Help please I am terrified x
Posted , 11 users are following.
Morning all,
It seems to be really sinking in about my atrial fibrillation diagnose on Tuesday. I can’t sleep or relax in case it happens again and terrified of what the future holds. What is concerning me most today is that I have had 6 episodes in 6 weeks and the last one, last Tuesday was the worst – 160bpm for hours and they were going to do ‘shock treatment’ just before it went back to 80bpm for no reason at all and have been ok since. Does this mean I have a severe case of AF or can this be quite normal to be as fast as this. I am so scared that this is at the highest point of AF and its just going to get worse and more frequent? I have to go back to A&E if it starts again for a ‘shock’ and this terrifies me – what does it entail please – I am in the UK xxxxx
I am 42 and the cardiologist will be at least 6 weeks for a consultation with the NHS so I don’t know if there is an underlying cause as yet. I know I am terrified of it happening again, I am on my own most of the time and can’t stop crying. The doc has put me on 1.25 Bisopropil but nothing more as I have asthma.
Any advice would be most appreciated x
Sara x
Oh I WAS a big drinker and I don’t drink anymore, I thought that was the cause of this AF but had an episode this week with no alcohol at all, I have cut out caffeine but I am still smoking. I lost 13 st 2 years ago so I am now a healthy weight (ish)
xxx
0 likes, 12 replies
robynfromOz bardo
Posted
Its ok, you are not going to die. At first l was so scared as well and just hoped that it would go away. I was investigated and no contributing factors were found. I am 51 and a nurse and started getting Paroxysmal AF last year. Through this forum l have got lots of support and knowledge and has helped me to not feel so alone. I have discovered that my triggers are preservatives and msg and if l can successfully avoid those then l am fine. Most people have different triggers. I can drink alcohol if l put "pure wine" drops in it to remove the preservatives. Coffee doesnt seem to affect me.... its all a big learning curve and it helped me to keep a diary...food took up to 24hrs to put me in AF, drinks much quicker. My episodes last 2-4 days and they make me feel really tired and l pass lots of urine (which is typical) Sometimes my heart rate is up to 120's but often it is slower but irregular. I think the most important thing is to have a blood thinner so you can prevent a stroke. Hang in there and once you have seen a cardiologist you will hopefully feel better. Best of Luck, Robyn
jay7196 bardo
Posted
frank61666 bardo
Posted
I know this is a tough one - but find a way to relax; stress is a major trigger.
Sounds like you have paroxysmal AF, the least problematic form, but it can get more permanent, especially if you remain so stressed out.
I suggest that you make note of the triggers which could be food/drink related as far as 24-48 hours previous. Then find ways to avois them.
Do these episodes happen at night, or when you are lying down? That also is a clue.
RELAX!
Frank
bardo frank61666
Posted
andree777 bardo
Posted
I know it seems scary, but AF is more common than you would think.
I'm in my late 50's and was diagnosed about 6 years ago.
I have AF attacks about every 6 months. When it does, it's always at night time which seems more worrying. My normal heart rate is around 67 bpm, yet when it goes into AF it always goes up to 180-190 bpm.
It lasts like that for several hours. I take 1/2 a anatolol tablet and if my heart rate goes back to normal all is good; if it doesn't I head off to hospital. I'm always in the hope that it will go down by itself, but it rarely does, so I end up heading to the hospital. They hook me up to monitors and keep me overnight. Watching your pulse and heart rate on the monitor isn't very relaxing, but help is near. They usually put an injection into my stomach which feels like an elephant is standing on me. It's usual for the cardiologists to attempt to put the paddles on you if your heart rate keeps high for quite sometime.
Watching the monitors you can see the heart rate going in and out of sinus rhythm (from normal to abnormal rhythm).
It's quite normal for people with AF to often have irregular heart beats, however, when a heart races for several hours, it's worth a trip to hospital.
Try and relax, I know it's easy to say. When your heart goes into AF, 160bpm isn't severe. If you feel your heart is racing or your pulse is skipping a beat, try and relax and breathe slowly, you will often find it will return to normal. If you have had a baby, use the breathing exercises.
Hope this helps. You're not alone.
andrew22534 bardo
Posted
i get intermittent Arrhythmia, and can hit 220 bpm... had 4 shock restarts and two digoxin corrections at all at A&E i am a fit (was!!) ex elite athlete and this started for me at 41 now 52... and 10/12's when it happens its scary when its not its great... sounds a bit simplistic but that is how i deal with that part of my health issues, when the Arrhythmia kicks off, 999 and let them deal with it... i stop worrying and just try to cope with mind in semi neutral. With other bits going wrong with my heart i have different worries and they do cause me worry... but arrhythmia..... not so much now. Remember though when it happens call 999 and let them worry as to the future well i wish you all good things and hope that a with me a pill in the pocket approach is all that is needed.... I am not saying dont worry but i am saying this is livable with, just uncomfortably.... well done on the lifestyle changes, really remarkable achievement to be proud of!!!
Maxine50 bardo
Posted
You must have seen this at some time in a film or hospital program.
Regards and good luck Ken.
sandra51954 bardo
Posted
Like you I was a heavy drinker once and this may have been a reason I got this condition - BUT tbh the experts don't know for certain what causes it. I've read that exercising too much can be a reason (no way would that have included me!).
Soon after my AF was diagnosed I had the 'shock' treatment you refer to. This is cardioversion and I was given a general anaesthetic during which they use those paddle things to try and shock the heart back into normal rhythm. Apparently it is 80% successful - but naturally I fell into the 20%! I was left with a slightly burned feeling on my chest for a few hours afterwards but that's all.
Due to the risk of blood clots with AF it's important that you are prescribed an anticoagulant (a so-called blood thinner). I was on Warfarin for years but was recently transferred to Rivaroxaban which is less hassle.
Please try not to worry too much about it. As long as you get the appropriate medical assistance from a decent Cardiologist, your life should get back on track.
bardo
Posted
I am going to have to go private reluctantly, it’s against my principles and definitely my bank balance but I can’t wait 6 weeks for an initial consultation through the NHS.
I am going to have a consultation and echocardiogram and will cost me £450.00 but at least I will know what I am dealing with and if there is an underlying issue. I am terrified as I suffer from health anxiety anyway.
I am sorry you are all going through this it really is horrible but I will keep on this forum as I am sure it will help xxxxxxx THANK YOU xxxxxxxxx
terence68672 bardo
Posted
Drinking heavily for a long time can enlarge ther heart (alcoholic cardiomyopathy) but this again, can revert if the drinking is stopped 100%. This may be the case with you.
Also-watch out for other triggers like MSG and Aspartame, make sure you drink enough water and make sure your electrolytes are balanced.
By the way chocolate has caffeine in it, as does Lucozade and Dr Pepper-so beware!
bardo terence68672
Posted
The booze was definitely a trigger and eating late and too much - plus I get very stressed and smoke (stopping tomorrow arghhhhh!!_ Huge lifestyle change ahead I think xxxxxxxxxxxxx
pat01 bardo
Posted
All the best