Just some reassurance needed😬😊

[PKAblation]

Hi, this is my first post although I read your posts and info regularly. This forum has given me so much info, advice and calmed me many times. I’m very thankful to know I am in a group of many living with AFib.

I am 64, diagnosed with AFib in 2017. I have no other health issues thankfully . I had an ablation in fall 2018. Was great for almost 4 yrs, with only few short episodes in those years. Then came back and started having random episodes that lasted from 1-6 hrs. The longer ones exhaust me. Since I wasn’t having them that frequently, im fine with being on meds. I am currently on Xarelto, & Sotalol 80mg 2xday and also as PIP. EP only put me on 80mg since my resting heart rate is 55-60.

In past 3 months, my episodes are much more frequent, but have only lasted from 20mins - few hrs. I’ve spoken with my EP last month, and we are in agreement and I do plan on having a repeat ablation later in summer. The reason I’m waiting is we are about to depart next week for 3 months in the Virgin Islands, as have the past 2 yrs.

Soooo starting this morning at 1am, my Apple Watch alerted me to high heart rate as I wasn’t sleeping well, it did not surprise me and yes it was AFib. It continued to alert me throughout the morning and at 2:30am I took my Sotalol as PIP. It continued as I tossed and turned and got out of bed at 6:30am upon which I took my regularly scheduled morning dose Sotalol 80mg.

It is 11:30 now and I’m still in AFib! This is the longest I’ve ever remained continuously in AFib, so just a bit concerned. Although I’m trying to worry, because I know so many have it way worse than me. Of course, I woke up exhausted and still am.

I guess I’m just seeking some reassurance not to worry and rest and wait it out.

Also wondering how soon I should take another PIP if this continues?

I appreciate your reading this far as I’ve rambled on and on, lol! Thanks again everyone!

😍

[mjames1]

I'm also in the US and have been in your position. The first thing I would do would be to call your ep's office and tell the answering service you are in atrial fibrillation and you want the on-call doctor to call you as soon as possible. Based on my experience, you should get a phone call within the hour.

If for some reason their practice is not covered 24/7 -- and if your heart rate is controlled -- I would just take it easy, stay hydrated and call your EP's office in the morning for instructions.

If your heart rate is not controlled and/or you feel distressed, I would err on the side of caution and head to the closest emergency room where they would either reduce your heart rate through drugs and/or electrocardiovert you.

You've been in afib for around 11 hours and I know that seems like a long time, but it really isn't that long, so try and relax until you get further instructions from your doctor.

Jim

[PKAblation in reply to mjames1]

I did exactly as you suggested and the Dr (on call for my EP) returned my call. I explained to him and He said as long as I’m not having any other symptoms, no need to come to ER, but rest and call my EP on Monday. Thanks so much!

Pam in Oklahoma

[mjames1 in reply to PKAblation]

Good to hear. How high is your heart rate when you get up and walk around? If it's over 110, best to stay in bed as much as possible until things get sorted with the ep on Monday.

Jim

[PKAblation in reply to mjames1]

It’s been consistently high 110 and above, back & forth, most of the day. I’ve been sitting in recliner all day and I haven’t noticed a difference when I get up just to go in next room. At present, rate is jumping back and forth. Hoping it’s going to finally come down and stay there. I do at least feel a bit better.

I’m definitely taking it easy and am anxious to contact my EP on Monday.

[mjames1 in reply to PKAblation]

Once this episode is under control, talk with your EP about a long-term strategy—specifically, what to do if a similar event happens again. Also, given the increasing frequency, this may involve adjusting meds or switching to a different antiarrhythmic, like daily Flecainide, which can also work well as a PIP. A touch-up ablation might also be worth discussing.

Jim

[PKAblation in reply to mjames1]

Yes to all you mentioned, thanks again!

[mav7]

What is your current heart rate which is key ? And blood pressure ?

If your heart rate is in the normal range (60-100), no trouble breathing or other symptoms, do some relaxation techniques until you can contact your EP (may want to google for methods).

May want to discuss with the EP a change in medication and/or dosage until you can have the ablation.

Easier said than done, but don't be overly concerned about being in afib unless symptoms warrant. Many have persistent afib. Best to You !

[PKAblation in reply to mav7]

I put in a call to my EP and the Dr on call for him returned my call. I explained to him and He said as long as I’m not having any other symptoms, no need to come to ER, but rest and call my EP on Monday. My heart rate is still above 100, dropping below for a moment then goes back up. So I’m just going to take it easy and call my EP on Monday unless I have more symptoms of course.

