AF & The perfect 🤩 storm ⛈

[Pigleywigley]

Well AFibbers I am sad (but still very grateful) that after 11 months AFIb free I had an episode last Monday.

BUT….. I know why! I created the perfect AFIb storm.

I stopped taking bisoprolol as a trial (agreed with cardio), within a few days I started a nutritional reset (cutting all the sugars I’d allowed to slip back in), I had sickness 🤮 (could have been detox, could have been bug 🤷🏼‍♀️), clearly throwing electrolytes out of balance. Because I was feeling so unwell I was having hot baths with magnesium. On the night in question I’d had a very hot 🥵 bath 🛀 for an hour (oops I fell asleep) but got out feeling rather unwell & BP too high. Boom 💥 within an hour AFIb.

So I created my own perfect storm for AFIb. My PIP thankfully works for me after about 4 hrs (I never self covert).

So back taking good care of myself and experimenting with what my body needs!

❤️

[Jalia]

Oh dear! Well at least you have a good idea why this happened . I know from bitter experience that AF is ever ready to creep back given half a chance. Its good that you have a PIP that works. I never had one.

[Pigleywigley in reply to Jalia]

Yes Jalia thank goodness for PIP although I feel rubbish after 300 mg of flecanide 😳 I’m learning all the time about my body!!

[Paulbounce]

Good luck with this Pigley - I'm pleased you went back to sinus. Be careful though falling asleep when in the bath - this could be very dangerous indeed.

Enjoy your evening.

Paul

[Pigleywigley in reply to Paulbounce]

I know Paul I do it all the time …….eeek 🥺

[stoneyrosed]

Hi Sorry to hear AF struck, I wonder if it had been possible for you to just try 50 mg of Flecanaide as a pip instead of the full 300mg, if after a couple of hrs you haven’t returned to NSR pop another 50mg and so on. I took 50 as a pip and returned after an hour. I do of course realise we are all different. Hope your ok and not too upset. Keep away from the sugars and I hope you get another long period free from the BOOM BOOM 😁

[Pigleywigley in reply to stoneyrosed]

Hey Stoney tried this before doesn’t work. I also spoke to the cardiologist about it recently. He said the PIP effect is having the meds as a bolus in order to take affect.

[stoneyrosed in reply to Pigleywigley]

Yeah different stages of the development of AF means what works for some doesn’t work for others. Anyway I know your a really positive person and you will not let this setback deter you from your ongoing research into diet etc to help with your journey. All the best Pigley 👍

[Megams]

~Piglegwigley - valuable lessons learnt here in more ways than one.....Never ever good idea having hot bath because heat certainly stimulates heart beat with increased blood flow not to mention other dangers when going to sleep.I've never been able to tolerate a sauna nor staying in sun too long.

We are our own best guinea pigs

Stay well

[Pigleywigley in reply to Megams]

I love a bath 🛀 one of my fave ways to relax. Well it was up until now! Yep I am a human Guinea pig 🤩

[secondtry]

Yes I agree, a combination of 'slips' often lead to a heavy fall. I also agree with Stoneyrosed maybe try a lower dose than the maximum (unless cardio advised otherwise) say just 200mgs Flec as PIP.

[Pigleywigley in reply to secondtry]

I once tried taking less & didn’t work. My cardiologist was quite firm on the dose. I’ve read the PIP guidelines myself & does recommend 300 mg. I have another cardiology Appmt in March it’s on the list to ask. Other danger with the dose is it states in guidelines to not take in flutter. I don’t know whether I’m in flutter. My Apple Watch only states AF.

[Jay10]

It only goes to show that AF is waiting in the wings ready to pounce if we give it a chance. I also had a run in with it last week after not noticing signs all wasnt well. I take Flecainide as PIP but start at 50mg and go up one pill at a time if I doesnt resolve. Usually 50 is enough but had to take 100. Never tried 300 in one go. Like you I always feel rubbish after takng a larger dose.Take care, I hope you get back on track and the AF stays away.

[Pigleywigley in reply to Jay10]

Thanks Jay helpful. I only tried smaller doses once & didn’t work & cardiologist specifically said point of PIP as bolus is to terminate quickly. X

[Jay10 in reply to Pigleywigley]

Doc at A&E said I could take 300mg but I try to take lowest possible dose to resolve it.

[Singwell]

Ooh. That must feel tough but, as you say, too many changes at once. As a regular and PiP Flecainide user I'd second the recommendation to step your dose. 300mg is a very hefty amount and I'm not surprised you feel rubbish. My EP told me to take 100 right away, if AF visits and another 50 or 100 40 minutes later if no change. In fact I've never needed more than 150 to stop AF but even that makes me feel awful. Post ablation, though I still take 75mg a day, I only need an extra 25 to see it off. My top tip for hot baths - start running the water out so you cool off - then run your wrists and ankles under a cold tap before getting out.

May you be well for another 11 months, or more!

[Pigleywigley in reply to Singwell]

Thank you Singwell I love my magnesium baths! 🥰 I’m not on daily flec hence your inc dose likely works. I’ve tried less didn’t work. The 300 is yuk 😳 worse than the AF! If only every 11 month could live with that but not weekly like I was before! X

[Singwell in reply to Pigleywigley]

Yes, I get that. 11 months was a good run. Well done you!

