Mood swings up and down like a yo-yo - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Mood swings up and down like a yo-yo

Tickerprobs profile image
47 Replies

Hey you fellow Afibbers and sufferers. It’s that young chap from ‘Up North’ again, bleating on about his legs. Night before last was one of the worst nights of my life. The absolutely unbearable itchiness in my lower legs (particularly right leg) was beyond description. Seemed to be worse when laying down in bed.

I’ve done quite some looking up on line and I’m convinced that I have Venous Stasis Dermatitis...Venous Insufficiency. I have a dermatologist appointment on 26:04:21 and hope to get some concrete answers from them. I’ve been prescribed emollient and steroid cream which ‘seems’ to be helping.

This condition is really getting to me big time. I have had permanent AF since late 2014 and I’m more or less convinced that is a massive factor. Any of your experiences with similar symptoms would be gratefully appreciated. Take care.

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47 Replies
Lilypocket profile image
Lilypocket

Hi LeggerprobsI can't help I'm afraid but sending you positive thoughts. Itchy skin is terrible and can be due to many things. Could your Dr refer you to a specialist for Venous Insufficiency ( if indeed that is what it is) in complement to the dermatologist?

Hope someone on the forum comes along to help you with their similar experience.

Take care XX

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to Lilypocket

Hey Lil...Thankyou kindly for my new ‘secret code name’. When I visited the Dr. yesterday, he reckoned it could be :PYODERMA GANGRENOSUM,

Which I think is Latin for...GOOSED.

I’ve read up and I don’t think it is.

Thanks my lovely, for your ‘positive thoughts’.

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575

Hi Tick, sorry to hear that it sounds a nightmare. I occasionally got really irritable feelings in my lower legs when I was taking beta blockers and that was maddening enough . I was wondering if you are taking beta blockers just because if you have poor peripheral circulation reducing your systemic circulation won’t be helping.but presume your doc has thought of that . You can get soothing emollient wraps people with eczema use I wonder if they might provide any symptomatic relief ? X

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to Peony4575

Thanks Pee...I’m currently on 5mg daily, of bisoprolol. I’ll not change anything until I see ‘the skin man’. As with a multitude of medications, we take them to prevent one thing and that can cause another problem.

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply to Tickerprobs

Indeed never change anything off your own bat but it’s worth looking at . Hopefully the dermatologist can suggest you are referred to someone who can help with the cause

It's not nerve damage from pre- or full-diabetes, is it? Quite common in lower legs ... and they do say it can be miserable.

Do you eat white rice, mashed potato, potato chips, crackers, white bread, soda, white pasta, or any other high glycemic foods or sugary treats or drinks? Then ... chances are that's what it is.

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to The_Lord_is_with_Us

Hey my Lord...Thankyou so much for your contribution. My diet is poor, I know and need to get a grip. I have an Ultra 2 blood sugar monitor, which shows 8.2 approx, on a morning. I find that the sugar level charts are a little contradictory. I think I should be aiming for 7.0 ish.

secondtry profile image
secondtry

I have been getting more itchiness than usual over the winter months and in part it may be due to my poor circulation but also I think the central heating in winter, which we run too high. The dry inside atmosphere in the day is exacerbated in a hot bed at night. I am stepping up a simple moisturiser at present.

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to secondtry

Thanks for that Sec...I find that I need to sleep (when I can) with my lower legs out of the bed covers, to keep cool. If I don’t it makes the itchiness worse. I’ve also found that getting up and walking around helps a lot too.

Vrouse profile image
Vrouse in reply to secondtry

I had itchiness and burning in my upper arms, specifically at night. I usually go to Spain every 6 weeks throughout the year. I spoke to my GP as I believed it was a lack of vitamin D. Been taking over the counter vit D daily and no more itching...

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to Vrouse

Sounds promising V. What does the vitamin D provide❓

Vrouse profile image
Vrouse in reply to Tickerprobs

Predominantly it strengthens bones and is naturally obtained from the sun. A deficiency causes lots of issues

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to Vrouse

Well V ... We certainly haven’t absorbed much sunshine lately. My son who lives in Sydney was out playing volleyball at Manly beach for two hours and forgot to put on sun block. He was slightly sunburnt but later developed, what is known as ‘devils itch’. He said he was absolutely crucified with the most painful itch imaginable. He thought he was going to die. Have a look online. It’s sounds horrendous ‼️‼️

secondtry profile image
secondtry in reply to Vrouse

Definitely going to get my Vit D level measured when Covid measures get lighter. I note in Ireland their Health Authority is recommending Vit D for all!

Peony4575 profile image
Peony4575 in reply to secondtry

I started taking it at the beginning of the pandemic

Vrouse profile image
Vrouse in reply to secondtry

Lots of people have been taking it through the pandemic. GP's can prescribe higher doses but I've found over the counter dose adequate

Elli86 profile image
Elli86

Hello stew my old buddie (literally) 🤣 sorry to hear about your predicament. You haven’t been sharing your bed with any suspicions characters AGAIN have you? I thought you’d knocked it on the head? Crabs 🦀 are common so I think if you can stop this one vice you may be able to rid the little critters 🤔

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to Elli86

Hey E ...I thought at least one numpty would come along and give some inappropriate advice and I was right. Up North, we’re very particular about the seafood we associate ourselves with. 🧜‍♀️

Nerja2012 profile image
Nerja2012 in reply to Tickerprobs

Herrings soaked in vinegar. Only when the Boat comes In 😂 !

