Asymptomatic AF: Just askin' around... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Asymptomatic AF

26 Replies

Just askin' around those of you with a diagnosis of ........ having AF with the tendency to be 'asymptomatic'.

My question is ...... if you as a patient/sufferer are not having any of the more traditional symptoms of AF showing themselves at times ( mine were always feeking like a squadron of butterflies in a deadly dog fight in my chest or feeling like a bag of wriggly earth worm wriggling away in a plastic bag in my chest ) or weird behaviour in blood pressure ...... do you at any time feel anything odd, anything that just isn't you ?

I am trying to seperate my other complaint of arthritic pain in the shoulders and accompanying loss of sleep from potential AF issues. Yesterday I felt rubbish all day. Nothing tangible. Just bloody rubbish. Last night so much pain, up for two hours in the early hours, scoffin' Cocodomol 30/500 for England. Back to sleep.

During the morning when I was up and about doing stuff in the garden I began to feel cold. Later began to feel real sleepy and had a nap .... yep, that sleepy. Woke up feel ice cold. Soooooo bloody cold, deep inside, around the limbs .... only arms, and legs .... just as if all the meat around my bones was being chilled. Awful. Nothing around chest or abdomen whatsoever.

My logical mind is thinking - loss of sleep, disruptive night, previous nights Bisoprolol dose (7.5mg) playing up. Outside temperature is now 22 degrees and alight breeze. I am bloody freezing. Latest BP is 141/74 with HR 72 bpm. (much higher than my normal systolic and dias) .

Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this phenomena. Thing is apart from BP being high I have no other AF symptoms ..... just ice cold as if I have just crawled out of an ice cave.

Cheers,

John

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26 Replies
BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Maybe do a covid test John?

in reply to BobD

Thanks Bob. Never even thought of that. Logical!

John

in reply to BobD

Again thanks Bob for your wisdom ............ did the test today and am all clear.

😇 Its down to Bisoprolol I guess, unless anything more sinister is afoot. 😱

John

Buffafly profile image
Buffafly

If covid test negative call 111, if worse maybe 999. Could arthritis be infected?

in reply to Buffafly

Thanks for advice Buff. Getting a test tomorrow. Be amazing if I did test positive, even in a mild way. But then I have driven buses non stop since early 2020 except for annual leave and sick leave ( cataract surgery), so maybe ones good fortune expires at some point 🙂🙂🙂🙂

bantam12 profile image
bantam12

Get a thyroid test done.

in reply to bantam12

Thanks Bantam. I see your point.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

Are you getting a lateral flow test John? If so let us know the result.

in reply to jeanjeannie50

Hiya Jean, I am very illiterate about these tests but will call into my pharmacy ( part of my GP practice) and will buy a test kit tomorrow. I guess it is lateral flow. When tested I'll post result on here.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to

Yes, the one's you can buy are lateral flow tests. I think there may be bit of a shortage of them as so many people have covid right now. Hope you are lucky and your pharmacy have some.

Jean

in reply to jeanjeannie50

If I can't get a kit locally I'll go into Penzance tomorrow where there are a greater number of pharmacies ........... greater population too

😱

John

Pamuella profile image
Pamuella

@i have shivers inside when I wake up wears off by the afternoon wondered if it was because blood pressure high in the morning

in reply to Pamuella

Interesting ....are you by any chance on Bisoprolol ?? I have had this before and very very much so in the early days in 2010/2011 when I would go to bed with ultra ice cold arms legs and extremes. However as some things I am feeling - similar to CoVid symptoms I get a test done on that before I start working through Bisoprolol issues. Thanks.

KentAndrew profile image
KentAndrew

I am asymptomatic paroximal AFib and thought my palpitations were a sign of getting old. I liken my heartbeat to be like a drunken uncle at a wedding taking over the drum kit whilst the band are on a break.

I was on Bisoprolol & Flecanide for 3 months, I suffered icy cold extremities at odd times.

My prescription was changed for Sotalol in March and I haven’t had a repeat since.

Lilypocket profile image
Lilypocket in reply to KentAndrew

Love your "drunk uncle" comparison. I sing in a band and we have sometimes done weddings. It's either the drums or the microphone that are targetted. Everyone becomes Ginger Baker or Elvis Presley and it requires ear plugs 😅🤣

saulger profile image
saulger in reply to Lilypocket

At a Courtney Pine concert (many moons ago) at the Jazz Café, I got hold of the tambourine and Courtney said into the mike: "There's always one..."

Lilypocket profile image
Lilypocket in reply to saulger

Love it😅🤣😅😂 At least it was just the tambourine

in reply to KentAndrew

.......... hope the 'drunk uncle' plays like Gene Krupa

😂John

saulger profile image
saulger

Hello, John Hope that all is better and your tests shows negative.You may be correct about the Bisoprolol:

"May cause a number of unwanted heart-related effects and aggravate peripheral circulatory disorders (conditions that cause reduced blood flow to the hands or feet)."

Item 3. Downsides

drugs.com/tips/bisoprolol-p...

in reply to saulger

Hiya saulger,

Thank you very much for the link which I found very interesting and very, very much in line with my physical experiences, both years ago and earlier this week.

John

GrannyE profile image
GrannyE

Have you taken your temperature? I freeze when temp going up and am really hot and bothered when it comes down. The co-codamol will bring temp down as will paracetemol (but co-codamol better for pain control). It does sound like Covid though there is so much of it about.

My episodes are usually at night. Very often during the preceding day I get more ectopic beats than I normally would and these are "heavier" than usual. Sometimes (but not always) factors like more stress than usual and/or large sugary meals are involved. I don't feel any more tired than usual as you are describing it. To me this sounds like something other than AF.

TracyAdmin profile image
TracyAdminPartner

Hi there, AF is a very individual condition and many can experience symptoms, where as many can be asymptomatic. However, if symptoms are new or change, it is important not to ignore them, as Bob suggests you may be feeling under the weather etc? If these symptom continue I would not delay in seeking medical advice.

Alternatively, if you would like any support or advice, please do not hesitate to contact our Patient Services Team. You may also find it beneficial to visit the AF Association webpage that also offers a wealth of information including videos and patient resources. You may wish to download our AF Fact File from our patient resources? heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

booklet
Buffafly profile image
Buffafly

So, how did you get on?

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

Did you do the test John? We're all waiting to hear.

in reply to jeanjeannie50

Hi Jean,

Thank you for your interest and concern. I've had one of those days ... nothing health related.

Yes, I did the test and I am all clear. Phew ..... what a relief ! So that leaves me looking much more analytically at Bisoprolol.

Thank you again.

😇

John

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