Sounds bizarre but it does work

[Kennyb1968]

So after a frustrating few weeks daily flecanide finally does seem to be doing the job. If it do get AFib it's very mild with a low HR and reverts quickly following taking my regular flecanide dose. I have also discovered that sneezing will put me back into NSR. Its worked 2 of 3 times now. I now carry about a supply of cotton buds that I use to make myself sneeze. Sounds bizarre but give it a try!!!

[mjames1]

That's great Kenny, bless you! Have you considered substituting the cotton buds for your daily flecainide Then take a BIP (bud in the pocket) if you happen to go into afib.

Jim

[Kennyb1968 in reply to mjames1]

😄😄😄

[Hidden]

Not bizarre at all! When I was on warfarin, I remember my INR nurse suggesting that I should get my wife to stand behind me holding two dustbin lids and get to crash them together without warning. I told her it won’t work, we’ve got rubber dustbins. Didn’t help with the AF but the laughter was a bonus!

[mjames1 in reply to Hidden]

There was a tv doctor show a few years ago where the cocky resident without warning threw a pan of ice water at his patient to get him out of afib.

[Tickerprobs in reply to mjames1]

Is that the incident where the patient’s AF was cured but he later died of hypothermia ❓

[Tickerprobs in reply to Hidden]

Hey Flap… You obviously used to be a ‘Stand up comic’ although mustn’t have made a good living out of it but persevere my friend. ‼️‼️‼️

[mjames1]

Another bizarre converting story.

Long, long ago before I took drugs at home to convert, I was at the hospital waiting for an electro cardioversion.

Since I wasn't on ACs (thinners) they scheduled a TEE at the same time, or they should have, but because of a scheduling mix up they decided to do the TEE first, then wake me up and then do the cardioversion later. After all, why not give me my money's worth and put me under with sedation twice for the same price as once?

Anyway, shortly after the TEE when I was back in the room, the nurse comes by and tells me that I'm now in NSR and can go home as soon as the cardiologist comes by and checks me out.

So, putting two and two together, it was obvious at least to me the insult of that tube down my throat, or possibly the sedation from the TEE converted me. So I told the cardiologist what happened and his response was " don't think so, never heard of that" and then signs me out.

He leaves the room and the nurse comes over and whispers, "Happens all the time".

Jim

[belindalore in reply to mjames1]

Nurses know much more than the Drs sometimes. They spend more time with the patients.

[tunybgur]

Hi Kenny,

Flec also keeps me in SR , 5 years now, I understand coughing also works as well as sneezing..... unfortunately not socially acceptable these days....

Good luck

[Dolly1234566]

Also try lie on your back feet and legs right up against the wall ! Watch your Hr drop it likes it hot 🤣🤣

[Singwell in reply to Dolly1234566]

Trying that next time. Coughing doesn't work for me. I suppose I could always use one if those ghastly Lateral Flow test swabs. They make me sneeze and gag 🤧

[Dolly1234566 in reply to Singwell]

Now that’s guaranteed!

[oscarfox49]

I should imagine sneezing almost acts like a cardioversion! The sudden muscular spasm probably has system wide effects. I must admit I have experienced the same thing, so it is perfectly plausible.

[Buffafly]

Been in AF two days, run out of antihistamines, coughing but no sneezing yet, watch this space….. maybe helps to explain popularity of snuff?

[Kennyb1968 in reply to Buffafly]

Good luck - can take 5 or 6 but it works. Also works for runs of ectopics

[Buffafly in reply to Kennyb1968]

Sneezes arrived but no result, favourite ‘hot curry cure’ didn’t work either 😕

[Kennyb1968 in reply to Buffafly]

That's a pity - just knocked out a run of ectopics with a couple of good sneezes this morning. I find exercise can sometimes work too

[Jetcat]

Before my ablations I kept a bottle of freezing cold water on hand in the fridge because on a lot of occasions I could knock myself back in NSR by drinking really cold water.!!!Weird.!!

[Snowgirl65]

I had to laugh at your post. Yes, sneezing does send one back to NSR! I also found that a spontaneous good laugh sent me back as well.

[Kennyb1968 in reply to Snowgirl65]

Brilliant

[Ducky2003]

In the early AF days, when I was on first name terms with most of the ambulance crews, they used to drive up kerbs and over speed bumps to try and jolt me back into rhythm. The first time they did it, not knowing why, I told the guy in the back with me that I didn't think much to his mates driving skills...........oh, and it never worked 😁.

[Gumbie_Cat in reply to Ducky2003]

This one is hilarious! I’ve just been having fun reading the tips in the thread, and they’ve reminded me of the recommendations people used to give when a baby is taking it’s time over being born.I was wondering if the ‘bumpy bus route’ might appear, but an ambulance over speed bumps sounds even better.

[Ducky2003 in reply to Gumbie_Cat]

The first time I was petrified as I already thought I was having a heart attack so to then think I was going to be wrapped around a lamppost for good measure did nothing to help the pulse already at 250+.I thought it was a hot bath and a curry for babies? Wonder if anyone has tried that for AF 🤔🤣.

[Gumbie_Cat in reply to Ducky2003]

Someone mentioned spicy food upthread! Bumpy bus rides could be an Edinburgh thing with the hills and cobbles.A pulse of 250 sounds terrifying!

(Though I didn’t notice highs of 170, my watch had to tell me 😂)

[Phyllishamlett]

I have sniffed black pepper and the resultant sneeze put me back in nsr.The violent sneeze seems to work.

[Hidden]

This is all great info, Kenny, thanks! I'm definitely going to be trying the 'sneeze cure' next time

[secondtry]

Hi Kenny, sneezing not bizarre. I have a long list of things written out for my next episode that I have experienced (eg a cold drink gulped down) or others have suggested. So important not to brush these aside without trying them as they can be quick, no side effects and save the NHS huge amounts of £££.