lunch time afib

[Peacockmumma]

so..I was getting quite cocky thinking started taking bP meds beginning of the year and they had significantly reduced my afib episodes and they had until recently ..

I have had 3 episodes over 3 days after lunch around 1.30pm.

2 lunches were the same..not at all heavy..all my meals are light .

first one I let it do its thing..took 10 hrs to revert ….2nd time I let it run and took an electrolyte tablet and think I took my flecainide early..eventually stopped after about 9 hrs

So yesterday .a different lunch …I know the HR Increases when eating so I took it slow and all seemed well and boom..off it went again..this time I took my flecanide much quicker and It stopped after 4 hrs.

I know hydration is key.. can’t say I am dehydrated…but who knows. If we go by wee colour then probably am a bit. Catch 22 if I drink a lot of water then I’m up twice a night on a normal day having a wee.

I’m lucky that my episodes don’t cause me any problems…yes I do have to wee often ...i try and carry on and ignore it..hard I know..but I don’t feel ill. These episodes only peaked at 111 which I know is hardly mind blowing and hovered in the late 70s ..I am normally early 60s. But you know when it’s doing it’s thing.

I ate an even smaller evening meal last night..all was well thank goodness.

Any suggestions. today I may have a liquid lunch..and I don’t mean alcohol lol

[Buzby62]

Triggers or coincidences, never had much success identifying one single thing that starts the AF off, I prefer to think of it as a number of things and then the final straw is the trigger or coincidence that you notice. Hydration is very important as you say but you don’t have to drink a lot, drinking large amounts can be counterproductive as you just pass it quicker, I don’t go anywhere without my water bottle and regular sips I feel is the answer. Wait until you’re thirsty and it’s too late.

So many variables to consider, change of BP may need meds adjusted, time of day you take your meds, recovering from a cold or virus, anything that raises inflammation and the list goes on. Sorry, no real answers, just my thoughts.

Best wishes

[Peacockmumma in reply to Buzby62]

Thanks for your reply and as you say too many variables. Nothing changed in meds or timings…hydration may be a factor.. here’s to another lunch lol

[Cliff_G]

You're describing a classic vagal triggering of AF. Look on Youtube for Dr Sanjay Gupta of York Cardiology and either "gastro-cardiac syndrome" or "vagal AF".

Flecainide is a good med for this as it has anti-vagal properties. If your BP med is a beta blocker beware this can (not necessarily "will") worsen vagal triggering, is it drops your heart rate.

[Peacockmumma in reply to Cliff_G]

I Watch Dr Gupta..he’s brilliant. I’m on flecanide 2x 100 for nearly 2 yrs and they have reduced my symptoms for sure.

[secondtry]

I have vagally mediated Lone PAF and Flecainide (200mgs/day) worked very well for 10+ years. Like Buzby I think triggers are an accumulation of issues not just one.

What you eat, when, under what level of stress and how quickly are think all are relevant plus I find when I relax after a busy day be it post meal or at another time AF can kick off 😖.

[Peacockmumma in reply to secondtry]

Thank you… who knows what combination kicked it off. lol..body is the truly wonderful thing.