Sliding into persistent Afib

[Lilypocket]

Hello I am on Flecaine 200 ( slow release) and 3.75 Bisoprolol. I usually get episodes 1 or 2 times a month the longest lasting between 5 an7 hours which self resolve. However last Saturday/Sunday night at 2 in the morning I popped into Afib. This lasted until in 1 pm the next day. I was a bit wiped and my heart rate dropped to 40/43 for nearly 4 hours. I was very breathless. Oh well the main thing is I was back in NSR. Yippee!

However yesterday off it went again for 2 hours after a light lunch. So I mowed the lawn which stopped it 🤣. However off it all went again at 9h30 pm and now nearly 14 hours later still in Afib. I came off anti- coagulants a few days back ready for the removal of a suspicious growth on my leg. My question is this: is it ill- advised to start to take it again in mid crisis ( I would put off the minor operation)? I can't get hold of my cardiologist for advice.

This when it would be nice to know someone who has the same thing. It is marvellous to be on this site but nothing beats actually meeting someone for a cuppa and chat about it. I think this is probably going to become persistant. It is just the breathlessness which is annoying.

Anyway thanks for reading and if anyone can let me know their thoughts are on re-starting my anti coagulants ( Pradaxa) mid crisis drop me a message ,- I know we are not Drs but if anyone has had the same experience I'd be glad to know.

Take care x

[mjames1]

Until recently, I was using an "on demand" anti-coagulant strategy with Xarelto with my doctor's approval. That meant instead of taking it daily, I would take the Xarelto as soon as my afib started and continued taking Xarelto for a couple of weeks after the episode ended.

No one here is qualified to tell you to take or stop a medication, so a quick call or email to your doctor might be in order re Pradaxa, not to mention informing them you've been in afib this long on Flec. However, my guess is that they will tell you to go back on Pradaxa right away.

As to your breakthrough afib episodes on Flec. Were you instructed to take an additional Pill in Pocket (PIP) dose in such cases? Many of us are. When I was on 50 flec twice a day, my instructions were to take an additional 50 flec if I went into afib and another 50 if I was still in afib an hour later. But these instructions could differ depending on your daily dose and other factors and your doctor could also have a good reason for you not to do it.

Jim

[Lilypocket in reply to mjames1]

Hi Jim I'm taking Pradaxa again and have put off the minor op.

Been back twice and am still in Afib since I posted this. Annoying . This episode was provoked by bending over to pick up something at 10 this morning and still in Afib. Could that mean the Vagal nerve is involved,?

Anyway thank you for your reply!

Happy Easter!

Lily

[mjames1 in reply to Lilypocket]

Hi Lily,

Could be a the Vagal nerve is involved. In my case, I've noticed that certain weight exercises involving bending over can trigger afib. So many triggers!

Hope you come out of it soon.

Happy Easter,

Jim

[Lilypocket in reply to mjames1]

Second that Jim! In the end you give up nearly everything and something else pops up to trigger it. My latest bout started at 10 a.m. this morning and is still going strong14 hours later! The upside is I thought : "Well seeing how I'm already in Afib nothing can provoke it so I'll have a small glass of red wine" Felt good,! 🤣.But I'm pretty certain that the Vagal nerve has been involved in more than a few episodes. Bending over,just after eating or setting off in the middle of the night .Stay safe!

Happy Easter!

Lily

[Lilypocket in reply to mjames1]

Update! Writing my reply to you Jim stopped the Afib! Or was it the red 🍷 wine 🤔😃

[mjames1 in reply to Lilypocket]

That's wonderful Lily and I take complete credit LOL.

Reminds me that I also went off the lifestyle wagon when in afib with the same philosophy you had...hey I'm in afib anyway so whatever I do can't put me in afib! And actually there may be some truth to the adage that what puts you in afib can sometimes get you out of afib.

I've read here that some run on a treadmill to get out of afib, while others report that running is a trigger. For me, I didn't drink coffee or eat sweets to stave off afib. However, one day while in afib I had some coffee and donuts and like magic I converted back to NSR. Worked several times until it didn't.

So glad the wine or whatever worked for you.

This should make your Easter and everyone reading your story a little bit happier.

Jim

[Lilypocket in reply to mjames1]

I should think coffee and donuts totally surprised the dastardly Afib and its pal Professor Vagal and they were mugged by the rest of the body into silence so desperate was it to have some fun 🥯☕😋😂Happy Easter 🐣

[Lal531]

Hello Lily, It sounds to me as if your Bisoprolol dosage needs tweaking, also keep taking tghe anti-coagulant, it could prevent a stroke from happening.

I do think however you need reviewing by a a Cardiologist, be safe

Cheers

Lal

[Lilypocket in reply to Lal531]

Thanks for your reply Lal 🙂