it’s the million dollar question I suppose.?
but I was talking to a elderly gentleman recently and he was diagnosed with AFIB thirty years ago and he is still paroxysmal.!!
How common is this would you say. Or should I say how uncommon is this.????
Any thoughts or views..!!!
Nothing is impossible if treated properly but AF usually begets AF.
As we have said many times life style is important and can have a huge impact on the condition.
Jetcat . 7 years with PAF, episodes average twice a year, still no differant now. I count myself very lucky x.
that’s nice to hear nerja I’m happy for you.👍
I’m about 4 to 5 years in since been properly diagnosed with ECG at hospital but Iv had it longer but just couldn’t get it caught on ECG.!!! Iv had it ten years I’d say.!
I’m alot better since undergoing 3 ablations and taking magnesium supplements. I still get my blips though sometimes.?
The elderly gentleman I was talking to has given me a little hope that just maybe and I mean just maybe we may stay paroxysmal.? I have read that people who do go permanently into AFIB actually find it easier to live with so who knows.?
sounds like things are under control Jetcat, this forum has been a massive help for me. Just reading the threads make you feel that your not alone. Take care 😊
G'day,
Yeah me!
Diagnosed in January 2010 within 9 hours of initially reporting unwell ( falling BP). Diagnosed with paroxysmal AF, no cardioversion, no ablation, just meds and diet over the years. Still paroxysmal, 3 to 5 events a year on average, most 2 or 3 hours, sometimes as much as 15 hours which wipes me off the planet.
John
that’s great carneuny. I’m really happy for you. Just shows there’s always light at end of the tunnel.👍
Hiya Jetcat,
It was those magic 9 hours that did it. Once the young lady A & E doctor got a drip into me ( of Amiodrone) and my heart rate started to slow and fall ( it was clocked at 156 bpm) that was it. Of course at the time none of us knew how things were gonna work out. Everything happened so fast that the heart electrics didn't know what hit it and it certainly didn't get a chance to fall more permanently into new and undesirable habits. Mind you I was about 4 months before I could return to work.
It gives me the heebie jeebies when I read on here how many folk are treated.
John
Dignored PAF May2020, no episodes since 5mg daily bisoprolol keeping it in check just biding my time for the
Gone from 9 episodes in a month to 2 in 8 years on just 200mgs Flecainide plus a commitment/belief in lifestyle changes.
Just Flecainide? without Metoprolol or any other beta-blocker?
Yep, not common I know but some are similar here. I haven't seen any quantification of the risk of omitting a BB/CB but my cardiologist was adamant from the start 8 yrs ago that they wouldn't suit me and I have accepted the risk of a problem. I have Lone PAF, now 69yo and still quite active/sporty, enjoying excellent energy levels/QOL as well as AF free.
Just typing this it occurs to me that a BB/CB on my lowish BP/HR could have actually increased my AF; although my cardiologist didn't say this but just explained 'they will make you feel unwell'.
Thanks, I will give it a try. I have a low BP and resting HR 58, I don't understand why I was prescribed Metoprolol.
Whooooooa PLEASE DON'T TRY IT WITHOUT YOUR CARDIOLOGIST'S APPROVAL. It may not work the same as it has with me.
I was diagnosed with paroxysmal AF in 2005 and only had 3 episodes in 17 years- all cardioverted with Flecanide-but then I had a heart attack (NSTEMI) in April 2022 and a week later went into persistent AF - I’ve since had an ablation and am presently in NSR but I do wonder whether my AF would have progressed as it did without the MI as it was unlikely to be a coincidence… if nothing else I may have lasted longer!
wow 3 in 17 years.I could live with that.👍
The main question is how do you know if it is still paroxysymal and not permanent or persistent? In my own case I had my first severe AF attack in 1995, and have been on sotalol and so on since then. When I had a stroke two years ago, the cardiologist then told me I was in permanent AF though day to day I do not 'notice' the effect, apart from breathlessness and fatigue and some days when the AF seems to dominate. My BP monitor shows it as an irregular beat. For a long time I was convinced mine was only paroxysmal as it is relatively symptom free. Only a properly conducted ECG and possibly a 24 hour monitor can say for certain what is happening.
that’s true. Sometimes I actually do feel very lethargic and wheezy.!!!
the Fitbit I wear isn’t very accurate so you never know.!!
I’m sitting here in A&E with persistent AFib and elevated heart rate.
I was diagnosed with PAF back in early 2020. GP was pretty useless so not had any effectual treatment. I only had an average of about one “thumping” episode per month, which didn’t last more than a few hours. Then last week I went into a major “flutter” AFib episode. They started me on Edoxaban and Diltiazem. It was all ok for a few days then it kicked-off big-style again yesterday. They’re trying to get my heart rate down, but looks like I’m going to be admitted soon.
