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breathing issues

NLGA profile image
NLGA
23 Replies

after a few good days my breathing issues returned

Heart best 65-83 so that seems under control

Yet breathing heavy doing basic tasks

Does anyone else suffer like this With AF

3 years ago a 10 mile walk was nothing but now at times just going upstairs had me breathing heavy

It’s getting me down to be honest

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NLGA profile image
NLGA
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23 Replies
secondtry profile image
secondtry

I would start with a private appointment with a trusted cardiologist and then look at more Lifestyle changes. As you say QOL is not good enough.

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49

hi

Are you on Metoprolol? It made me breathless on exertion and gave me pauses during the night.

cheri JOY 74. (NZ)

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply toJOY2THEWORLD49

No just beta blockers and flecainde

I was breathless before the blockers

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply toNLGA

Hi

Metaprolol is a Beta Blocker.

Breathlessness could be your AF or high BP.

Are you overweight?

cheri JOY

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply toJOY2THEWORLD49

I am fine with the blood pressure’s I am a little overweight but not daft amounts

I thought it could be the AF but I don’t seem to find many with AF having the same issue

Just going upstairs or drying myself after a bath can leave me trying gasp for fresh air it’s like my body doesn’t have enough oxygen for basic tasks . I have also found being in a room with to much heat and no ventilation brings the feeling on

Buffafly profile image
Buffafly in reply toNLGA

I have had the same issue now and again since I have had AF but can’t explain it. I think I have suggested before that you should try breathing out harder than breathing in, preferably through pursed lips. Once you start ‘overbreathing’ it forms a vicious circle.

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply toBuffafly

I have tried different things from you tube but in my bad days I would have to be doing constantly

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply toNLGA

hi

I'm not overly over weight either.

you are quite right that you stop to allow o2 to circulate all yourbody.

but i would change from METOPROLOL to Bisoprolol and look at having a low dose of BB and introduce CCB.

changing to sour dough bread with grain and homogenized milk to A2 milk i am sure helped me lose weight.

I wonder that your h/r is in fact over 100 at rest.

this strains your heart muscle, sweating and having to give away any exertion as breathlessness takes over.

I no longer have breathlessness, sweating, but i do stop if exertion makes me stop.

cheri JOY

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply toJOY2THEWORLD49

So what do you put the intial reason it’s all started down to in your case

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply toNLGA

hi NLGA

THYROID PAPILLARY CANCER.

Problems with thyroid is a major cause of AF. Then having undiagnosed thyroid cancer gave me AF which ultimately caused the left frontal lobe clot. I was not on any meds except B12 Solgar 1 x 3 days week sublingual nugget.

AF with the clotting risk sent a rogue clot.

The stroke happened at 2am when my H/R falls to 47 average.

Of course I was given an anti-co.agulation, I chose PRADAXA I was 70 and the main hospital gave me 110mg x twice. But I was transferred to my local hospital (only 4 beds in Stroke Ward Whangarei Northland) and went home with 150mg x twice.

When I put the 2 discharge papers together I rang and had my locum DR reduce my prescription to 110mg x twice.

It is always a worry about stopping PRADAXA 3 clear days prior to surgery (Just had Right Shoulder repaired) and there was an argument when to restart. I instigated 48 hours after surgery.

But a 83year old MS friend forgot to replenish her PRAXA 110mg x twice, missing 4 days and she had a little stroke. Got at her memory.

As I have little pain relief but on Avorastatin 10mg daily I think that it is helping by its anti-inflam properties. Also I put Tumeric in my soup with an egg which I have trouble cutting.

Latest is I should not have had an anti-co.agulant whilst I had cancer.

Honestly getting down to 60s H/R day was a break through.

I have to accept my lot and I used to be a 100 yard top runner.

Shower without sling coming up.

cheri JOY

Ennasti profile image
Ennasti

Valves? Left ventricular dysfunction? When was your last cardiologist appointment where they looked at the structure of your heart?

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply toEnnasti

June last year I had a echo and March this year a CT on the arteries

All ok

But it can’t be or something is wrong somewhere

Rainfern profile image
Rainfern

Breathlessness was always one of my worst symptoms with AF. Prior to AF I had been very fit and within recommended BMI weight, healthy diet etc. and enjoyed walks of 8 - 10 miles. Suddenly I was breathless on the stairs and slow on hills. My GP explained it was the heart being less efficient at getting oxygen pumped around the system. Mine was persistent AF with HR in the 80 to90 range.

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply toRainfern

HI

i know that 60s Day at rest would stop your breathless.

I was introduced to CCB Diltiazem and after a year my 88-96 became 60s H/R average Day.

cheri JOY

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply toJOY2THEWORLD49

What is that Joy

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply toNLGA

hi

60s h/r average or at rest feels better for me.

also it has stopped ?s underlining that I was over 100 no operation would take place.

someone said fluid but as soon as I stopped Metoprolol my breathless stopped.

It is banned as was the ACE blocker.

just had hopefully my last op done. right shoulder. it was a breeze. now in a sling for another 5 weeks, i'm poking out fingers to type!

I feel you need a 24-hr heart monitor to see what is going on.

Do you have swelling?

BB control adrenaline from entering your heart muscles

CCB control calcium from entering your heart muscles

cheri

joy

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply toJOY2THEWORLD49

Hi Joy

14th November next monitor is booked for

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply toRainfern

That sounds exactly like me

2 years ago this started December 21 I contacted the GP the following February by April I was diagnosed AF

Just like you from enjoying a 6-10 mile walk a 1/2 mile had me gasping

Rainfern profile image
Rainfern in reply toNLGA

I hope you are able to find the right treatment to help.

My EP did put me on digoxin while I was awaiting ablation to help me cope with the symptoms. It doesn’t suit everyone but I found it very helpful as it strengthens the heartbeat as well as lowering HR, and doesn’t lower the blood pressure. So I was almost my old self on the hills. It’s an old tried and tested medication (foxglove derived) and I’ve heard some medics poopoo it but my EP is very up to date with all latest meds and it’s something we worked out together. I actually quite miss it now I’m back in NSR!

Beatle45 profile image
Beatle45

I’m very new to this Afib thing. Diagnosed with paroxysmal afib last year after being fitted with a Linq Reveal. Then Afib started on 13/10/23 and hasn’t gone away. My breathing has been awful, I’m gasping for air every time I move and it’s scary. Trouble is I don’t know if it’s Afib or something else. This week I’ve had chest X-ray and ecg, and I’m having breathing tests next Monday. I don’t like this new thing I’ve been saddled with, it’s the breathing problems especially.

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply toBeatle45

Exactly how I feel

I hope yours gets solved or investigated better than mine

Best of luck I totally understand your concern

2023AFibber profile image
2023AFibber

Absolutely. BBs and Cacl Channel blockers make breathing mesds not as effective. Mine breathing is do bad thinking of going off AF mesds and taking my chances . Breathing is everything

NLGA profile image
NLGA in reply to2023AFibber

My trouble is the breathing is just as bad without them

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