Any ideas

[Nerja2012]

PAF for 9 years , on average 2 episodes a year.I've started to experience weird episodes that wake me up, it's all new to me so anyone that has experienced the same symptoms would be a great help.

I am woken up with a feeling of being really dizzy, my heart beating really fast but not AF, I sit up and do slow breathing until it passes then go back to sleep, it's very scary, as I'm experiencing a lot of anxiety at the moment it could be that, also was rushed into hospital a month ago with a Strep infection caused by contaminated bottled water in Spain. I know you carnt give medical advice but just to hear from someone that has experienced this would be a great comfort.

Many Thanks

Moreen .

[Desanthony]

It's time to go back to your specialist maybe and get checked out again. Anxiety is the enemy of all of us with AF and doing the calming breathing usually helps - as you have found. This also could have something to do with your recent infection but if I were you I would go and see my specialist and get this checked out. Hopefully it's nothing serious.

All the best.

[Nerja2012 in reply to Desanthony]

Thanks for that Desanthony, it's getting in touch with my GP that puts me off but I know I should.

[Desanthony in reply to Nerja2012]

Well it's probably not an emergency though maybe better if you tell the receptionist that you are very worried might get you a quicker appointment. If you have access to cardio nurses at your hospital it might be a good idea to get in touch with them too - sometimes a quicker way through.

[Nerja2012 in reply to Desanthony]

Desanthony. I managed to get through to Docs and actually have an appointment at 4.30 today so no complaints there. Moreen

[Desanthony in reply to Nerja2012]

Brilliant! See sometimes it's that easy - other times well ... ... ...

Hope the Doc can put your mind at rest. Let us know how you get on.

Hope you can then settle down and enjoy the weekend.

[Nerja2012 in reply to Desanthony]

DesanthonyVisit to Doc was not what I expected at all, I have Nocturnal Vertigo caused by an inner ear problem.

The dizziness when asleep wakes you up suddenly like a shock hence the fast heart rate, because you sit up quick the dizziness gets even worse.

I had a mastoid operation years ago which could be the cause of it.

Good to know my heart isn't the problem .

Looks like ENT appointment now.

Have a Good weekend and thanks.

[Desanthony in reply to Nerja2012]

Well you now know what you are dealing with. Hope you don't wait too long for your ENT appointment. We did have a good weekend - it has been dry and sunny for ages hence why I didn't reply earlier as we have been working in the garden.

Take care and all the best to you.

[TracyAdmin Partner]

Good Morning

Thank you for your post on the Atrial Fibrillation Support Forum, there are four types of AF, having had PAF for approx 9 years, you may find that this can develop into the next stage of AF (please refer to page 6 of 'Atrial fibrillation (AF) patient information' booklet: api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

If you are experiencing new or more prolonged symptoms, please contact your doctor for advice. In the meantime, please keep a 'diary of events' to indicate the changes that have taken place as this may also lead to a possible trigger.

If you have any questions or would like any support\information from our Patient Services Team, please contact us: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

Kind regards

TracyAdmin

[Nerja2012 in reply to TracyAdmin]

Thank you for that Tracy, I will gave a look .

[secondtry]

I have found anxiety/stress can exacerbate AF/other irregularities.

Take long term steps now to reduce the stress. I have found Ancient Minerals Magnesium with Melatonin works well before bed. Best to get specialist advice soonest so make a private appointment with a trusted cardiologist - also this in itself should reduce stress levels.

Best wishes.

[Nerja2012 in reply to secondtry]

Thank you for that Secondery , all good advice. Turns out it's not heart related at all. I have Nocturnal Vertigo, the dizziness wakes you up and the heart races because of the shock. Moreen

[Ppiman]

This sounds like another arrhythmia like the AF which I do get but I am not woken with it. What has your GP said about this, Maureen? If you haven't asked, you really should do so.

There is an ECG device that can be bought from the internet and which can be worn overnight. It's made by a Chinese company called Wellue. It's not too expensive and likely quicker than waiting for an NHS Holter monitor, which does the same (and which would be better, of course). You could then show the results to your GP.

Also, someone this week pointed out there is another private company advertising on the internet who will do this and include a professional diagnosis in the price for £265. Search for Vista Health who are in Nottingham, UK.

Steve

[Nerja2012 in reply to Ppiman]

Ppiman. Doc said its not heart related at all but Nocturnal Vertigo, extreme dizziness wakes you up, hence the fast heart rate, its very frightening and hopefully it will settle, thanks for your advice though . Moreen

[Ppiman in reply to Nerja2012]

Well - there's a thing. How frightening. But nightmares can also do this, I gather.

Steve

[Snowgirl65]

Have you been checked for sleep apnea? It's a common trigger for night a-fib.

[Nerja2012 in reply to Snowgirl65]

I Haven't Snowgirl, my husband has it though .

[SnowQueenOne]

Hi Nerja2012

When you said "woke up feeling dizzy", that struck a chord with me. Just over a month ago I had exactly the same. Felt completely exhausted, headache, dizzy, couldn't function. Was like that most of the day. A few days later pottering around the house and "bang", HR rocketed, don't know what to as watch was on charge. Felt lightheaded, dizzy and started to keel over. Fortunately was by the settee and dropped onto it. I was like that for a good 2-3 minutes then HR slowly went back to normal. Had an ablation in May 2022 so unsure what's going on but currently wearing a 14 day ECG monitor and had echocardiagram last week. As others have said, look to go back to your GP / cardiologist if you can to get checked out.

[Nerja2012]

Snow Queen. I was woken because of the dizziness, turning over whilst asleep caused vertigo. Doc said it was my body's response that started the fast heart rate, lasted a while but stopped when I sat up. Its a very scary thing. They don't think it's heart related. Waiting for a half test to check my balance. I've had an operation in the past for a Mastoid and it's that ear that's affected, I hope you get something sorted with your heart monitor, Good luck with all . Moreen