A new therapy for inducing cessation of an Afib episode?

[fibnum]

Dear Friends,

For the third instance in a row, my every-twelfth-day or so Afib, which I had for 10 hours, was gone when I finished a poem! I was feeling weak and dizzy when I began the poem, but an hour later, upon its completion, was in NSR and fine. I don't believe it can be successful, though, until it has run its course a bit, so I don't think it is a magic pill. The near complete absorption of the mind in a creative activity seems to clear the air for the autonomic nervous system to better function.

(I am not "fibbing" about this just to submit a poem, ask my wife!)

Here is the product from my "Afib therapy":

“The Trade”

It hummed, hovering motionless in the air.

Sixty-three-thousand people were there,

Come to the stadium that night to share

The game between the lions and bears.

It arrived during a fourth-quarter timeout,

Fans began to point then scream and shout!

A mass, large as the entire field thereabouts,

Thousands turning and fighting to get out.

As others watched, a beam intensely bright,

Shone on the sidelines blinding their sight.

After seconds the powerful, dazzling light

Was gone with the behemoth into the night.

Twelve died from trampling or heart attacks,

Hundreds suffering injury to head or back.

Most experienced some brief memory lack,

They were unable to recall clearly the facts.

Did mass hysteria bring hallucination?

Some bizarre psychic-wave situation?

But that was no acceptable explanation,

Millions saw it on TV across the nation.

Gone missing were two lions and a bear,

Disappeared, it seems, into thin air!

A cornerback and safeties a pair,

Even years later to be found nowhere.

Ronnie was excited to again take on his friend,

He had lost at fantasy football last weekend.

But now ready for opposing receivers and tight end,

Though it cost him many tokens for stars to defend.

The need for pass defenders he had foreseen,

So he selected the best from his favorite teams.

He loved the new hologram images on the screen,

They were most natural and real that he had seen!

No one ever could find about the incident the truth,

Conjectures about the mystery offered no proof.

What perplexed even those in the replay booth,

Was that the huge stadium had over it a roof!

"Fib not" Fibnum

[Autumn_Leaves]

”Distraction” can be a very important means of managing various chronic conditions, whether it’s pain syndromes, IBS, minor mental health issues etc, so it’s understandable that it could help someone manage their AF and hopefully lead a more fulfilled life that doesn’t centre one’s symptoms as the most important thing in life.

It doesn’t have to be poetry, or could be anything else like playing the piano or painting, or maybe just clearing out a cupboard. The important thing is focusing on an activity that will absorb you. Whether it terminates an episode of AF may not matter. I think too often people fixate upon and constantly reinforce their symptoms and their beliefs about their symptom. It doesn’t mean that the condition isn’t real, or that the symptoms aren’t there. Nor does it mean we can “think ourselves healthy” or any of that. It’s a quality of life issue. It may not “cure” AF and it may not stop an episode, but your quality of life will improve if you add enjoyable and meaningful activities to your day.

[CDreamer]

Completely makes sense - you are focussing on the sensations, thoughts and emotions whilst creatively expressing thus de-stressing. It’s called the paradoxical theory of change - it’s a Gestalt thing - I trained as Gestalt therapist. You write in your wonderful poem about high adrenaline and in doing so go into balance.

[opal11uk]

Well done on both counts x

[Paulbounce]

Hi Fibnum.

Nice post.

Paul

[secondtry]

Makes sense. I quite often terminate an episode when I sit down to work during the day or concentrate on reading the bible last thing at night in bed.

[Halfheart]

I found that doing a jigsaw puzzle is sometimes quite effective. Total concentration on something other than the afib.

[Prettywoman15]

I do jigsaw puzzles on my phone when I start to feel anxiety. Definitely helps. Or watch my favorite movie. “ Pretty Woman”

[fibnum]

Much better to watch than a heart rate monitor!