Recently when converting back to sinus rythm I can really feel it. Almost like a spasm. Today I went into work in afib to see how it went as I need the money. I get a fullness feeling in my head in afib. When I nearly converted I got the tense spasm feeling. Then again when actually converted after 22 hours. It shocked my workmates seeing me clench up . Anyone else get this Phoned arythmia nurse today told to keep taking dronedarone even though I'm still getting episodes at least twice a week after 3 weeks on it. Said she'd discuss at Monday meeting with cardiology.
PAF converting back to NSR very notic... - Atrial Fibrillati...
PAF converting back to NSR very noticeable.
There is an event called the 'reversion pause' where our heart kicks back into rhythm. My understanding is that the heart momentarily stops. My other half held the Kardiamobile for me last time it happened because I was shaking so much. He said he saw it switch from an AF to normal reading. My sensations a bit different to yours: I feel like something is messing with my head - like a switch inside my brain - I can get faint, start panting, go red in the face and need to lie down. Once or twice the room started to spin. It's not at all pleasant I have to say but it doesn't last long. Make sure you sit or lie down when you feel it starting. Keep your phone by you in case you need it. I found out about this syndrome btw from the forum. Others get it.
Going into, during and coming out of AF I get a quivering sensation, not sure if in my heart, or the overlying chest muscles. More noticeable when lying flat on my back. My main trigger is stress, can almost feel those Fight or Flight hormones surging in my body, heart pounds, then 'whammo' I'm in AFib. If I don't go into AF straight away following stress, in my brain I get this feeling of impending doom and gloom, then go into AF. If I act quickly I can avoid AF by removing my self from the situation, go for a walk, listen to some favourite music, distract myself and prevent my self going into AF. My understanding is that the stress hormones remain circulating for a period of time (couple of hours?).
Low level stress doesn't cause me to go into AF. It's like I need to cross a threshold to trigger AF.
Cheers Blake
Just did a quick Google. Adrenaline is released first, then the stress hormone cortisol is released within 15 mins of stress, and remain elevated for several hours. Just think when we were cavemen, and the lion chases us, we needed to get away quickly, but remain alert until the danger has definitely passed.
The old saying "stress is the killer" is true.
For me I've got to keep the stress down and chill out. Easier said than done though.
I wonder if cave men/women suffered with afib.? There diets and exercise levels must have been fantastic but their fears and stress levels must have been through the roof.?
Can you imagine going for a trip down to the local cave shop to buy the latest state of the art spear then end up getting chased all way home by a hungry angry sabre tooth tiger.😳
When I reverted to NSR I had a black mist come over me and felt I was going to pass out and if stood up had to grab hold of something to stop me falling. Eventually I started passing out and had to have a pacemaker fitted and now don't feel anything when I revert.
a prolonged pause on conversion from A Fib to NSR used to cause me to have a headrush and often a blackout. I was changed from Bisoprolol to Donedarone and it all stopped. I was not happy going on Donedarone but I have had no problems so far (9 months) and it means I can drive.
I've been on dronedarone 3 weeks now. Not working. To be fair every med I've had so far seems to have made me worse than without.
sorry to hear that. We are all individual in our reactions or lack of reactions to meds. My EP said I may have to have a pacemaker eventually if the blackouts come back. I wish you well.
I sometimes get a feeling of dizziness when going back into sinus . Mainly if I am standing up at the time. It does not last more than a few seconds .
Look up presyncopy. When under obs with a heart monitor once, I reverted naturally from mixed AF/Tachycardia into NSR. The monitor flatlined briefly (I saw it do that!) and the nurses came running. I saw the bright light in my head, and knew what was happening as I'd had this several times before. It's such a relief to be back in NSR, but it can be shocking, yes.
I had that with Flecanide but not Dronedarone the conversion with Flec was pretty violent latterly and I would almost collapse due to the “pause” in the heart rate.