I had an episode at 4 AM this morning, the first since March of 2021. I thought the prior episodes were after-effects of having Covid. Fortunately, I still had some flecainide that my cardiologist had given me for an intervention, but that I had never used. The episode ended about 5:30 but left me feeling drained & shaky. I’m reassured to know that this is common and not cause for alarm, but I will make an appointment with the doc to get checked out.
BTW, my late mother had AF but I don’t know how frequently or for how long. I’m wondering if this will become more frequent as I continue to age. I’m also concerned because my husband passed away 8 months ago and I live alone out in the East Texas woods and don’t really have anyone I can call for help except EMS, which takes a while to get here. It makes me question whether I can safely continue to live here.
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chickenrunfarm
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Sorry I tried to reply earlier but got half way through my reply and it disappeared.
AF is a progressive condition so episodes will get longer and more frequent over the years. However, you are doing really well with a one and a half hour episode in 3 years. So no need to worry about progression yet I would think - though you never know. How this condition progresses is a very individual thing which is not helped by being over weight - and not getting exercise - the usual things the medical profession is always telling us about. Do you know what triggered this episode - had you had a big meal late at night - drunk a lot of caffeinated drinks or alcohol - nice if you can pin it down to a trigger if you have one so that you ca avoid it but lots of people don't.
I would talk this over with your specialist electrophysiologist (EP) who you should go and see now that you have had another episode. There are other treatments as well as the "pill in the pocket" medication you already have which can be used as time goes on and your AF progresses if indeed it does, and also treatments and procedures that may help.
I don't think it's quite time to put the Realtors signs up just yet or even whether you need to at all so long as you look after yourself and you continue to see your EP.
Thanks for your reply… regarding triggers, I had not eaten a big meal or had any alcohol or caffeine. I am not overweight (5’ 2”, 115 lbs) and my BP is under control. However, I fell asleep on the couch last night, waking up at almost 3. I went to bed and was in and out of sleep, worrying about problems I’m currently dealing with. I noticed after turning over in bed that my heart was beating erratically. I tried relaxing and deep breathing but it didn’t help. I finally got up and took the flecainide, whether that’s what stopped it, I don’t know. I’m feeling pretty beat up today.
Also, something else that may play into this is the fact that I took rabies shots earlier this month after getting up close and personal with a raccoon that was breaking into my chicken coop. I also had a colonoscopy during that time, which is also hard on the body. Maybe it was just too much.
Yes, that wouldn’t help but most likely is the worry - stress is one of the main triggers of AF. It raises your blood pressure and also sends adrenalin to your heart. That is why doctors like to prescribe beta blockers because they reduce both effects. I wouldn’t think about moving because of the dangerousness of AF but if you begin to have frequent debilitating episodes or are suffering from ongoing anxiety then maybe it will be time to think about it. Greetings to the hookooks 🐓
Worry and anxiety doesn't help always best to try and stay as calm as possible and remember that worrying doesn't help anything but we all have those early morning times when we just can't get back to sleep and turn things over in our heads. The rabies shot you had might also have something to do with this too and funnily enough a few months ago I had a colonoscopy which made me quite ill afterwards - so ill that the consultant was worried I had had a stroke as had to come off my anticoagulants for a couple of days before the colonoscopy. Which is another thing to ask you are you on anticoagulants for the stroke risk from AF. People with AF are 4 times more likely to have a stroke so depending on the Chadvasc score should be anticoagulated. The consultant gave me a full head MRI Scan and found no traces of a stroke but the combination of the pain killers given and the colonoscopy definitely made me feel very poorly indeed.
AF is a progressive condition so episodes usually get longer and closer together over time but how quickly that progression is is individual. You need to talk this over with your specialist Electrophysiologist (EP) as there are always different treatments to try, various different medications as well as Cardioversion and ablation etc. as your condition progresses. An episode lasting an hour and a half after 3 years is pretty good going. The thing to do when you have an episode is to keep calm and use breathing to calm yourself down as well as taking the pill in pocket medication which you have.
If I was you I would have a plan for the next 5 years, which will probably include an early visit to a trusted cardiologist and to discuss inter alia daily Flecainide at the right dose level, 200mgs would be a medium dose.
As already mentioned above, if susceptible to AF stress triggers must be reduced, particularly if you are the wrong side of 70 as I have found I worry about things more. Keep in mind changes can be positive!!
everyone is different my first episode was 31 years ago Them one on average every 5 years until 2022. Three since then and 3 cardioversions but know on wood all good ATM. IMM 66 now and can say the on all occasions they resulted from too much wine/food/coffee followed by exercise or excursion. And in 2022 kicked off a few days after my Covid booster whilst I was exercising
I try and exercise every day drink decaf coffee zero beer and only sip a little wine. Lifestyle changes make a difference including not sleeping on left side and elevated head of bed too keep pressure away from heart
Mine is becoming much more frequent, and with even more frequent runs of ectopic beats. What heart rate does yours cause? Mine used to be up to 180bpm but now seems to be always slower at 85-140bpm or so.
Well you made it so your head is in the intelligence box.
Do you have a dog?
Can you have an alarm?
8 months without hubby amd you feel OK out there you have done well..
Sometimes we need to be thoughtful about situations. It is good to get things into prospective after differing occasions.
But I was quite upset when after a stroke in 2019 suggested that I move closer to my children or live with them etc. Um, no. I have my JAZ a mini schnauzer who is great company. She has watched me fall a couple of times. I'm sure she would bark until someone came to help.
And I was diagnosed with AF rapid and persistent. 4 days in diagnosed with thyroid cancer. All that behind me I got a St Johns Alarm. Never used it. I ring and have a chat. They will come out and check me over.
Although a small village folks live around me.
Yes, sometimes we need to change our plans to be kind to ourselves.
Do take care. What about fires? I was so sad to hear that JASPER town is o fire. So sad amazing place. At the top of the Rockies.
Welcome to the Forum, I am sure all the members here will welcome you and offer you great advice and support based upon their own experiences. Our Patient Services Team are also available if you would like any information. Have you visited the AF Association US website? heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...
You may find it helpful to visit the resources tab and view some of the informative videos available too? If you would like to contact our Patient Services Team direct please contact: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...
Sorry to hear this has reared its ugly head again. When you have a long period free from AF it seems to hit harder and brings back the dreaded anxiety that goes with it. You are still in the early stages of grief and you probably already know how this upsets the metabolism and how debilitating grief is. That, together with the rabies shot and colonoscopy is a good recipe for AF. Get a check up and put your mind at rest. I think, going by my own experience, it is too early to make any major decisions regarding your life until the dust has settled and you are able to think more clearly. Sending you love and prayers.
you still are independent and it is a short episode of Afib. Please see with your ep. There is no need to sell your house. Life style changes are critical when we have afib.
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glad to be home!
Advice about AF needed!!
How did you find this Forum?
New to this! 
Advice for a relatively new Afibber 
