Ive been in afib for over 8 hours now, Im in high anxiety and crying.
Ive been taking metoprolol, prob taken too much - but just hate this so much. Now my face is getting hot, I feel discomfort in my throat as usual, think Im in line for A&E again, which I totally dread. Even the ambulance ride is dreadful! Why wont I convert!!!
Soo scared.
Anyone else have these anxieties?
Help!!
Hello Braygirl, please try and be as calm as you can because anxiety makes things worse. Are you on your own? Can you call on someone to sit with you and give reassurance? Try to focus on deep breathing but call 111 if you need to.
Hoping things improve very soon. X
Thank you so much Sassy. I actually went into NSR at 0530, blessed relief, and finally closed my eyes, propped up but woke only an hour later with the same afib.
Thinking Im going to have to go to wretched A & E after all. 😒😒
I hope everything settles down for you. Wishing you well.
Thank you so much , still suffering, keep you posted xxx
Thanks so much. Taken 50mg Flecainide now, so hoping to go back to NSR.
You're so kind xx
Flecainide is the only med that calms my etopics down quickly so hopefully you are feeling better very soon. X
Hi, yes, back in sinus for 3 hours now. Thanks for your support...xxxxxx
wonderful! Thank goodness for that. My EP used Flecainide during my recent Ablation as it was the only medication that brought my etopics under control. X
Ugh! Horrible ectopics!! So hard to get rid of! So glad I can take flecainide 😊 xxxxxxx
We all know how your feeling it is such a horrible event to be in. I sincerely hope you have converted back to NSR. Best wishes x
Hi, taken Flecainide 50mg 20 mins ago, had run out, but pharmacy still had hospital prescription, thank God.
So, will see if it works its magic!
Thank you so much xx
Keep us posted qnd hope it settles down for you. Perhaps call 111 first and they may send out paramedics. I have always found them so calming and professional.
Be careful with your medication amounts xx
Agree with wilsond, ring the NHS 111 no. and seek advice. Paramedics are fantastic, will do an ECG and then decide if you need to go to hospital. Please let us know how you get on.
How are you now? It can all be very frightening, particularly if you are by yourself and we all react differently, both mentally and physically. As others have said, if you phone 111 they will most likely send paramedics out and I've always found them to be fantastic.
so far it’s 3.50 days and counting, for me!
I remember those awful nights; thought I'd surely be found dead next morning the way my heart was bouncing around in my chest. I used to text my daughter (her phone was off) and ask her to check on me in the morning. I'm still here though after 17 years of AF.
How are you now?
Jean x
Hi Jeannie,
Still suffering Im afraid, its awful slow afib, beat, beat, stop, flutter...p
Probably heading for cardioversion
😢
Thank you for your care xxxxx
Is it making you feel ill? Have you called anyone for any advice/help?
Oh yes, absolutely terrified of having to go to A and E, I live in constant fear. Hope you convert soon .
Thanks so much, after finally taking Flecainide, I went into NSR - expecting to go back to afib any second! Thankfully, still ok.
That's good to hear. I hope normal sinus rhythm will be your norm for a long time now.
Jean x
Hi Jean -hope you are feeling better today. I think your marathon with afib should be reassuring to newbies who are so fearful. Fear is often part of the problem as it certainly makes the symptoms worse and might well lead to the prolongation of episodes. I have even stopped using my Karfia during episodes as I think checking on my heartrate and seeing it at 140-150bpm was making me feel worse!
Looking at gadgets certainly can make your symptoms worse. I bought an oximeter recently and the alarms going off on it, because of the low or high screen no's, caused me extreme stress. I've just about got it into my thick head that it can't cope with AF and my heart rate is not really low 30's. I need to be gadget free with just my trusty BP machine when absolutely necessary.
Yes, everyone, I used to think BobD was mad saying don't use them, he's said it for years. It took me a very long time to realise that he was right. Stress feeds AF and will make it far worse and episodes go on for longer.
Jean
I have never had a normal oxygen read out on an oximeter that I have bought. They are always low. I think Bob was right. I would never buy an Apple watch. I do take my pulse but without really counting it- usually only if I have felt an ectopic or two.. I can just tell if it seems normal . I am a bit paramoid at the moment as I had the shortest ever gap between afib episodes the last time. and the frequency has increased this year. I ought to make an appointment to see my cardiologist as I have a GP letter and it's well past time for my annual checkup but I hate going to see doctors.
It's always worrying when your AF attacks start coming more often. Yes, make an appointment to see your cardiologist.
I'm having an echocardiogram on the 3rd Nov, that's the day after I have my chest x-ray for lungs. Then wearing a heart monitor for 24hrs from the 18th Nov (whoopee). I've had to change those last two dates a few times because of being poorly. This Friday I go for a full blood test at my doctor's surgery. What an exciting life I'm leading! When not doing that, I'm sat at home coughing and feeling sorry for myself. I still have no appetite whatsoever.
No, I don't think I could have an Apple or Fitbit watch. They would make my life a misery.
Hope you have a good evening.
Jean
You will get back to normal - just have to hope it's sooner rather than later. CDreamer said it took her awhile to recover. Being ill is frustrating as well as painful. At least you have been able to get these appointments! Are they routine or to do with having covid?
Yes, feeling better now, after a really poorly day yesterday. I find I'm better for keeping still, then my heart doesn't show its anger because of the inflammation in my lungs nearby.
Fear of going into Afib and fear of the whole episode is the worst. It’s something I’m having to work on because I truly believe stress and fear can bring it on. Any good advice is welcome. I wish I could be stoic and carefree but I’m not. I pray for everyone on here and wish you all the best.
I have had afib for 7 years now but it is only since Jan2020 that the frequency of my episodes have increased. But they have become less symptomatic. I take a magnesium supplement 3 times a day and I think this helps. I suppose I am more worried about them increasing to a frequency that will impact my QOL much more than they do at the moment.
It truly is the fear of the unknown. I too worry about the QOL going forward but am trying sooo hard to stay present and live in the moment. If the moment is good then I’ll try and cherish it. Perhaps that’s how we’re suppose to live but certainly not how I anticipated learning this. Easier said then done. May I ask which magnesium you take and dose. I’ve heard it does help for sure. Thank you
I take magnesium biglycinate 400mg a day.
you were absolutely right about the stress and yet it’s so difficult to not feel it. Right now because I had a successful cardioversion now I am worried that it won’t hold because this is the first break since the end of April. I don’t worry about having one usually because when I didn’t have them I didn’t think about them but since my last surgery which was a VOM it has been hell. Many know my story but all I will say is I’ve been unable to walk and in constant pain that feels like a heart attack the minute I stand up and a heart rate in the 150s it has not subsided and all I will say is my doctor had abandoned me. I met my new doctor last Monday and by Friday he was doing the cardioversion. The good thing was that was a surprise I was originally getting an echo and he decided if it was clear he would just continue. I’m glad he did that I had no time to think about it except to say sure let’s do it. I was already on the bed so why not.
None of this is easy and if anyone ever tries to tell you it is tell them their nose should stretch across the country because of the lie
Hi there, how are you now? Just read this thread, you've been through the ringer!
I just added a similar comment about how I was last week when I learned I was getting a cardioversion. There are so many unanswered questions about AF I think we have a right to feel anxious even though we don’t want to and it feels lousy. I actually got my anxiety meds refilled for the first time in a year. You are not alone
Terrible nights when in afib
Bad night and terrifying morning
Afib and night sweats 
heart rate and sweating at night
