Back again. Janna

[Janna501]

Hi , I received so much help from the great people on this forum almost 5 years ago when first diagnosed with PAF , and terrified, and I’m so hoping for your good advice and thoughts again ..The AF never disappeared of course, but I thought I had control. Now I am getting more episodes, and am gripped in fear when they happen. My heart leaps to 170bpm and feels like a jelly stopping and starting. There is no way I can stand when this happens, so it was awful when it happened with friends at a restaurant, and though it doesn’t happen every day , it’s made me fearful of leaving the house .I called paramedics last week , but by the time they got to me Ibwas back in sinus rhythm ( thank god after 45 minutes) How do you manage to sit that out at home for hours as I believe some do , and isn’t it dangerous?

I have another strange new thing happening. I wake from sleep (3 times last night) feeling I’ve had an electric shock, my whole body tingling. The first time it happened last week it jolted me into afib . Again scary in the middle of the night . Has anyone had this happen , and what is it? It’s new to me . My cardio checkup at the hospital is going to be a telephone call next month!

I am feeling a mess . Can the covid situation and the stress of isolation be making everything so much worse? At my last consultation I had the bisoprolol increased to 1,25 twice a day , and Flecainide to 50 twice daily . I take an extra Flecainide when I’m having an attack which can bring me back into sr after awhile sometimes.

I’d be so grateful to hear from you with thoughts , advice .. Are you still there Bob ? Sorry to be so long winded !

[BobD Volunteer]

Still here Janna. I wonder if you have sleep apnoea? That could be why you are waking in a violent way. Might be worth speaking to your doctor about a sleep test as AF is often triggered by it.

[Globe-J]

Hi Janna,

As Bob mentioned, you must speak to a doctor.

Have you changed your bed sheets to silk or synthetic? A wild guess but these materials can generate a static discharge.

AF is, in some cases, treatable. I am not alone to be free of the affliction, for years by now. Don't give up.

Best wishes

J

[secondtry]

As Bob suggests sounds like sleep apnea. I have/had that, had the sleep test (diagnosed mild but not high enough for the NHS to treat) and left to my own devices.

So now I use a Breathright nasal strip at night (that actually was Bob's helpful suggestion!) and I would suggest you also consider at night a mouth tape strip (just half the size of a postage stamp across the middle of the lips). I started this and breathing exercises (on my daily walk) 10 wks ago and very pleased with the results. For more info youtube.com/watch?v=woyIhwo...(Not working as expected?)

Specifically on the AF, this needs more attention to stop it, as I think it is generally accepted the more you have the more you will get. Flec 100mgs per day did not stop my Lone PAF in the early days (6 yrs ago) but the medium dose of 200mgs did. Also I would urge you to consider carefully eating out late and follow -up on the many diet & other lifestyle recommendations detailed on this Forum. Keep persevering!

[Desanthony in reply to secondtry]

I know when I am in Afib i can't breathe well and use a nasal strip at night - a pharmacist friend put me on to it as her Dad uses one for the same reason.