As time goes by I become much more fatigued with very tired legs after an AFib episode. Anyone else?

[Oxford]

Serious fatigue and tired, weak legs after AFib episodes. As time goes by this happens more often, and I have to surrender to more early nights or evening rests.

[rosyG]

It seems to depend on how high my heart rates had gone etc so varies really

[irene75359]

I take flecainide and bisoprolol as a PiP and as my episodes seem to be mainly in the morning I am wiped out for the remainder of the day. I am never sure if it is the AF or the drugs responsible.

[doodle68]

Hi Oxford I used to be exhausted after an episode , now it only happens during an episode when I am 'wiped out' for the 10 hours an episodes usually lasts.

Since I was diagnosed with AF 4 years ago I have tried really hard to build up my stamina by doing daily stretching/ bending excercise and walking . Also it might be a good idea to have a blood test to check Vitamin D3 levels , I was shocked to find I was severely deficient in Vitamin D and that was affecting the strength in my legs. I now have it on prescription and it has helped considerably with my tired weak legs.

Also it is wise to make sure you eat a good diet, its essential for your general health.

[Oxford in reply to doodle68]

Thanks for that, food for thought!

[RajaRua]

Hello Oxford, It depends on how long an episode lasts. If it lasts just 2hrs or so I do feel whacked while having it and become very anxious with chest pain. Once I'm back in SR I can feel quite fatigued for a day or two and continue to have chest pain.

If I have it for 4-10hrs I fell very fatigued for a week or more after and not wanting to be around too many people. In this way I find AFib very isolating. I also continue to have chest pain for a week to 10 days after. I'm told I'm a candidate for an Ablation but just thinking about that gives me chest pain!!

I agree with doodle above there. It's important to take care of ourselves with some gentle stretching and walking even for 15 mins in the fresh air. It really helps with the mood and with moving one's energy. Don't be hard on your self also Oxford. Having these symptoms makes AFib an even harder condition to deal with. As I said before it can also be very isolating. Some of us are more sensitive and tender. That's ok. Just be patient, loving and compassionate with your sensitive being and I'll do the same.

👍

[Oxford in reply to RajaRua]

Thanks for your thoughtful response. I was diagnosed eight years ago when I had no symptoms apart from sensation of racing, irregular heartbeat. But now I have noticeable symptoms, and I guess I am having to accept them as a fact along with the anticoagulation and beta blockers. I do walk daily, I try and eat a good diet. It’s the fatigue which seems to overtake me during and after an episode which I can’t do anything about, other than surrender to it.

[doodle68 in reply to Oxford]

Hi Oxford I thought for those of us who are symptomatic fatigue during an episode was inevitable and a way of our heart telling us it isn't coping well with a fast heart rate and our blood being unable to pump efficiently to all parts of our body . I am sure if got on a treadmill I would soon feel exhausted. For me an episode of P-AF is like being on a treadmill and unable to get off .

I cope much better with episodes than I used to having built up my stamina and during an episode I just do those things have to do ...slowly and I also do slow steady breathing exercise to help to get a good supply of oxygen into my body.

[RajaRua in reply to Oxford]

I've been symptomatic since I started to get AFib 12yrs ago. Yes we just have to surrender to the fatigue I'm afraid. I suffer from anxiety and have a supply of Xanax from my GP and I just take one when I go into AFib. A months supply can last me for a few years and it works! I take it along with a Flecinide tablet. I'm very careful not to be taking Xanax at the drop of a hat as it's very addictive. I'm not saying you should do this. But Having Xanax to take has really helped me to cope with AFib. Some of my episodes have been very violent and frightening. I live a lone so it's a great help. I usually lie back in my recliner and listen to soothing music and fall asleep anmd when I wake up...if I'm lucky I'm back in SR! Isn't it wonderful feeling to get back into SR 😊

[waveylines in reply to Oxford]

I was put on beta blockers intiallty. They made me really tired and the higher the dose went the worse I got until I nearly collapsed. Now on a calcium channel blocker and the bone grinding fatigue has gone. In my case it was the beta blocker drug.

[Singwell]

If you're very symptomatic then yes - you'll be lethargic the next day in my experience. The longer or more intense my episode, the greater the after effect. The episode I had last Friday lasted 5 hours and still not fully resolved when I went to bed. I must've converted soon after going to sleep though as all was normal by 2.00am. The following day I was wiped out and I just went with the flow, ate sensibly and kept hydrated. The following morning I had a training session today deliver by Zoom and I was pretty much on form. I'd say expect 24-36 hours of recuperation time and up to 72 hours to feel fully yourself again. This is your heart - when it's disturbed it affects the whole of us. BTW leg aching might be due to changes in BP which is often disturbed during an episode. Just a thought.

[Oxford in reply to Singwell]

Thanks for that, you have given me reassurance and made me feel more ok about needing to rest and recoup after an episode.