Hi All
Got back yesterday afternoon from a fab week on the Costa Brava. Within 2 hours had a really bad episode (first one in a year). Fortunately my PIP did the trick within 2 hours š. I wouldnāt mind but I was really good & kept hydrated on the flight albeit for one coffee š„ŗ
Itās made me feel anxious again now, as I had almost forgotten how horrid this condition is! I thought you are supposed to feel good after a holiday š
Ally
There has been quite a few posts on here recently suggesting that the spine may be causing AF and I can quite believe that the people saying this are right. I wonder if sitting on the plane put a strain on yours. Did you by any chance also carry a suitcase or heavy bag? Just an idea. If you can think of a cause and then avoid it, then you could be AF free.
Jean
Itās a thought Jean. We did quite a bit of strenuous pulling of luggage around from hotel & airport etc. I have also been having dizzy/nausea feelings recently (think itās affecting my balance (thinking vestibular or neck problem) Felt extra unbalanced after all the travelling so maybe this all contributed. Who knows? š«
Iām on holiday at the moment, trundling around France in FlapJack (our motorhome) and holidays can be quite stressful, but often a different kind of stress than normal day to day activities. It sounds as if maybe there have been a number of issues which could have resulted in your episode. Many related to the journey to and from the airport, hassle in the airport and the fact that you were probably sub-consciously worried about your AF whilst you were away. I took a quick peek at your history and saw that you were seriously considering having an ablation but not sure whether or not you went ahead. As we say many times, AF is generally a progressive condition that rarely disappears even though, as I think you will testify, lots can be done to reduce the risk of episodes. If you didnāt go ahead, you will know exactly what Iām thinking......AF can be very, using your words, horrid!
Thanks for your reply FlapJack. You are most probably right. I was very tired when I got back & rushed to unpack & start the endless washing etc. Also looking back to the flight. My husband had a bit of a panic attack whilst we were waiting to take off. He has started to get more & more claustrophobic. We thought at one point that we may have to get off, but fortunately he calmed down when we took off & the air con kicked in better. So this obviously stressed me as well! This has all made me anxious to fly again. It all contributes I suppose.
No I havenāt gone down the ablation route (yet) but may have to reconsider if my quality of life deteriorates.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your trundling around France. Sounds lovely.
Following on from FlatJack's wise post, I would suspect that the stress of your journey may well be a major factor. My AF triggers the day after a stressful time.
Youāre most probably right jennydog. We can be stressed without really knowing it. Plus tiredness is a big factor too.
Awe poor you......Iām on hols at mo.......I did find the traveling this time very very tiring......
Sue
You are actually lucky that you go to enjoy your holiday without suffering palps. Over summer, I went long haul to the states, and from the time I got on the plane I had palpitations that wouldn't stop the entire flight. I've never had this issue before when I've gone abroad. I usually feel a lot better when I go abroad. Anyway, throughout the two week holiday, I had bouts of flutters nearly every day. So I spent the holiday anxious because of this and also spent time in the hotel room during the day watching telly or napping if they got really bad. Ever feel as if you're 80?
You never know how the mind works. You may have been really stressed about returning without even realising it. For me, perhaps it was emotions behind where we went that triggered it. I do believe that palps can be triggered by stress or anxiety however what is annoying is when other people just write it off as "just anxiety" when it isn't "just anxiety" but it is linked to anxiety.
I always hate coming back from holiday, least normally. I don't "feel good" I feel depressed and a bit sick the day we have to fly back to the UK. But this was the only time I was so relieved to be back in the UK because I was so bad on hols that I feared needing to go to A & E over there, but wouldn't go because I was just too scared my travel insurance wouldn't cover it.
Thanks for your reply. I do agree that I could have been more stressed & anxious than I thought I was. Looking back to the flight, which was all fine no delays etc, but my husband who has become very claustrophobic over the past few years, got very sweaty & panicky whilst waiting to take off. We thought at one point that we would have to get off. Fortunately, when we took off & air con kicked in he calmed down. However, this made me very anxious. Eventually got home, did the unpacking etc. Felt very tired. So all contributed probably. Trouble is itās made me worry about flying again. I still feel off with giddiness & a bit nauseous.
Sorry to hear that your holiday was disrupted. We look forward so much to our holidays & shouldnāt be wishing we were back home, which is where we all want to be when feeling unwell.
Best wishes
Did you also get it on the way out
No, and the 4 previous flights I have been on this year have been fine.
Coffee! No no. But l know what you mean ... l have very infrequent events and when l have one, it really upsets me because l start thinking that l am cured! I always say to my cardiologist, hey doc, l donāt think that l will ever have afib again, he says to me ... you will!
Perhaps it was the flight coffee š« It was quite a strong one I must admit!
I asked my consultant, when it first happened to me 5 years ago, if it was a one off & he shook his head. I am the same as you, because they are so infrequent I have got very complacent. When it happens it really freaks & frightens me.
Oh well ā stay calm & carry onā!
Caffeine will mess with my heart ... l can only drink rooibos tea pure and organic.
I've just flown to Lanzarote and for the first time ever I booked assistance at both Gatwick and Lanzarote Airport. It was a truly amazing service at both ends and helped me to stay calm and relaxed. We did have a three hour delay sitting on the tarmac at Gatwick and apart from a screaming ankle biter who fell asleep after 5 hours, the journey went well.
The service is free and I booked it when I booked my Tui holiday (other travel agents are available! )
It may be worth considering for those whose Afib kicks in at times of stress or when dragging heavy suitcases for miles.
My husband & I did think that. He struggles more than me at the moment due to AF & back pain. Thing is we are all too fiercely independent & donāt like to think we need help & donāt want to give into it. Especially when from the outside you look as āfit as a butcherās dog āš
That's the trouble! From the outside I look like there's nothing wrong which is why I get pushed and shoved by the masses as they rush on to the plane like it's going without them! The walk from passport control to the coach at Lanzarote is long and uphill and I am quite happy to be wheeled to my destination smiling regally! I am however fiercely independent in other ways but there are times when my body just says "enough"!
Exactly - my husband was having to walk & keep stopping because of breathlessness & back pain, but everyone looks at you like you should get a move on! š¤¬ no manners anymore! Rant over š
AF after ablation
Home yesterday after my AF ablation
Getting back to sport after ablation (and AF hopefully)
Ranitidine and AF 
