A Fib Anyone?
I would not recommend it. Have been in A Fib about 15-20 minutes now.
Heart flopping around like a fish, in my chest.
Most disconcerting.
Comes out of nowhere. I can usually get it under control, with deep regulated breathing. Not stopping just now.
Good stuff.
Going for an Echocardiogram this Thurs. afternoon. Cardiologist/Thoracic Surgeon making sounds like he would like to go back in, and "Tune me up."
Not exactly thrilled.
Just now got it to click back to a normal rythm. About 30 minutes worth of fun. Good times.
Heart flopping around like a fish, in my chest.
Most disconcerting.
Comes out of nowhere. I can usually get it under control, with deep regulated breathing. Not stopping just now.
Good stuff.
Going for an Echocardiogram this Thurs. afternoon. Cardiologist/Thoracic Surgeon making sounds like he would like to go back in, and "Tune me up."
Not exactly thrilled.
Just now got it to click back to a normal rythm. About 30 minutes worth of fun. Good times.
0
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Get you some Gator Aide. When I sweat a lot I lose a lot of electrolytes that causes my heart to flip flop. If that don't help then the cardiologist can give you something to control that. 0 -
Shortly followed by the obligatory Migraine, that usually accompanies an episode like this. Popped some sleep medication, contemplating half an Oxycodon. Gonna go crawl in bed. 0 -
Went into a-fib in early 2013 that lasted for 69.5 hours. I was in the hospital of course on a heparin drip among other things. They were going to 'cardiovert' me (shock) early the next AM, when I went back into sinus rhythm.
Yours must be a lot less symptomatic than my episode. You weren't going to walk around, and/or do ANYTHING in my situation,...heck, I could barely breathe, and was sweating bullets when I tried to stand, or walk.
It has never happened again, and none of my doctors can figure out what caused it in the first place. I get a few PVCs/PACs once in awhile, but so do most people from time to time. Guess I will never know, and that's all good with me!
Wish you the best Ken.0 -
Smitty500mag wrote:Get you some Gator Aide. When I sweat a lot I lose a lot of electrolytes that causes my heart to flip flop. If that don't help then the cardiologist can give you something to control that.
I take a daily dose of Dil Tiazm, Supposed to regulate this sheeit. Usually does okay. Not sure why I get occasional flare ups. (Neither are they.)
I drink about 1/2 gallon of gatorade a day at work. They have concentrate in pumps in the break room to hydrate. I have an insulated 32oz. Nalgene bottle I utilize during the day.
Sorry, head killing me, squinting the eyes in order to see. Going to bed. Up at 4:30am.
Night all.0 -
Marc1301 wrote:
Yours must be a lot less symptomatic than my episode. You weren't going to walk around, and/or do ANYTHING in my situation,...heck, I could barely breathe, and was sweating bullets when I tried to stand, or walk.
Yes.
This.
Have gone through enough episodes, I can somewhat deal with it, unless I am at work. I have to take a knee, or hit the ground. It is disconcerting, but I try and deal with it. What choice do you have?0 -
Had it for about 15 years, Doctors have no clue what sets it off. They even did a heart catheter looking for the source.
Tried medication, no work, pacemaker with medication no work. On my second pace maker now. Their thinking was to pull my heart rate down then the pacemaker wold pick it back up. Medicine for this really saps your energy.
Cyro oblation, out for 5 hours, froze the bad nerves. Doing pretty good so far, only out once in last 3 or so years.
Had a watch man procedure in August, put me on high powered blood thinners until December then if all goes well no more blood thinner for the rest of what time I have on the ole rock. Will be 66 in December. Saws and sharp objects don't mix well with blood thinner.
When I had an episode I took a extra dose of BP medicine, couple aspirin and slept it off.
Good luck with all you test work, Going to the Med center in JC? Best of the best are there.
If I remember right over half the population has AFIB of some degree.0 -
Be good - be well. Do what is needed on your end with meds and fluid and such...
You know the deal with migraines - no lights and no TV and no music and absolutely no phone - lie down - count sheep and design your ultimate off road camping trek jeep in your head assuming 3-5 days off grid with the dog...
