A return of the dreaded mongrel ........ - Atrial Fibrillati...

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A return of the dreaded mongrel .......... ?????

BenHall1 profile image
BenHall1
β€’46 Replies

'mornin' guys and gals ................... well it's almost 02.00 am for the second day in a row ..... funny feelings in the chest ............. my squadron of pet butterflies has returned - fluttering around in combat....... just like the olden days of mid 2010.

Missed you ................ NOT !

Just woke up from a great sleep, weird feelings in the chest ( centre left, spot on target ) - BP monitor giving ( for me at least ) v high readings (166/85) and an icon of a quivering heart ... not good. HR pretty spot on, maybe up a tad but at 75 bpm pretty good for me. Bit of funny feeling in head. Yesterdays readings at the same time of day were 162/87 with HR 71 with same quivering heart.

Last nights meal was roast chook, veggies, gravy, roast spuds digested at around 19.05hrs

Maybe now time to contact GP, 😱😱. Kardia looks good. Can a Kardia reading ( the zig zag line ) look good, HR look good while a BP monitor reading looks ........ crap ... well, very high. A good, regular BP for me would be 132/74.

Just thinkin' though ...... last Wednesday I had a steroid injection into left shoulder to deal with pain 20mg Kenalog ............ do we have a resident AF'er with Pharmacy skills who can comment on this drug please ? Or someone similar 😷😷

May the force be with you ....

John

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BenHall1
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Jalia profile image
Jalia

Sorry to hear all this John. Hope something gets sorted today, one way or another. Definitely contact your GP.

I'm up early today as off to Brighton for ablation no 5.......last chance saloon !

Best wishes

J

BenHall1 profile image
BenHall1β€’ in reply toJalia

Hi Jalia,

Many thanks and all good wishes to you for your adventure in Brighton !! Gosh, you know how to live don't you πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚.... fingers crossed for you. Let us know how you get on please. How many years have your ablations been spread over ?

John

Jalia profile image
Jaliaβ€’ in reply toBenHall1

Thanks John. First ablation 2009 , then 2011, 2013, 2021 but plenty going on in between. I've had the same EP all the time.

Jackiesmith7777 profile image
Jackiesmith7777β€’ in reply toJalia

Wow five . Are you on persistent AF?

Jalia profile image
Jaliaβ€’ in reply toJackiesmith7777

Hi Jackie

Persistent AF seems to have different definitions these days. Mine is often described as persistent. I'm not in AF all the time. When I do have an episode I rarely convert back to sinus rhythm without electrical cardioversion.

Recently I've tried to sit it out at home for up to a week which has proved to be not such a good idea as I began to show symptoms of heart failure. Hence the last attempt at ablating ( arranged 2+ weeks after EP consultation).......except it was cancelled at the last moment as you can see on my other post ! πŸ€” Awaiting new date.

Rainfern profile image
Rainfernβ€’ in reply toJalia

Good luck Jalia! All fingers crossed for you πŸ€ and a speedy and successful recovery for you

Jalia profile image
Jaliaβ€’ in reply toRainfern

Thank you Rainfern. Starting to feel a bit nervous.....

CDreamer profile image
CDreamerβ€’ in reply toJalia

Wishing you all the best and very interested to hear about Brighton experience. Do hope it works for you. I have several neighbours who have had excellent experiences there in the newly opened unit.

Jalia profile image
Jaliaβ€’ in reply toCDreamer

Thanks CD. I'll keep you informed. I was very impressed when I had my last ablation there in 2021. ( This one will be endo- epicardial)

baba profile image
babaβ€’ in reply toJalia

Good Luck Jalia.

Desanthony profile image
Desanthonyβ€’ in reply toJalia

All the best.

Auriculaire profile image
Auriculaireβ€’ in reply toJalia

Hope all goes well.

Rainfern profile image
Rainfern

Sorry to hear you’re back in AF. Not heard of steroid injections as a trigger, but am awaiting second shingles jab and I’m far more wary of jabs generally these days.

