Like many in my age group I have only been out walking for exercise in the past 4 months and have only visited 2 shops in all that time and oh yes the hospital when I fell off a ladder.😂
Consequently I have hardly worn a face mask but know this is to be law next week.
Although I have been lucky enough not had AF since last October the main issue for me now is Bradycardia which leaves me breathless going up stairs and hills.
Yesterday I had to go to the Dentist and had to climb stairs and today for the first time I collected my prescriptions from the Chemist myself. (My wife has kindly done it for me up until now).
On both occasions it was necessary for me to wear a face mask. Yesterday in particular wearing a mask and climbing the stairs in the Dentist left me gasping for oxygen by the time I got to the top.
It looks like I may have to continue being a bit of a recluse.
Pete
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pottypete1
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Like you I have (or had) bradycardia when not in AF. Never gasping for air but a real feeling of muscle fatigue walking up slopes or trying to trot upstairs. Goodness knows what it would have been like with a mask on. I dread to think.
Anyway in January I was fitted with a back-up dual lead pacemaker. It has made a huge difference. In fact I have no problems on exertion now. I resisted the idea of a PM for a long time. But a spell when my heart rate dipped to 29 when under GA for a small procedure convinced me it would be a good idea. I don't regret it. I feel so much better and it counteracts the effects of Bisoprol nicely.
Not the best time to think about this because going near a hospital under the current circumstances would fill me with dread. But perhaps when things get back to normal it might be worth considering? Hope you settle back into happy seclusion.
Hello thank you for your reply. I am really glad that a pacemaker has made a lot of difference for you.
As I have now explained elsewhere in this thread my EP has indeed suggested I have a pacemaker and this has been the status quo for the past 3 years. However, I do have issues with allergic reactions and it has been my decision not to have one fitted as I am really scared of getting Urticaria which when I had it very badly in 2013 was worse than the issues with my heart by far.
Regarding going to hospital right now I unfortunately tested the system back in May when I fell off a ladder. They are very good at keeping the usual idiots like me who fall off ladders away from the Covid19 screening area.
I believe that because I have underlying heart conduction disease my heart finds it difficult to supply my body with a high enough concentration of oxygenated blood and that is why with a mask I find I am even more breathless than I am normally when I climb a hill or stairs.
Pottypetel, it was interesting to me to see that you were concerned about getting pacemaker because of possibly having problem with urticaria. In April I had pacemaker implanted. The day after my face was extremely hot and red and it peeled. Bottom line the extreme redness, puffy, itchy face become worse as I was wearing a mask when I went out. Have been to dermatologist and allergy doctors. Don’t know for sure why or what happened to cause my problem. Just know that the day after pacemaker I was miserable due to issues with my face. Just know that this past week finally my face is back to normal!
That is a very interesting story thank you for sharing it.
My EP told me he was unaware of anyone having an allergic reaction but I found information on a number of cases by searching the Internet.
I had the Urticaria after having my 4th ablation and it then happened on each of the last 3 ablations. I was referred to a Consultant Dermatologist who carried out patch testing on my skin. The results showed that I was allergic to about 100 substances including nickel. Titanium was not tested.
There has been a breakthrough at my local hospital which is a Specialist Cardiac Centre and they have developed a micro pacemaker that is implanted into one of the chambers of the heart. Ultimately this might be my solution.
Your post was the information I've ever heard of that connected a procedure ie. pacemaker or in your case ablation procedure to urticaria. Of course, I talked with EP more than once saying it was the day after pacemaker that my face felt like it was on fire. They said they knew of no connection between the two. Used a lot of ice and was miserable for weeks. I contributed it to having had mask on the day before for hours and mask during the procedure then due to covid everywhere I went after that. Was thinking I'm allergic something in the mask. Monday this coming week I'm scheduled for a patch test. As of a week ago I've not put any mask on my face using different mild lotions etc. and my face is back to normal. ??? Was the urticaria on your face?
There was a presentation on you tube today about oxygen levels in the body when wearing a mask and it was said they don't change at all. The chap/doctor demonstrating had an oximeter on his finger.
