Until yesterday I had only had two episodes of PAF this year, in Jan and July. I had convinced myself that I could control the PAF with things like diet and exercise, and that since the number of episodes this year were fewer than last year, things were looking fairly good. Bart’s discharged me from their ablation list. Unfortunately, I had a lot of ectopics yesterday and this morning at 0430 I woke up with PAF. Yesterday I had a GP appointment. My ECG was ok, but the doctor reminded me that even after months without PAF, it can strike back: “that’s why it’s called paroxysmal”. My worry is that it may have gone permanent as the pattern is different from usual: normally the PAF comes fairly unexpectedly, but this time there has been much more of a build up of ectopics and (perhaps) short bursts of PAF. Am very apprehensive about the possibility of permanent AF and the prospect of having a cardioversion or even a visit to A and E during COVID.
AF is back.: Until yesterday I had only... - Atrial Fibrillati...
AF is back.
Have looked at your posts and the comments to them. Here a quotation of someone's comment from 4 months ago: " I’m a lifelong cyclist that developed PAF along the way. Never got Afib while cycling, but would start to hit me in the evenings after a more strenuous ride. It gradually progressed to no rhyme or reason for episodes." So true...
But there is another thing that is true - 95% of the people reading this forum are sportsmen of different kind. All of them would obviously rather die than abandon the exercise, despite knowing that their little ticker has serious problems. Think about it.
Yes, as you know, I started cycling a few months ago. The heart behaved well when cycling- not even ectopics, but on a few occasions I got some later during the day. For the past two days I have been cycling in very cold air. So there might well be something in what you say. Difficulty to know for sure.
Breathing in cold air is probably the problem rather than the exercise.
It could be-there was no immediate reaction though. I suppos there might have been a delayed reaction
A book I have just read (Breath by James Nestor) evidences why it is so important to breath just through your nose (in & out) to do with many things but I would add it warms the air before hitting the lungs. I know from personal experience a cold drink gulped down triggers my AF as well as (if already in AF) stopping it!
It could also be that you have mild sleep apnea and that triggered your AF - again according to the above book breathing only through your nose when asleep (using just a small mouth tape across the middle of your lips) could cure this. I am still in the trial period for taping my mouth (I started in August) all I can say is so far I feel so much fresher in the mornings (even with a couple of bathroom visits), a feeling I thought I would never get back and I haven't identified any side effects to date.
It’s an interesting comment. I will discuss with GP next time I see her.
Very true!
Hiya Samazeuilh,So sorry to read of this unwelcome surprise for you. Its hard to offer you any 'scientific' or even logical comment ......... just simply my take on it, so, here goes -
AF is a mongrel, it is all things to all people, it will have its wicked way with anyone it choses, it will not ask permission, or expect a permission. There are no rules to teach to AF and there are no worthwhile rules for its victims. Some are lucky and others are not. Expect nothing from this mongrel ( as you and others probably are) and you won't ever be disappointed.
For me, I was fortunate - diagnosis and treatment started in around 9 hours from onset ( although at the time I had no idea what the onset was of, it felt like 'flu). After the diagnosis in A & E ( massive thanks to the team at East Surrey Hospital, Reigate) I later learned about vagal nerve, found digestive issues, consulted a nutritionist ( not a cardiologist) followed a food plan, BUT I'm a couch potato and so have never bothered with a exercise program, or any exercise concepts at all. All jobs I have had and still have, have been sedentary, so I'm not trim, taught and terrific ..... but I am slim -ish. These days it is controlled by meds and diet and the positive spin my sedentary job, bus driving gives me.
😂😂.
Y'know what, it doesn't stop all the forewarnings happening, palpitations, missed beats, extra beats, ultra fast HR up to 140 ish but I can say, no AF, yeah I still get all that, and curse it too. However, since 2015 I have had only 2 AF events.
I still maintain though, but can never prove it in any way, those initial 9 hours were critical it was the speed of that diagnosis and starting of treatment and the subsequent 5 days in hospital for tests that were so vitally important. That should be mandatory for everyone. Standard operating practice.
I hope this injects a lighter note for you and hope that this mongrel goes away and leaves you in peace once again.
May the force be with you.
John
Thanks. Mongrel is certainly the right term for it. If you have only had two episodes since 2015 that’s very encouraging-that probably isn’t often enough to warrant ablation. I don’t know how this will play out or why it’s popped up now- SteelHeart suggested it might be the cycling, and there could be something in that. However last year I had episodes every 2 months or so, whereas this year they were greatly reduced, so this is very much unexpected.
It sounds a little early to worry about being in permanent AF but also a warning that something needs to change. I can understand your reluctance to go into hospital during COVID but worth checking out locally as in our area the private hospital was seconded so that electives could continue and the checks for keeping COVID out are very stringent.
If you are unfortunate enough to to go into persistent AF then you still have options and although I think all of us rather dread that I know a few people in permanent AF who, with the right meds to control HR without SOB live very well, not nearly as symptomatic as in PAF but they have had to significantly modify exercise and limit HR when exercising.
There is an old saying which became my mantra and this applies to physical stress as well as psychological stress - The Body Keeps The Score. It also became a book.
Best wishes CD.
I think the worry is also that if it doesn’t go to permanent AF I have more episodes and they may become more prolonged and symptomatic. I rang the cardiac nurses just now and they said that I need to have an ECG. I can’t get through to the GP surgery at the moment and they may not be able to offer one.
Think about buying a Kardia then you can capture your own ECG and email them to Barts - they accept them as good evidence, certainly my EPs who were Bart’s trained did - because they were part of the initial efficacy studies when Kardia was launched in UK back circa 2012/13.
I have a Kardia and sent one to the GP yesterday, but they managed to lose the email. I was able to show them one on a phone. I’m not sure if Barts will accept one as I’m discharged.
They can only say no, go back to your GP for a new referral ......
They will at least ensure the ecg is uploaded to your records. It is helpful for them. I sent one yesterday! I am on the ablation list however.
The time to worry is when that happens, anxiety is bad for AF 💜
Still can’t get through to them!
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