Afib has reared its ugly head again big time, for me.

After years of calm, when I only had an occasional flutter , Afib started again in April following which I had three or four episodes lasting a few hours. On Sunday I was sitting down reading and it started again, expecting it to last just the usual six of seven hours I was still in Af on Tuesday morning. As my bmp were in the region of 148 I thought I would just ring my new GP and explain the situation and see if I needed to up my medication, 180 of Zemtard as I was aware it was a low dose. To my amazement after speaking to the receptionist and explaining my problem she went off to speak to doc, she came back and said to ring 999 immediately. I protested that I didn’t think that was necessary and she insisted it was the right thing to do. I did and they said they would mark request as priority and a crew would be with me in 45 minutes. They weren’t, had a phone call saying there was a further delay my husband told them he would take me in. Horrendous day being pushed from pillar to post. Outcome was agreed I was in Afib of 149 there was no damage to my heart and my medication increased to 300.

Today I am still in Afib it was 101 when I woke this morning. I know that it is possible for it to be come a permanent situation, as I feel dreadful at the moment I can’t imagine a life like this all the time. Any help to calm my racing mind please. Yes I know my anxt is probably making the situation worse, I’ve tried relaxation and meditation but just can’t let it go.

I am sorry to be such a winger I know a lot of you have had much worse Afib to deal with.

[Hidden]

Dear Stokesue06, sorry to hear you have been having a tough time recently and it is perfectly understandable to feel the way you do. Please feel free to get in touch with our Patient Services Team on 01789 867 502 or email [e-mail] if you would like someone to speak to, whether it is for advice, support or just to talk things through, we are more than happy to help.

[wilsond]

Know how you feel. Prior to my ablation for af and afl 3 months ago,my neds had begun to be less effective. I had.lots of long runs of breakthrough,2 separate bouts of several weeks in just a few weeks.

I was on list for ablatiom,so they decided to bring me up list.

Meanwhile I found that staying in home made me dwell on the horrible feeling. My husband used to take me on nice drives which helped a lot with my stress and I pottered about in my garden too,and readca lot.

Are you under the care of a specialist? Best are the experts Electrophysiologists .

If not,you really would benefit and have an action plan going forward.

What meds are you on? Are you anticoagulated?

Will be thinking of you and hope things calm down xx

[Hidden in reply to wilsond]

Thank you, no I’ve never seen a Cardiologist, but I’m going to ask for a referral now. I am with a new G P having moved house. Not so accommodating as previous docs who always went the extra mile. No idea how long I will have to wait for an appointment. I’m on Zemtard 300 and Apixaban.

[wilsond in reply to Hidden]

Good idea. If wait is too long, think about private self referral to an EP. If you can manage it,it costs about 200 pounds but you are seen in weeks. Then they can transfer you onto their NHS list. I did this

Find them on your local BMI or Spires sites.

Just a thought x

[Hidden in reply to wilsond]

Hi Wilsond I thought about an E P and did look on the Nuffield site which is our local private hospital but couldn’t find one. Think I will ring them first and ask if they have one.

[secondtry in reply to Hidden]

I would see a cardiologist privately first, who may refer you to an EP. Many here prefer going straight to an EP (was they are the electrical experts) but I haven't got to the bottom of that reasoning and I think they may also be ablation biased. Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to secondtry]

thank you, going to try and sort that out today

[wilsond]

Good luck and hope you do. If you can travel,Coventry UHCW has 3 or 4 EPs,and at least one does private work.

Perhaps Birmingham?

Take care xx

[Speed in reply to wilsond]

If you are Midlands based, I can recommend Dr Lencioni (EP) @ QE hospital in Birmingham. He also does a clinic in Warwick and private through The Priory in Brum. (Edgebaston)

[Hidden in reply to Speed]

thank you

[absolutepatsy]

Your not a whinger at all, what was the follow up treatment, you need to contact the GP or cardiologist dealing with your case. Have you not been booked in for a cardioversion to return your heart to normal rhythm. There are a number of options to help AF, you have to keep pushing to try something else till you get the right balance.

[Hidden in reply to absolutepatsy]

Thanks for responding, I have never seen a Cardiologist I was diagnosed by A & E doctor in 2016. I rang G P today and he is referring me to Cardiology Rapid Assessment team at local hospital. He was of the opinion that would be a quicker way into accessing Cardiologist, they should see me within two weeks. I agreed to this as hospital have all my bloods and ecg info. Thought it might save time. If however this doesn’t work I will go to private. I’m trying to keep my options open. New meds have bought it down a bit so keeping fingers crossed