Coughing and AFib

[hartbeast]

I've been down for several days with what seems to be the flu (4 days of negative covid testing) and one of the most persistent symptoms has been a bad cough. I went into AFib a couple of days ago but blamed it on the fever. However, no fever today, but just went into AFib again. Anyone else have this experience? Considering going to Urgent Care to make sure it isn't becoming pneumonia, though I've had both flu and pneumonia jabs this fall.

Background: afib diagnosed after a stroke in 2018 (a bit barn door and horse situation there) and a cryo-ablation in 2018. a couple of years of break through episodes and then began talking flecainide. three blissful years of no episodes and now it seems to be starting up again with one each in September and November and then 3 episodes in the past 2 weeks.

Meeting next month with my EP regarding a possible pulse field ablation later this year.

[CDreamer]

Chest infection is often, nearly always a trigger for AF for me - I never have a fever.

The last 2 weeks I have been struggling with worst chest infection ever, just finished set of antibiotics prescribed by paramedic at our surgery but still going, pretty sure it is pneumonia - which I seem to be somewhat prone to these days.

There are a lot of infections doing the rounds at the moment. The worst symptom is coughing spasms which go on and on and are completely exhausting. Odd thing is - no AF 🤷

[hartbeast in reply to CDreamer]

Oh dear, I hope your recent round of antibiotics kills the little baddies off! Thanks for sharing your experience.

[BobD Volunteer]

Sadly that cough is widespead at present I'm now on day 23 and know people who have had it since Christmas. My son's nurse partner calls it the 100 day cough. Non productive after the first week or so it really is PIA. Any infection or inflamation can bring on AF but please don't take flu remedies as most have pro-arrhythmic things in them . Yes I tested negative for Covid and have had all flu and C19 vaccines.

[hartbeast in reply to BobD]

Thanks for your response, BobD. I’m sorry to hear about your ongoing cough! I’ve been so lucky the past few years, not having had so much as a sniffle. All the while, I knew that if I got sick with anything, my only weapon would be acetaminophen/paracetemol, so I was determined not to get anything at all! I guess if AFib teaches us anything, it’s to learn to tough out the uncomfortable patches.

[CDreamer in reply to BobD]

Bob - you do know that the 100 day cough is another name for Whooping Cough - caused by bacteria called pertussis? Only way of knowing for sure is a swab but likelihood of getting that these days is unlikely. It’s very contagious for 2-3 weeks and as we are probably all aware quite dangerous for infants. It’s important to not mix socially for the first 2-3 weeks.

My cough is productive, very, and the antibiotics help a little but also got earache but had no fever.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to CDreamer]

These young nurses eh! I know at least five people locally with it and three in other parts of the country . First bug I've had since Jan 2020.

[hartbeast in reply to BobD]

Yes, one got used to never catching a bug!

[Auriculaire in reply to BobD]

We had it before Christmas. First bug I had had since March 2016! I had nearly forgotten how horrible a bad cough can be. The fever put me into afib 3 times in 4 days with the final episode lasting 22hrs - a first for me. Luckily it was done and dusted in 15 days. I increased my NAC intake to 1200 mg a day to help get the gunk up. My daughter in Worcester had it for going on two months and had to have antibiotics.

[Cookie24 in reply to Auriculaire]

What is NAC?

[Auriculaire in reply to Cookie24]

N acetyl cysteine. It is a supplement that is very good for lung health as it fluidifies mucous and it also supports the immune system as it is a precursor to glutathion. However it does have some "blood thinning " properties so those on anticoags might hesitate to take it. I don't -I have been taking it for years and I regard it as one of the most important supplements I take. You can Google it if you want more info.

[Cookie24 in reply to Auriculaire]

Do you take an anticoagulant?

[Auriculaire in reply to Cookie24]

Yes - Apixaban.

