Return of AF?: I think I’ve had a minor... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Return of AF?

val757 profile image
15 Replies

I think I’ve had a minor (for me) AF episode more than 2years after my ablation and after being discharged from St Thomas’s. I’m off all meds except Rivaroxaban. It might sound odd that I’m not sure ...

I’m on holiday in Greece with a friend and contracted a bad cold, sore throat and cough on the flight. After a sleepless night due to coughing I felt a bit faint and disoriented, still went out this morning and had a milkshake. A little while later I felt quite unwell and threw up the strawberry milkshake. It was such a delicious milkshake too! Back at the hotel I went to lie down but had 5-6 trips to the loo in half an hour - it was like Niagara Falls! Why I didn’t check my pulse then I don’t know as these were all typical of my AF symptoms although I didn’t feel the familiar ‘ferrets writhing in my chest’. I’ve now checked my pulse and definitely in NSR now, and it all seems to have subsided, I just feel totally wiped out. Luckily I’m staying in a hotel owned by friends so I’m confident of getting help if I need it. Have declared all medical history on my annual travel insurance so ok there. I just feel sorry for my travelling companion who has had a solo day while I crash out!

I’m hoping it’s just a blip but I’ll visit my GP when I get home and see if a PIP can be prescribed just in case it happens again and doesn’t pass.

Oh and I’m not telling my daughter as she won’t let me out of the country again!

Just wanted to get it off my chest, and hope that tomorrow is a better day!

Val

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val757
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15 Replies

Hello Val, sorry to hear about your recent experience but if your not sure it was AF, what chance have we got to give you any meaningful advice. We know that colds and coughs can cause all sorts of strange things to happen to the system but given what you have said, I would have thought you would know if your ticker was racing and irregular. If I were you, I would assume it wasn’t AF otherwise the stress of worrying about it might cause it to kick off. There is every chance something else has caused you to be unwell so stay positive, drink lots of water and maybe get something to replenish all the good stuff which has been flushed through your system....fingers crossed all stays good for the rest of your holiday.....

meadfoot profile image
meadfoot

Sorry to hear your day was difficult. I hope it's a blip and so typical when away from home to spoil things. A pip might be useful to request when home. Good luck with the rest of your holiday. Hope tomorrow finds you feeling better.

Remember to keep well hydrated in the heat, dehydration is a demon for letting lurking af into the mix. Best wishes.

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

I may be sounding hard here but why blame AF? Yes we all do don't we but it is just as likely a virus which caused your vommiting or even a bad milkshake. Try to stay positive, well hydrated and rest -- and no more milkshakes!

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

Hi Val

I agree with Bob and think it was more likely the milkshake, your throat infection - or at least some sort of food poisoning, you don't normally vomit with your AF do you? Heart rates can soar with any illness.

You know my sister recently came back from visiting Jordan and she developed flu which she swears she must have caught on the plane home. I wish we Brits would get used to wearing a mask to cover our mouths and noses when travelling, because I want to wear one and not have anyone looking at me and sniggering.

Hope you soon feel better and it certainly wouldn't hurt to have a PIP to hand if it reassures you.

Jean

Auriculaire profile image
Auriculaire in reply tojeanjeannie50

The last three occasions we had to go back to the UK ( winter 2017 ) we both wore masks and caught nothing. We were the only people wearing masks on packed Ryan Air flights each time. Flying in the middle of fiu season - it's a no brainer and I don't give a toss if people stare or snigger. Serve them right if they catch a lurgy.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply toAuriculaire

I'm pleased to hear that. Were they paper ones?

Auriculaire profile image
Auriculaire in reply tojeanjeannie50

Yes . I bought them at our local chemist. Fingers crossed I have not had any bad cold or flu for over 3 years since I started taking n acetyl cysteine. Nor has my husband. We also maintain a high level of vit d. I stopped having flu jabs in 2012. They work less well with older people and I am sure the NAC and vit d work better as they work against all respiratory tract infections and not just the strains of flu they happen to have put into the jab that year. I really don't know why health authorities don't have serious campaigns to raise vit d levels. The vit d researchers reckon it could save millions in health costs if levels in the general population were significantly raised. But if it cut the drugs bills Pharma would whine!

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply toAuriculaire

That's it, I'm going to get some!

Auriculaire profile image
Auriculaire in reply tojeanjeannie50

It's a no brainer. Women with higher levels of vit d also are less prone to beast cancer and if they do get it have a better prognosis. The Russians discovered 40 years ago that women who sunbathed topless had less breast cancer!

allserene profile image
allserene in reply toAuriculaire

Now there is research job I could enjoy...

in reply toallserene

🤣🤣🤣

val757 profile image
val757

Hi all, thank you so much for your replies and support. I’m feeling fine this morning and ready for the rest of my holiday.

jeanjeannie50 yes I do usually vomit during an AF episode, but at the time it didn’t occur to me it might be that. It was the weeing for England that made me wonder!

BobD and I promise I’ll steer clear of milkshakes!

I’m off for the bus to Kos Town and a stroll around now.

Val

in reply toval757

Have a great day. Di

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply toval757

Hmm, if you normally vomit with AF then it could well have been that.

Hope you're feeling better now.

in reply toval757

Yes I would b suspicious of AF because of the weeing also. Hopefully that was a one time thing. Enjoy the rest of your trip!

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