Help! Back in a fib again

[Purpletulips]

I’ve been stable on 2.5 Bisoprolol twice a day but now back in Afib with heartbeat in 70s and 80s and struggling to sleep at night and tiredness. I am a carer so it’s hard to stay patient when you’re not feeling great and not so young (80). Wondering whether to increase the Bisoprolol until I can speak to the doctor after bank holiday. Would be grateful for any advice.

[wilsond]

Hello

Difficult isn't it to be out of touch with Drs?

Your heart rate isn't in the zone considered to be dangerous(60 - 100 is acceptable) mine varies within those numbers.

Are you on any other medication?

Have you tried some of the methods members here use to try to calm things down such as slow breathing techniques,cold water on face ,drinking very cold water etc?

Some find meditation very helpful ..I am useless at it as my mind wanders too much!

Others say listening to a steady beat of a clock or recorded heart beat is good .

Of course ,we get anxious about it which does not help.

Hope you feel better soon .x

[Purpletulips in reply to wilsond]

Hello and thanks for your reply. I’m also taking rivaroxaban. Thanks for your helpful suggestions. I have already tried the cold water and slow breathing. I should probably persevere with the meditation but as you say, it’s not easy, but I will keep trying.

Take care x

[Surreychica_1 in reply to Purpletulips]

Try guided meditation. There are plenty of Youtube and it helps you to keep focused. Here is a link. youtube.com/watch?v=Jyy0ra2...(Not working as expected?). Excellent. Hope it works for you.

[Purpletulips in reply to Surreychica_1]

Hello! Thank you so much for the link to guided meditation. I will definitely give it a try. It does help to have a recommendation!

All the very best.

[PinkRabbit123 in reply to Surreychica_1]

Very Good !

[rc-k]

I am sorry your AF is causing problems. If I were you I would ring 111 and ask for advice. They are immensely helpful and will probably offer a callback from a doctor if you explain how distressed you are. Wishing you all the best.

[Purpletulips in reply to rc-k]

Thanks for your reply. I was hoping to avoid calling 111 in case they sent me to AandE (as I would need a taxi and to take my husband) but if I could just talk to a doctor that could be helpful....

Best wishes and thanks

[wilsond in reply to Purpletulips]

Many surgeries are only doing phone call consultations. Might be worth trying your GP? If open of course x

[Buffafly]

Sorry you are struggling, doesn’t it always happen when you can’t get help easily? We cannot give advice about medication but as your HR is under 100 that would be considered an acceptable rate anyway. I understand that it is the irregularity that is disturbing. I can only suggest you call 111 - I doubt they would think it is necessary for you to attend A&E but I can tell you that I have had my medication increased temporarily via a telephone consultation so it’s possible.

Can I also gently suggest that after this you explore the possibility of some outside help? I know times are difficult but it doesn’t hurt to try, sorry if it turns out you have already tried in vain 💜

[Purpletulips in reply to Buffafly]

Thank you for your reply. It has been so helpful to have the advice of fellow sufferers and I have coped with another day in AF which eased off a bit in the afternoon. Probably call 111 if I am no better tomorrow.

I know I shall need outside help soon but have just been putting off the hour. I really should listen to the advice I get. 🙂 Thanks again.

[Rubymurray25]

Do hope you are feeling better this morning or least not as stressful. As a full time care ( 66 ) for my parallelized wife ( 62 ) following a stroke 5 years ago, I know exactly how you feel with the extra worry about going to A&E but at some point, as I told by so many friends, what would happen to my wife if something happened to me. so you really do need to take the giant step of getting additional help and think of yourself at the same time, as being advised by people to you! I have been putting it off for ages but have help coming in next week to at least get a foot in the door so to speak as they are doing an hour 5 days a week in the morning. I have had AF for about 6 years but it is only recently I am truly accepting that the stress of my wife and the worry about her health really don't help my AF. I have had to use 111 a number of times as I wouldn't go to A&E unless they suggested it and I have found them so very helpful indeed. Personally I would never change my dosage without a doctor telling me but at least with 111 they can get you a telephone call from a professional. I take meds including bisoprolol 1.25 and makes my heart rate run constantly around 45 BPM, a powerful drug which like all needs caution. All the very best.

[Purpletulips in reply to Rubymurray25]

It’s good to hear from you. Thank you for your wise words. It all helps to put my mind at ease. I actually thought I had a good night’s sleep although my ‘smart’ Garmin watch said I only slept for under two hours because my heart was too busy all night. It does leave me tired and finding caring a bit difficult. I shall take the first step towards getting some advice and also make a move towards getting help with the caring set up.

I hope all goes well with your new help next week. It should be a relief to know that help is set up - a foot in the door indeed! My best wishes to you.

[Sfhmgusa]

Not sure this will help/work, but strangely for me the "Trapped" feeling makes me worse. so on bank holidays or similar when I just want to talk with someone... but cannot I get stressed and it makes everything worse. Now I try to make an appointment to speak to a Doctor as soon as I can, then my mind goes "Only a day and a half before I get an answer" or similar and oddly that alone can set me back into rhythm. So maybe worth trying to book an appointment or even promise yourself that " at 2.00pm tomorrow (Or whatever) I WILL call 111 and get advice"

If it helps I dream of a rate of 70's and 80' s when my annoying 140-150 Afib jumps onto me, and I echo what other have said with the anticoagulant you take your heart rate is in a normal range so should not be putting you at risk . I know that doesn't help to be told this when you feel unsettled by irregular beats, but when it settles down it is worth"Banking" the thought

Good luck

S

[Purpletulips in reply to Sfhmgusa]

Thank you for your reply. Good to hear from you. I shall fill out an ‘econsult’ form online now and hopefully get a call back from our doctors surgery fairly soon although being bank holiday it may be Tuesday. They usually reply quickly when they’re open.

Don’t know how I would cope with your rate of AFib, my problem is the tiredness and struggling to cope and do what needs to be done, but it’s really not too bad. It has certainly helped being able to talk about it here and to get such sympathetic advice from everyone. All the best to you. P

P

[Sim22]

Morning, I hope you had some sleep. I suggest that you don’t increase your Bisoprolol as if your heart rate is too slow then this can cause issues plus the possible side effects of this beta blocker. Importantly you are looking after your coagulation.

I have to sleep sitting up, it was strange at first but I am now used to the position and sleep quite well I don’t get breathless and my puffy legs have almost disappeared. My heart rate remains between 70 and 90.

I hope all settles down

[Purpletulips in reply to Sim22]

Thank you for your helpful reply. I felt I had a good night’s sleep although I am still feeling tired. I am going to wait for a doctor’s advice on the Bisoprolol.

I am glad you have learned to sleep well sitting up, it must have been difficult at first. My resting heart rate used to be in the 50s or 60s so I expect I may have to get used to a higher rate.

Best wishes to you

[Brianboru]

All beta blockers like bisoprolol give sleeping problems. I am taking a low dose sleeping pill which works but had it’s own side effects. I wean myself off for a while then treat myself to a better nights sleep. Talk to your doc.

[Purpletulips in reply to Brianboru]

Thanks for your comments. It’s good to know why sleeping is more of a problem these days. All the best.

[queseyo]

Most people here say that having cold water helps but in my case is the contrary. Usually have a drink of warm water and it helps me most of the time (HB slow down, especially after dinner), also keep staying hydrated at all times. take care...I'm 82!!!

[Janith]

Your heart rate isn’t dangerously high. My cardio says anything under 100 is okay.

[Ducky2003]

It was Bisoprolol that caused issues for me with tiredness and breathing issues so it may be worth discussing that with your GP.