hi there I’m just looking for someone to relate 😔 I’m a 30 year old mum of 2 I have a lovely life until a couple weeks ago … experiencing SVT at night but long story cut short… now happening most days. I’ve been diagnosed with AVRnT and I can’t sleep I can’t eat or think about anything else. I’ve now started propanol to hopefully feel better but I’m just so anxious I’m not feeling myself atall 😭
help me 😭: hi there I’m just looking... - British Heart Fou...
help me 😭
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Girlmummy93
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I am 42 and mum of young children. I am the same. I don’t want to leave my room and have a complex job. Have you seen the rhythm nurse yet ….. I’m hoping this will elevate some answers cause I can’t live with this AF burden and I’m suffering with Ventracular contractions 😓I can’t eat or drink with worry….. I’ve been prescribed antidepressants but I’m waiting till Monday to see if these won’t increase my heart rate ……. I find the BHF helpline helpful. Have you tried that ? I am like you had a lovely life until a few weeks ago x
I feel your worry 😔 it’s crippling, esp being so close to Christmas ! I feel guilty as I should be enjoying every moment with my girls but I can’t. Wanting to avoid everything ! I haven’t seen any nurses but I have an echo being done tomorrow so we will see … is that someone you can speak to on the phone ? Sending love take care xx
My heart is structurally fine and I prey yours is too xxx still got an electrical problem seems to get triggered on my menstrual cycle 🤷♀️supposed to be going to America 😓😓😓😓🤷♀️I’ve been having to keep ringing the BHF as my GP can’t really help me 😩yes the British heart foundation hotline x arithymia alliance as well x i can’t enjoy Christmas feel sorry for my little ones too and I usually love Christmas X
Do you take any meds or considered ablasion for it ?? Xx
Bisoprolol and apixiban. I had to have the bisoprolol increased for pacs which are ectopic beats…… they don’t seem to work for the pacs x I have to lay in a particular way or I can feel them x are you on anything? X
I’m going to ask about ablation Monday x
The menstrual cycle is a big one for me especially around ovulation/week before my period x
Same xx I watch doctor Gupta from York on you tube xx he’s awesome about everything and mentions the menstrual cycle on one of his videos xx
I’ll have a look! Thank you ☺️ definitely hormone related too x
The contact details are at the end of this page: bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
Sounds very worrisome . Please, please make sure you have travel insurance before going to America . Unless you have private insurance , trying to purchase medical insurance with a pre-existing heart condition may be impossible or super expensive. If you are unable to get it, I would strongly reconsider the trip . Don’t go without insurance . Good luck
Yes you can speak to a British Heart Foundation nurse in person. Can't share links here but have a Google.
What is AVRnT?
Type it in Google as I forget the term for it lol
Ask your cardiologist for flecainide. If that doesn't work, then schedule an ablation. In the meantime, take magnesium glycinate or taurate.
Isn’t flecainide only used in serious situations ? Thankyou for replying
'...I can't sleep, I can't eat or think about anything else'. This sounds like a 'serious situation'.
Sorry, I was being a little dramatic... If you can, try to read a few academic studies relating to flecainide. For the vast majority of people, flecainide is not a dangerous medication.
Is this info from your own experience or are you qualified to give medical advice
Oh, no. It is the forum police. Everything I have said about flecainide is evidence-based. Even if I was telling some poor soul an absolute pile of crap, they would still have to consult their GP for a cardiologist referral before they got anywhere near flecainide or any other heart meds. The only thing that should be called out on this forum is scaremongering, which could put people off a perfectly safe option to combat their heart issues.
Honestly, when you say something positive about a drug, people are like, 'duh, are you a doctor, are you medically trained to say these things?' But, when you say something negative, 'oh, I had an awful experience taking that medication, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone', nobody bats an eyelid.
II agree with you that a lot of unhelpful comments about personal experience are made with little or no follow up, but it is usually clear that they come from individual experience. I also agree that scaremongering should always be removed. However, there is a difference between saying, for example, "when I had that problem I was given x drug and blahblah investigations were done" and "Ask your cardiologist for flecainide . . . . . . then schedule an ablation. In the meantime, take magnesium glycinate or taurate."
The "forum police" would simple delete your comment for breaching the group rule/guideline: 3. Post from your own experience and refrain from providing advice around a person’s clinical situation. "For me, this worked..." rather than "You should do this...".
Incidentally, the information from reliable sources on this condition indicates that in most cases no drug treatment is given or deemed necessary. Also, from my experience asking any doctor (let alone a cardiologist) for a specific drug or treatment can be a very risky strategy unless you have a good relationship with them😟.
You seem like a decent person. Enjoy the rest of your day.
