Having decided against an ablation and upon seeing the results of my latest 4day monitor, my EP and I decided it was best to let me go into permanent Afib, supported by 2.5 of Nebivolol and Pradaxa.
An episode started Friday morning and is still going strong! I have not gone above 114 so no need for A&E, but feel absolutely wiped out. Is this normal?
Di
Hello Di! I'm sure you will get plenty of replies from those who are in permanent AF but I would be surprised if you were expected to put up with a continuous rate of circa 114.
It’s not continuous Yatsura, if anything 45-49 is continuous but for the first time I feel so ill I’m frightened. I know it won’t kill me but it’s horrible and my EP is on sick leave until May!
D
well, they wouldn't let me out of hospital until my HR was below 100 bpm in AF.
You are bound to feel wiped out, your heart is running a marathon, well, several without a break
If you feel more ill than usual maybe a visit to your doc or call to 111 would be a good idea? I am a bit confused because I thought that would be how permanent AF 'works' but really have no experience or knowledge at all. What rate do others with permanent AF have?
I hope you feel better soon.
I have had permanent afib for a couple of years now. It started as paroxysmal afib after I experienced a heart stoppage and was revived. I chose not to have an ablation after not being satisfied with the success rate. I am 76. My afib is asymptomatic, i.e., I don't have any symptoms or feel "heart flutters". I have a monitored defribillator implant that would go off if I experience ventricular tachycardia that could shut my heart down. I take 25 mg. daily of Carvedilol, a beta blocker, in addition to 10 mg. of Eliquis (apixaban). I exercise moderately (walking and stationary cycling) and am fortunate with good genes and my wife's healthy cooking to maintain a normal weight for my height and body structure. I learned from this website the importance of taking a magnesium supplement instead of calcium and have been doing so for a couple of years. A recent echocardiogram was normal and my cardiologist and personal physician have told me that my heart was as healthy as any person my age who did not have any other health problems. Obviously, I count my blessings. I monitor my bp and my heart rate never goes above 90. My doctors have told me that I might get weak, dizzy and feel nauseous if my heart tries to beat faster that about 100 beats per minute. My heart would not pump fast enough to supply my muscles with oxygen and my extreme fatigue would cause me to stop doing whatever I was doing. Sorry for my verbosity.
Eric that is great to hear. I’ll be 75 next Birthday and not convinced about ablation. I walk all lot and intend to buy an electric bike so can go further and faster.
Di
I was told my body would become used to it and all would be good. Just waiting to get to that bit!
Thank you for your kind thoughts.
D
So you are not in in permanent AF, but this is an episode of AF which started 3 days ago. Not surprisingly you feel tired. If and when your AF becomes persistent, and maybe permanent, if you are like me you will become used to it. If not, differing medications alone or in combination should help.
Saw my cardiologist privately as EP off sick. Put me back on the Nebivolol and said once EP is back perhaps try Digoxin as well. Fingers crossed.
When you are in permanent a-fib Di, your body / heart tends to accept it, and you`ll unlikely to feel the same as people having it on and off.
I`ll wager the feelings you have now will pass.
Best,
Paul
Thank you so much, that is so reassuring. Just hope it’s soon. Missing all this gorgeous weather.
I`m sure you`ll be just fine Di - I think you will find there`s light at the end of the tunnel 
Have a great day.
Best,
Paul
I can only say that once my AF became permanent I didn’t notice any symptoms above being tiered at times
My heart rate checks out at an average of 98 on my monitor over last year.
Hope yours settles down to a liveable state.
Many thanks. Was told by EP it would be bad for a month before it got better but that was last October!
sorry to hear you re suffering. Your pulse rate is not dangerous and can be reduced fairly easily with the right meds so keep in touch with your doctors and let them prescribe accordingly xx
Thank you.
Hi Hylda
I am 76. I see my cardiologist about once a year. He does an ecg. We have a pleasant chat. He asks me how I feel with my permanent AFIB. I say OK. He says are you still walking. I say yes about 25 - 30 miles a week, my weight is stable and we have a good laugh as the BP machine gets more and more excited, my arm goes purple and the machine comes up with error messages, followed by a rummage around for an old fashioned pump it up and listen machine which usually can't be found.
Does it bother you he says. No I say. I now have a very regular, irregular rhythm which I cannot usually notice. keep taking the warfarin he says - see you in 2 years time, and off I go.
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