was irregular and my heart rate was 59. Usually when in AF since being on Bisoprolol my heart rate usually averages about 110. Cardiologist has advised my to take additional 1.25mg Bisoprolol when AF starts and another 1.25mg an hour later.
Last night I had all the usual symptoms such as keep peeing etc. However, my heart rate was 59 and not irregular. I couldn’t take the additional 1.25mg because of my lowish heart rate.
I guess, my question is has anyone else experienced this. I can only describe it as AF but not in AF if that makes sense.
I hope that I have explained it all properly and would appreciate any thoughts.
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Mrsvemb
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Yes, I once had an episode of fast AF where my pulse in my wrist appeared normal, but paramedics confirmed my heart was racing away. Since then I've never trusted any machine and use a stethescope.
Hi Jean thanks for your response. I could feel my heart beating and it certainly wasn’t fast and I never check for AF in my wrist. I feel the carotid artery in my neck. Dont know if that is more accurate than the wrist.
I know the feeling and have had similar episodes. The only explanation I can think of is that the atria are racing but the signals are blocked. That would be flutter I think, but the only way to tell is with an ECG. The other explanation would be Jeanie's, though you would still expect your pulse to feel a bit irregular, I assume you felt it and didn't rely on the BP monitor? It is possible to have slow AF but it would still be irregular.
Hi Buffafly, yes I checked my pulse and it was definitely not irregular. I just wonder if it would have gone into full blown AF if I hadn’t woken up when I did. I was out last night so ate late, probably didn’t have dessert until after 9pm. Sugary foods are one of my triggers, but I only had a small portion of dessert and know I would normally be fine with that quantity. Coupled with it being late obviously proved to be a problem.
Thank you both for the replies, they have helped me to come to my own conclusions.
Did the feeling stop quickly or did it last for awhile? If it did not last as other similar episodes of AF then it may not have been AF. I have experienced peeing without AF. I am pretty sure there is a nerve issue in your spine when this happens but I have not been able to verify this by research or asking my chiropractor. Maybe someone on this site knows about this and the reason why?
I suspect one reason for PAF may be related to nerve issues in one's back and neck. I know from experience that I can start and stop AF when my spine is impacted. Now fixing this is the challenge. Heart doctors are no help. I am continually trying different possibilities and I will post something if I find something that may be duplicated by others. If you have not had a corrective chiropractor check your spine for subluxations, you may wish to do this. Removing subluxations could help.
That’s very jnteresting about the peeing and spinal nerve issues & AF....I am recently diagnosed & go through all those issues. Had not thought before about the peeing might be related...Dhohh!
I do have odd days when I have associated symptoms of AF but am not "in" AF. I feel fatigued, anorexic and pee a great deal. I have always rationalised this as a situation when the anti arrythmic I take regularly is doing it's job and preventing an episode. My episodez have all been at night and I too feel large quantities of sugar are not a good thing!
I wonder if, seeing that you are taking control of your medical treatment, you might benefit from getting either a Kardia or the new Apple watch device that can record an ECG? You would than have some evidence that you can trust and also to show to your doctors.
Thank you all for your responses. It certainly helps to share and the only person who understood what I was going through and sat up all night with me during AF, was my lovely husband who sadly passed away earlier this year.
I think that I will invest in a kardia. I had never even heard of these until joining this forum a few weeks ago. I know that I have to lose weight too. I have been comfort eating since losing my husband.
Hopefully, I will be able to get back in control of my AF.
If you use and can afford another Apple product, the latest Apple Watch might be useful for the computerized ECG chart and the many other features that the watch has. If you look on Medscape and search for Apple Watch, you will garner some medical opinions on its usefulness.
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