Feel dreadful after AFib episode

[Jomaur]

Afew months ago I posted about the way I feel after ab AFib episodes and received many answers which were helpful but am unable to find them now. A few days ago I saw my Cardiologist and told him that I was getting into a situation with AFib where I feared having an episode because of how it left me feeling the next day.My blood pressure readings are improving and I have lost 7lbs in weight. However after nearly 3 years on steroids because I also have Polymyalgia and decreased mobility due to recently diagnosed Scoliosis of the spine I still have a lot of weight to lose.My Cardiologist said that because of my weight I would not be considered for an Ablation and he is reluctant to prescribe medication as he reckons it is toxic, I am on blood thinners and also take Bisoprol 15mg in the morning together with Atorvastatin 20mg,Indapamidd 2.5 mg, Lercandipine 10 ng and Doxazosin 8 mg at night.

I had an AFib episode during the night and today I feel a wreck. My blood pressure is 106 over 54 which is very low for me, I feel lightheaded as though I could pass out and also dreadfully anxious and panicky as I hate feeling lightheaded. Has anyone any advice as to how I can combat this and how do you deal with feeling like this? Any advice would be very welcome.

[CDreamer]

Hi Jomaur -so sorry to hear how ill you are feeling.

Unfortunately because you have multiple conditions it will always be very hard to balance the medications. I have an autoimmune condition for which steroids are normally prescribed however because I already had AF my neurologist and cardiologist conferred and agree that steroids would worsen the AF the outcome of which was that I was prescribed steroid sparing immune suppressants which worked really well for me and 10 years on I am now titrating down as I am almost without symptoms. I had 2 ablations but AF returned anyway and persisted so my cardiologist suggested either going on Amiodarone - no thank you as it is the most toxic drug ever - or Pace & Ablate which I preferred. Turned out that as soon as the Pacemaker was inserted my AF ceased and I got some energy and parts of my life back, never as was but good enough.

Unfortunately AF will leave you feeling completely washed out the following day, even if you do not have any co-morbidities so only suggestion is to rest, ensure you re-hydrate and keep up your electrolytes.

You may think BP of 106/54 is low and you may feel symptomatic but mine would go a lot lower and as long as it is 90+ systolic you are considered OK but that feeling of weakness and pre-syncope is not nice. Hydrate - keep your feet higher than your heart or try crouching and bearing down as if you were on the toilet - these can help raise your BP.

Be aware that BP will always be very erratic when you are in AF and you really cannot get an accurate reading.

Unfortunately there is no quick fix.

[Jomaur in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you CDresmer. The trouble is unless you actually know someone who also has AFib you start to wonder if what you are feeling is normal or are you just overreacting. I do suffer from anxiety and although I can put up with pain I am terrified of feeling as though I am going to faint and it makes me feel very panicky. The fact that I have suffered from pain in my back and legs since I fell and fractured my humerus in 3 places in Nov 2021 and has left me unable to walk more than about 100 yds has not helped my anxiety. The GPs have not offered any help except sending me for a lumbar XRay in June 2022 which they said showed some degeneration. I managed finally to be referred to the local NHS Pain Clinic where I was told 2 weeks ago that the same XRay clearly showed Scoliosis and I am now awaiting a diagnostic procedure and hopefully a treatment to end my pain. Think AFib which I was diagnosed with in Oct 2021 was the icing on the cake!

[lovetogarden]

Sorry you’re going through such a rough time, it’s so hard to find a good balance for multiple conditions. And when it comes to heart issues, I think most of us get stressed. If you want to find that earlier post of yours, just click on your name at the top of this post and you’ll go to a page with your profile and posts.

Click on your name

[Jomaur in reply to lovetogarden]

Thank you lovetogarden. I will now have a look at my earlier replies as it’s nice to feel you are not on your own with this.