Breathing exercises - think away the pain - how would you equip a light infantry company on detached duty in rough country - moderately forested mountain ridge terrain - 2-3 days patrolling and a platoon or LRRP's as a recon tripwire and onsite Intel gatherer out for 7-10.days...
Build your fire base stronghold - light crew served weapons platforms - sandbags and telephone pole sections and corrugated aluminum Quonset panels and marston matting and a few short cargo containers - some steel barb wire support fence posts and blue tarp rolls - some lumber Jack and forestry single man portable equipment...
What's the TOE and how many days between resupply by air drop or helo...
12 pieces of individual standard issue common kit and one long arm or carbine or handgun or shotgun per person...
Disposable ord supply on hand - bits of demo kit - grenade type and supply
Ruck weight and per person ammo load out...
Common gear and elint sensory enhancement gear...
Dogs???
Bunkers or reverments or foxholes or trench lines - how tight s the total perimeter and how tight is the CQB last line perimeter...
Rations and water...
Field latrines and pack out trash retention / leave the enemy no resource
A handful of non infantry MOS field specialists???
Intangibles.
At this point you should be relaxed and asleep - YMMV...
Cool same towel and some bottles water in reach of were you sleep along with meds and phone...
Check back in with is in the am - sleep.
Mike0 -
Ken, stress can cause A FIB also. Back in March this year our youngest daughter passed away and my heart went crazy flip flopping. I went to the cardiologist and he prescribed Bisoprolol Fumarate 10 mg tabs that helped me. After about 4 months I was able to quit taking the medicine. It really slows the heart rate down. 0 -
best of luck getting it under controll Ken
my wife has run ins with it . She has worn heart monters at least three or four times and been to severl doc's but realy no good feed back
her dad died while in the hospital he was doing Ok then basicly his heart went wild and thay could not regain any control
that always adds to my wifes stress whaen she has a epposode0 -
Had a-fib. Didn't know I had it till I had a complete checkup.
Cardioverted - lasted 2 days
Ablation - worked. No a-fib since
I have a little monitor to check when I suspect an attack but so far so good0 -
Up to 6% of the population have it and getting worse....Your resting heart rate can go up to 160 BPM. I am very familiar as I had an ablation for AF and AFL about three years ago.
Also my wife had a heart ablation for PVC s as she was throwing up to 23000 a day. My mother has had the maze procedure. My sister has afib. Our BMI for all of us is is pretty normal.
I am very familiar with it and although some people are asymptomatic most know when it is going on. I remember my first episode as I had several finger pulse monitors laying around and when I put it on my finger it was going from 120 bpm to 160 bpm and I was basically flat on my back.
I recommend everybody to have a couple of these laying around because there is a difference between a little flutter than Afib,
Afib is not considered an emergency but can lead to major problems possibly if not treated. Ken the Cardizem also worked best for me and the Flecainide they first tried me on like to have killed me.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/FDA-CE-PRO-Finger-Tip-Pulse-Oximeter-SPO2-PR-Oxymeter-Blood-Oxygen-Monitor-LED/193019726985?hash=item2cf0df4c89:m:mdEUm5eJW4R6Msm9HMg0odA0 -
I've had it a few times in the past. I found that an open hand firm whack or 2 over the heart would usually stop it. Good luck with it. 0 -
One of the worst things that can happen with A FIB is a stroke caused by a blood clot due to all the blood not getting pumped out of the heart correctly which can cause it to pool and clot. I was already taking Eliquis which is a blood thinner so my cardiologist didn't have to write me a prescription for that. 0 -
Doing okay all. Thanks for the replies/thoughts.
Have had an 11 hour Surgery, (heart stopped for 8 hours) while they worked on repairing my Mytral Valve, back in 2005. Good times. 2 days after surgery i was able to go up and down the hallways, and up and down multiple levels of stairs. They said "We usually use that as an indication people are okay to go home if they can do that. We can not let you go home on the 3rd day." :shock: 4 weeks later my Buddy and I were headed up in the Catskills with multi-day backpacks on. I was in Killer shape then. On both the NY/NJ Search and Rescue teams.
