Blip but back on track

[4chickens]

As some of your are aware, I’ve been a bit unwell,unfortunately I contracted Pneumonia, instead of resting I decided I knew best and continued with my plans granted more slowly but continued none the less. By Saturday I was feeling much better, then wham irregular heart beat, got home about 3 hrs later and hit the kardia. Which came up as possibly AF, with a rate of 179bpm. 111 call followed by a trip to A&E confirmed AF, transferred to Glenfield hospital, where I remained until Monday evening. I was discharged on apixaban, bisiprodol and digoxin with a rate of about 105bpm and told I would be called back as a day case for a cardio version.

In the meantime husband had sent my Kardia readings and ecg ( he took a sneaky photo of it) to Mr Hunter in Sheffield who despite having discharged me advised Leicester on my treatment, and forwarded them onto Dr Sahu, who responded really quickly saying that it was Rapid ventricular response with sinus rhythm on the Kardia, by the time they did an ecg AF had joined the party. He also agreed with the plan.

Fast forward to Tuesday, feeling ill, depressed and very disappointed. I gave myself a good talking to and off we went to a New Orleans Christmas jazz at the local pub, I decided I was having a glass of wine, what harm could it do! Walking back to the car, I noticed I felt less dizzy. Got home and out came the Kardia, Lots of reading taken some unclassified, some NSR but a heart rate of about 70bpm. By Wednesday NSR with a 64bpm and only rarely unclassified. I again emailed Dr Sahu ( who has agreed to keep me on) he said stop the digoxin but continue with bisiprodol which I did but at 1:25mg instead of the 2:5mg prescribed by the hospital.

Fast forward to today bpm 55 NSR feeling good.

GP has requested an ECG to confirm but I know im back in NSR.

Mummyluv and others have been a fantastic support, she also sent me an article on RVR and AF in critical care. It’s a known complication apparently.

I hadn’t posted before as didn’t want to cause people stress who were considered minimaze, ablation or other treatments.

All I can say is I’ve never self converted before in a 10 year journey with AF.

I don’t regret for one minute my decision to go to Sheffield for a hybrid mini maze. I didn’t realise how well I’ve been since I had it done, until I wasn’t.

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas ❤️

[Kevinder23]

Thankyou for posting we need to know the good and the bad, but i am so glad your feeling better. Long may it continue xxxHappy christmas and health and happiness in the new year xxxx

[wilsond]

Thank you 4 chickens. Sorry to hear you have had a few blips but glad things are settling down. I expect it's like a regular ablation ,with possible reactions soon after?Sounds as though they are all.on the ball for your care.

Have a lovely Christmas and best wishes for 2024. Xx

[Hidden]

Sorry to hear about the blip but great to hear that everyone responded so quickly to get you back on track. Have a great Christmas but try not overdo things, if you know what I mean 😉

[Rainfern]

Hi 4chickens, what a roller coaster! I’m glad you got all the care you needed and that your heart is back in NSR. Take good care now over Christmas and give yourself time to settle back into wellness! 🎄

[BobD Volunteer]

Glad things are on the up but please don't be so cavalier with your health and do look after yourself. Any infection can exacerbate our problems.

[MummyLuv]

infections are the pits esp something significant like pneumonia. Pleased you are through that and now in NSR. 😍

[Jalia]

How very disappointing, to say the least. I hope you will take things easy now. You must look after yourself more , especially after the pneumonia.

It looks like you've had good support anyhow.

Wishing you a happy peaceful Christmas and sending all good wishes for 2024!

J x

[4chickens in reply to Jalia]

To be honest I was really upset initially, but after discovering that it’s a common thing in icu and critical care, even with folks who have no history of AF, I’m feeling very positive now. I have never self converted in 10 years before. I’m going to suggest to the GP/ cardio that we have an action plan that is implemented if I contract a serious infections in future. Also I’m only 7 months out from my procedure.

I’ve started taking vit D and magnesium taurate to see if this helps.

I might be being naive but my belief is that this was a blip and I hopefully am well rid of Af and Afl for the foreseeable future.

Have a fabulous Christmas, I’m off to collect the goose.

[Peony4575 in reply to 4chickens]

Have a wonderful Christmas yourself. I really admire your positivity and stoicism . I wish Santa would bring me more of the same !

[GrannyE in reply to 4chickens]

I think That if you take Vit D you might need Vit K. Also I understand you should take Vit D with something fat as it is fat soluble. Happy Christmas

[Jasper18]

Hi, so glad you had a positive outcome in the end (and just in time for Xmas!). I just wondered if you might have the link for the article on RVR and AF in critical care?

[4chickens in reply to Jasper18]

here you go courtesy of mummyluv

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....

[Jasper18 in reply to 4chickens]

Many thanks!

[Threecats]

I’m sorry to hear of what’s been happening to you 4chickens. I’m glad you’re back on track now, anyway and received excellent support, too, by the sound of it. I hope you enjoy an uneventful Christmas and peaceful New Year and manage to avoid any further bugs!

[Auriculaire]

So glad you are over your blip . I am recovering from very bad cold and cough from hell ( tested negative for covid). In the cold phase I had very high temperatures and went into afib 3 times in four days with the last episode lasting 22 hours . This has never happened to me before - I always self convert in 8-12 hours . I am sure it was the infection. Also I tried to do things - not much but I should have just stayed in bed !

[4chickens in reply to Auriculaire]

It does seem to be quite common, glad you’re on the mend now.

[Gumbie_Cat]

Sorry to hear you’ve been poorly, but it’s great that you’re back in rhythm! Long may it last.