Yes I watched that too Jean and was about to comment when I saw your post. I too feel constricted when wearing a mask but suspect that it is all in the mind. I wore a full dust/chemical respirator for years whilst spray painting or sanding down paintwork on cars and never thought about it yet somehow a thin piece of cloth makes me feel I am unable to breathe. Shows how strong our minds are ! Need to have a meaningful talk with myself. lol 😁
Hi Bob. Not entirely in your mind! I had it explained that when in AF or Bradicardia, the blood oxygen levels are good. However, the heart is not pumping that oxygenated blood where it is needed quick enough. It is your body telling you to breathe faster as it thinks it needs more oxygen!
Yes that sounds like a good explanation. In summary my lungs are drawing in enough oxygen but because I have been told that I have underlying conduction disease my heart is not capable of pumping that oxygenated blood to where it is needed. My legs feel like lead, probably because they are the furthest from my heart.
I am acutely aware that a pacemaker could well be the answer but for me with my severe allergic reaction to electrodes, pressure and many things attached to my skin I still think that I would have to be told there is no alternative if I am to stay alive.
Back to my original point the mask for me makes it more difficult for me to breath fast enough to get more oxygen.
Like the rest of us on here I don't claim to be a medical expert. I used to have marked episodes of bradycardia until I had a pacemaker fitted 6 years ago. Your episodes are clearly having a significant effect on your quality of life. I assume you are under a cardiologist and maybe a general review would be helpful including a medication review?
Regarding my medication I am on Flecainide and my EP thinks that whilst it helps control my rhythm it is the dose of Flecainide that is adding to my issues with underlying conduction disease.
We recently, during the worst days of lockdown, discussed halving my dose but as there is a concern that my AF would return felt it was prudent to delay any experimentation with my medication doses until the hospital system calmed down.
The reason for this is that my EP felt that Anaethetists were under a lot of pressure in intensive care at that time and should I need a cardioversion it might take longer than desireable to organise.
Just come across this in PULSE, a magazine for Healthcare Professionals.....GPs should not be required to write a note for any patients who are exempt from wearing face coverings on public transport.
The Department for Transport made the clarification to Pulse after some GPs had feared a flurry of questions from patients after new rules came into force in England yesterday.
These say everyone should wear a face covering on public transport unless they 'have a physical or mental illness or impairment, or a disability that means you cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering'; or if 'putting on, wearing or removing a face covering would cause you severe distress'.
The Department for Transport told Pulse that public transport operators have discretion over how their staff can enforce the regulation and that if prompted by staff, passengers should explain why they are exempt from the regulation - but they are not required to produce a doctor's note.
I think the stress of trying to explain my condition is worse than staying at home.
I would not be able to deal with the stress.
Every time my heart rate is lifted by any heated conversation or even more worrying confrontation my tinnitus goes through the roof and I know my blood pressure increases significantly.
This is my understanding, which could be wrong. It is not just the oxygen levels, it is also the resistance, creating a slight but feelable negative and positive pressure when breathing through a cloth however thin. When breathing in this creates some suction in the alveoli, and when breathing out this means the alveoli have delayed deflation. For anyone with lungs problems, this may not be healthy. It is certainly not natural. Now, I can tolerate that when outside and walking briskly, as, for instance, in a mask against car pollution, but not for normal breathing.
I tried a cloth mask the other day and found the extra resistance most unpleasant. The mask sealed better over the jaw than over the eyes, which meant air was expired directly into my spectacled eyes. When I held it in place so I was obliged to breath through the cloth, it was too much strain on my lungs. I tried the mask upside down so that the nose seal was good and I breathed from underneath, and that worked much better. It also enabled me to wipe my nose which runs easily at the slightest irritation.
I recently bought a very basic breathing mask with a filter on each side to do some filling and sanding in the house. Cost about £9 from screwfix/toolstation. Breathing is very easy, but I look like something out of a chemical warfare film. Much easier breathing than a cloth mask though.
In my local supermarket there are noticeably more people wearing masks, and when I walk locally people are, in the main, still socially distancing and some are wearing masks out in the open.
However when I went to the seaside for a walk along the front , where I met with lots of groups of people who made no attempt to distance, and in some cases looked at our attempts to do so (single file etc) with patronising amusement.
Stop press! Just seen on internet that masks with vents are no good. They seem to protect you but not those you meet. So s BIG no no to my previous suggestion!
I was much the same as I have copd and a fib but I bought visor which is better for me as I can breath and my specs don't mist up like they did with mask look a bit like I'm a trainee welder tho Bought mine on line from Lockwood very fast delivery next day and good price bought 2 visor head bands with 3 shields for extra £1 3 extra shields as hubby has copd as well £11 inc postage
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