Do you feel it in your back?

[SuziElley]

Does anyone else feel it, a bit like a pain but I think it’s just another elephant looking for somewhere to sit, when the heart starts to kick off? I have one elephant sitting on my back and two more on my front kicking! Does this sound at all familiar?

[Singwell]

I think it's not uncommon to get back pain with AF. Around the back of the left shoulder? Or back of the chest?. In my case, the warning sign for AF is an ache on the left of my chest, sort of behind or to the left of the breast. Then it's frantic worm wiggling to the left and pounding in the middle of the chest if it's a bad one. Haven't had one of those for a bit though the worms made an appearance recently.

[SuziElley in reply to Singwell]

I feel it left to middle of back. It doesn’t help having a line of very large lipomas, caused by Dercum’s Disease, all along mu spine. But yes, the back then the elephants jumping up and down on my chest……

[Singwell in reply to SuziElley]

Your elephants sound worse than madman with the hammer pounding on my breastbone. AF is such a horrible feeling isn't it? Worst of all for me is the sense of deep inner disturbance - that something is 'not right'.

[SuziElley in reply to Singwell]

I’m so confused as well as at first they said I had AF then decided it was atrial tachycardia and loads of ventricular and supraventricular ectopics. ThenEP said he thought it too risky to ablate for the ectopics so here I am, still feeling as though it’s AF. I get the attacks just like AF and my meds are the same as for AF…… very frustrating!

[Singwell in reply to SuziElley]

That's very frustrating. I think for many of us it can feel worse when we don't really know what's happening. Do you think it's worth your while going to see a different EP? Could you get your GP to help with requesting a 2nd opinion?

[SuziElley in reply to Singwell]

My GP has suggested I email the EP and ask for another appointment with him….. So far I’ve been procrastinating but think I must contact him.

[doodle68]

Hi Suzi 🙂 oh yes I feel my P-AF in my back. Sometimes if feels like an animal is trying to escape that way it's very annoying particularly if I am trying to go to sleep ...

[SuziElley in reply to doodle68]

Thanks for replying. It is a b****r at times 😢

[AussieHeart]

I don’t know if this is an aFIB symptom as mostly I’m asymptomatic except for fatigue… but I feel like someone is pressing on my shoulder blade or it’s sucking in. Lasts a minute maybe two, can happen a couple of times throughout the day then I’m unwell for the next few days … ectopic beats, fluctuating HR, tension headache even nerve pain!

[SuziElley]

I have nerve pain from the Dercum’s I have. The feeling of pressure/pain on my back and then the elephants on my chest can last hours or minutes. Usually hours…..

[Neoneo]

Yes, I get an ache.

[sphilcule]

Hi Suzy, I don't get pain in my back but I quite often feel the irregular thumping of my heart in my back as well as the front. If I am in bed or sitting on the sofa, it sometimes feels as if the bed or sofa is moving behind me with each thump. Very unpleasant.

[Ppiman]

I get various sensations under my left rib and into my back. I put these down to digestion, but it might well be my heart. I never get extreme pressure as you describe. Have you mentioned this to your doctor?

Steve

[Ellie-Ann]

Hi SuziIf I’ve been working or out for a walk, then the upper back pain comes on and sometimes it feels quite crippling. Once seated and resting it will eventually leave but sometimes takes some while.

[SuziElley in reply to Ellie-Ann]

It’s comforting to know I’m not alone! Take care

[Ellie-Ann in reply to SuziElley]

Hope you feel better soon.

[Snowgirl65]

SuziElley, I used to have that symptom when I went into a-fib. I always wondered if it was a symptom of a-fib, or an exercise strain that caused the a-fib. Interesting to know that you experience it too.

[Dollcollector]

I get pressure on my chest and pretty bad pain across my shoulders. My consultant says that is known as coat hanger pain. I had never heard of that, but it is true, some people get that with afib.

[LaceyLady]

Yes I can get pain between the shoulder blades 😵‍💫