Had enough

Hi all, very sorry to message but not sure what else to do, last night was final straw, I woke early hours with these missed or extra beats, the pattern of them was same everyone, felt like s normal beat then extra, then normal then extra.....they ranged from 1 or two after another to up to ten, and lasted all night, I've literally not slept at all, I've started anti depressants as these have become very debilitating and worrying, they're ruining my life now, I've become very reclusive, and scared to go outside my home or do anything, in fact life seems pretty pointless right now, which scares me if I'm honest.

[jeanjeannie50]

Juggsy, there was a time when I felt just like you. This is why I can tell you that the way you are feeling right now will pass. When I get my AF attacks now they last for months (usually until I have a cardioversion), but do you know what? Being in constant AF is a lot easier to cope with and that's the way AF usually ends up for a lot of us . I get about 5 months constant AF and 7 in normal sinus rhythm.

Please don't despair, all will be ok. I speak as someone who's had confirmed AF for 15 years.

Never worry about telling us how you feel, we all know exactly what it's like to feel totally peed off with this condition. My heart goes out to you right now.

Jean

[doodle68]

Hi Juggsy I can empathise, I went into P-AF at 3am on Tusday morning and lasted until 1pm on Tuesday . I tried to sleep through the drummer playing on my chest without success so got up and had a shower not easy when your legs are like jelly .

Then onto my Yoga mat for some breathing excercised which took my attention away for my misbehaving heart.

I had an appointment at the Asthma clinic for 11:45 and was reluctant to cancel it incase I reverted to normal by then, but I didn't so had to cancel at the last moment.

My body my life , I will not let P-AF rule me I am the master.

You can live with AF if you are determined

[Padayn01]

I know exactly where you are coming from its horrible i know it is, but just try and say to yourself tomorrow will be a better day try work out triggers what causes your missed/extra beats, i get these also they are horrible feels like your heart has turned inside out, how long have you been suffering with skipped beats, do you take any medication?

[Hidden]

So sorry you are having so much trouble. Arrhythmias sure do cause alot if anxiety, and depression. Plus having our sleep disturbed just adds to it. I think it is like planning a trip but your car engine is sputtering, not sure if you will reach your destination. I started taking a depression/ anxiety drug sertraline a couple years ago and it has helped me alot. My heart docs are not concerned at all that it may cause more arrhythmias. In fact, with some lifestyle changes and getting my anxiety controlled better, it has been almost 2 yr since Ive had any a fib. I used to be afraid to go out without my husband for fear of a fib returning. Now, I dont give it a second thought. So... I hope you can work up some hope that your life can get better. I say alot that “ your heart listens to everything your brain says”. Ol anxiety is worse than a fib in my book. Please talk to your doc, maybe a different medication, maybe some counseling to learn coping and relaxation techniques? Hang in there. 💜

[Gowers in reply to Hidden]

Interesting post Hoski. Earlier today a friend told me that she was put on

sertaline as dr said anxiety was causing the rapid hr/af to get worse. Other than bp med's doesn't take anything else. She has been 5years on the tablet (low dose) & is reluctant to come off them - said it's made huge difference to quality if life. I didn't think you could take Sertaline along with af medication so wondering if cardiologist or dr prescribed it for you? Has it helped lessen the af you were getting?

[Hidden in reply to Gowers]

My family doc prescribed it with my EP and cardiologist blessing. It is hard to say for sure what has kept my a fib at bay. The first yr my violent episodes were every 1-3 mo, lasting 3-6 hours. Second year they decreased to every 6-7 mo and Ive almost made it 2 yr with no a fib. I retired from a busy nursing job in year 2. I dont drink alcohol or smoke. I went from sedentary fast food obese grandma to rare fast food, better but not great eating habits and I exercise 30 min daily. Ive fought depression for years and have a love/ hate relationship with drugs. But I gave in to sertraline 2 yr ago and it has made a big difference with anxiety. A fib is tricky and no one has the magic keys to the a fib free kingdom yet. Im aware that a fib can come knocking at any time, I just pray it skips my house, lol

[Gowers in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the reply

[Palpman in reply to Hidden]

One should never take heart tablets such as Flecainide with antidepressants like Sertraline together. Both increase the QT interval and together can cause Prolonged QT Syndrome that can lead to ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest.

