Paroxysmal Afib affecting sleep

[Karendeena]

Just when I was beginning to relax the good old afib hit me like a hammer at 5am Monday morning waking me with a jolt. I had a very stressful weekend with relationships out of control with my family so I suppose I half expected it. Unfortunately, I am very symptomatic and my episodes go on for around 30 hours so I knew I was in for the long haul. My heart rate wasn't so fast this time (under 90 bpm) but still uncomfortable. I tried to go about my normal day and even went to work with my heart rate not bothering me too much. I finally went back to NSR after 36 hours

My question is, does anyone have these kind of episodes that affect sleep? I was quite distressed going to bed and spent the whole night in weird dreams, ear worms and constant waking. This was probably the worst of being in afib for me

[stoneyrosed]

Hi Karendeena, Yes we have all been there when the dreaded Afib strikes when you least expect it. Have you thought about going down the ablation route? What about the drug flecanaide? Has that been recommended to you yet by a cardiologist nurse or GP? If your symptoms are getting longer and you’re very symptomatic, perhaps you should take further action against counteracting against the afib. Make an appointment if you can with your GP and get him to refer you to a cardio nurse, and ask what further choices you have! There are people here who are far more knowledgable than I who will offer you far better advice, but I am here for a bit of moral support, I have had two ablations and in the past used 2-3 of the drugs on offer so I have a teeny bit of experience with this dreaded Afib. Hope things go your way all the best !!

[Karendeena in reply to stoneyrosed]

Thank you for responding to me. My episodes have always been around 30 hours since I was diagnosed back in July 2020.I am under an EP in the UK who is highly respected in his field. I am on his waiting list for an ablation which unfortunately is well over 12 months

I cannot tolerate Flecainide it gives me pro arrythmias so had to come off it as my episodes were worse. I am on sotalol at the moment but I seem to be having these breakthrough episodes. My EP wants me to increase the dose but I am reluctant to do this. Is your afib under control now,?

[stoneyrosed in reply to Karendeena]

Yes after 2nd follow up ablation things have greatly improved. Off nearly all meds except 1.25 bisprolol lowest dose. Occasional fast heartbeats lasting 2-3 seconds but no AF for 6 months. Good luck x

[secondtry]

Sounds like you have vagally mediated Lone PAF. The result being that as soon as you relax, night out with friends, much anticipated music concert or just watching favourite TV and going to bed the dreaded monster can kick in.

If this sounds familiar stress is the key area to work on and it takes months/years.......not surprising as it is likely too much stress has been going on for months/years before your body sent this serious warning.

I had all of the above with anxiety overload & borderline depression. Over a 10 year period (yes it is worth starting!), I have thrown the kitchen sink at it gradually improving all areas from family, business, social & personal finances.

Hope something there helps.

[Karendeena in reply to secondtry]

Hiya, yes this is me. My 95 year old mum who was my best friend is awful to me now, she constantly shouts at me and calls me and we have had all of the tests and she doesn't have dementia! I am still working for a Great company not sure if that's a good thing or bad as I am past retirement age, problem is I can't afford to retire. My only brother had a stroke from undiagnosed afib in January and that has added to the stress as he downloads on me.How did you get over it and learn to reduce stress and how does your afib behave now?

I am turning into an insomniac too!

[secondtry in reply to Karendeena]

Sorry to hear that, this quote may help...... a 100+ old Chinese lady when asked how she copes with the loss of her longstanding husband, said we are Nature and just like a river I keep flowing (Source: Dr John Day's book).

How do you remove stress? Too individual to detail. Generally, you need to embrace change. We all are in a rut and think we can't or will be worse off changing our lives with scant consideration that we could be better off. Wrong types of food can IMHO cause stress as the gut rebels with the message going to the brain courtesy of the Vagus Nerve. Don't forget the spiritual side, whatever that means to you; for me prayer and interacting with Nature (ie not just a short country walk) has helped greatly in reducing anxiety and family relationships.

My AF cure (virtually none over 10yrs) is a hybrid one, namely Flecainide & lifestyle changes, some examples mentioned above.

[Tommyboy21 in reply to secondtry]

That's me exactly. I can go to work and be ok. Go for long walks up to 10 miles. But often as soon as I sit down I feel a sensation in my neck/ spine causing palpitations which often lead to AF for hours. Happens in bed as well. This happens daily. Have started seeing a chiropractor and he suggested the vagal nerve is being irrated by my poor posture. I've actually been in AF when getting an adjustment which then stopped the AF.

[secondtry in reply to Tommyboy21]

It is puzzling that AF medics rarely discuss the Vagus Nerve....particularly so as treating AF is such an holistic exercise for most.

[Tommyboy21 in reply to secondtry]

I discussed it with cardiology last week on phone. They said they have never heard of it but didn't discount what I was saying. I've been on various Meds in the last year dronedarone ect and now max dose of flecanide but nothing stops my daily AF.

[secondtry in reply to Tommyboy21]

I would consult an experienced Naturopath or other Alternative Practitioner first before going down the NHS route.

[Maggiemay7]

I had that, Dr sent me for sleep study, had apnea, got a Cpap, used it regularly, no more Afib at night! Hope this helps

[TenorJK]

Sleep apnea was one of my triggersGoing into a very deep sleep and Heart rate going very slowly that I would wake with a jolt when it went too slowly and that caused PAF .Just a thought that might help Good luck Jo

[Denise-]

Most of my episodes have started in the night. Stress and certain foods usually trigger mine. Have found several methods of controlling the episodes. Not pleasant keep well.

[scotthongkong]

I get it at night too. I am 160 mg of sotalol and also cannot tolerate flecanide. I have had three ablations but this time around my fib and flutter us so much worse actually. At the end of my tether with it.

[Karendeena in reply to scotthongkong]

I feel for you too. I am afraid to go places, eat things, get stressed, it's awful waiting for the next episode all of the time. I haven't done the ablation yet but on the waiting list. Like you I am at the end of my tether with it.

[JeanetteH in reply to scotthongkong]

This was my experience too.After 3rd ablation get Aflutter now as well as AF.I was told by one cardiologist the ablation could have caused it as there is so much scar tissue the elec signalgoes around and round and that a further ablation to capture the flutter would be unlikely to be successful.AV node ablation was suggested as I have a dual lead pacemaker fitted as I have bradycardia due to Sotalol.