thank you to all those who replied to my coffee issue.
my AF been going now for 15 hours or so and overnight. Fast and slow pulse.
is it ok to continue with my plans to catch a train to see family. Means also going on underground with medium case. At the moment very unsure with fear of an emergency whilst on 3 hour train journey.
sorry. Title should read What do I do now?
Hi again,
Do you have any meds to take as a PIP in case of episodes? Are you very symptomatic with it? If you are then I would suggest taking it easy. Of course, if you’re experiencing chest pain, breathlessness etc. then it’s a trip to A&E that’s needed. As I mentioned in my previous reply to you, I’m now in persistent AF and my h/rate swings between 60 - 100 when not doing a lot, up to 140 when I am. I still do my usual things, just a little more slowly than I did but I’m on Bisoprolol which helps to keep the rate down. Have you seen Jeanjeanie’s post on ways to stop AF episodes? If you haven’t I’ll find it and send a link.
I hope you revert soon. TC
Than you. Yes please send the link. What is PIP?
Sorry, PIP is pill in the pocket, medication taken only when episodes occur. That might be something worth chatting to your doctor about.
Here’s the link to Jeanjeanie’s post
healthunlocked.com/afassoci...
Any problems opening it let me know and I’ll try again.
No problem opening link and thanks again. Will give all a try.
I have a pip on hand. I was given Diltiazem.Over 2 years now ive just learnt to tolerate the problem. I do get short breathed when walking. Ive just recently learnt that i have been in persistant AF for the last 6 months. I had a pm fitted 18 months ago. I lead a pretty normal life at mo actually.. i was given the pip and pm because i have low tolerance for rate control drugs. All the best and keep positive. Colin.
I've travelled and worked many times whilst in fast AF. It is about not letting AF rule your life. BUT if you have any chest pain or fainting/difficulty breathing then seek medical help. Stay well hydrated and keep taking the tablets.
Thank you Bob.
I made a long train journey to see family soon after diagnosis in persistent Afib, including the trek through London on the underground. I had a beta blocker that I took if I felt I needed it, but only needed it at night. Mostly I stayed calm with my breathing exercises, but had one day following a big celebration/wake in which I felt utterly exhausted and heart all over the place. I just made sure I wasn't on my own that day as we were miles out in the sticks, and had my phone to hand. I also took note of where nearest A & E was before I left. I had an oxomiter with me to measure HB which refused to give a reading and husband with bad back and recent hernia surgery who made noble offers to carry my suitcase. Travelled very light, wore same clothes to all events! Also took taxis where normally I'd have taken a bus.
Thank you
This will have to be your decision based on your medical history and any accompanying chest pain and breathlessness. Is your rate very high ?
If it is not absolutely necessary then my feelings would be to delay the journey. I have been caught out with fast AF ..140/150 at rest whilst on the high seas and just had to rest it out with Bisoprolol. I realise that AF should not control your life but there is a limit. If you're happy to continue with your journey plans after reading advice from others then so be it.
PS....I see from past history that you have lung disease and possibly 80 years old. Please take care
Thanks Julia, Yes you are right. I am now 80 and do have lung disease. But got through pandemic without chest problems or AF. Was looking forward to steaming ahead with a project I am working on and my granddaughter at Uni was going to help me. Have delayed my trip for now.
I think you are wise. I do hope that you will be able to pursue your project before too long.
Rate is not high. Mainly in 80s and 90s. And then slow.
15 hours is much too long in fast afib!!! Go to the A&E now.
Short term, you could can dizzy or faint, which could turn into an emergency on a train. Long term, uncontrolled afib can remodel the heart an cause heart failure.
You need a plan. At the minimum, you need medication to lower your heart rate while in these episodes. Or a medication that includes a rhythm drug to convert you quickly.
Since you don't appear to have neither, go to the A&E now, and at a minimum they will get your heart rate down so you can safely go about your life. Hopefully, they will give you at least some rate drugs and instructions to handle future episodes. If not, try and get a consult with a cardilogist or electrophysiologist (ep).