Have to say your description of AF is very good and accurate! - sorry you had to go there to find the words! Hope you soon find the best way forward for you and your heart and get that mongrel back in order.

Contact1 profile image
Contact1β€’ in reply toRainfern

I thought the description was brilliant as I never know how to describe mine. πŸ™‚

DrBook profile image
DrBook

Hi, John. For whatever it's worth, my research shows that Kenalog can increase blood pressure and cause a loss of potassium. With that being said, whether or not that can happen with just one injection I don't know hence my "for whatever it's worth" caveat. All the best for getting this behind you sooner rather than later.

Brian

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

Sorry to hear that John, deep, slow, long breaths and lose the anxiety.

Was this for the shoulder that was damaged by the vaccine shot?

Raising both BP and blood sugars is a known reaction to some. Did the GP give you any information? Best talk to them about this although it will be a temporary reaction I suspect.

If any of the active ingredient got into your blood stream, always possible with injections, then any corticosteroid might induce arrhythmias. I need to take steroid sparing meds because of arrhythmias but they would have been oral so very different reaction.

BenHall1 profile image
BenHall1β€’ in reply toCDreamer

Hi CD,

No this was the opposite shoulder.

The biggest problem I have is to even get an appointment with my GP for even a phone consultation ... much less a face to face !

My GP is as much use as a chocolate fireguard and it is approaching the point where I shall report, not just the GP, but the Surgery which is a registered company which will then involve HMRC.

Winner takes all !

John

Mrsvemb profile image
Mrsvemb

Sorry to hear this John. It was suggested that I have a steroid injection for arthritis in the facet joint (lower back).

I contacted my cardiologist for his opinion. He said that it may well put me in AF, but he couldn’t say if it did for how long. He said if I wanted to go ahead, I should increase my Nebivolol.

My decision was not to have then injection. For me, the constant back pain is better than AF.

So I guess there is a risk that the injection will have caused AF. Hope it settles very soon.

Val

Buzby62 profile image
Buzby62

Hi John, does the Kardia report AF or sinus?

If in AF I’ve read most BP machines are not accurate and BP should be taken manually.

Hope you settle soon

BenHall1 profile image
BenHall1β€’ in reply toBuzby62

Hi Buzby62,

Kardia shows NSR.

My BP monitor is approved by NICE for BP readings and also doing so whilst in AF, so it detects this too.

John

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

what can I say John? Hang in there.

BenHall1 profile image
BenHall1β€’ in reply toBobD

Thanks Bob .......... gee I tell ya, this is taking me back to Jan 2010 ..... like someone has lined up a parade of mules all kicking me at the same time .... got message thro to surgery so just have to wait. Still it is INR day today .... lub jub at 2.4 ! At least something is working !πŸ˜‡

Ducky2003 profile image
Ducky2003

After 2 blissful AF free years, mine returned 10 days ago, with a vengeance. DCCV booked for Thursday so, hopefully, that'll get me back in nsr.I'd forgotten how debilitating it is and must be worse for you after 14.

Get in touch with your EP to get in nipped in the bud.

You have my sincere sympathies.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

Deep breathing in through the nose with an exaggerated really fast out breath through the mouth takes my BP down instantly. See if that works for you. I think sometimes when asleep we do very shallow breathing and that takes BP high and can scare people first thing in the morning.

It could be the result of your steroid injection. All your GP will do is put you on pills for high blood pressure, do you want that? I would wait and see if it passes, but you must do what you think is best.

Jean

MWIC profile image
MWICβ€’ in reply tojeanjeannie50

Would love to understand how and why this works but you’re absolutely right it works for me as well Jean and the fast outward breath definitely a factor - one of the top tips I grabbed from you some time ago πŸ‘

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman

It will be the steroid, I bet. This drug works by altering the inflammatory response of the body and suppresses the natural production of similar hormones from the kidneys and elsewhere. It takes a while for these to stabilise, hence - I strongly suspect - your AF.

