Symptoms when have an AF episode

[NoeB76]

Hello, I'm 75 and had confirmation of having AF last year, after suffering from it for over 4 years - being told it was Panic Attacks and Stress. Was relieved as I was finally put on the correct medication for AF. Had been on Propanolol, which didn't do a lot, apart from feeling tired most of the time.

I had all the necessary tests done, via Cardiologist. Which was a relief too. Heart muscle itself is ok, so was put on Flecanaide (one 50mg twice a day), Edoxoban (one 60mg one a day), along with a reduced level of Bisoprolol (one 25mg), and still on Thyroxine (100mg).

What puzzles me is the symptoms. Starts with severe palpitations in my throat, and abdomen, and minor discomfort in my jaw, below back bottom teeth; then urgent need to go to loo, headache, and nausea. Usually within 20 mins from having eaten.

I've been told I need to drink more, stress less. However, having had my husband recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia last year, and now he's giving up his driving licence, the 'stress levels' have only increased.

I can take another 100mg of Flecainade while having an Episode - but this doesn't appear to make a great difference. Fortunately, I'm only getting these episodes 2/3 a month, instead of 2/3 a week - so something must be working.

I end up going to bed, dark room, cold compress on forehead or back of neck, and 'sleeping it off' - which can be from 6-18 hours. So really mucks up my day.

Does anyone have any other 'strategies' of coping with AF that would be helpful please? Any replies appreciated (as members of my family think it's not that disabling a disease!!).

Thank you.

Noe B.

[BobD Volunteer]

Sorry you have so much going on right now but rest assured you are quite normal. Just to put your mind at rest the wee problem is due to an enzyme the distressed heart secretes which tells the body to shed salt which it does via kidneys, hence having to chain oneself to the loo.

Above all stay well hydrated at all times and don't worry. AF won't kill you even though it may feel like it sometimes.

[Greenhilldrive]

Hi there, I’m in my early 80’s and have had Afib since 2020. Desperate for anything that would lessen the episodes I started listening to Dr. Sanjay Gupta from York Cardiology on YouTube.

In one of the talks he suggested that a daily dose of 1,000 mg of vit C helped some people to get less afib attacks. I took that to heart, got some time release Vit C tablets and voila, the afib episodes became fewer and further between, and it might be my imagination, but they were milder and didn’t last as long as before my taking the vit. C.

I told my cardiologist about it and she encouraged me to continue with the supplement, so I hope it might work for you too. No harm trying, but it might take about 3 to 4 weeks to see positive results. Take care and be happy.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Greenhilldrive]

I take a vitamin C slow release tablet too and I think it helps.

Jean

[secondtry]

Don't waste your energy trying to convince family, come here for the 'Best Understanding'.

You need to stop all episodes. rather than put up with infrequent ones, so ask your cardiologist if you can increase Flecainide to 200mgs (moderate dose) - it did the trick for me.

[Ppiman]

Bad luck, eh? Life is a real trial for some people. You have my sympathies. One thing I was told is that it is fine heart-wise to just press on, against the seeming odds, as it were. Of course, it depends on the symptoms you feel but that's what I try to do even though my anxiety levels are telling me internally that the grim reaper is around the corner (it's called a feeling of impending doom, I have read, although, these days, mine isn't that bad at all mostly).

Steve

[Auriculaire]

These symptoms are fairly common for afib attacks. Especially the increased need to wee! Taking a magnesium supplement can help. Some people find it reduces the frequency of attacks. I have found it reduces anxiety about them and as a result the symptoms are less pronounced. I find distracting myself with reading or watching tv helps . I take extra Nebivolol to lower my heartrate . If the event occurs during the day I try to carry on with my normal activities and have found a bit of vigourous vaccuuming can put me back in NSR.

[Buffafly]

Hi, I have the same symptoms but they only last at that intensity for a couple of hours at the most even though the episode can go on for a week at worst. Once the heart has calmed down a bit I can carry on at a slow rate and it seems to be helpful to do that. However, as you’re on a low dose of medication I agree that the best thing would be to prevent the episodes altogether if possible. I asked my cardiologist why I get pain and he said ‘lack of capacity’ which I think is a polite way of saying I’m unfit! I’m 78 but I accept there could still be an improvement. Best wishes ❤️‍🩹

[ozziebob]

Noe,

I do sympathise with the situation you described. As for strategies that might help, I hope you have undergone comprehensive blood tests to ensure you don't have further mineral or vitamin deficiencies which can affect arrhythmias.

In my case a Vitamin D deficiency seemed instrumental in the development and progression of my AF. See my Bio for a fuller description.

Further, it is useful to acknowledge that a large proportion of the older population are deficient in Vitamin D due to poorer absorbtion through the skin as we age, and less outdoor lifestyles.

And I recommend this Australian University research using UK Biobank data that indicates even wider health benefits from vitamin D supplementation ...

medscape.com/viewarticle/98...

You might need to join Medscape to read the article, but it's free, and I've had no follow-on issues after joining.

Highly recommended reading.

I hope something helps.

[Snowgirl65]

Non-a-fibbers have no idea what we go through! I hope you find answers soon.