[Buffafly]

Hi Juggsy, feel for you, being kept awake is so hard to cope with. Hopefully this episode is just that, temporary. Never feel bad about posting 💜

[Ppiman]

I had an ablation last year for atrial flutter but still have ectopics beats. Has your doctor reassured you that theses are harmless even though frightening? Have you had an echo cardiogram?

I also have awful sleep problems. My experience of antidepressant tablets to help with anxiety and insomnia is deeply negative. I found the tablets made me much worse, bringing on a sort of “depression” as well as terrific increases in inner agitation and anxiety. Following doctors orders, I pressed on with taking them for months before eventually deciding to stop them. I wish I’d never tried them as it took a very long time indeed to recover from their side effects.

What has helped me is a kindly GP and occasional zolpidem sleeping tablets, with half of a 5mg tablet taken when I wake in the night rather than to get me off (which I can usually do without help).

I do feel for you though. You need medical reassurance that the arrhythmia is harmless and that your heart is safe, then some help with your sleep. Poor sleep exacerbates anxiety, depression and - I’m sure - makes heart rhythm problems much worse.

Steve

[Gowers in reply to Ppiman]

Yes, i find a very low dose of Zopicline makes huge difference. Lack of sleep makes coping with af/ectopics etc harder.

[Ppiman in reply to Gowers]

Zopiclone leaves me with a very bitter taste in the mouth the next day. I just wish they worked for longer - 3 hours is typical for me.

[Gowers in reply to Ppiman]

I think there are 2 strengths?

[Ppiman in reply to Gowers]

I think there are two strengths but i think the length of action isn’t affected. I think they maybe work longer for some people but I’ve heard from several who find 2-4 hours the norm. This is sometimes okay if you take them during the night - maybe 3.30 or so?

Steve

[irene75359]

Juggsy, please don't worry about posting on here; heart arrhythmias and anxiety go hand-in-hand for some people and it is hardly surprising. I don't know when you started taking your antidepressants or which ones, but please be aware that they can take some weeks to kick in. Hang on in there, and remember, you are not alone.

[bigbearatthecave]

The problem I used to have with AF is Stress and Anxiety and the more you think about it the worse it gets and drives you nuts. Also which side you sleep on at night can make a big difference and where you put your pillow. Try to pick a spot where you cannot feel your ticker. The try and think of something worse off than you like the Kouala's in Australia and then you will drop off to sleep. The key is stop thinking. I know clinical causes can be a big factor but the brain is the worst.

[123Abc123]

Hi Juggsy

I had exactly the same problem last night so didn’t sleep much. I feel my heartbeats much more at night so although it is annoying to say the least, I find something during the day that interests me - don’t stay in. Can you borrow a dog to take for a walk? Go on a nature walk? Meet a friend for coffee ... You’ll sleep better tonight as you are more tired.

[D_afibber]

Juggsy. Yes really feel for you. My own experience is that during sleep as soon as I get almost conscious brain activity then I get AFs starting . This is about 4 in the morning.

This for me is about anxiety and stress of my job. So yes my brain is sending signals to my heart. I have used Greg Braden's heart brain harmonising video on YouTube to calm my beats with usually a high percentage of success.

However yesterday I was shovelling yard grid for 6 hours. And didn't notice much. But knew that as soon as I stopped and came inside I would start to relax and then suffer AFs. And it was so. I tried everything I had but in the end took one of my stress diazepam tablets. I came out of AFs in about 30 mins. And slept good all night including past the usual 4 am brain activity start up.

We are all different in what triggers our AFs. But believe me the doctor's now a days know so much about out hearts. So I send you some encouragement that some how you will find a solution that works for you. Do not give up. Don't let it rule you!! Regards Dheave

[Gowers in reply to D_afibber]

What strength is the Diazapam you take? are you on othere meds for the AF? I didn't know it could help with af - interesting & thank you for sharing

[D_afibber in reply to Gowers]

I was on diazepam 5mg for work related stress from before. I am still trying to find the connection between AF and anxiety triggers, am also on nerve calming gabapenten. Which usually works. But after much physical work my beats were all over the place. Hence the diazepam knocked out the anxiety or brain signal. Dheave

[Gowers in reply to D_afibber]

Thanks for the information

[Catlady5]

Juggsy75... were you diagnosed with AF or are you just have PACs/ PVCs?