I can't get out of afib

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Laura R

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 1, 2008
Messages
60
Location
California
I don't know what to think or do about this. I originally got atrial fibrillation a little over 3 years ago at the same time that my mitral valve narrowed and I needed a valvuloplasty. Since then, the atrial fibrillation has been controlled by flecainide, and an occasion (4) electrocardioversion. This past Wednesday, my heart went into afib and I was electrocardioverted on Thursday. A few hours ago, on Friday night, I went back into afib, but it's worse than the usual afib, feels like my heart is jumping irregularly in my heart without calming down. I did call my rhythm doctor at Stanford Hospital, Dr. Henry Hsia, but got the attending doctor, who told me he will relate my situation to Dr. Hsia and call me in the morning.
I am worrying about how strong these irregular beats are and whether the cause of this afib that isn't converting might be my valve having narrowed again. I had been told after my last echo on 8/15 that it was not looking good and I would have an echo redo on 10/21, and probably then go to the valve replacement surgeon.
Can these beats be harming my heart? Is it probable that they are due to a re-narrowed mitral valve?
I am so uncomfortable that I cannot sleep. Is anybody arouond?
Laura
 
Hi Laura.....I'm not sleeping as I had "heart jumping" earlier in the evening. It has calmed now. I have an appointment at local cardio and have been referred to Cleveland Clinic. I cannot help as I am VERY new to this. My murmur was just heard for the first time on 8/11. Since then I have had an echo, TEE and cath. Still waiting.....getting more anxious ......this site helps......someone always answers......holding on to my faith!
 
It is so good to be answered

It is so good to be answered

Thank you for answering so fast! It is reassuring that you're there and 'listening' even if you don't know the answers to my questions. I'm trying to stay calm and do the logical, not overly emotional, thing.
 
Laura .... I had an almost chronic afib problem prior to my AVR and ablation ... It is very unsettling and I wish you a quick and permanent resolution with it.:)
 
Laura,

I do not have any answers on how to get out of a-fib but I do want to mention that I have had chronic a-fib for over 4 years. Although it can be exhausting at times, I do not believe it causes heart damage. Since you are on coumadin, you should be covered for clotting so that side of it is not a concern.

I think you owe to your peace of mind to follow up with your doctor but, in the interim, you should be safe if not comfortable.

A narrowing valve can technically cause a-fib because it can cause the heart to work harder which can result in an enlarged atrium which often is the cause of a-fib. However, a-fib can show up in folks who have no valve issues.
 
Thank you for answering and caring. This is probably the most intense afib I've had. It feels like punches in my chest, and I also feel pain just near my left underarm. Is this 'normal' with afib or is it something worse?
If I don't hear from Dr. Hsia soon, I may ask my husband to drive me to the emergency room when he wakes up.
Thanks again for answering!
Laura
 
Hi Laura, I have been in chronic a-fib for 3 years now. The doctors tried several ways to get me out,but,my heart is very happy in a-fib. Its an electrical problem with the heart and when treated causes you no harm. There are great meds that can help. I just went through my surgery with it and have had no problems. I had a defibrillator implant months ago . It has a second lead that helps to pace my heart. Along with the meds,,when I have an echo it appears I am in sinus rythum.
Its nothing to be afraid of once its under control. I have never had any pain associated with it.
 
took my ill brother to er several times because of a-fib. they usually hospitalized him for a day or three, gave him meds that calmed. Only thing I didn't let them give him was amiodarone, however it helps many, but was very bad medicine for him.
 
Laura,

Yes, chronic a-fib means all the time (at least for me). I would assume it officially means more than half the time but I am guessing about that.

I usually do not feel it except when I am doing something strenuous. I think, if you are that uncomfortable, you should go to the ER just to make sure it is not some other type of irregularity.

Best wishes.
 
I just spoke to the doctor and I'm less worried. Also, the feeling that there were two little mini-boxers fighting in my chest has lessened quite a bit. Whew!
The doctor told me to take extra flecainide over the weekend, go for an INR reading on Monday morning, and he'll take it from there. I feel weak but 'stable.'
Again thank you all for sharing your information, words of wisdom, and caring. It is such a comfort knowing that you are all there and happy to help.
Laura
 
FWIW - my Cardiologist said the heart is about 25% less efficient while in a-fib. Does the normally manifest itself as a rapid heartbeat?
 
Very irregular more than just rapid. In my case, sometimes rapid, and sometimes too slow, with a pounding feeling in my chest and a general feeling of very low energy.
 
Post-op, I had a combination A-fib/A-flutter and I would describe it very much the way you have described what you are dealing with. There are several different types of meds that doctors can use for this besides the one you are on.

Sotalol is a beta blocker that halted it for me but it is also one of those meds that you have to be hospitalized to begin. While I was in the hospital, they gave me a few magnesium IVs also. I was only on the Sotalol for about three months.

More recently I've had some (hopefully benign) ventricular rhythm issues and my cardio said that my potassium and magnesium levels were too low for one evidently predisposed to rhythm issues. I may or may not also begin a small dose of a milder beta blocker.

My uncle has had chronic A-fib for over 20 years and, oddly to me, he really can't tell he's in it.

I hope you'll be feeling better soon.
 
Several of our members have reported good control of A-Fib with Sotalol. It may take up to a few weeks to fully adjust and become fully effective. Be sure to ask about being monitored (in hospital) if / when you start using it as a precaution against some of the more dangerous arrhythmias.
 
Joe was in chronic afib for many years. He couldn't take some of the meds used to control it, so his doctors just kept an eye on it. He got so used to the irregular beats that he didn't know when they happened. But every time he was hospitalized, it showed up on the monitors sometimes alternating with aflutter and a host of other abnormal rhythms. There were times when he went back to normal rhythm, but usually not for long.

It did sap his strength, and it would have been better if his rhythm was more normal.

He did have a pacemaker, and that helped some.
 
Laura had OHS yesterday

Laura had OHS yesterday

Hi all,

Just wanted to give you an update. Laura was admitted to the hospital on Sunday and she had surgery yesterday to replace two valves. I don't have any other details, her husband was kind enough to reply to an email I had sent her about her afib. He said she came out with flying colors! Here's wishing her a successful recovery and we'll wait to hear from her when she comes home after a week.

Nupur
 
Don't let them give you Amiodarone as a first drug, it should be the drug of last resort when all others have failed.
 
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