[DevonHubby1 in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob, yes the cough has been doing the rounds in Barnstaple. Wife and I had it over Christmas, and wife has only just stopped coughing. As she's in persistent AF the cough is not a trigger.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to DevonHubby1]

Make that seven then! No idea where I got it from unless it was Smeatharpe when we were testing the rally car on 20th Jan as I never go anywhere apart from PROBUS and the timing doesn't fit that.

[Nannysue1 in reply to BobD]

I also have this cough. Had it November and December and 3 lots of antibiotics which didnt help. Chest xray was clear. Had a few weeks clear of cough and then a couple of my grandkids had sont and cough and bingo, I got it back again. I've had it 3 weeks now. Cough I think is mainly because of nasal drip ( sorry for the detail). I had a spiritology test yesterday and even with this, technician said lung function was above normal, so no idea what's going on.

I'm booked for a chest CT scan in a week ( hoping they dont find anything grim) but I think that my lungs havent fully recovered from the bout of flu/ pneumonia that hospitalised me last year for a week.

Like you I've had flu/pneumonia/ covid vaccines. Will be glad when the cough and muck do one.

[secondtry]

As well as medications, I would double down on eating seriously well, fasting 5pm-7am, taking Vit D and using a good nasal and throat spray. Also daily brisk walks.

[hartbeast]

Excellent advice, secondtry, most of which I already follow. I’ve been thinking I would try shifting my eating times earlier, as you suggest (I currently fast 8pm to noon, and can see how much better it would be to stop at 5).

[babs1234]

I had exactly the same. Bad cough, chest infection, antibiotics and my AF was all over the place. Seems to be settling down now

[hartbeast in reply to babs1234]

Glad yours is settling down a bit, babs.

[Beta44]

I have had a similar infection. The cough is just beginning to fade after just over a month. As nearly all cough medicines are not compatible with PAF I use co-codamol at bedtime which helps suppress the cough and helps with sleep without any AF issues.

Peter

[hartbeast in reply to Beta44]

thanks for the suggestion, Beta - if this continues I will ring my doc to try to get acetaminophen/codeine.

[Vonnegut]

Why not get back on the Flecainide? It works for me and seemed to do for you too.

[hartbeast in reply to Vonnegut]

I am still on 200mg of Flecainide per day, it just doesn’t seem to be holding the beast at bay anymore. alas.

[Vonnegut in reply to hartbeast]

So sorry! What rotten luck! At least I’ve never had an ablation - after hearing what an invasive op it is and how often it was not successful (and at 80 now) I’m fortunate to have found the flec works for me though I think it does add to my fatigue (a less common side effect!)

[Tapanac]

I had covid a few weeks ago and because of that snd the constant coughing my afib/tachycardia raised its ugly head and seemed to be fighting with my pacemaker. Thankfully because of the PM it passed with just intermittent attacks

All the best

[hartbeast in reply to Tapanac]

Hope you’re continuing to feel better, Tapanac

[Tapanac in reply to hartbeast]

Thank you. Since the pacemaker I presume the afib/tachy still there, but I don’t notice it any more

Hope you feel better soon

Pat x

[Morges]

Can I please flag up a point about pneumonia. My husband had, 10 weeks before Xmas, a persistent cough with fever and total lethargy. He was treated with increasing doses of anti biotics by the para medic at the GP surgery. Eventually got to hospital as urgent and the consultant diagnosed Organising Pneumonia which is treated with steroids as it does not respond to A/B's . Fortunately he is slowly recovering but he felt so ill he made his final arrangements just in case. I had never heard of organising pneumonia and none of my friends have either. Not to be ignored as covid or flu tho.

One good thing came out of it - I now have a 'manual' for the house (it's complicated as we have a new heating system - bit nerdy for me) and instructions about financial things and the passwords needed to get into the accounts - I have nothing to do with that side of things - (like he has nothing to do with housework or kitchen) it works for us! It's planning for the what if - something we have said we must do for ages.