AF out of the blue!

Went to bed and was relaxing reading and listening to music when I got a run of about 5 or 6 ectopics in succession. About 5 minutes later, after briefly settling , they resumed, this time tipping over into PAF. This was completely unexpected and is particularly worrying as it's the first episode I've had for about 2 years which didn't occur when I was asleep. To make things worse it was only about 20 minutes after I had taken a dose of Sotalol. The last episodes I had were on the 2nd and 10th of December 2021, but before that I had had no PAF for seven months. The major concern is that the AF has taken a turn for the worse, and I am about to get more frequent episodes. What do others think?

[CDreamer]

Possibly a reaction to either relaxing or the Sotolol? I don’t think you can draw any conclusions from a one off, short episode.

Worrying about possibly having further episodes is sure to exacerbate further episodes.

May I suggest that the Long, Slow. Deep breathing techniques often discourage AF if practised immediately you feel the ectopics. Could you practice those in preparation?

Best wishes

[Hidden in reply to CDreamer]

I don't think it's the Sotalol. This usually calms the heart after about 30 minutes-1 hour. Relaxing might have something to do with it, but it hasn't occurred in this manner (when I am awake) for two years. Also the AF is still running now after 8-9 hours when it would generally have terminated. I took Apixaban last night after getting the PAF and now the left eye is red and itchy which suggests a subconjunctival haemorrhage may follow. Not sure what to do at the moment. It's a definite change of pattern for the worse.

[CDreamer in reply to Hidden]

Oh dear. Maybe a call to your GP? Sounds as though you need some medical guidance and support.

[Hidden in reply to CDreamer]

I'm due for a GP call this morning. The cardiac nurses said I needed to have an ECG which he might arrange. I'm hoping this doesn't mean I'm moving to persistent AF.

[jeanjeannie50]

I'm convinced that when we relax too much, we unwittingly start doing shallow breathing and the heart protests. A bit like sleep apnoea in the day time. We just lose ourselves in what we're doing.

Jean

[Hidden in reply to jeanjeannie50]

You are definitely right that when the heart is slowing down it's more prone to arrhythmia (particular when it's vagal AF as I have). It's just that all the episodes have occurred when I'm asleep for the last two years, so thus was a complete surprise. The heart has been generally unsettled for a couple of months so I suspect something is not right.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Hidden]

Have you been tested for sleep apnoea?

[Hidden in reply to jeanjeannie50]

No, but I've never woken up gasping for air and I'm not overweight. I've just had a call from the doctor who said he would do an ECG at the surgery but then rang back to say it was impossible. He said I should go to A and E if the heart rate goes above 100bpm whichbit did a minute ago, but is now back to about 90bpm.

[Hidden]

It must be unsettling to experience this out of the blue after so long seemingly symptom free. But digging down into that, you say 'the first episode I've had for about 2 years which didn't occur when I was asleep'. Which suggests that actually you may have had episodes during this time. It's only that you haven't felt their effects?So maybe it's time for some further advice and help from your medical professional, particularly as it tends to suggests that the Sotalol is no longer containing the episodes efficiently.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I definitely need medical advice. I'm going to get a call from the GP this morning, but I suspect it won't be easy to see a cardiologist. The worry is that I'm moving to a more frequent AF than I've had until now.

[Hidden]

That's good news about the GP consultation Samazeuilth. I suspect you're right about the possibility of seeing a cardiologist though. It is true that periods of AF are inclined to increase over time and I am a victim of this myself. Maybe you'll feel a little better when you've had a chance to discuss your options with your GP.