Jim
Thanks Jim. My pulse has been in the 90s and sometimes just below 60. Is 80 at the moment.
No energy and slightly dizzy but don't think I am an A&E case at the moment. Live in London. Would not want to be there unless necessary. First experience of such fluttering for years. So got anxious.
For some reason I thought your pulse was in the 150's. Yes, in the 90's, that would be considered controlled afib, not requiring a trip to A&E with activities permitted based on symptons.
Since this appears to be something you haven't had for years, hopefully it's a one off, however if similar events happen, maybe time to see your doctor again, who might put you on a 14 day monitor to see exactly what is going on. Is it afib? Aflutter? Something else? A home Kardia device can help you find out yourself.
You asked about "PIP". These are "pills in pocket" that you take to either lower a fast heart beat and/or convert you from afib to normal rhythm in as little as 1-4 hours. If you think you might run into a fast afib situation, better to be prepared with these drugs in advance.
Jim
Thanks again Jim. It is always good for me to talk. Last time I found this site to be so compassionate and helpful, especially for people like me who suffer anxiety and adept at digging myself out of holes! I am definitely an over thinker but it's not something I can control and why I look to positive people for guidance.😊
Hi, Under the circumstances I think you did the right thing but I sympathise with your frustration and congratulations on being so enthusiastic about a project that you were willing to risk a train journey to progress it! Of course it’s too late for advice this time but bear in mind that there are notices on the station saying that you should not travel if you feel unwell, and there is also the danger of falling if you feel a bit weak or suddenly lightheaded. For future occasions, if you really need to travel, you should ask for assistance at the station. We had to travel back from London after a holiday and my husband wasn’t feeling well, just exhausted, so I went to ask if our tickets would allow us to take an earlier train than booked. A charming young lady couldn’t do enough to help and put us in a first class carriage! So worth trying if travel is essential. Best wishes ❤️🩹
Deal with your fears. Go !
Do you take anything to control your heart rate, such as bisoprolol? If so, could you phone your doctor and ask if taking an extra dose might help reduce the rate and, with luck, stem the AF eventually. This will depend upon whether you get any bradycardia, so your doctor will take that into account. That's what I do and it works quite well and, often, within an hour or so. I understand that it is almost always the higher heart rate during AF that causes the symptoms, that and increased anxiety.
Steve
I'm sorry you've had the anxiety about whether or not to travel as well as the AF. Your family will understand and there will be another time. Don't give up - make a plan and get that project done.
let us know how you are going on please? I know how anxiety feels - a real burden. Hoping you can carry on with your project soon. x
I would go for it. My episodes go on for 30 hours at a fast rate. The last one I spent in Norfolk looking round the cathedral
I’m in persistent AFib, but I have a device fitted, and the device clinic and cardiologists keep an eye on it, and if there are any problems they said they would contact me. I’ve never been contacted. I’ve travelled by train and the underground many times. I do have dizzy spells but I don’t know if it’s Afib or other arrhythmias that I sometimes get, or my low blood pressure, I do take bisoprolol also. I always walk with water because I find that helps. I’m not sure what you’ve been told regarding having Afib by your doctor so I cannot advise you. If you do decide to go have a safe journey, relax and enjoy yourself.
Everyone has commented very sensibly and I appreciate all the comments. My question is and I am newer to this forum, I have experienced 2 different kinds of Afib, or what I thought was AFib. I can feel my heart go out of sync yet I could function. I had one horrible episode years ago in which I could hardly function and was hardly able to function and I was driving with 2 dogs in the car. I did pull over and called a good friend and my husband.
When people say they are in AFib I do wonder how bad of an episode they mean because I have had not so severe and extremely severs. I am thankful the extremely severe one has not happened again.
Has anyone else experienced that?
Thinking about you, wondering how have you are managing?
What would others do?
What now, 300mg of Flecainide?
Mood swings up and down like a yo-yo 
Long train trip ahead
What now!!