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to Nerja2012

Hey Nerj...we don’t bother with vinegar up here. We just slap on a dash of battery acid, although that does alter you INR.

Nerja2012 profile image
Nerja2012 in reply to Tickerprobs

Nar. Defo vinegar up here. My heritage is Steel Making 😜 Auf Weidersehen Pet !

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to Nerja2012

Ahh Nerj...you’re not a Teessider are you. Well I suppose somebody has to live there, for their sins. 🤣

Nerja2012 profile image
Nerja2012 in reply to Tickerprobs

Not quite just over the River. Once a Northener always a Northener. Made strong lasses up here 😂

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to Nerja2012

Ahh you’re a female‼️...Glad I didn’t say anything inappropriate. As if I would. Where exactly do you ‘bide’. Post code not necessary ‼️

Nerja2012 profile image
Nerja2012 in reply to Tickerprobs

Yarm. Its a lovely place. Plenty of open spaces AND PUBS 😂

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to Nerja2012

Ahh Yarm...used to travel through it years ago. Also worked on Leven Valley motorway, many moons ago. I live in Chester le Street but born near Sunderland. Don’t normally admit to that. 🤪

Nerja2012 profile image
Nerja2012 in reply to Tickerprobs

Used to go to Chester le Street. I love the North . Lived all over the world but would never leave. Take care Tickerprobs.

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to Nerja2012

Well Nerj...I can think of better places to live than the North East but safer than the Middle East by a long way. Take care.

Nerja2012 profile image
Nerja2012 in reply to Tickerprobs

Carnt ignore that. I lived in the middle east for 18 years 😂

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to Nerja2012

Oooh...Better you than me mate.

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply to Tickerprobs

🤣🤣 stew you can tell us old boy we’re all friends here 😃👍

You northerners are better folk than us then! Well take any old salmon, whelk or mollusc 🦑 down here 🤣

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to Elli86

Yes Elli...There have been in depth, scientific, recent studies made by the intellectuals and it was certainly found that the closer to Scotland, that you lived, the more chance there was of being ‘super human’ in all respects. So you’re well down the ‘pecking order’.

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply to Tickerprobs

When you say intellectuals do you mean the ones that live down south? 🤣 I thought the Scots were the last surviving Neanderthals? That may be a myth though 😂

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to Elli86

Hock no the noo‼️‼️

Elli86 profile image
Elli86 in reply to Tickerprobs

🤣🤣 moving on swiftly before I upset the whole of the northern constituency! Just a joke to all you hearty Scots out there 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 😉🕺🏼🕺🏼

On a serious note I hope your predicament gets better mate 🤞but more importantly I see you got the picture of your beast up and running? 😃👍 she’s a wee beut laddy!

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to Elli86

Ahh E...Is that my profile pic. Yes I hunted that photo out the other day. I sold that in 2015 after my camping buddy (JORDAN) emigrated to Ozz. It was a nice rigg. I get the odd yearning from time to time but I’m not the type to go ‘a wandering’ on my lonesome.

Jajarunner profile image
Jajarunner

Itchiness is the worse thing. I've been hospitalised with skin allergies before and the not being able to sleep is pure torture. I feel your pain (or itching to be precise). Have you tried anti-histamine tablets and/or cream? Keep cool in bed. Moisturise with very pure stuff like coconut oil or E45? |You could try some massage - always do firm strokes towards the heart (ie upwards). Good luck

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to Jajarunner

Thanks Jaja...your reply is much appreciated. As previously mentioned, I’ve been prescribed an emollient and steroid cream, which I think is helping. Because the skin is inflamed, I can’t scratch it and it’s like being tickled with a feather duster. Ohh dear me, it’s driving me nuts at times.

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to Jajarunner

Jaja...Forgot to mention that I’m on Cetirizine and have been for a couple of years.

Jajarunner profile image
Jajarunner in reply to Tickerprobs

I wish you well xx

SuziElley profile image
SuziElley

I have venous insufficiency caused by multiple lipomas interfering with the smooth flow. I have prescription stockings which help, but can't wear them at the moment following knee surgery. Yes, itchy legs and I have to keep them well moisturised otherwise I might rip the skin off. Aloe Vera is quite helpful.

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to SuziElley

Hey Sue... Thanks for your input. Appreciated. Yes I think moisturisation is very necessary. ❤️

jowalk6 profile image
jowalk6

Hi tickerprobs from a lass up north. Not suffered from this is must be awful. Just wondered if you'd tried lanacane? Don't let it drive you round the bend. X

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to jowalk6

Hey Jow...is that similar to lasagna.

jowalk6 profile image
jowalk6 in reply to Tickerprobs

No lol. It's a cream for itching 🤣. Don't recommend you try eating 🤢 x

Tickerprobs profile image
Tickerprobs in reply to jowalk6

Jow...It’s too late. You should have replied sooner. 🤢🤮

jowalk6 profile image
jowalk6 in reply to Tickerprobs

Noooooooo 😱

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