Steve

BenHall1 profile image
BenHall1β€’ in reply toPpiman

Thank you Steve .... that makes sense to me and certainly accounts for the time lapse from date of shoulder injection to my first 'hit', yesterday morning early hours.πŸ‘

Finvola profile image
Finvola

Sorry to read this, John. My husband gets steroid injections into his knees and has palpitations for about 24 hours after each one.

BenHall1 profile image
BenHall1β€’ in reply toFinvola

Thank you Finvola,

When my right knee (pre knee replcement surgery) played up I think I had those injections too. What you said about your husband wouldn't have surprised me ... this mugging I've had has truly floored me ... a) I truly felt it, woke me up on both days and b) now some 11 hours after the event I have such brain fog you wouldn't believe and feel as if I've just crawled out of a train wreck. 😱😱

opal11uk profile image
opal11uk

Any drugs/injections etc., I look up on their interactions with other drugs and their contraindications too, that way I know what I am taking and what to expect, and/or ask a Pharmacist as they have the knowledge. I am lucky, my grandson is a consultant bio medical Scientist and makes drugs so he can advise me too.

Philc123 profile image
Philc123

hi mate

I had the same injection a couple of weeks ago and was told it could raise my bp a bit

Cheers Phil

Singwell profile image
Singwell

Know you've reported further Ben but steroids - yes - I think gave me my first event... I had quinsey would you believe- they could aspirate the swelling at my local A and E so gave me a hefty dose of steroid injection. Next morning I was shaking and sweating and couldn't stand up to get out of bed. Heart banging like crazy. Intermittent heart palps all that year - the rest is history.

Hopefully yours will die down. Odd that Kardiamobile is showing normal but you're getting these symptoms.

fairgo45 profile image
fairgo45

Hi JohnYou describe afib like I do a lot of butterflies going crazy in my chest.

Like you AF returned after ablation times 3 it was so disappointing I wanted a 4th one but cardiologist said no.

I just wanted to add that I've had steroid injections twice for shoulder injuries and no problems either time.

When afib returns we look for the culprit but I think it just comes back for no reason I'm permanent now and just try to ignore it.

I

Lizziedoodle89 profile image
Lizziedoodle89

Hi I'm.no expert but I'd guess the steroid injection is to blame but get it checked out,good luck 🀞

Tapanac profile image
Tapanac

sorry to hear about your latest attack. Have you looked on Google to see about that steroid injection? Try to get an apt with your GP or EP

Hope you feel better soon

BenHall1 profile image
BenHall1β€’ in reply toTapanac

Thank you Tapanac. Yes I have Googled the injection - a pretty broad brush approach but does slot in with many comments many have made on here. That's comforting. 3rd day now and am starting to feel - vaguely - normal. Long way to go.

Tapanac profile image
Tapanacβ€’ in reply toBenHall1

Hope you feel 100% soon

DrBook profile image
DrBookβ€’ in reply toBenHall1

Hope you're continuing to feel better, John.

BenHall1 profile image
BenHall1β€’ in reply toDrBook

Yes Dr.Book, progress continues and am feeling more my old self now .. thank goodness. Thank you for your enquiry.

I have decided to throw money at the problem and am seeing a Cardiac Consultant next Tuesday. He lists among many specialties the Heart - food - gut relationship. This has always been an issue for me, right back to the beginning of my AF journey in early 2010.

I have to say, as my wife reminded me ........ I last saw a Cardiac Consultant in Jan 2010 ........... I've been on drugs ever since which was my choice ... but there has been no review of meds at Consultant level ever ! ever! I would still prefer to stay on meds, but perhaps more modern ones. That said I refuse to come off Warfarin ( did it recently and it was not a good experience - moving from Warfarin to NOAC's ). So I returned to Warfarin.

