Tummy Bug.

[Hilianna]

I recently had a tummy bug. I have a fib, and the effect on my heart was frightening. The straining with being sick caused a v bad pain in the centre left of my chest,where I imagine my heart and lung to be. Also it felt like a football was being kicked around in my chest. My heart rate was up in the 160s for most of this time, jumping up and down. I am now fine but dread any repeats happening. Anyone else experienced this?I take an anti-coagulant for my a fib but cannot tolerate beta blockers - they make me ill. Thanks.

[BobD Volunteer]

Any kind of inflamation or infection does tend to do that if you have AF I'm afraid. Try to stay well hydrated and relax.

[mjames1]

Yes. Also recently had a stomach bug although it could have been part of one the new Covid variants which also can affect the gastro track. Put me into afib for the first time in awhile. I probably got dehydrated. Fortunately, stomach bugs usually only last a day or two.

Jim

[Wombat8]

I am so sorry you were ill and had that reaction. Are you ok now?

[Gumbie_Cat]

I hope you’re feeling better. I’ve always been a total wimp about being sick, puts me to shame when I read of all the health issues that people have. Even when my children had childhood tummy bugs, it really threw me. Really, I know I can cope, it’s almost a phobia.So I have been dreading the idea of getting a bug, on top of the AF - especially when it’s important to have the medication, or if something happened after the ablation (on a waiting list) - worrying if the sedation makes me sick, and undoes the good work.

Looks like you did come through fine though, even with no beta-blocker?

[Gowers in reply to Gumbie_Cat]

I'm the same re sickness. After my ablations & before coming round they told be it was routine to be injected with anti sickness drug so not been a problem. Even gave me tablets to take when I got home - in case needed. So worth asking for something to help

[Gumbie_Cat in reply to Gowers]

That’s good to know, thank you!

[CDreamer]

Oh yes - it passes.

[GrannyE in reply to CDreamer]

Thank goodness

[Ppiman]

Bad luck. There seems to be a lot about at present. I'd guess that the bad pain originated from the stomach's cardiac sphincter which is forced open during vomiting. Retching really does affect it. Also, irritation by acid of the food pipe (i.e., oesophagus) and even any stomach movement is known to set off ectopic beats, which can precipitate AF.

If you can't tolerate betablockers, have you tried calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem?

Steve

[Singwell]

Think it's par for the course sadly. I had the Astro virus tummy bug last year - loads of retching and gut pain - like a roller coaster running riot in there! I lasted 5 days without AF and then it kicked in. My arrhythmia nurse told me that the myocyte cells in the heart get unhappy when our body systems are out of balance. And our bodies do not like gut viruses that's for sure!

How are you doing now?

[bassets]

I hope you are feeling a lot better soon.

[DawnTX]

I had Covid around March. I honestly did not find that my a fib was any worse because I’m not sure it could’ve gotten worse. I think we all react to things differently.

[Cha275rL]

Oh I had that 3 weeks ago, and my heart was running away with itself too. Absolutely horrible feeling. Any kind of bug affects me like that, but as Bob said, drink plenty and relax, which isn’t easy if you’re being sick. Take care.

[GrannyE]

Sounds all very frightening when it is happening. When feeling/being sick ginger is good. When I could take gluten I used to nibble a ginger biscuit. Small sips of water very often. Little and often. The acupressure points for nausea are - put 3 fingers on the centre inside of your wrist and in the middle where the 3rd finger is press hard and hold. You can tell if the point is right because it hurts a bit. There are others but those are the easiest.