Antibiotics and AF

[Cavalierrubie]

I have been on antibiotics for 5 days for an abscess. Three days ago I went into the garden and pulled up a few weeds and my AF kicked in. I did the same this morning and the same has happened, and it's been going on for couple of hours with fast pulse. I have never had this reaction with antibiotics before and it seems when I have exerted myself my pulse goes up and I get AF. I have been on these antibiotics before with no problems, although I have probably never exerted myself before. Has anyone else had this with antibiotics? Grateful for help thanks.

[CDreamer]

Any sort of infection will trigger my heart, anitbiotics or none. When you have an infection your body needs rest and recuperation. Stay well hydrated & get well soon.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you. Yes I probably should have had tea and biscuits instead of weeding the garden, much nicer too! Thanks for help.

[jeanjeannie50]

I think that perhaps your attacks had nothing to do with the antibiotics, because my AF has kicked off many times after pulling up brambles etc in the garden. I'm quite scared of doing that now and usually kneel to do anything. I have this belief that what ever caused AF may cure it too.

Jean

[Cavalierrubie in reply to jeanjeannie50]

It just seemed a coincidence as I am quite energetic and enjoy the garden without any problems. Perhaps it is just the infection as CDreamer said. Who knows with this? It is just one of those unpredictable illnesses that has a mind of it's own and scares the wits out of you. I always have to be reminded that I have had it before, and that it's not life threatening. Thanks for listening to my moaning, and thanks to all for being there in a crisis!!!

[PlanetaryKim in reply to Cavalierrubie]

I think it might be the heightened inflammation and inflammatory chemicals circulating in your body due to infection. Inflammation can certainly be a component of Afib. In fact I have seen more than one doctor write that inflammation underlies all Afib.

(As an aside: my own Afib of several years seems to have halted since I began using ivermectin 3 months ago for something else. Ivermectin has anti-inflammatory activity among other things... So perhaps that is the connection to my Afib ending?)

Hope your AF goes away soon!

[mlaporte in reply to PlanetaryKim]

The ivermectin effect is very interesting. Please keep us informed.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

What an interesting theory, that whatever caused a-fib can cure it. I have to be careful bending down gardening too after my recent ablation. Instead of kneeling, I now use a new garden product, a low wobbly stool. I'll investigate further your theory, to my own experience.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Snowgirl65]

When my AF was really bad and going on for days/weeks, full of self pity I would still mow my lawns. Many times after doing it I would discover my heart back in sinus rhythm a few hours later. Having a drink at Christmas has set my AF off and another time alcohol has cured it.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

That's so interesting. Gardening seems to stop mine sometimes too, but I haven't touched alcohol since realizing it was a big trigger. I'm tempted, but don't want to play with fire just yet!

[Paulbounce]

My understanding is this Cav.

Infection (of any sorts) can trigger afib. Hopefully your antibiotics will sort the infection out. I would suggest taking things easy until you have had the full course and let the antibiotics really kick in.

I'm not a medic but that's what I would do. Hopefully the antibiotics work - clear the infection and normal service will be resumed.

Hope it sorts itself out.

Paul

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Paulbounce]

Thank you Paul for your reassurance. It really helps. I think I got really scared and panicked today and then the anxiety made it worse. I find with this AF that sometimes I seem to cope with it, and then another time I go to pieces. All part and parcel of the journey I suppose. Thanks, and as the song goes "I'll get by with a little help from my friends." Take care.

[Paulbounce in reply to Cavalierrubie]

"I think I got really scared and panicked today and then the anxiety made it worse. I find with this AF that sometimes I seem to cope with it, and then another time I go to pieces"

I'm with you on that Cav. I find after an attack it takes a week or so for the anxiety to pass. I feel exactly the same at moment but know better days will come soon - they will for you too - of that I'm sure.

Take things easy until your course of antibiotics finish.

Paul

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Paulbounce]

Thanks Paul, It's good to know we are not alone! This anxiety takes you over and is intense but as you say it will pass and better days to come. It just takes your confidence away for a while until we say "what was that all about?" We are forcast to have a good summer which is what we all need I think. You take care and God Bless.