[Pigleywigley in reply to Singwell]

🙏hope it’s going to be another 11 at least!

[Hidden]

Glad to hear you’re feeling better and u have a good idea why it kicked off. I take flecainide 50mg twice a day and cardiologist said take 100mg stat PIP. Fortunately not needed to yet! Take care xx

[Pigleywigley in reply to Hidden]

Hope it stays that way! 🙏

[Guitar335]

Well done for 11months 🥳🥳

I’ll join the throng of people above and express my surprise at 300 as PiP

I’m on 50 +50 daily and a 100 coupled with 2.5 bisoprol is my PiP when the b&5tard comes to visit

Best wishes

[Pigleywigley in reply to Guitar335]

Hey Guitar when you look up PIP guidelines it does say 300. The American one I read was up to 400! I don’t take daily flec which I think is the difference. I don’t ever self convert. I take bisoprolol too as pip. X

[Guitar335 in reply to Pigleywigley]

A great example of how we are all different with different needs and circumstance😁😁

Ive had at least 2 cardiologists say to me how never go above 300 in 24 hours. One time I was in resuss in A&E and they would not exceed 300 in a 24 hours. I appreciate u r saying its one lump of flec in 24 hours

Who has instructed you to do 300 as a PiP? Have you ever managed to get a second opinion?

Take care and very best wishes

[Cally53]

Unfortunately I had another run in with AF a few days ago. I initially took 200, 4 hours later had to take a further 100, It was only the second time I have had to take extra flecainide. Anything less than the 200 I am prescribed for an initial dose would never work for me. I only use it as a pip and don't take it daily.

PS I felt absolutely rubbish the next day too.

😩

[Pigleywigley in reply to Cally53]

Me too Cally it’s worse than the AF! 24 hrs at least before out my system. 😳 I don’t convert on lower doses too unfortunately. Sorry you are the same x

[Guitar335 in reply to Pigleywigley]

Hi Pigley, sorry to hear smaller doses don't work.

Have u tried combining with Bisoprol? That is what works for me

Best wishes

[Pigleywigley in reply to Guitar335]

I take bisoprolol as pip too! Thanks

[Visitingcat in reply to Pigleywigley]

How does the high dose of flecainade make you feel when you say it makes you feel awful?I’m on 50 twice a day and told by EP I can take an extra 100 if afib starts, it started early one morning as I woke up (no idea what brought it on) it was just as I would normally take my morning dose so I left it for four hours to see if my normal dose would deal with it and was just about to take the extra when I self reverted.

I wondered at the time how it would have made me feel.

It’s rotten for you that your enjoyable baths would bring your afib back 😔

[beach_bum]

Hot baths...oh ya, that is poking the afib bear for sure 😏I had the same last week after an extra long hike, which left my legs tired and craving heat. I decided for shiggles to peek at my watch to check my HR...it was 140-155 wile soaking...When I got out my wife commented in her best super-hero announcer voice....”Lobsterman!” So, ya, be careful out there kids!

[Pigleywigley in reply to beach_bum]

I was lobster 🦞 woman after that bath!

[FancyPants54]

The bath was likely the main culprit. I can't have saunas or hot baths and haven't been able to for years. That's the one I'd cut out.

[Pigleywigley in reply to FancyPants54]

Oh nooooooooooooo I love a bath 🛀🥺

[FancyPants54 in reply to Pigleywigley]

It's about the only thing I ever found as a trigger before I developed persistent AF. I could guarantee it if I went in the sauna or a hot bath for a soak, as I used to love. Also, overdoing exercise. I never had any food related triggers. I wish we had a shower, but our cottage doesn't have room for one, the bath's under the eaves so can't even have one there. I just have a small amount of water and a quick tepid bath now.

Strangely, I could spend a little time in the steam room without issue.

[Pigleywigley]

I’ve often used them to relax. But how stupid after sickness, dehydration to factor in too!

[irene75359]

I had many steaming hot baths in my youth but can't remember the last time now. A very quick shower does me, but I do remember lying relaxing in a very hot bath, never fallen asleep though! I also have flecainide and bisoprolol as a PiP (200mg/1.25mg) and that always works for me. After having a four-day episode a few years ago, I never wait to see if I self-convert. I have had to go back on bisoprolol daily unfortunately, as used as a PiP I never had the side effects of a regular dose. Now you know the trigger, a shower it is!

[Pigleywigley in reply to irene75359]

Thanks Irene might ask cardio about 200 mg pip worth a try 🤷🏼‍♀️ I think the bath was final straw of a series of events! X

[Tomred]

take care

[Pigleywigley in reply to Tomred]

Thanks Tom x

[Karendeena]

Oh dear pigleywigley, bouts of diarrhoea always set mine off, EP said it's down to the imbalance of electrolytes, I dread it when I get sick as it always happens 😢

[Pigleywigley in reply to Karendeena]

I threw up on the day in question but had had the other days before! I’m mad for not taking electrolyte drink! Should know better x

[Karendeena in reply to Pigleywigley]

Last episode I had was when I had to drink gastrogaffin to clear my system for a CT colonoscopy, I just knew the afib would kick off and it did in the early hours of the morning oc the scan following 2 days oc diarrhea, I felt dreadful

[Threecats]

Hi Pigley, I’m sorry to hear the AF returned but pleased you have identified the cause and your PIP worked for you. Long may you continue back in NSR again!