afib….

[Jaket22]

had a cardioversion may 2023 out of the blue I woke up hr was 225 and I felt like I was having a heart attack like I had a fish flipping inside my chest and couldn’t stand up properly, managed to get to ane in my car and had a cardioversion I was 29 at the time. Since that I get on and off pains and cramps in my chest and heavy thumping palpitations, struggle to catch my breath ( pressure ) when I stand up after laying or sitting down. I’ve not gone back into af since they did the cardioversion. But I’m living in fear of when will it happened again. I get daily fatigue and ramping heart rate, bisoprol doesn’t really touch it I’m just at the end of my teather now

[A246]

Please 🙏 go back to your GP and get this sorted. You may have other heart problems. I had attack of AF if makes me feel the same way. Been put onto Amioderone now.

[Jaket22 in reply to A246]

Just about to set off for a cardiology appointment with a nurse soon thanks for the reply I’ll mention the drug to them

[A246 in reply to Jaket22]

It has to be given by doctor buddy and you need to be monitored closely under medical supervision. I was last week in hospital after collapse chest tightness, pain and dizziness cause by AF attack. The beta blocker and digoxin stopped working on me. New drug working really well. Keep us posted please if you don't mind.

[Jaket22 in reply to A246]

Ah u understand mate, glad it’s all working for you, I’m just living in fear daily like when’s it coming and then days where I’m going bed with a drum beat in my neck and stomach and then I struggle to do daily activities even picking up my son off the floor. Just sick of it now

[A246 in reply to Jaket22]

Hi buddy, I have gotta have an allblation. They definitely should be doing much more for you. Are you in the UK

[Jaket22 in reply to A246]

Yeah I’m in the uk cardiology appointment yday turned out to be rapid acsess chest pain clinic and they did nothing but refer me to a cardiologist

[JaneFinn]

That sounds awful, Jaket. Definitely you need more tests to identify what is going on when you feel like this (have you had a Holter monitor on when this happens?) and a treatment plan going forward to get you some quality of life back -and reduce the fear, which is so dreadful in itself.

I see you said you were seeing a cardiac nurse yesterday - how did it go? I hope you could explain how bad it is, and get some action to help? (Maybe via your EP if you have one, or being referred to one if you don’t.) Jx

[Jaket22 in reply to JaneFinn]

hi Jane, I went to a cardiology appointment turned out it was rapid access chest pain clinic for angina and the nurse said I’ve been referred to the wrong place and now she will refer me over to correct department, so all that for nothing and I have a 48 hour tape next month so hopefully I get something off that

[JaneFinn in reply to Jaket22]

Aargh how frustrating for you - and it’s so disappointing when you think at last you’re going to get some expert help and answers, and then you don’t. Especially when it’s a referral error. 😕

The 48 hour holter monitor will be good, anything that gives the cardiologist/EP a picture of what’s going on will be really useful. Sorry it’s not sooner though, you could really do with some investigation and action, couldn't you? (Fro peace of mind if nothing else.)

I don’t know if your hospital does this, but one idea is to ring up the department and say you’d be happy to be called at short notice, so ask if they can put you on their cancellations list? (Both for any tests and also to see the consultant.) I didn’t know this was possible until wise members on here recommended it - and people are always cancelling appointments, so it can make a lot of difference in how soon you’re seen. (Assuming you could actually be available at short notice!)

Do let us know how you’re getting on, won’t you ? Jx

[Jaket22 in reply to JaneFinn]

That’s a great idea I will have to call them tomorrow to see if they can get me in faster, yeah definitely peace of mind I’m living waiting for it again and it’s stressful and it was may 2023 so it’s been a while and I am hoping it was a one off from caffeine but I just know it’s going to happen again

[JaneFinn in reply to Jaket22]

It’s great it’s been so long without AF since your cardioversion! Very promising. And it could genuinely be a one-off due to something like caffeine - if you were aware you overdid the caffeine before you went into that fast AF event, and you keep the caffeine to a minimum or none at all, you may be lucky and not get any more AF - or maybe not for a few decades at least! I believe I probably had some episodes when I was in my 20s, but it wasn’t til more than 20 years later that it started up again. (And then was identified and treated.)

It’s all so stressful, isn’t it? The waiting, and the dreading the next time it’s going to happen. It helped me so much to have some tests (eg echo, holter monitor) and then to see the cardiologist or EP, and have a plan of action in place for treatment. Don’t forget to explain clearly about your other symptoms - pains, palpitations and fatigue - they could be caused by stress and anxiety perhaps, and Bisoprolol can cause fatigue. But the cardiologist needs to listen and do whatever tests are necessary to rule out other things, and reassure you.

They should advise you what to do if AF does happen. You might need to ask them to do this. (Remember even if it did happen again, it might not be that same crazy fast rate and almost collapsing, where you just need to get to a&e - it might be a much more manageable, safe pace that you can sit out at home if you know what to do. That feels very different!)

Understanding things really helped me to worry less, so I hope once you’ve had your tests and appointment, it will all feel much better. 🙏🏻 Jx

[JaneFinn]

I’ve just had a thought - I don’t know if you’ve joined other communities on Health Unlocked, but if not, I’d recommend joining Atrial Fibrillation Support as well. It’s an active community of people who share so much experience, wisdom, support and advice. I’ve learnt so much on there, by asking questions and just by doing searches and reading answers to other people’s questions.

If you like, you could just Introduce yourself on there and explain your situation, as you have here? Jx

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