Frequent tachycardia episodes PIP

[Lbeat796]

My consultant has notified me that all my ECGs from Kardia device are normal. One was classed as possible AF. My arrythmias last up to 4 hours classed as tachycardia. I am taking so many now that it is affecting my social life such as it is. Have appt with gp today. Can anybody enlighten me about whether there is a PIP which would put away if i had an episode. Thanks Linda

[Jalia]

I am similar to you. I have been prescribed Bisoprolol to use as a PIP. ( Unfortunately for me it rarely works and often leaves me feeling breathless for a couple of days after a heavy dose.)

I have been having tachycardic episodes for at least the past year, getting particularly bad over past 2 months or so and rarely go a day without. Sometimes they are continuous for days at a time around 120 +bpm.

I should have been having an ablation for AF today when I was expecting this to be dealt with as well but has just been cancelled due to staff shortage s.

😬

Worth asking your GP about betablockers

[Lbeat796 in reply to Jalia]

Thanks for your reply Jalia. You have made my mind up to not try Bisoprolol. I have been on Atenolol 25 mg for over 20 years . They dont stop tachycardia episodes but not as severe since i have been on them. I was hoping for a magic pill.

Hope you get a quick appt for your ablation.

Linda

[KMRobbo in reply to Lbeat796]

When I was first diagnosed afib I was put on bisoprolol 1.25 mg and it put me to sleep in 40 minutes for 4 hours plus and when I woke up I felt horrible,in some pain and other QAL destroying side effects. I quit after 8 days and my GP put me on 25mg Atenolol. This was better but the effect was similar to bisoprol but not as severe. After 2 weeks of that I had had enough and my GP suggested that I did not tolerate beta blockers and put me on verapamil and moved me to a calcium channel blocker. I only describe this as if you have taken atenolol for 20 years you are clearly not intolerant to beta blockers. I am not medically trained and am not a drug expert but would think that you have a goood chance to tolerate the bisoprolol, as many people do. So of you medics think it is a drug that will help you why not try it?? If it does causes problem you can always go back to the Atenolol.

[Lbeat796 in reply to KMRobbo]

Thanks for reply Robbo. I am a bit wary of Bisoprolol as appears to have more side effects than Atenolol but if I find my attacks are becoming more frequent I will give it a try. I hope your current medications have helped.

[KMRobbo in reply to Lbeat796]

I have not taken any medications since May 15 2018, I had an ablation in 2018 and it stopped the Afib.

[Lbeat796 in reply to KMRobbo]

That's excellent

[Neoneo in reply to Jalia]

I was averaging 112 bpm. I started a supplement of Magnesium. I now average 80-90. So normal. Give it a try.

[Jalia in reply to Neoneo]

Thanks ! I've been taking Magnesium for years !

[Hidden]

Hello Linda, rather than trying drugs, can I suggest you try the Valsalva maneuver first. Check it out on Google. I know from personal experience it can be a very effective, non medical way of slowing a regular, but rapid heartbeat but it’s not overly elegant and probably best done in private!

[Lbeat796 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for reply Flapjack. I have tried all the maneuvers including headstands! One particular maneuver may work one time but not the next. But we are all in the same boat. I always hold breath closing throat which sometimes works. But i will check out on Google as too old for headstands now

Thanks again Linda

[Hidden in reply to Lbeat796]

What I have done in the past quite, successful (I do hope no one's reading this) is take as deep a breath as possible, pinch my nose tight, clench my buttocks, keep my lips tightly closed and try to force the air through my closed lips and closed buttocks (praying at the same time) and this invariably works for me and so far, I’m pleased to say there have been no accidents 😳🤔😉.

[Lbeat796 in reply to Hidden]

Yep Flapjack I have a similar routine with an added flinging my arms down as if touching my toes. I do get odd looks if outside! Sometimes works but of course not all of the times. I also dose myself up with magnesium which I think helps. But of course what helps once never works twice 😀

[belindalore]

Try massaging the area behind your right ear. It seems to work on the vagus nerve and will lower your heart rate. Or pinch the tragus part of the ear (the part in the front that sticks out above the ear lobe) for a couple minutes. Sometimes that works. And practice slow deep breathing. And lastly find the online videos of Dr Sanjay Gupta, the cardiologist at the London University there in the UK. He offers a lot of good advice. Along with the people on this forum who are all caring and helpful.

[Lbeat796 in reply to belindalore]

Thanks Belinda. I will try that trick next time i have an episode. Never heard of it before. I have watched a few of Dr Gupta's videos. They are so helpful and he is very calming to listen to. Yes this forum has been such a good help to me. I have had more advice from it than from doctors. I am not on any blood thinners and am wondering if i need to be or if it is only when ECG shows AF. Mine shows only tachycardia with one saying possible AF. I will update you if the ear pinching works for me.

Thanks Linda

[belindalore in reply to Lbeat796]

There was a person here who posted not long ago that he'd gotten ready for an ablation. In the UK I believe. The Dr went back over the person's paperwork, came back and told this person he didn't have Afib but did have atrial tachycardia. And he didn't need the ablation. Apparently both conditions are very similar. He just ended up on some med for the tachycardia. So maybe ask your Dr about it? Wishing you the best.

As far as pinching the ear there is an electrical device that has a clip that attaches to the tragus and it's supposed to slow down the HR. But sometimes one can get the same outcome just pinching the tragus between the thumb and index finger. Definitely cheaper than trying to get one of the electrical devices. Which I can't remember what it's called right now. 😒Take care.

[Lbeat796 in reply to belindalore]

Thanks Belinda. I will take note of that and mention to doctor tomorrow.

What would we all do without the advice from this site.

[belindalore in reply to Lbeat796]

I was close to giving up when I found this forum. Wasn't getting good care from the Drs. It's why so many people find this forum. Poor medical care. Everyone on here tries to help everyone else. Hoping you do well at the Dr and that you have a good Dr who listens to you.

[Lbeat796 in reply to belindalore]

Thanks Belinda

[belindalore in reply to Lbeat796]

👍