FAINTING FEELING....THAT'S NEW!!!

[nikonBlue]

Hi all,

The last few months maybe 3 when I have a 'fluttering' episode it's making me feel horribly that I'm about to pass out. So much so that at times I 'prepare' to actually pass out by laying down or at least sitting where I can't injure myself. I'm seeing my gp on Wednesday morning but I was just wondering if others have had this situation. I've never actually gone out cold but feel that horrible 'falling back' feeling. It's not nice.

I just wonder if my PAF is progressing to permanent as I'm having episodes almost every day lately some lasting for hours and even taking an extra Flecainide doesn't help in the meantime. As you guys all know these episodes leave me exhausted and very tired.

thanks for listening (so to speak)

stay well,

Blue

[CDreamer]

Yes, had it often. In my case it was because my BP went through the floor when in AF which meant HR increased. Crouching and ‘bearing down’ helps to increase BP. Do you check your O2 sats and BP in AF? Measuring BP in AF can be difficult but if you take 3 consecutive readings and then an average it is usually there or thereabouts.

Good luck with your GP appointment.

[bantam12]

Yep I get it, never know if it's the Afib, Ectopics or blood pressure causing it. I did get it more often due to heart block but a pacemaker has sorted those pauses so it's now something else.My ecg shows very frequent runs of ectopics followed closely by SVT and my Cardio thinks that's the problem.

[Chrissy7]

Hi I have the faint feeling… I have learned to lie down drink cold water - do breathing and take more atenolol .. when that happens and then the exhaustion hits - I have malaise too .. like a bad flu. . I feel for you but can’t help .. sorry .. hang in there!

[Hidden]

I got this more and more before my first Ablation and my rate went up to 160 and I had to lay down straight away no matter where I was. I got it when I was sitting down and each time I just stayed still until it passed, sometimes this was 5 mins other times it was an hour. My first ablation fixed that. 4 years later the AF and new dizzy spells started. This time they were short, I felt better with my eyes shut and holding on to something and it passed in one or two seconds. This slowly got more frequent and with my eyes shut I could see fuzzy bright lights and a buzz in my ear. The frequency of these were never consistent, sometimes one or two a day sometimes every 15 mins, sometimes 5 or so a day and some days none. I had my second ablation and thought that they were fixed but 3 days after the operation I passed out onto the kitchen floor and they started to return, but not very frequently. My AF only stopped for 4 days then it came back and it is still here 5 weeks after the second ablation. Waiting to the hospital to get back to me, I have sent them numerous Kardia readings but no response yet.

[nikonBlue in reply to Hidden]

This sounds so much like what's happening to me. Random episodes but it's not at all nice as you know. I'll see what doc says tomorrow. I was told 18 months ago that ablasion was the next step but things off course stopped with covid. My cardiologist was allegedly speaking to an EP about me. I was told that a few months ago when I was blue lighted as a suspected heart attack. It wasn't but I was also told there had been some damage to my heart, I suspect from radiotherapy for breast cancer in 15/16. It all very worrying sometimes. 🙄

[Maggimunro]

Sounds just like I did with my frequent bouts of SVT , supraventricular tachycardia, which stopped me from driving for a few months till I had my first ablationIs your heart racing?

[SingingT]

Yes, I used to have that symptom when in AF. It was so bad on one occasion that my husband took me to A&E where I was told that I wasn’t to leave the hospital without a pacemaker. It was duly fitted and now I can sit out my AF attacks without that terrible feeling. I haven’t been to A&E with AF for over two years now. Your feelings may not be associated with heart block but should be checked out I believe. Hope your Dr’s appt. is productive. Best Tx

[AFusername]

I too had bouts of atrial flutter which were debilitating. I knew exactly when they started and were only reversed by cardioversion. The doctors then decided flecainide was the wrong med for me--it was actually causing a dangerous ventricle arrhythmia. Moved me to dofetilide which has, so far, been the solution. But all of this is so case-dependent, I can't say this is "news you can use." Best of luck!

[sarniacherie]

Good news you are seeing your GP soon. I hope it is a face to face rather than a phone meeting. This needs mentioning. I really feel for you. My episodes are becoming more frequent and leave me feeling totally wiped out the next day. Good luck. I hope you get some answers that help you. XXX.

[Rubyray]

I also have had that feeling like I may faint. I hate that. I have done very well on taking Flecainide Acetate 100mg twice daily. I began taking Diltiazem CD 120mg one time a day in January and saw a big reduction in high BP and AFIB. I feel more normal than I have felt in 3 years. I have a pacemaker due to my heart rate going so low I would pass out or faint. Had that for 3 years. Also take Lotrel, for years. and Eliquis. Hope this helps.

[Hylda2]

Had it once walking down a hill into Cirencester. Started staggering all over the pavement until I grabbed a wall. Not a good look for an elderly lady at 11am! 🥺🥺

[baba]

Flecanide could be causing the problems. You need to have medical input.

[Khatpi]

Ask for a Holter Monitor for a couple of weeks. They should be able to diagnose the rhythm of what your heart is doing. Agree that you should start taking in breaths through your nose when you start feeling lightheaded. It helped me. I became scared to drive having those episodes so I got a pacemaker for the bradycardia. Some people are just more symptomatic than others. Best to you, Sarah

[nikonBlue in reply to Khatpi]

Hi, I've had the halter monitor several times. This passing out issue is very new. I've had the AF for several years now but this fainting feeling just started a few months ago. Thankyou for your commentBlue

[Khatpi in reply to nikonBlue]

Thank you for your reply also. I too had AF for several years, several holter monitors but developed the diagnosis of Sick Sinus Syndrome. HR would take nose dives and I would feel faint. And have long pauses up to 8 seconds. Are you seeing an EP ? If not I think they may want to see you to figure this thing out. Remember you have to be your own advocate and push them to help you sometimes. Doc- tors get complacent too. 😏

[nikonBlue in reply to Khatpi]

hi there,I haven't even seen my cardiologist in well over 18 months now and despite telling my gp about this feeling faint malarkey!

Allegedly he is speaking with an EP in Edinburgh about me.....so far no info on that at all and sadly I can't afford to see an EP privately, I did enquire as to cost but it's jus not an option.

stay well

Blue x

[croesio]

I have that feeling when my heart goes back into sinus rhythm and was told by my G. p. that it,s because your blood pressure drops. He also told me to lie down flat until it passes even if I am shopping in the super market. !!!!

[nikonBlue in reply to croesio]

Hi,yep, I've been in that situation this morning in fat...in the supermarket and a bit hot and wearing a mask when the old thump thump started and within a few minutes I honestly thought I was going to pass out. There I was on my own hanging over the trolley trying not to faint and made it look like I was checking the stuff in my trolley!!! Pnic stations all round if I just lay out on the floor I'm sure!!!

Stay well,

Blur