I can’t have cardioversion because I haven’t had four weeks on anticoagulants required prior to the procedure.
Waiting to see what the docs decide. 😟
This is all new to me! 😢
Oh dear! I hope you can get your heart rate under control soon. I went through attacks like yours before I had an ablation last year. Try to keep as calm as you can as that will help. Best wishes and good luck.
they will get you sorted dippy.👍 the early days were the worst for me but I’m a lot better now than I was in the beginning and I’m sure you will be too.👍
Keep us updated and take care, thinking of you.x
thank you! Wow, this forum is awesome! So nice to have the support from you all. xx
FYI. My HR has finally come down to 112, so they may send me home soon.
that’s great to hear.👍 things do get better in time dippy. It’s scary to start with because it’s all new and unknown.?
I used to get myself in a rite old state but as time went on and trying different meds etc things did improve a lot. So hang in there dippy.👍x
Thanks Jetcat. It’s just sooo disappointing! 😟 I always thought I was relatively fit (and trim!). I eat well and don’t drink much alcohol, so it was a shock to develop a heart condition like this. Like most people I thought it only happened to others!
Mind you, my brother has had two cardioversions to my knowledge, so I shouldn’t have been surprised, should I. 🤔
it was a shock for me too,I know what you mean.?
always kept fit etc never overweight.
But I did start with palpitations in my late teens!!!
My mother started with palpitations in her 20s and so did her sister( my aunti) so I reckon I could have inherited it from there but mine has made its way to AFIB.!!! They both in their 80s and still going strong so there’s hope for us yet dippy.👍x
as i understand, you have a 48hr window from first going into afib,that you can be cardioverted,safely, after that,there's a chance you could have a blood clot formed, there is a procedure, that can be performed to check if a blood clot has formed too before they cardiovert you
You’re quite correct. I was told that after 48 hours there’s a big risk that a clot has formed in the heart and the worst thing they can do is a cardioversion and belt the clot out into the blood stream and potentially into the brain causing a stroke. Unfortunately they couldn’t get a bed in Resuss to do the procedure, so had to resort to trying to fix me with meds. I’m still in AFib apparently, but at least my heart rate has come down somewhat. I’m being referred to cardiology for further treatment.
good luck ! I’ve been in persistent Afib and got diagnosed about two weeks ago now. Heart rate isn’t extreme and I think I’ve had persistent afib for maybe years I’m only symptomatic after anxiety or alcohol or food. Most of the time I think I must be asymptomatic. It’s taken five years and few visits to the doctors palming me off as suffering from anxiety. Going private to get scans and hopefully more answers.
it’s not the best club to be a member of sometimes is it mate.!!!
We’ll get there.👍
this forum is in equal parts scary and reassuring ! Just pleased to be able to speak to others. Tbh I’ve been very depressed since my diagnosis and I’m terrified my hearts structurally damaged. I know I have to wait till my scans and that everyone’s different. I’m currently in Barcelona with my wife and son and not being able to have a beer with my tapas is one thing as well as wondering if I’ll see him grow up is worse ! I know I’m being dramatic ! Been a hard couple of weeks. Spent years with health anxiety and now I have something that’s really sent me over the edge. I’m hoping I’ll get used to my new normal.
I understand where ya coming from mate I really do.
I’m same as you with the health anxiety I have been for decades unfortunately.!!!!
I’m sure you’ll get to see ya son grow up. It’s a very stressful and worrying time for you at the moment.! It played havoc with me in the beginning. I needed councilling, I needed meds, I couldn’t eat,sleep,concentrate, interact with anyone etc all I did was rite myself off as a dead man walking, I saw no future at all.
Remember this though. It’s untreated AFIB that’s the problem. And there are poor souls out there with AFIB and they don’t know it so aren’t getting treated.!!! Your one of the lucky ones, you’ll be getting examined and treated and monitored and looked after and that will make a massive difference.👍
we sound like the same person ! I am exactly where you were. I’m hoping that whatever’s discovered next I can get to where you and others are now. As you rightly point out untreated I have a far higher chance of stroke or death so I’m gonna have to accept where I’m at.
I keep looking at other people thinking how nice it would be to be care free again. I think I’m gonna need counselling as right now I’m detached and can’t concentrate on anything. I’m a keen surfer and I’m terrified I can’t surf again because of the anticoagulants as banging your head is fairly common.
It’s great to talk with someone so similar to me, gives me some hope I can make it though . I’ll stay in contact. Thanks man.
hang in there mate I know it’s hard at the beginning but believe me you’ll come out at the other side.👍stay in touch.👍
mine’s definitely triggered by food (Chinese takeaway in particular -MSG?!?) and stress - my latest severe episode was triggered by a particularly stressful event at the surgery when yet again they’d messed up booking an appointment that I’d waited two weeks for 😡.