Thanks so much,

Pam in Oklahoma

[Anothernewbie]

My longest A.Fib episode was 22 hours. I went to A&E after 2 hours, that was 9.00pm. I was monitored overnight, only given Bisoprolol 2.5mg, which I was on anyway after previous episodes. They sent me home at 3.00 the next afternoon, still in A.Fib, but not as fast. It eventually stopped around 5.00pm.

So yes, an episode can last for a long time.

[PKAblation in reply to Anothernewbie]

Thanks for your reply. I’m sure hoping this doesn’t become my new “normal”. Hoping a change in meds does the trick. This AFib is such a crazy ride, right?!!🤪

[rdjphd]

I take Sotalol 120mg am and pm works well for me

ask ep if you could benefit from a different dose

[PKAblation in reply to rdjphd]

Thanks for your reply. Yes I’m hoping after speaking with my EP tomorrow, a different dose will work until I can have my 2nd ablation later in summer.

[DawnTX]

the more stressed you are with anxiety the longer it will probably last have you given your doctor a call? I have had a fib for days and even weeks if I have something else going on even a cold. How bad is your a fib? maybe I just don’t take it as seriously I have learned over the past five years a fib does what it wants to do unless there’s something going really wrong with you. Is it slight feeling of a fib? I’m pretty good at ignoring most of it because even with a pacemaker now I get the feeling of my flutter. My a fib seems to be taking a break. Not sure why but I’m but I am aware I could feel it again if it decides it wants to show up. If not aware the difference is once you have a pacemaker with an does not damage the heart like it could before the pacemaker and block

take a deep breath try to relax try to talk to your doctor on nurse. My doctors do not want me doing an oximeter watch or anything. They say it only makes you crazier because we fluctuate so much. I am not a doctor. We are all different. I wish you would reach out to your doctor. He’s the only one that can decide if you’re getting too much of it and if it’s staying there too long. I can still trigger it. I can wake up in the 60s take the dog out feed him and sometimes I can hit 90 but it will go back down usually around 70s or 80.

if you haven’t figured it out yet arrhythmia is a pain in the neck whether it’s flutter a fib whatever I try not to panic unless I have bad pain and breathlessness. When you sit up in the morning if it’s really low and nice, just try standing up and sitting down a few times and if you’re checking your pulse heart rate whatever see what it reads then. Most likely it’s gonna be up. That’s what I’m trying to explain about how it fluctuates even a great athlete fluctuates so your body can keep up with what you’re doing. You know there’s no cure everything is a Band-Aid. That means for the most part you’re gonna feel it again sooner or later. I shoot from the hip. I wish I could tell you everything is fine now but it’s not that doesn’t mean you will be in excruciating pain or anything else like that. It just means it’s there. Every part of our body can do that once we injure it. It will pop back once in a while. Think about a headache you can get rid of it. Odds are pretty good. You’re gonna get another one eventually. Yes I have arthritis in both shoulders, knees, hips. I took a very bad fall less than a month ago, and ran my face into the wall, along with my right shoulder and more several weeks before I could even stand up to try to walk with a walker without agonizing pain. good news was nothing broken bad news they found even more arthritis than I knew I had including Osteo arthritis so believe me I understand your pain. I want you to stand up for yourself and get some help for it being an afibber does not mean you need to suffer the rest of your life. I’m not even getting into how messed up my stuff is including atypical flutter not just normal.

hang in there be strong try to stay out of your head about worrying about what if or what if this does that

recently, I gave myself a little knock in the head and reminded myself a fib is only one part of our body. You know what they say yesterday is gone tomorrow hasn’t come today a gift so enjoy your gift every day. Enjoy your gift. I have come to death many times. None of it from a fib. Yep, I am blessed. I don’t know why, but I am thankful

[PKAblation in reply to DawnTX]

Thanks for your reply. I responded to your message yesterday but today I don’t see it! Lol, I probably didn’t tap the “reply” 🤦🏼‍♀️ 😝. I probably wouldn’t have been as concerned if this episode hadn’t lasted so long, almost 22 hrs, (my longest to date maybe 6hrs) and heart rate fluctuated the whole time between 110+ to 140’s, consistently high. I woke up much better yesterday. I’m putting in call to my EP this morning to get his input, etc.

Thanks again and wish you well!😊

[Garden_lover]

One further thought - is it worth taking your Apple watch off at night? I can sleep through AF episodes, but your watch alerting you constantly might, in itself, be disturbing your sleep and making you more anxious. Just a thought!

[PKAblation in reply to Garden_lover]

Yes I agree!! Thanks!😊