Thank you, I hope that I am - I am sure you are too and that your initial comment was well meant.
Between us and the other decent people here I hope we can offer good support and minimise the work of th forum police🌺😉
Hi, I wanted to say I understand how your feeling over ten years ago not heart related but my health changed over night and it ment I was missing out on everything with my kids , but I know it's hard believe me I've been there , worrying not able to eat not wanting to do anything letting Christmas come and go with a dread feeling , but it does get better things will improve physically and mentally You will get better and enjoy things again. I hope your scan goes well for you please update us all
I have been having problems chest x-ray fine, scan fine thankfully to blood work fine but heart is higher than normal rate and missing beats cardiologist said nothing to worry about once I had had my scan I felt relief that structural it was fine and working properly
He's offered me meds to try and seeing me in 3 weeks , only got the meds today and my scan but even though I feel my heart isn't right and I don't feel myself still the anxiety has lifted and it's helped me symptoms wise, if you can relax I know it seems impossible but if you could it would help.
Hope you know your not alone in this , take care sorry for spelling mistakes
Thankyou so much I think the anxiety is taking over but I really do feel something is really wrong 😭 I’m hoping the person doing my echo might be able to reassure me until I see the cardiologist 😔🩷 thankyou for replying xx
I understand, hang in there it will soon be your scan 🙏🙏
An Echo performed and interpreted correctly will give you an enormous amount of valuable information. Hopefully that will help to ease your symptoms a bit. The not knowing can be debilitating. I am much (!) older, but after my first heart attack I couldn't even say the words. I would just speak of it in terms of the "event.". . so I have an idea of what you are going through. I felt as if my body was running my mind instead of the other way around. I was completely off balance . However, chin up, as symptoms will lessen as time goes by and your condition becomes clearer. Let us know please how you are doing.
Hi Amyamy, good to see you expressing positive feelings today and offering support too. Facing uncertainty with a health scare is a nightmare. I do feel it can be helped/reduced by understanding the actual likelihood of an event, although it's good to be prepared for unlikely bad news. The best factual advice on this forum is that published by the BHF.
I cried at mine and they were so reassuring x I was crying as I was the youngest person on the ward and they will be understanding as I am sure they will be with you x my anxiety is caused from the not knowing - like my heart flying up from no where x AFIB burden and i can be doing anything 😩x not sure if you get used to that as I’ve not had it long x since I having my gallbladder out my health has been bad for two years and haven’t my gallbladder out was a big mistake x my aunty has had a heart condition which is an electrical problem and just reassure you she goes out of rhythm all night and she knows how to cope with it now and she doesn’t let it consume her. She goes to Jamaica and allsorts x people are an expert in their own experience x for me and you we are just learning the ropes as it’s new x anxiety is my biggest issue x
Don’t let the anxiety get the better of you; there are things that can help with it too. I take a SSRI (mainly for depression, but I get significant anxiety relief from it too), and I also found CBT helpful. My mental health is now far improved from where it was 10 years ago.
(Then again it’s 5am here so I’m not sure I can say the same about my sleep health. 😂)
Can you take a beta blocker as well as an antidepressant?? Thankyou
It might be best to ask a pharmacist about that
I am on both (escitalopram and bisoprolol). But your GP can make a recommendation for your specific case.
Dear Girlmummy93Hang in there
Sailing in the same boat
Sending love and fervent prayers
God be with you
Hi - I totally understand your anxiety about your condition but take comfort from the fact that it is the most common form of arrhythmia and is almost certainly not life threatening. That said coping with the feeling of the fluttering and flapping and rapidity of your heartbeat is another matter! It took a few months after starting bisoprolol for my arrhythmia to settle down but it did eventually. If you can manage your anxiety until you see a cardiologist it will help as will a bit of self help CBT. Carotid massage can help slow tachycardia. If you have time do some research and get informed and talk yourself into being a bit calmer. Who gave you the propranolol?
The not knowing is the worst part. Knowledge is the key. It is natural to think the worst. But trust in your medical team. 2 years ago my partner was told to say goodbye. But I’m still here. No one can fully understand how you feel right now. But you will find the strength. You have so many reasons to do so. Reach out to these people who care about you. You give so much to your family. Now it’s your turn. Remember you are not alone in this. We can share your journey.
These electrical heart faults are such a nuisance, but they are mostly not serious .... more of nuisance and very treatable. When my heart started to go haywire I felt panic as we all do, but it has become a very way f life and like all of us I just bash on as bst I can. It is important not to let it rule your life if you can. These problems are very very common indeed and lots of people you meet every day will be under treatment without you knowing.
whilst you are waiting t get treatment sorted it is worth trying to avoid known triggers like alcohol. And stress and anxiety make things worse so it might be worth looking at relaxation exercises ... try Insiht Timer ... they have lots of ideas for relaxation.
