Question - Heart Disorders Message Board

sean1885 · 01-18-2005, 08:58 PM

I went into Atrial fib on Nov. 8, 2004. Came out of it 12 hrs. later. Ever since then, I've had headaches, dizziness, and occaisional nausea. Tonight, I feel really weird. I feel like I can't fully catch my breath, but I don't feel the flip flops of my heart like I did on the 8th. I wonder, is there such a thing as slight a-fib? My healthcare provider has given me ECG, stress test. Bloodwork if fine, no thyroid problems. I've lost 20 lbs, decreased my caffeine from 6-8 cups every morning to one and am trying to quit smoking. My doctor is beginning to look at me like I'm crazy.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Sean

Excelsoir · 01-21-2005, 03:28 AM

A-Fib cannot always be felt in the chest wall, although your symptoms suggest that a possible high rate AF which could be felt. A Doctor listening to your heart (apex beat) with a stethoscope could easily, tell as could an EKG of course.You have just got to be there at the right time !!!!!
I"m sorry I cannot help you more with this. You have done the right thing in cutting down the coffee, but Mate you are going to HAVE to get rid of the fags asap. Good Luck.
Regards, Excelsoir

KarenBeth · 01-21-2005, 09:49 AM

I went into AFIB FEB 2004, and I was in it for about 12 hours as well. I converted back in the hospital, and they sent me home the next day on Toprol XL 50mg, in case I should go into AFIB again my heart rate would stay low. Did they put you on any meds when you left the hospital? like Asprin 325mg, or any beta blockers?

I will say this, when I got out of the hospital after having that, I was constantly in fear I would go back into it again. I quit Coffee, I quit any caffiene I would usually have. I stopped eating any kind of spicy / sugar food and it's been good for almost a year now. If I were you, I would cut the caffeine out totally.. once you are over that initial WANT for the coffee, the cravings will go away. Even cutting down doesn't help because you still have caffeine in you, and caffeine DOES trigger palps / AFIB, especially seeing you already had a AFIB attack..

KNOW this though.. don't EVER let any DR make you feel like your crazy.. you have a right to be concerned and if this DR isn't helping you, I would go see another DR / Cardiologist.. you have the right. I was fortunate enough to get a GREAT Cardiologist that is willing to listen and try me on different meds to stop my PVC's.. I would look into seeing another DR or telling the one you are seeing now how you feel.. you are NOT crazy.. AFIB is a scary thing, I know I went through it.. and I don't want to go through that again, so I know how you feel.

I am not sure about your symtoms now.. the only thing I can think of is maybe it's a side effect to the meds IF he put you on meds. You might have what's called "LONE" AFIB which is small incidents of AFIB where you will get it for a couple min and then go right back to normal.. it's all benign though, and as annoying as it can be, it's harmless if you have a healthy heart.. but I heard Beta Blockers do help. I am sure with your having that AFIB attack that the DR put you on asprin therepy?? I am on 325mg a day just in case I should ever have AFIB again. But I would tell the DR your new symtoms and see what he can do for you.. don't let ANYONE tell you that your crazy.. if you feel this way, its better to be safe about it. You HAVE that right.

I hope it all turns out good for you.. just know that you are not alone, I know how it feels and I have been in your shoes.. let us know how it goes.

sean1885 · 01-24-2005, 09:16 AM

Thank you so much for replying. I was initially put on atenolol for borderline hypertension, but I went off because it sunk me too low. I take an aspirin everyday (75mg). The doctor pretty much gave me the impression, once I stop smoking, then he'll address my symptoms. One other thing, ever since Nov. 8, my upper back and neck have been extremely tight. I've been taking stress management classes, massage therapy and am talking to a counselor. Is it possible the muscles can also give me the sensations I described initially?

P.S. I do wake up at night, almost every night, and realize I'm on my left side. I always used to sleep on my left side so it's natural. Could this trigger a-fib?