Watch this space πŸ˜€πŸ˜€

John

DrBook profile image
DrBookβ€’ in reply toBenHall1

Hello, John. I'm delighted you're feeling better and I'm sure your decision to see a Cardiac Consultant will be well worth the investment. And how wonderful that you were able to secure an appointment so quickly!

If memory serves me correctly I recall your unfortunate experience moving from Warfarin to NOACs. Why fix something if it's not broken, right?!

Wishing you all the best next Tuesday and looking forward to your update.

Brian

BenHall1 profile image
BenHall1β€’ in reply toDrBook

Hi Brian,

Yes, I was well chuffed at the speed of the appointment, I think it was a cancellation. I spent some time trawling online looking for a Cardiac person who listed his specialities BUT also specifically listed Atrial Fibrillation. All others didn't ! Maybe I have fallen for a marketing ploy of course.

The guy I chose down here in Cornwall is a private consultant, a South African who started his career at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town.

Yes, you remember well - I was switched from Warfarin to Edoxaban because my GP was trying me out with different pain killers at the time and she claimed , these pain killers and Edoxaban were an appropriate mix. In reality both these new painkillers produced ghastly side effects ( diahorrea ) and so I ditched them. Sent her an email telling her what I'd done and why ( no good asking for an appointment - doesn't happen ! ). The Edoxaban on its own gave me horrible, vile, nightmares, waking me up in the small hours. Damn disaster.

I then switched myself back to Warfarin and told my surgery pharmacist after I'd done it. Now my GP has finally agreed to sign off on repeat prescriptions and INR test strips. Job done - sorted and am feeling great again now I'm back with my good buddy Mr. Warfarin.

Yes, Brian an update will follow after I've seen this guy.

John

OzJames profile image
OzJames

sorry to hear mate, I had steroid cream on my neck for 2 weeks for a bad rash and cardiologist thought it was a possibility after I went in with AF

Blearyeyed profile image
Blearyeyed

Any type of steroid treatment has always been a trigger for me for both my Tachycardia syndrome and aFib.For about two weeks to a month after steroid medication I have always suffered flares , and what may be of interest to you with your symptoms, it's the only time I've ever suffered from high blood pressure ( at worst 148/98) as I am normally hypotensive ( Average 108/ 58).

The quivering heart , chest tightness , fatigue, overheating , palpitations, dizziness, worse insomnia , aching joints , flushing all caused by steroids for me , even when I had a course of steroids eye drops!

Good News, is once the steroids were out of my system for a few weeks my general symptoms , heart rate and blood pressure went back to My Normal.

Steroid therapy may have actually been my first trigger for intermittent aFib, now I have PAF I request anything but steroids for symptom relief.

Steroids commonly cause many side effects , particularly changes in cardiac output and blood pressure because of their effect on adrenal and autonomic function even the steroid is injected into a specific site , as the body still needs to process the steroids.

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49

Hi

I refused a steroid injection as it was a no no.

Was it because of thyroxine or because of heart, sorry I can't remember.

I've never agreed the job steriod injection do, painfree I guest but it stays in your body for life and messes with the muscles it is put in.

Plus if you can patiently wait for your operation, your pain subsides or a manipulation assists.

Tears don't mend themselves await your operation.

Had my right shoulder done 30 Oct 2023. 3 things done through 2 small holes - no bruising. My Orthopaedic burred the growing down by 1", reconstructed rotor cuff full tear and small tears of the cuff and reattached another muscle with 2 anchors.

cheri JOY

Its difficult for pain as ifoprofen 100mg was my go to for prevention or remedy for pain.

Snowgirl65 profile image
Snowgirl65

All I can say is, I Feel Your Pain. A couple years ago after a steroid injection (don't recall the type) for allergies, I suffered the same a-fib event. Best to contact your GP or EP and sort this out.

kkatz profile image
kkatz

Are you sure it is AF? I am having similar feelings but no definite afib notice on eBay which is alternative kardia,my Fibricheck or Fitbit.Arythmias , irregularities but not afib.

Arrhythmia Nurses say ectopics.

But feels like afib.

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