Living with AF

[Icantpickausername]

My Atrial Fibrillation makes me miserable. I've had thumps and bumps for years but its getting so much worse, what's odd is after a thump I nearly always get an upset stomach, I guess its the fear of when it happens, then afterwards I'm yawning for ages. I've had attacks where I've been stuck somewhere unable to move, bad ones take me up to 160/170 and I'm literally pouring with sweat, its so awful. Got put on bisoprolol after several ambulance calls and that worked for about 3 months, the lowest dose I'm glad to say but they're back again, although not so bad just 4 or 5 bumps and thumps a day and maybe 5/10 min when my heart goes on a crazy wobble as opposed to several hours before medication but it still frightens me. I love the good days when it doesn't happen at all and then out of the blue it starts again next day and makes me miserable with an upset stomach and off we go again, a cycle I cant seem to get out of. I guess I need a stronger dose maybe. They found a bicuspid valve so maybe that's the problem but its not leaking or anything. Its hard to go places or plan holidays as I'm afraid I'll have a session on the plane or abroad. Just wish it would go away but it wont and the fear of stroke is always there. Thought I'd share my story, its a common one though I'm sure.

[lettingoffsteam]

I have the early stages of this and I agree it's not great.Mostly I have short runs where it goes mad but it was 20 minutes the other day...my longest yet.On meds which help.I'm keen to find out what triggers it for me.Do you have any idea what triggers it for you?

[Hidden]

(Great username!)

I read some stuff about links between arrhythmia and digestion. There is a major nerve, the vagus nerve, which monitors many vital organs. I believe it connects heart, gut & brain. Events in one can impact any of the others.

So mood & emotion can effect the heart (rate, rhythm), and can effect the stomach (nausea, butterflies). A rise in heart rate typically makes us feel inexplicably tense, and vice versa, tension or anxiety increases our heart rate.

And stomach upsets impact our heart, incl. effecting the electrics & pacing. For me, I think this may cause some of my PVC flutters (pre ventricular contractions). Emotion seems to cause the others. The tummy link seems strongest for me for being over-full or having diarrhoea. Perhaps it works the other way round as well, AF impacts the tummy.

So if I’m going to be tired or emotional, or I particularly want to remain rhythmic, I eat simple, small meals. I also find breathing exercises help when I get emotional.

Not saying this would be enough to offset AF, but maybe it could help a little. I know the one time I had a major AF (HR 150 for 36hrs), I really didn’t feel like eating, for the whole period & even a bit after, and that’s very unlike me.

[gokf]

Hi

I have had AF with a dilated cardiomyopathy. I took Bisoprol ,Apizaban and Candasartan. I went on a monitor for a week and luckily it was when I had an attack. I have had an ablation and echocardiogram and now I am AF free. I would suggest you ask your gp to have a monitor and ask to be referred to a cardiologist. I also took Digoxin, after the ablation, it did take me 6 months to recover but definitely worth it now. Good luck

[Mhutch]

I had a bout of AF two years ago, including one time in the cath lab for a stenting procedure which had to be aborted. I was put on Amioderone for six months which sorted it and no reoccurrence since. I agree, it is bloody awful.

[Loveswimmimg]

Yes I agree, AF is no picnic. I have episodes lasting ten hours, once it lasted 22 hours. I’m on 1.25 Bisoprolol but it hasn’t stopped the episodes unfortunately, just lowered my resting heart rate to 48/50. So now I feel rubbish all the time, not just when I’m in AF. I hope the cardiologist has some other ideas when I next see him. Mine seems to be connected with acid reflux, so I think there is a connection between the digestive system and AF in some people. Another symptom I get is increased frequency of urination during episodes. Are you on a blood thinner for you stroke risk?