AF at bedtime

[ruskin10]

Hi all, my last few AF episodes have been when I get into bed, the last one was last night. This means bedtime is becoming quite stressful. Episodes can last 5 Minutes or 5 hours. EP at Liverpool suggested I take extra Nebivolol then if no ease up in an hour take a flecainide. I was on flecainide for 10 years, it changed my life, didn't think about AF at all. But 6 months ago after almost fainting few times, she took me off it as my heart rate was very low caused by the flecainide. I also have daytime episodes, no warning just bang go the palpitations. Do any of you have this experience? Pat

[CDreamer]

Nocturnal AF is very common and can be caused by various such as heart rate dipping during rest or lying prone. You could try raising the head of your bed, that helps me when my heart is ‘sensitive’. I have an electric bed and just raising the head a few degrees really helps, doesn’t help my back but you can’t have everything 🤷‍♀️

I stopped all heart meds 10 years ago so won’t comment on the meds other than to say I think it’s often a shot in the dark as everyone reacts so differently to the meds. Not sure I would want to take Flecainide during the night if your HR dips low with it but your call really.

Best wishes

[ruskin10 in reply to CDreamer]

I do have extra pillow always nearby and use when in AF. I know what you mean about taking flec during night, but my heart is racing when in AF so she says have it to slow it down with nebivalol. Thank-you for your reply.

[secondtry in reply to ruskin10]

I always use 5 pillows; 3 under my head and 2 on the left side to stop me rolling that way.

While we are on the subject I like a cool pillow and bought blissy.com/?promo=google&ut... which works great. Also, although not needed in my case, evidently ladies like it as it stops a bad hair day!😆

[ruskin10 in reply to secondtry]

Thankyou

[secondtry]

Suggest you wind down slowly for bed, as the episodes suggest to me one or more of the following: you lead a busy day/watch late night drama/eat too late/lie on your left side.

I used to get AF just by sitting down in the evening & reading or watching a favourite TV programme. I drew the conclusion the trigger was too bigger contrast between day activities and complete relaxation.

So in the evening I did light household chores, then later this changed to, an hour before bed, a mixture of Mindfullness, prayer and yoga. Even now if I have a semi-busy day, when I get into bed tired I take some big deep breaths.

Interesting what you say about Flecainide. I have also been on it (200mgs) for 10 years with no AF or side effects. no other drugs. It is not supposed to affect the HR although I suspect mine was reduced from 60 to 55. I would consult a cardiologist/Alternative Practitioner on that low HR; could be that one or more supplements may help eg CoQ10.

[ruskin10 in reply to secondtry]

Thank-you for your very interesting comments.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to secondtry]

Hi

Latest that that drug has not been proven as helpful so not advisable to take it as a supplement.

cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)

[Hidden in reply to secondtry]

Your experience is quite similar to mine. Ectopics, which sometimes led to AF, would often start when I was relaxing after a busy day, or when I went to bed. I found that lying on my left side made the ectopics worse, so I would always sleep on my right side. If I got AF in bed I could sometimes fix it by lying on my front soon after it had started. Propafenone worked well for me for about a year and then ectopics and AF started to break through the medication. In the last few months I started getting AF at 5-6am a couple of times a week, waking me early and leaving me tired for the day, so I asked to go onto the waiting list for an ablation.

[secondtry in reply to Hidden]

Have you checked for sleep apnoea?

Use Breathright nasal strips & then later a lip strip (read James Nestor 'Breathe' for the latter). I have used both for years. Despite having mild SA this has helped. I also have done slow breathing exercises on my twice daily walks and do stress reducing activities to try and eradicate the SA.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Try and have a gentle walk after your last meal. Do not have a large meal.

You are in fact better to have small power meals throughout the day.

cheri JOY 74. (NZ)

[ruskin10 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Thank-you Joy, I eat relatively smaller meals due to IBS, will be having a short walk this evening, it helps tumour symptoms too.

[ruskin10 in reply to ruskin10]

Meant tummy symptoms Joy.

[Martharose03]

I ham new to this ‘medical condition’ however after 3 consecutive nights with AF

I decided to drink water every three hours throughout the night then no AF

[KootenayTrails]

I also was getting AF at night, very stressful. Rarely do now. Changes I’ve made, some already mentioned, are: Doubled my water intake through the day, take a couple of rests through day (rather than crazy active/busy thru day, then couch potato at night), sit in recliner chair in evenings rather than slouched on couch, biggest meal at noon, don’t eat 4hrs before bed, raised my shoulders/head in bed, zero alcohol, eat cleaner

[ruskin10 in reply to KootenayTrails]

Thank-you for your rey

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

What's this about 'tumour/?

You haven't explained this!

Just a brain review mine you should not be taking antico-agulant if you have cancer risky diagnosis of bleeding internally.

cheri JOY

[ruskin10 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

No, I did put an add on saying 'tummy'

[Letofeyd]

I came here to search for bedtime AF and found your post.I believe it is something to do with slowing heart rate, because I can be fine while almost prone on the couch watching TV, or in bed reading, but as soon as I start to try to sleep, my AF starts.

I usually lie on my right side, but

It can last an hour or all night, and it is playing havoc with my work because I am shattered in the mornings.

Recently, I tried to do some Mindfulness exercises, which involve deep breathing, and it started my AF, even though I was sat up in a dining chair, so that was it for Mindfulness for me 😏

I really want some ideas how to avoid setting it off just as I try to settle to sleep because it is very frustrating and often upsetting if it happens a few nights in a row.