My Butt Is Naked In The Wind

[Quest4NSR]

Hi Afibbers,

Tough time for me at the moment, since 27/11 been having more or less daily AF episodes with BPM ranging from the slow 65-80 and the more uncomfortable up to 235 when it slipped into SVT first then downgraded into AF. I also had a VT caught on my Kardia. I had another echo and said all was normal. They stopped my Flec and bispoprolol and placed me on the dreaded Amiodarone (in 2nd week of loading phase). Was in Cardiac Care and normal ward for 11 days in total. Been also getting ectopic PVC's in strings which I find worse than the AF personally. I was having jabs in the stomach as blood thinners up to the time I left hospital and as I'm having daily bouts of AF I'm thinking I could be had a much higher risk of stroke. Only saving grace is my episodes are around 2 hrs at their worst. The ones fleeting in and out can last up to 5 mins, sometimes only a min but there are lots of them up until I fall asleep and then God only knows what is happening to me. More and more Dr's are dismissing Aspirin for AF, but they made me chew 300 MG when I had my VT episode and mentioned I was getting chest pain. I took a 75MG Aspirin last night and thought sod it. I went from a couple of attacks every few years to getting AF everyday . Before I went into VT I didn't sleep for 5 days as my ectopics were keeping me up and stopping me from lying back or sitting up, it was making me stand up all the time for symptoms to ease. This totally exhausted me and was pure torture. Maybe my brain lost control of my heart as I was hallucinating that day too. When I mean no sleep, I'm not kidding, there was none, I'd like to think that was a major factor for my VT.

My hope is I'm seeing Richard Schilling on 21/12 over video and my local EP Peter O'Callaghan on the 23/12 - I'm getting myself as chilled as possible, work are supportive as I work from home. Just want my Ablation done by Richard as soon as humanly possible as life post Ablation cannot be any worse that having daily AF at the moment. Strange this is the monster normally starts around 4PM all the way through to around 11AM so have around 5-6 hrs grace (if I'm lucky) before the fun starts all over again.

So my butt is in the wind waiting for Amiodarone to start blocking (which feels forever) I don't plan on being on this for long I assure you. No more jabs in the stomach for avoiding clots either and more and daily bouts if in and out AF. Also thoughts on Aspirin for AF would be appreciated

Peace in our Hearts

Jamie

[CDreamer]

You have top people working with you so I would have thought there would have been a good reason to advise asprin.

Generally speaking though asprin is helpful for breaking up clots. Anticoagulants for preventing them form so Anticoagulants prior to an event, anti platelets after an event. Rarely both at same time - at least that’s my understanding but there are always exceptions to the rule.

Is there a reason you can’t take oral anticoagulants?

[Quest4NSR in reply to CDreamer]

Dr's never suggested it, nurse said I was low on the CHAD score, but will AF happening each day it maybe something I should consider, as I won't see Richard until the 21st and other EP until 23rd I only have good ole Aspirin to fall back on I guess. It's just the 'lull time' in-between. Here's hoping for some heart peace, give me a day off please 🙂

[saulger in reply to Quest4NSR]

Hello herrlip2000. Sorry to hear of your terrible time.

I hope that it will settle down again for (very) infrequent episodes.

You must follow your Dr's advice, but may I suggest that you test your vitamin D3 level - (25-OH) blood test. If it is low, it could be a contributory factor:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Regarding the use of aspirin as AC, this study "does not support the use of aspirin over DOACs in AF".

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

I take daily supplement 100mg of Nattokinase (high in vitamin K) that has been shown to have anti-coagulation properties:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

All the best. Hoping that you are more comfortable by now. Saul

[Quest4NSR in reply to saulger]

Great info, AF episode this morning from around 6.30am to 8.45am

[BobD Volunteer]

You will need anticoagulation for at least a month of more prior to any ablation so IMHO best get started now. The aspirin would have been in case of arterial blockage (angina) so not reallly good for AF ditto the heparin (jabs in stomach) .

[Quest4NSR in reply to BobD]

That's weird as I was planning on having an Ablation in 2008 but life things took hold and had to back down at that point but never mentioned Anti Cs Month prior.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Quest4NSR]

No EP will do un protected ablation. Up to around 2006 /7 at least a month (many wanted 3 ) and they used to stop warfarin five days prior and bridge with heparin but by 2008 they were continuing with warfarin throughout with no cessation. It was discovered that micro embolisms were forming during the procedure which could lodge in the brain causing cognitive decline.

[Singwell]

It seems reasonable your GP could prescribe anticoagulants to keep you safe unless there's a contraindication somewhere. How soon is the appointment? I'm sure the lack of sleep will have been a major factor, and hope you're getting some now.

[Quest4NSR in reply to Singwell]

Have a video appointment with Richard Schilling 21st Dec and local EP on 23rd Dec face to face however I have emailed my local EP asking if this can be authorised and also some sedation like lorazapam

[higgy52]

Yes it's hard been through it myself 3 cardiovertions, 3 Ablations,No AF any more took me 6 years to get here so don't give up,

Still get ectopic, and got a leaky valve and enlarged heart after having AF for donkeys years,

But feeling good now, no shortness of breath,

AMIODARONE messed my thyroid up was on it for nearly 3 years, would not recommend it long term,

Good luck 👍

[Quest4NSR in reply to higgy52]

May the NSR God bless you

[Stockton_Boy]

Have they tried other rate limiters, Amiodorane is good but not a long term solution. After 2 weeks I should expect it to have had an effect. Dronedarone may be seen as a good alternative.

Good luck