I hope your treatment gets sesettled soon so you can get on with life.
Hi, sorry to hear about your electrical problems. I had fast AF episodes that hospitalised me. Two weeks ago I had an ablation on both sides of my heart as apparently surgeon found problems in both Atria. The procedure itself is ok I will have it done again if need be. I am feeling optimistic and looking forward to coming off Amioderone which has terrible side effects. I know people that have had allblation for different types of arrhythmias with positive results. However there are risks with allblation, the consultant will explain everything to you, ultimately it is down to personal choice. I just wanted to share my experience hopefully it may help.
hi girlmummy93
I just wanted to share that I am 34 and was in hospital with afib in January. Things do get better. I was so nervous and anxious after it for a long time. In the hospital they gave me meds and after a while I flipped back into a normal rhythm. I remember being so scared thinking of my children and when they started to talk about shocking me that was it I burst into tears!!
Things get better with time as you start to understand your own triggers & what you need to help you mentally and physically.
I now take magnesium, taurine, L-Arginine & q10 everyday & I love yoga. It all helps.
I was in such a bad place at the time before it happened, I had been drinking over Christmas and had a sustained lack of sleep with two children under 2 I was exhausted and not sleeping or eating right and that all definitely contributed!!
I focus on getting well rested & enough sleep (easier said than done sometimes with young children) I don’t really drink maybe the odd one or two for an occasion but with water & I take my supplements and try to manage my stress levels with yoga & meditation. My triggers are definitely lack of sleep, diet, stress and alcohol.
I think it does make you think a little more about what your eating, are you working out too hard & is it going to set it off, can I have a glass of wine for an occasion or will it set it off etc. I think it’s always in the back of your mind BUT I guess what I really want to say is your absolutely not alone with this and I wish at the time I had had someone to talk too about it especially feeling as though I was on the younger side to get it and that I had no one to talk to who would understand.
I promise you you will get your head around it and you will start to feel better. I always remember the dr saying to me I was lucky I knew when I was in it as some don’t and that’s when there can be problems. The afib itself isn’t dangerous it’s the effects of that on the heart.
I really do hope you’re ok & here if you need to talk. We can still live a long, happy & healthy life (I know this was an initial worry if mine!) stay safe and look after yourself xxx
Hi, I remember Tony Blair was diagnosed with this when he was Prime Minister. It is not life threatening and can be successfully treated. It is very scary when you are first diagnosed with an arrhythmia, l have AF. Anxiety will make it worse so hopefully the propanol will help. Deep breathing excercises can help. I am sure that once you get stabilised you will feel much better and you can still have a good quality of life. Best wishes.
Too add to this do dehydration is a massive trigger and I was drinking probably a small bottle a day at the time! The nurse put me on a drip to get water into me so something else to have a little think about xx
Hey, whilst I don't know exactly what you're going through, I've been through similar. I'm 25 and was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy earlier this year - to say it's been difficult is an understatement. I referred myself to an NHS funded therapist and they referred me to clinical psychology who I now see weekly. I believe cardio rehab also have MH support. I hope you start to find acceptance and feel better soon. It may be a long long road, but we've got your back and so do many others!
HiI've just been diagnosed with Afib also only last week, was put on Apixaban and Bisoprol. Had all the test ECG, bloods and xray. It is horrible and scary! I was in the hairdressers yesterday and I had an attack, had to get out with wet hair cause I needed to get home! My heart rate went to 150!. Such a horid feeling. I feel for you, and it must be difficult especially when you are trying to look after your children.. my anxiety has started also, and I don't think that helps. I hate taking medication but needs must. I hope you settle down with it all.. and hopefully enjoy your Christmas as best you can 😊x
I’m sorry you’re having a tough time. A thorough cardiac work up is required. You may need an ablation procedure. In the meantime taking magnesium can be miraculous in settling down ectopics. Try to reduce stress. Best wishes to you.
Hi, Wht you have seems to the same as thousands of us have, my own is PAF, but more or less the same i.e. the electrics of my heart of out sync as i call it from time to time, i see a cardio, and I now know tht my situation, whist would prefer not to have it, is treatable and unless it is allowed to go unmedicaed, could of course lead mainly to a stroke, I tke my Apixaban twice a day to thin blood, and bisoprolol but only when i have an episode and within an hour my h.rae and rhythm go back to normal.
You have to be guided by your Cardiologist and not what others tell you you should be taking, cadiologists will ensure you are on right meds.