[Paulbounce in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Sure Cav.

"It just takes your confidence away for a while until we say "what was that all about?"

Yep +1.

Enjoy your day

Paul

[Finvola]

Before I started Flecainide, bending down always triggered my AF. Even now, I bend down as little as possible - perhaps compression on the heart is to blame?

[Boudica_HD]

I haven’t had antibiotics for more years than I can remember so I can’t comment on that, but what I do know is that pulling stubborn weeds out of the ground has definitely kicked me into AF in the past, on a couple of occasions. I am really careful when I’m gardening now and take things gently. I’m pretty sure it’s the combination of bending and exertion that causes me problems. I hope you feel better soon.

[Buffafly in reply to Boudica_HD]

Stretching up and exertion does it for me!

[RoyMacDonald]

Yes.

All the best

Roy

[Maggimunro]

I rather think it is the underlying infection that is triggering your AF when you mildly exert yourself in the garden. I suggest you rest up for a few days and let your body recover.

[Sandyc2705]

I am part way through my third course of antibiotics for a stubborn gum infection and I had an episode of AF last week - I was hoping it was caused by my antibiotics

This was only my 10th episode in 6 years so I’m not complaining and it resolved in 7 hours with my bisoprolol as my PIP / my last was in January when I had a high fever with Covid

This episode was also 2 days after my second AZ vaccine

I was also pleased that I had eventually taken my consultants advice to start Apixiban (Chad-vasc score 2)

I appreciate that my episodes will probably increase but I feel so lucky when I read of others journey with AF

I rarely post but I am grateful to all that do — their help and advice is invaluable

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Sandyc2705]

Thank you Sandy for taking the time to reply. I think everyone is correct on here. It's a combination of infection, inflammation, antibiotics, over exertion and being run down etc. Antibiotics always make me feel ill but we have to take them. Everyone has been very helpful on here and expained it all. This forum is great when you are worried. Hope you soon feel well again. All the best.

[Auriculaire]

What antibiotic are you taking? Fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics can cause arrythmias . Though prolongation of QT interval is the most common afib is also possible. My first 2 afib attacks came after treatment with an FQ.

[mlaporte]

You could be having drops in blood pressure that triggers the tachycardia. Hot weather caused vasodilation contributes to this. This was the case for me.

[Snowgirl65]

I've never had the problem, even with two different tooth implants and having to be on antibiotics both times. Could it be something else triggering your a-fib? Perhaps a "new" food you consumed?

[Gnocchi]

I was into my fifth day of antibiotics last week to ward off a possible infection, by Friday afternoon I went into AF, it lasted 16 hours, I was wrecked. I took my morning antibiotic on Saturday, by 4.30pm again I went into AF. By evening I felt too sick to take my antibiotic and didn't take it (bearing in mind it really upsets my stomach with nausea and indigestion). This time the AF only lasted only 5 hours and put it down to having skipped that evening antibiotic, so I decided to quit altogether. I was very apprehensive about stopping but was able to get some advice from a nurse who said I did the right thing as I might have had an allergy to this particular antibiotic. I really think that the stomach plays an important role in AF and antibiotics do really make me sick. I'm pretty sure it wasn't a coincidence and I have been fine since. My worry is what happens next time I really do need antibiotics.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Gnocchi]

Yes, the antibiotics I am taking (on an empty stomach) have caused me digestive problems. I have a hiatus hernia which makes things worse. Mine are Fluxacillan 500mgs. These are from the family of "pencillin" I cannot take Amoxicillan or Eyrothromicin as bad reaction. There are many antibiotics out there - the hospitals have different and more stronger ones that your local GP. Don't worry I am sure you will be looked after if you need these drugs but do tell them of your problems with the ones you were taking. Thanks and best wishes.

[Gnocchi]

Thank you for that information. Unfortunately I am allergic to penicillin so I am stuck the other types, interesting to hear the hospitals have different ones. I will look into it. I wish you all the best.