AF over a week

[Deezy24]

Hi I wrote on here last week about my AF but I still have it and am no further on. It is 80s 90s n my chest feels like it’s quivering I think is the best way to explain. I have only ever had it for hours before but now it’s over a week. I dialled 111 at the weekend and they sent me to A&E but they just sent me home n sent letter to gp. I can’t get in until next Monday but hospital didn’t seem concerned. Is there anyone who has it like this or this has gone on who could help reassure me please. I get anxiety and am doing my best to get on with it all but it still worries me. Thanks guys for reading

[cmundo1972]

Hi, my first episode of AF lasted 9 days, I’m 47. I was terrified and exhausted and A&E just sent me home on bisoprolol. In the end I just managed to get my mind into a calm place and just relaxed and took it easy, I had to really as had zero energy. When I relaxed about it all it converted back to normal rhythm. Hope it resolves soon.

[Deezy24 in reply to cmundo1972]

Thanks for your reply. It’s such a horrible feeling and I’m trying so hard to ignore it but sometimes it is hard x

[Hidden]

Hi Deezy, we hear stories like this many times and we understand how frustrating it is when you feel you are not getting the help and support you believe you need. No magic wands I’m afraid, but maybe we can help you to understand the condition a bit better and make some suggestions about moving forward. It”s important that you find out as much as you can about AF and the link below will take you to the AF Association website which is full of useful information,

heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

If your heart rate is running at less than 100 bpm then you are deemed to be in range therefore A&E are probably unlikely to do more than they have, i.e., get you to see your GP. Did the hospital carry out an ECG, and if so, did it confirm AF. Obviously we do not know how your GP is going to respond, but make sure you have a clear picture of how AF has affected you so far. Read about anticoagulation and protection against the risk of stroke and make sure this is discussed with your GP and importantly, check out your CHADsVASc score and if you are 1 or above, think seriously about asking for anticoagulation. If I were you, if not offered, I would also ask to be referred to a Cardiologist, although it may be a while before you get an appointment, at least you will have started the process of beginning a treatment plan that’s best for you. It’s not going to be easy and you may have to push hard, but if you can engage with your GP by showing you have done some research, you are likely to fair better than if you let your GP tell you what is going to happen......hope this helps, good luck for Monday and let us know how you get on......

[Deezy24 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply and great advice. Will let you know x

[Hidden]

Did they not even conduct an ECG ?

By way of general observation and comment based on my own experience, by the way, prior to AF my average heart rate was always around 85 to 90 - for me that was normal and had been for years.

These days, helped by Bisoprolol, it is steady at around 65 to 67 bpm.

When I was admitted to A & E my pulse had been falling all day, it eventually bottomed out at around 76/50. When given an ECG they determined I was in Atrial Flutter ( which may account for those sensations you describe), however, I was then moved to the cardiac unit to begin more tests where I then converted from A Flutter to Atrial Fibrillation when the battle really began.

Do you take your own pulse - is it nice 'n even and regular ?

I would imagine the hospital would have at least held your wrist and taken your pulse. If they found that to be even and regular, combined with a HR of 80 to 90 ish, then they would consider you normal - regardless of your feelings of quivering.

Sorry ;-(

John

[Deezy24 in reply to Hidden]

Hi thanks for your reply. Sorry it was late when I wrote post. Yes the did do ecg which said I was in AF and still am 9 days later. I have to go to gp now. Just worried coz never had it for more than a few hours or day before.

[Belle11]

I had persistent AF - started suddenly, never having had it before and lasted until I got a cardioversion. So far it's staying normal now. Hopefully yours will convert without, but there are other routes for getting back into NSR if not.

[Deezy24 in reply to Belle11]

Thanks Belle11 for your reply. Is it awful having the cardio version? Glad yours is ok now. Really anxious about having it done x

[Buffafly in reply to Deezy24]

I have not had a cardioversion except during ablation but many members have and it seems it's a doddle - do a search for 'cardioversion' on this website and you should find some reassuring comments. Be aware you have to have been anticoagulated for some time before so not likely to happen soon unless you are 🙁

[Belle11 in reply to Deezy24]

Anticipating the cardioversion was the worst thing about it! I had a general anaesthetic - just for about 5 minutes, and when I came round it was done and I was back in rhythm! 13 of us were treated at one session and it was successful for everyone. They try 3 times if needed, mine worked the first time. The blurb says it's successful for 90% of people though a small percentage lapse back into AF within a month or two. Mine was only a couple of weeks ago, but all well so far.

They needed me to have been on a blood thinner for at least 4 weeks beforehand, as if AF had caused any clots to form in the heart, the cardioversion could dislodge them and cause a stroke.

[Steve101 in reply to Belle11]

I’m waiting for a cardio version for persistent AF, how long has it stayed in normal sinus rhythm?

Hope it stays that way for you.

Best wishes

Steve

[Belle11 in reply to Steve101]

Thank you Steve. Only 2 weeks so far since my cardioversion, but after 9 months in persistent AF, I'm revelling in new found energy! I've also been looking at dietary factors and hoping to keep the AF at bay - it seemed that within my persistent AF, cheese made my heart "thump" more, and various web sites suggest that tyramine in cheese may be a trigger for some people, so I've cut it out. I had some "naked" bacon (bacon without nitrates) last weekend, and was aware of a few irregular beats after that - perhaps just too much salt?

Hope your cardioversion comes soon.

[Steve101 in reply to Belle11]

Do you need to continue with anticoagulants?

I hear conflicting views, some people say if you continue in normal sinus rhythm for a few months you can come off them, others say once you have AF you should continue with anticoagulants for life. Has your EP said anything.

Really hope you stay in NSR, great to hear you feel much better.

Steve

[Belle11 in reply to Steve101]

Thank you Steve. I go for follow up in a month to 6 weeks time, so will find out more then. I suspect the consultant may want me to stay on anticoagulants for at least a while longer (rivaroxaban). It took a bit of coming to terms with having to take them, but at present it feels reassuring as protection against stroke.

[jeanjeannie50]

My heart has been in AF, at the rate yours is, since the end of November. It's annoying, but doesn't bother me at all and I've not spoken to anyone about it. Having had AF for 15 years I now understand that this rate is no big deal, now if it goes over say 130, then yes that's a different story!

You are doing the right thing by going to see your GP, hopefully he may be able to arrange for you to have a cardioversion (where they shock the heart back into rhythm). I've had lots and I can tell you they're absolutely nothing to worry about.

How are you feeling?

Jean

[Deezy24 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hue jeanjeannie thanks for replying and it is reassuring that someone is the same. I know I just have to get on with it and I am. I guess it’s coz this long is new to me. Appreciate you telling me about cardio version. Can you feel anything at all? Take care

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Deezy24]

I make a big effort not to tune into what my heart is doing. If I do I know I will make it worse. Sometimes, usually when AF first kicks off the beat is too strong to ignore, but after a few weeks of being in constant AF I become less aware of it 'fiddling about', as I call it.

The mind is a very powerful thing and I'm so much better for giving my heart as little attention as possible.

Jean

[Deezy24 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Yeah you’re right and good on you for doing so. Thanks again for taking time to reply x