after AFib episode

[Sunny2008]

Having only had 2 AFib episodes it’s all new to me and I am still waiting to see consultant. I had an episode 5 days ago and just wondered what after affects people experience and for how long? I am still feeling palpitations and dread going to bed have to drop off sitting up at 1st. My Apple Watch looks like everything is ok but feel the after affects of the episode.

Also best book to purchase in UK for information please

Thanks in advance

[Peony4575]

Hi Sunny I have only had two episodes so far , two and a half years apart.Best book is The Afib Cure by Dr John Day. The only after effect I noticed apart from after effects of the beta blockers on the day which caused episodes of fast heart rate and some ectopics for quite a while, was feeling exhausted and washed out for a few days. My episodes were fast 170-180 bpm and I ended up in hospital both times as I wasn’t anti coagulated. They both lasted 24 hours

[Sunny2008 in reply to Peony4575]

thank you for your reply it has been helpful x

[peteshep]

Hi Sunny,

I've been living with atrial fibrillation for about six years. My heart rate would typically rise to 130-140bpm during an episode. In the early days an episode might last 12-24 hours. At first I found it affected my sleep, but as time went on I was able to get to sleep with little problem, as long as I didn't sleep on my left side. Sometimes AF would actually come on during the night without me realising it until I woke up. My symptoms during an AF episode, aside from a fast and irregular heartbeat, were general lethargy, low mood, and a physical feeling of the heart beating irregularly, which wasn't painful, but wasn't especially pleasant.

I hope things go well with the consultant. I bought myself an AliveCor Kardia device to help record my AF, and my consultant found the traces I had saved useful. My AF had been shy to show itself when subject to an NHS ECG. My experience with my GP has been mixed, but the specialist arrhythmia service I was referred to have been good.

Good luck,

Pete