Interestingly, during two very long stays in A&E not one person asked me about my lifestyle, eating habits, exercise regime or anything!! All they talked about was drugs.
tbh as much as the nhs is great. Its overwhelmed and unlikely to get any better, many people are given life changing diagnosis and left to their own devices. This forum and other forums are full of people searching for information on heart conditions terrifying themselves with Google.
I’m one of these people. I’m paying for a private cardiologist and private scans to at least no what I’m dealing with. But a friend of mine just did the same and he’s 3k down and was told he has cardiomyopathy was transferred to an nhs clinic and was told to wait 3 months. No further contact. It’s shocking.
it is concerning to say the least.!!!
hi Jetcat I’m fairly new to this board but I had PAF first time 29 years ago since then one episode every 4-5 years. Most recent end of August on some drugs and was cardioverted by electrical pads about 4 weeks ago. Seeing Cardiologist soon to work out we’re I am going forward. By the way all mine were induced by caffeine or alcohol or excessive stress then exercise the following morning. I have now started zero Beer no coffee only herbal teas and taking magnesium supplements like many of the others
Cheers
I’m paroxysmal, diagnosed June 2021. That is the question I was asking myself before I decided on an ablation. My consultant supported my decision saying there was no way to know. The tiredness I get from Bisoprolol helped me make my mind up!
yes the dreaded bisoprolol.!! I’m still on 10mg daily and I certainly feel it some days.!!!
Bisoprolol nearly killed me! It dropped my BP I nearly passed out whilst driving the car on the Devon expressway where there isn’t an emergency lane (people get killed breaking down in that road!). I just managed to get the car to my slip lane and the half mile to home. Suffice to say I stopped taking it immediately.
I was diagnosed about 18 years ago with PAF, was on sotolol all that time until 12 months ago when I was put on bisoprolol and flecanaide as I was getting more symptoms, visited A and E a couple of times in all those years with fast AF I was given the option of an ablation a year ago or to go on bisoprolol and flec which I opted for and have been absolutely fine and symptom free. I started with swollen ankles and after various bloods and an echo it was found that the heart muscle wasn’t working as it should and I had to stop the flecanaide as it was making the situation worse they also highlighted other issues in fact the echo report frightened the life out of me. I had a telephone appointment with cardiologist he has now put me on ramipril and a statin. I am having a heart monitor fitted this Sunday and am waiting for angiogram and I have a face to face appointment with an EP next week with a view to an ablation, but I have been fine on my present medication and I’m unsure about the ablation. I have got questions to ask when I see the EP next week so hopefully things will be a little clearer.
I think it depends on the person. I've been paroxysmal for around 9 years.
that’s interesting Elsie, How do you mean the person.?
I was diagnosed with AFib in 2018 with episodes once every two months. Put on anti coagulants and metropolol. Kept happening like clock work. Tried Flecinaide and couldn’t tolerate. It sent me into other arrhythmias. So I used Flec as PIP and it worked like a charm. Fast forward and by the time I went to the hospital for my mini maze in June this year episodes were every 5 days. They steadily progressed through the years. I have not had an episode since my surgery and I’m off all meds.
I definitely would have been permanent sooner rather than later had I not gone for surgery.
HI. I've been in PAF for 26 years. It is slowly getting more frequent and lasting longer but is far less severe. Many years since I needed to go to hospital. I'm advised it is likely to change to permanent AF but don't know when.
Keep thinking positively.
If it is vagal afib then you have a very high chance it will stay paroxysmal. See this video youtu.be/ivof8UUKW3M
thanks rob.👍
7 years for me. Average every 10 month.
I could handle that nerja.👍 Iv had 3 ablations and touch wood I seem to be doing ok. I do still get a flutter about once every 2months. Usually when tired, Nothing major or distracting. Iv also been taking magnesium for over a year and that has helped
I count myself very lucky Jetcat as I know from this forum how bad it can be for some. Pleased that your ablations have proved successful. Ialso take Magnesium , Taurate as suggested by S Gupta. Hate taking Anticoags though but scared not to but then l guess that goes for most people.
I actually never minded taking anticoagulants to be honest. But I was eventually taken off them by the cardiologist because of my chads score.! I wanted to go back on them for the extra protection it gives me but he and the cardiologist said no.
I just wish I felt my age.? I’m creaking big time lately. God knows what another 10 years is going to feel like.😳
Paroxysmal and permanent Afib
Can Afib happen only once and never again?
paroxysmal AF and flying 
Can an Ablation make my Paroxysmal AFib worse
Stay warm and safe
