In A-fib again, again, again and again

[Quest4NSR]

In AF again, either daily or every other, 120 - 150 BPM, so sick of this fodder, gets me when I need to lie back and relax and get off to sleep, I wouldn't wish this torture on any of my worst enemies. Gets to a point where you just surrender to it and lie back and say 'OK I'm your biatch', then it waves over you, personally I don't think the Dr's found the root cause for my sudden change in frequency. Gets me when I sit back on the bed, gets me sitting down in the chair, gets me when I shuffle my body on the bed, gets me if I burp a little, gets me when I yawn, likes to start after 6.45PM and it's with me till 11 AM next day, if I'm lucky I get some peace around that time. Trying to find a sweet spot lying down, if my ectopics are more PVC then lying on the left side helps a little, if they are PAC's there is no escape. Would love my life back, AF give me a night off will you!!!

Appreciate some coping mechanisms from my fellow A-fibbers

Here's to peace in our hearts

[jeanjeannie50]

It really is hateful condition! What helped me a lot was avoiding eating or drinking anything that contained artificial additives. Also I never eat large meals and stop eating as soon as I feel full, no matter how tasty the food on my plate is. I snack between meals, with perhaps a banana or some nuts. Losing some weight, if needed, can also help. Do you take magnesium? That's helped many members on this forum.

[Alder72]

I have had afib since I was 45, I'm now 50. It's very common for the symptoms to come on at night when laying down and resting, it has to do with the nerves that control heart rate being slowed. I was reluctant to go on meds, but I finally decided it was the best option for me. I take metoprolol once a day in the evening (25 mg) and flecainide twice day (total of 100 mg) I have been taking the meds for 4 years and it has helped a great deal in controlling the afib attacks which always occurred at night just like you. It has helped me get some normality back in my life. I also drink alot of coconut water which is high in potassium which helps.

[secondtry]

Anxiety, stress & food/drink changes are probably priority areas for your attention together with some medication from a cardiologist. Theres a lot to do but just make a start & keep going.

[Quest4NSR]

On Amioderone as Flecianide and Bisoprolol stopped working, even tried increasing to 150MG and 7.5MG but still was flipping into AF, in my 2nd loading phase but it hasn't been coming through for me yet, always keep my diet rich in minerals, lots of nuts in between, been on Flecianide and Bisoprolol for 12 years and it worked pretty well up until Nov 27 2021 and turned on a flip of a coin, before the Flecianide and Bisoprolol I was on Propafenone for 10 years and before that Sotolol for 1 1/2 years

[Ppiman]

My Af seems related to body movement or position, too. I've read this is linked to the side of the autonomic nervous system called the parasympathetic being stimulated. This is especially related to the digestion and stomach. Also, all the things you describe when your AF starts off would also pull at the point where the oesophagus enters the diaphragm (i.e. the cardiac sphincter). This is made worse if a hiatus hernia is present, but that isn't needed. Burping, for instances pulls at a hiatus hernia causing it to slide up and down. The vagus nerve sits alongside the oesophagus too. I suspect what you might be doing is irritating the diaphragm slightly, causing it to rub against the base of the nearby heart and setting off an ectopic beat or two. In prone individuals, this will be enough to trigger AF.

Steve

[Quest4NSR in reply to Ppiman]

What doesn't help me either is I have a paralysed diaphragm on the left side so my heart in slightly rotated too

[Ppiman in reply to Quest4NSR]

Oh my - poor you. I've read that hearts are often placed differently in people and lie on their side much more. My left diaphragm was once said to be "not smooth" like the right side, and that was causing it to irritate the bottom of my heart, even acting at times to amplify the sound of the beat into an audible clicking noise.

Steve

[irene75359]

What you are going through sounds so miserable. Have you ever been offered an ablation?

[Dodie117]

Not sure if you have ever considered ablation??

[Rw12]

I was in the same miserable situation until I had an ablation a year ago. The medicines all worked for a while until they didn’t. Lifestyle changes worked until they didn’t. Lots of daily afib episodes, albeit relatively short ones. The ablation was life changing and I highly recommend looking into it to see if it’s appropriate for you.

[Quest4NSR in reply to Rw12]

Thanks, it's on the cards, I have an appointment with Prof Richard Schilling on the 21/12 over video conference

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

hi What meds?

Only Calcium Channel Blocker finally helped my complex A.F.

I dont feel mine. Bad rib cage.

Taken off beta-Lok (breathless heart rate to 186 on monitor).

Helped a little on Bisoprolol.

Best on CCB. Diltiazem 120mg with Bisoprolol reduced to 2.5 at night.

More energy but heart doesn't like me bending over.

JOY. NZ