The only real bit of genuine advice i give is, as i have learned the hard way.... the more you stress and worry over this, not eating etc, the worse the situation will become. stop panicking, stay calm, and by now you should be on meds or further appointments to let you know whats next, but above all stop panicking, enjoy Xmas, nothing dreadful is going to happen, Good Luck.
Stop Panicking please. There are many thousands of us with this or similar, it will not kill you but you will probably be on meds now, trust your cardiologist. Have a good Xmas xx
I also have a diagnosis of AVNRT. I have had an electrophysiology study ( not pleasant, but not painful) ,but the doctor decided I didn't need ablation. My palpitations seem to have decreased since I started taking blood pressure medication. Ask your cardiologist about having an Implanted Loop Recorder- I found it reassuring that my every heart beat was recorded and it gave the cardiologist a good picture of what was going on...try not to worry, it's a condition that most people live with and manage very well. Good luck.
Hi, I have been diagnosed with SVT. I would have anything from 1-4 episodes a day. Lasting anywhere from minutes up to 2 hours. At best I would go a week without an episode. It could happen anytime day or night. An attempt at ablation was made, but it was not a success. I now take Flecainide to control these episodes.
Hi, hopefully seeing all these replies will help you see it’s actually surprisingly common and not as scary as it first seems. To add in my bit, I’m 32 and also have an arrhythmia where my heart goes very fast. I first found out about it a year ago and it was so scary first experiencing it. I took propranolol for around a year which helped but then I tapered off it due to side effects, and I’m back to suffering fast heart rates again and trying another medication. You definitely get used to the feeling of it, it’s not pleasant having your heart rate go so fast for no apparent reason but once you know what you’re dealing with it it gets easier! This forum is brilliant for speaking to others that understand when you’re feeling alone.
My husband has just been diagnosed with AVRnT. The cardiologist was very reassuring that yes it's scary but it won't kill you. Treatment is available. He also has Myeloma so this does complicate things, but he gets up every day with a positive attitude. Why not give it a try.🤗
My husband has just been diagnosed with AVRnT. The cardiologist was very reassuring that yes it's scary but it won't kill you. Treatment is available. He also has Myeloma so this does complicate things, but he gets up every day with a positive attitude. Why not give it a try.🤗
I think most people here understand how scary having something wrong with your heart is in a way that those without cardiac issues probably can't understand. After all, it's fundamental to life to have a heart that continues to beat, even if it does speed up too much at times! Having said that, we are still alive and (mostly) kicking, and proof that cardiac issues are survivable. I'm not going to suggest that any one type of cardiac issue is better or worse to have than any other, because the one we have ourselves is always the worst.
The one thing we have to try not to do is to let our heart issues suck the life out of us and rule our lives. Yes, it's a big thing, but it's not the whole of life. Believe me, I know how all-consuming heart issues can become, so I'm not trying to make light of your AVRnT. Yes, it's scary, but very survivable.
Paul
Finding out you have something wrong with your heart is terrifying especially when you first find out.
This forum is very helpful and reassuring; I’ve found that I often feel very alone, but there is always someone here to listen 😘
Couple of things that have been said to me which have helped are:
I was told initially by a cardiologist “of all the things that can go wrong in your body, the hearts the best one as we can fix hearts”
Stay away from Dr Google if you can, yes there lots of info out there, but there’s also the tendency to disappear down a rabbit warren of negative information, and that will only worry you more (yep, I have that t-shirt! 🙄)
Reach out to the BHF cardiology nurses via their website, they are trained and will tell you facts without worrying you any further.
… and something a friend said to me, that I’ll say to you is; “you have a lovely big heart, so it needs some help sometimes”
Take care of you, look after your mental health and your lovely heart and be reassured, that although you feel scared at the moment, you are in safe hands 😘
perhaps you should be on an anxiety pill like lorazepam or antidepressant….. I take Zoloft which helps with anxiety.
It is important to differentiate between AFib and AFLUTTER. You have AVNRT which is a re entrant Atrial Flutter.
They are treated differently. AFLUTTER responds better to chemical cardioverion than electrical cardioversion.
AFLUTTER is ablated in the RHS part of the heart thereby making it much quicker and easier than Afib ablation.
Most cardiologists do not recommend Flecainide for AVNRT as it could precipitate tachycardia.
AVNRT is easier to revert to normal with certain exertions like situps or stomach flexing like pressing poo poo on the toilet.
The best method mostly used in my local hospital is to get someone to hold your feet while lying on your back then sit up.
Now drop back down slowly while the assistant raises your legs to their shoulders.
This always worked for me.
Good luck,
Good Morning from Australia.
Have a read of this, especially starting from the paragraph below the 2 ECG tracings. It might give you some reassurance.
All the best.
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