Hi all, it’s been a while.
Feeling a bit, ok, lot down today as my AF has really progressed.
Diagnosed 4 years ago I’ve had more AF attacks than hot dinners. Again I must thank every one for their support on here. You’ve been amazing.
Anyway from last Christmas to August 2018 I didn’t have a single attack but made a deal with my cardiologist that if it happened again I’d go for the ablation, which I am.
On 17th August (I think) I had a two week attack, reverting back to sinus after taking slightly over 10mg of Bisoprolol. Stayed in sinus for one week. Flipped back into AF again about six weeks ago and it won’t budge.
I’m 51 and going shopping or climbing the stairs is killing me. Do others find it that bad at times?
Going to the Chest Pain clinic tomorrow then another Echo next week. The docs won’t cardiovert as my average heart rate is under 110bpm.
I’ve been told I’ve got 1st degree heart block and left ventricular hypotrophy. I now need to consider my work life. I’m in sales and been off for the last two weeks since attending hospital with chest pains and having a ghastly virus which I’m sure hasn’t helped.
Re pushing yourself, how do others find knowing when to stop and what damage could I do if I work full time whilst in AF?
One customer and I feel like I’ve run a marathon? Any thoughts gratefully received. I will of course be speaking with the docs tomorrow but wondered what you’re thoughts were on here.
Anyway thanks again
NJ
I know just how you are feeling and it's certainly not nice! I've had 13 diagnosed years with AF, including 3 ablations and this is what I've learn't (so far).
When stuck in a period of AF for weeks it's hard to do anything that requires effort because we quickly become totally exhausted. I live on my own and am the sort of person who likes to have everywhere tidy at home and that includes the garden. I found mowing the grass exhausting, so what I would do is just a little and then rest. At times, after struggling, I would sit afterwards full of self pity thinking to myself that I shouldn't have done that and am I going to suffer even more for it. Surprisingly, that effort would often cause my heart to return to it's normal beat. Also, though at times feeling worn out with AF, I'd drive or take the bus into a nearby town where I could probably only manage to go to one store. Again I'd often find that shortly after returning home my heart would return to normal. It never ever went back on it's own if I sat at home concentrating on what my heart was doing. So I think short bursts of activity can help.
If you have a friend or friends who make you laugh invite them over to your house, or better still visit them. Taking our minds off the situation and having some fun can certainly help to get us back into rhythm.
Remember to breathe, I often wonder whether not doing this correctly triggers my events. Practice slow, deep breathing, feeling your stomach (not chest) rise as you inhale. When you get up in the night to go to the toilet your heart will pound a bit as you get back into bed. This is not AF and is just caused by sudden exertion, a bit of deep breathing will soon calm it. At one time we would have naturally breathed this away, without thinking, but I'm convinced that breathing doesn't come naturally anymore to we people with AF.
Big hug my friend, this AF is hateful at times. Hope this helps.
Jean
Thank you for your helpful reply to NJ47, it helped me too.
Glad to hear that.
Best wishes
Jean
Thanks for this, Jean.
Big hugs back
NJ x