Gasping for breath whe lying in bed.

[Huwhuw]

Breathlessness. I had a double ablation 3 weeks ago for Atrial Fib and Atrial Flutter ie both atrial chambers. Since then I have regularly had episodes of AF with HR of up to 160bpm for periods of up to 12h. Recently this has beeN happenibg when I go to bed and I wake up breathless. Sometimes I also feel breathless during the day if I get an episode. My consultant says its just the hestt settling diwn/recovering from the ablation ... however the breathlessness can ve like gasping for breath and I am concerned the new symptom of breathlessness may indicate something else is happening. Anyonevrlse had this??

[Hidden]

Dear Huwhuw

So sorry to hear that you have this distressing sensation of breathlessness especially when lying down.

You should have been told to almost expect this by the hospital team on your discharge as it is a very common happening as many on here can identify with.

There can be countless reasons for it but one of the main ones is the shear mental shock all this is and how tuned into, not only our hearts { something we all took for granted } but our breathing we become.

Yours seemed to have been explained by your consultant to you and I would think that he and his team have come across it many times.

Mine was after a triple bypass and it was almost alined to a panic attack or anxiety and it really worried me for a few weeks, I used to sit up in a chair to fall asleep.

Some do deep breathing etc, but with me it passed as quick as it came.

Please keep your Dr informed of you breathlessness and keep a record yourself, when, how what you were doing etc when it comes on.

Soon your body will heal and hopefully this distressing symptom will pass.

Take care and let us know about your continued journey

[Huwhuw in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks

[fishonabike]

in addition to what Huwhuw says: while things settle down, you might consider sleeping with your head and shoulders lifted a bit, if you can add another pillow or two and find a comfortable position - try to avoid sleeping flat on you back

if you wake breathless try to sit up for a while and try some slow controled breathing, there are plenty to try online, e.g. nhs.uk/mental-health/self-h...

[Healthy64]

Many thanks for your explanation as it's just a big adjustment to make and having the advice can make such a difference to folk relieving them of anxiety and helping address the new or temporary situation This forum is medicine itself old moto be prepared and thats the value of real experience and advice

Thanks so much