travel

[Linesteps]

I am going on a well deserved retirement holiday to Barbados , I have managed to manage my paroxysmal af quite well by nearly becoming an Angel !! 😂 no alcohol, loosing weight . But I am becoming more anxious and fed up with the expectation of a random attack especially while away any advice

[10gingercats]

If it is going to happen it will happen!Take all your meds with you, details of your medical history and meds. . and hope for the best.I have travelled the world since having Afib. with no problems. Clearly you need to keep yourself safe ,not too much to drink or eat or burning too much midnight oil.But you also need to enjoy the holiday so good luck and have a wonderful time.

[Linesteps in reply to 10gingercats]

thank you will don

[Linesteps in reply to Linesteps]

Thankyou so much you have really helped , it’s so dam annoying not knowing when it’s going to hit !! But coconut water seems the way to go from reply’s

[BobD Volunteer]

Allow extra time to eleminate stress at airports. stay well hydrated at all times, make sure you have plenty of your drugs wuth you in your cabin bag (don't forget your prescriptions so any quiries by authorities covered.) Enjoy.

[5morechristmases in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob. I'm off to the USA in April. What do I need to show about my medication. Would doctors letters be OK. I take apixiban, tildiem and flecainide.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to 5morechristmases]

Probably OK but I always take a copy of my repeat prescription. To be honest I don't know what they demand but I've seen enough TV shows about border forces to know that they want something to legitamise what you are carrying.

[5morechristmases in reply to BobD]

Thanks

[Snowgirl65 in reply to 5morechristmases]

It's important that you carry your meds in their original containers, even if they're large; i.e. don't divvy out what you need for your trip and lump them into a suitably-sized container, as border patrol will get suspicious that they're illegal drugs.

[Sueleen13]

hi I can really relate to this and I did have an attack while I was in Barbados I think it was bought on by overexertion as I had been swimming with turtles and possible I had become dehydrated. So I stayed calm , went to the bathroom washed my face with cold water and had sips of a drink and waited for it to pass. Can you take a Pill in the pocket as a stand by? Are you going alone ? Message me if I can be of support in anyway. Sue

[Cassandra21 in reply to Sueleen13]

Hi Sue, I have Paroxysmal AF and ectopics beats, diagnosed 1 yr ago. I have had 3 episodes of AF and have now beeb given Flecanide as Pill in the Pocket, hopefully to save me going to A and E ! Nightmare. Thankfully I have nit had to use it yet, but wondered if you had experience of using it ? This has changed my life, and I just don't have the confidence to arrange holidays etc. Just so fed up with it all....Morag

[Sueleen13 in reply to Cassandra21]

yes I have had Flecanide, I had it everyday but it did not help my AFib, I still had episodes. However everyone is different and if I were you I would be happy to try it as a PIP. Please try not to panic when you have an episode and know that it will pass. Try to stay hydrated and being able to have fresh coconut water is ideal. It’s frustrating I know as others can’t see what’s going on inside but just tell them you need a moment , concentrate on breathing and wait, it will pass and you have the Flecanide .Please enjoy Barbados x

[Letofeyd in reply to Cassandra21]

I understand your frustration, and it is still early days for you, but three episodes is really not very many. Lots of the posters here have episodes three times a week!

Judging from my own experience and this forum, everyone goes through a steep learning curve and a period of great anxiety after being diagnosed.

I wonder if the fear and anxiety around an episode happening is what is affecting you more, as the frequency cannot be. I was exactly the same at the start.

Once I moved on to an Electrophysiology specialist, my EP told me NOT to go to A&E if I have an AF episode, but to just stay calm and let it resolve (unless there are chest pains or a very fast heartbeat for a prolonged period).

My episodes are every 2 or 3 days, and last 4-12 hours, but they always resolve themselves.

I suffered with huge anxiety and despondency when I was first diagnosed, although my episodes were few and far between. It is only greater understanding of my own body, good advice, and a sounding board on this forum that have helped me to be more positive.

AF is progressive.

It will become more frequent as times passes, so use these early days to become familiar with it and get advice to reduce your stress around it.

Management is the key.

You can go on holiday safely with the right precautions, so ask your EP for advice on that.

Happy travels.😎

[Linesteps in reply to Sueleen13]

hi sue , yes you have hit the nail on the head , what to do when it happens ! I will definitely take your advice on board , I’m seeing my cardiologist before I go to as about the pill in pocket I think that will make me feel more confident , unfortunately I have trouble once I am in an episode to relax but I’m trying my best , I am swimming with turtles so will see what happen Anne

[Linesteps in reply to Linesteps]

I’m going with friends who know about my condition

[Sueleen13 in reply to Linesteps]

let me know how it goes ☺️

[Linesteps in reply to Sueleen13]

of course I’m happy that your there

[CDreamer]

Having an episode in Barbados is no different from having one at home - good advice above - go slow and steady and enjoy your holiday.

[OzRob]

AF is not going to kill you so just make sure you have your meds and enjoy the holiday.

We spent 2 weeks in New Zealand over Christmas, are heading to Vietnam plus Thailand for 26 days in 6 weeks time, have a 2 week holiday booked for the other side of Australia in September and then we will be in Bali for a month in December.

Sure I had AF in New Zealand, but it was no different to having it at home.

Since being diagnosed with AF I have decided to get as much travel in as possible. I am tentatively booked in for an Ablation in October this year depending on how my AF progresses.

[Cookie6 in reply to OzRob]

it was good to read about your trips. I should have gone to NZ last November to see my daughter and family but had been diagnosed with AF in the September and was awaiting investigations etc so had to cancel and managed to get my money back on insurance . I’m still worried about flying long distances but this has encouraged me. I’m booked for an ablation but I only seem to get an episode about once every 8 weeks or so and at present feel undecided.

[Linesteps in reply to OzRob]

thanks that makes me feel better , I am seeing my cardiologist regarding an ablation also , usually my episodes are triggered by tiredness , dehydration and alcohol , so I have these under control at home ! And as you say Af is not going to kill me 😂 hopefully thanks

[Ewloe]

I’m on holiday in Madeira now. I’m much better now but on Saturday ( the day after we got here) I was really wiped out. My own fault really, looking back I’d done too much the day before flying then on the Friday we wer goe up early, I didn’t drink enough and I tried to do too much so my husband didn’t carry all the heavy stuff.

So try not too be over tired before the day, drink plenty and don’t get over anxious. Then enjoy.

[Linesteps in reply to Ewloe]

thanks so much , I just got overtired with my grandchildren sleeping over , no sleep and was in AF for 10 hrs usually that is the time before I go back into SR

[Auriculaire]

I have had PAF since 2015. Last year for the first time I had attacks while on holiday - 3 times. I just carried on as I do at home. It was no better or worse. Worrying about it will not help.