Frogs jumping in the chest

[Swimsyroke]

Hi I have paroxysmal A-fib and can go 3 months without an attack then I might have 2 in 3 days. Flecanaide usually sorts it unless I am ill in which case I may have t go to hospital. The worst and scariest attacks are when your heart is jumping out of your chest as if there were a load of frogs jumping around. Has anyone experienced it as bad as that and how long should we let it go on when it is so bad.

[sotolol]

I’ve been 5 months free today bang literally frogs kangaroos grass hoppers too. High blood pressure heart rate 110 pulse all over the place. Waiting to see cardiologist but was cancelled. Took another sotalol hoping it kicks back in place soon. Deep breathing it will go keep telling yourself that. Watch tv or music take your mind off it. Bless you. Hope you get it sorted. Thinking of you.

[jeanjeannie50]

I know that feeling well and it's horrible, used to think I would surely die the way my heart would flip flop around in my chest. Haven't had it since my third ablation. Mine always seemed to do it in the middle of the night. Really feel for you, not a nice experience at all and quite different to the way ordinary AF feels.

With hindsight I think you should ring the NHS 111 number if it happens again, or get someone to take you to A&E.

Jean

[BobD Volunteer]

This is always a difficult question and we often see widely opposed views.

You don't tell us what other drugs you are on for the AF or at what dose so hard to be definite as to what you should do. Flecainide is very good but make sure that you do not take more than 300mg in any 24 hour period.

Since you have been diagnosed one presumes that you have seen a cardiologist and would hope that a treatament plan is in place. In such cases A and E is not really necessary unless you have chest pain, fainting or shortness of breath. OK I know it feels dreadful but it is seldom if ever fatal and most people, once used to this scourge tend to ride it out at home making sure that they relax and stay well hydrated.

I think the actual rate is more critical than the frogs so try to count your heart rate and if it is heading to 200 BPM then ring NHS and speak to somebody there.

[Palpman]

Yes, the heart never ceases to think of ways to surprise and put fear into the brain with it's antics. Especially now as it gets bored due to the lock down and starts playing games.

Since yesterday morning I have been convinced that I am going to die and I keep looking for the best place to fall when I move around the house.

I have learned to appease both organs by breathing properly.

[Denise-]

i had this Friday night my first really bad one for nearly 12 months. It took about an hour to subside after taking a pill in the pocket 2.5 mg of Bisopropol. Felt washed out yesterday but ok today. If it continues for more than 3 hours I have been advised to ring for an ambulance but at the moment I think i'd not ring unless I experienced chest pain as well. But we are all different and get varying advice from Doctors.

[RichMert]

Yes I have been taking Propanolol from time to time to stop an episode of ecptopics. Dr gave me a choice to do the normal and put up with it for 3 -6 weeks then it will go on its own but suggested the Propranolol would reduce that period. It hasn't and I can only think that this covid situation and the anxiety that goes with it is to blame. I would push for a 7 day ECG but in the current climate I am better off putting up with it (that pretty much says it all).

[nikonBlue]

As I type here right now those damn frogs are having a whale of a time in my chest! Been great all weekend then for no apparent reason...croak!! Am now away to take some flecainide before I read all the replies below!!! Aaaargh

Blue x

[Palpman in reply to nikonBlue]

Hope the Flecainide works for you.

Many of us are self diagnosing and medicating in this situation.

I got a copy of my ECG and had to have a crash course to read and understand it. As a result I had to take myself off Sertraline to shorten my P wave and QT.

My GP phoned me a week later to tell me to stop the Sertraline.

[nikonBlue]

I'm afraid I'm not up on the P wave and the QT but recognise those Saw tooth squiggles! The fec worked but I'm finding it's taking longer and longer to do it's job and all the time those frogs were having a dancing competition, so it felt anyway.

I'm on 150 flecainide twice daily and my cardiologist has now suggested an ablation (eek). But with all that's going on right now with this awful virus, I'm assuming I'll not be hearing from him for the foreseeable.

stay well,

Blue

[Hidden]

We are all different but when I have an eisode after taking flecainide as a PIP, I also take bisoprolol (1.25) if heart rate is over 140 (or if I want to get back to sleep as my episodes usually happen during the night)! Good luck finding what works for you- get a Kardia if you don't have one already and then you know what your heart is u to!

[Janith]

Yes ... that is how mine feels ... it is very scary but for me, infrequent. I usually go to emergency and they manage to stop it ... although the last time l had to have a cardio version... that was easy and all is well since. That was approximately three months ago.