Hi my friends, can anybody advice me. I am now on day 6 in AF normally it last about 2 days.
I have had a very stressful week. My eldest sister and my only living sibling died last Friday. I also got told that I can’t visit my husband, who lives in a carehome for 12 weeks. And my planned operation for cancer due to be done on Monday got cancelled. So it was a day from hell.
I spoke to my GP yesterday who said for me to try doubling my Bisoprolol. Not doing a lot of good.
Any ideas?
Rienij xx
No advice to give as I am all confuckled at the moment. My best wishes and sympathy go out to you though.
I am no expert at the best of times and hope that someone helps soon!
Bless you, what a tough time you're going through. It sounds as though your stress levels are keeping your AF going doesn't it and no wonder! I'm thinking what on earth I can advise, if anything. Beta blockers can have a calming effect so I can see why your GP has suggested upping them. I'm wondering whether a short dose of something to help calm you would help? I think you need to let your doc know the higher dose Bisoprolol isn't working.
Sending you a big calming and caring hug, my AF friend.
Jean XXX
Oh Rienij! You are going through such a lot again. I’m no expert you’ll have to wait for FJ or Bob. Have you the number of an arrhythmia nurse or your EPs Secretary. Please keep strong, as is said “This too shall pass”. xx
No pressure there then!
You’re up to it. 😷
Hi Rienij
I can’t give you any advice but I wanted to send you a virtual hug. What a lot to cope with. Take care and stay well x
Hello Rienij, I’m not sure I can add much to what has already been said. Your AF will probably only subside once you become calmer and only your doctor can help you with that. I wonder if a Pill in the Pocket approach might help but this can only be done by seeing your Cardiologist or EP and may carry risks which might not make it suitable. It’s a shame CDreamer is not here at the moment because she is the expert on mindfulness and other means of helping to keep calm.....sorry I cannot be more helpful.....
Like FJ I am so sorry both to read your rcent problems and of your current AF but really can't advise beyond what has been said already. Try to keep calme and do your deep breathing and if you do suffer chst pain or difficulty breathing then call for assistance.
Rienij, I send heartfelt condolences on the death of your sister - a blow at any time but particularly so with the current situation and your being confined. As others have said, you’ve had so much to cope with, that your AF has kicked in and the Bisoprolol increase is certainly worth trying.
Have you tried focussed, slow breathing? It can calm the mind and slow heart rate. I find I need to sit or lie quietly and breathe more often recently just to keep stress levels down.
You’re such a great lady and have come through so much in recent years - I hope you get back to NSR soon. Sending you a big cyber hug. xx
Hello Rienij 
what a horrible time you are having and you must be feeling very alone and vulnerable 
((Hugs))
Do you have a Kardia or any means of monitoring your heart rate,
I would telephone your GP again and say the Bisoprolol 'is not doing a lot of good ', if you do know what your heart rate is tell them . They may not do anything about it but it might give you a deree of assurance knowing that your GP is aware of your situation.
Your mind must be in turmoil with so much going on and I am sure you can't relax but if you can try, it will help your heart, Try to take long slow breaths and count them which will give you something on which to focus.
There are lots of videos online about relaxation techniques which may be of help to you.
Remember you are not alone, keep us updated we are all with you...xxx
Hi Rienji can I just clarify a point about Bisoprolol 'not doing a lot of good' , I am instructed by my doctor to take an extra dose of betablockers during an episode and find what it does do is to slightly reduce my heart rate so it is not quite so high making it better for my heart to cope , it does not terminate an episode. It may be that the Bisoprolol is reducing your heart rate a little too .
I am so sorry for all that you are going through. I can only endorse what others have said ..try to stay as calm as you can. Maybe the bisoprolol will kick in soon. I have found that sometimes it works and sometimes not. Don't be frightened to seek more advice from your GP should things escalate.
J x
Everything to say been said 💞🌈💐
Hugs 🤗🤗🤗💐💕
I am so sorry to hear of your loss and the battle with your own worries. It is always difficult to deal with AF because of the limited number of options that we mortals have at our disposal but it is essential, nonetheless, to take care of yourself. That said and because of the high stress imposed upon you, your body needs some TLC. I would think that taking magnesium at this time would be good, more than less. Magnesium can be very calming to the heart. I am not trying to minimize your experience, but you are still living. Take care of yourself. It is important for your own well being.
So sorry for your loss , added with the anxiety of not being able to see your husband must be overwhelming for you . I am sure that your GP will prescribe something short term to help with anxiety. Sorry that I can only offer my best wishes to you at this time x
Hi ReiniJ70, What an awful time you are having, and no wonder with losing your sister, and not being able to see your husband due to this awful virus keeping us from our loved ones. I don’t have AF, but have had a jumpy heart since I was a young girl. I take Bisoprolol and Diltiazem, which help, but my heart has a mind of its own and when I’m having a hard time of it, my cardio has prescribed different meds, but it seems nothing helps when I am having my episodes. A few weeks ago I visited one of my sons and his family, he’s been having hard time and is very depressed, I have been so worried about him and while visiting my heart started up. I had to leave...I hadn’t had a episode in weeks before that. I’m certain it was my anxiety. I don’t always have a trigger, but I surely did that day. Have you tried doubling the medication? Best of luck. Sherry
It can take some time to become fully effective so patience may be required. Good luck.
My heart goes out to you. My deepest condolences on the loss of your sister.
You have always been so unfailingly cheerful and uncomplaining in the face of what life has thrown at you and now this. I can't offer any advice but know that you are in many people's thoughts as well as mine. I hope your heart calms down, and that your cancer op is rescheduled very soon. Please keep posting so that we know how you are.
So very sorry to read this dear Rienij I only just saw it
I hope the AF is settling down a bit now. The advice on here is good as always...
I wonder if it is possible to do what the local care home is doing ..they arrange a time when you can go to a window opened just a crack ,standing well back and at least see each other and have a few words. No contact so no contagion.
Sending you lots of loving thoughts 💞💞💞💞
So sorry for you. I hope the funeral is not too far away. I find it very difficult to relax until after that is over.
How much does the AF actually affect you? Mine is anything from two days to ten, depending on background problems, or on 'nothing at all'. So long as the Bisoprolol keeps the rate beow 100 there is no problem. It will go back to normal sooner or later, when you have been able to relax. If it goes over 100 that puts more strain on the heart, but for a few days that also is a minor problem. So . . . if that sounds like you, relax! At least the AF is one thing you don't need to worry about!
If on the other hand 2 days of AF is unbearable, forgive me for being so calm about it, and follow all the wisdom above!
So sorry Rienij that you have been having such a rough and distressing time. I would certainly try to speak to your consultant or arrhythmia nurse but in the meantime if you could try to relax with some mindfulness and relaxation. Lots of apps about to assist with this also YouTube. I am not medically trained but would think it would take a few days for medication change to have an effect.
I find that knitting has always helped me and it was whilst knitting having been in AF for 3 months or more I suddenly realised I was in sinus rhythm. Do you have any family or close friend round you who you can talk to, this can sometimes ease the stress. Unfortunately we cannot change what is going on at the moment so try not to worry over what we can’t change (I am the worst for this). I send you a virtual hug🤗 and hope you feel better soon.
Brenda
Alive, with thanks: update on nightmare
I am still very much a newbie here
Am I really an 'enigma'?
Still waiting for new ablation date with my heart playing games