Yes, most afraid of a Stroke with this issue. My Dad had multiple strokes, and was fairly well incapacitated last 10 years of his life. One of the main reasons I moved back down here, helping take care of Dad. I Really do not want that in my elder years. I don't know how he did it/coped with it.
I was initially prescribed Metroprolol when first diagnosed with A-Fib about 2-3 years ago. (By the ER Doc.) Made me too light headed and dizzy. Cardiologist prompltly replaced it with Dil Tiazem. Made the comment "We usually do not presribe that, a lot of people do not do well on it." Refering to the Metroprolol.
Familiar with Emer-gen-C. Unfamiliar it can help with an episode, may give it a try. Thanks.
Sorry to hear that Smitty. I am well aware Stress is a factor on these events. If I get angry/stressed it can definately bring on an attack/episode.
I get infrequent episodes and can usually control them/get them to stop. Being well aware of the Stroke factor, they can scare the crap out of you. I'd rather pass than have to endure that my final few years. That is one thing, that really scares me, seeing what happened to my Dad.
Oh well, it is what it is. I don't dwell on it.
Thanks again all.
-Ken-0 -
Glad to hear you are okay. Do you by chance take any fish oil? Of course check with your doc but I know fish oil is great for lowering bp, keeping arteries clear and maintaining a strong heart. I'm sure you probably know this though 😏 0 -
Proceramic wrote:Glad to hear you are okay. Do you by chance take any fish oil? Of course check with your doc but I know fish oil is great for lowering bp, keeping arteries clear and maintaining a strong heart. I'm sure you probably know this though 😏
Never had a high BP issue. I normally maintain about 120/70.
My problem is a tattered/since repaired Mitral Valve, and apparently some faulty wiring.
Have always been told my heart is very strong, almost oversize from working harder to keep up.0 -
KenK/84Bravo wrote:Proceramic wrote:Glad to hear you are okay. Do you by chance take any fish oil? Of course check with your doc but I know fish oil is great for lowering bp, keeping arteries clear and maintaining a strong heart. I'm sure you probably know this though 😏
Never had a high BP issue. I normally maintain about 120/70.
My problem is a tattered/since repaired Mitral Valve, and apparently some faulty wiring.
Have always been told my heart is very strong, almost oversize from working harder to keep up.
Rodger that!0 -
I agree,....spo2 meters are a great tool to spot a-fib with. Mine was reading all over the map, ranging from 50 to 170 and everything in between. It just could not lock in on a solid heart rate. I also have an Omron BP machine with an irregular heart beat detection feature,.....most of the newer ones have this.jrent wrote:Up to 6% of the population have it and getting worse....Your resting heart rate can go up to 160 BPM. I am very familiar as I had an ablation for AF and AFL about three years ago.
Also my wife had a heart ablation for PVC s as she was throwing up to 23000 a day. My mother has had the maze procedure. My sister has afib. Our BMI for all of us is is pretty normal.
I am very familiar with it and although some people are asymptomatic most know when it is going on. I remember my first episode as I had several finger pulse monitors laying around and when I put it on my finger it was going from 120 bpm to 160 bpm and I was basically flat on my back.
I recommend everybody to have a couple of these laying around because there is a difference between a little flutter than Afib,
Afib is not considered an emergency but can lead to major problems possibly if not treated. Ken the Cardizem also worked best for me and the Flecainide they first tried me on like to have killed me.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/FDA-CE-PRO-Finger-Tip-Pulse-Oximeter-SPO2-PR-Oxymeter-Blood-Oxygen-Monitor-LED/193019726985?hash=item2cf0df4c89:m:mdEUm5eJW4R6Msm9HMg0odA
The below is also a reasonably inexpensive way of checking yourself as well, if you want to be sure. The old version is a 2 lead, and is only 99 bucks. I have yet to purchase one of these for myself, but I got one for my Mother.
https://tinyurl.com/y366xlr60 -
My particular BPM is usually around 220, when it happens. O2 levels plummet. :shock:
Good stuff.
As described here in years past, "a fish flopping around in your chest," pretty well describes it.
I would avoid it if you can. I do not recommend it, all things considered.0 -
Thanks Marc as I would like to have one of those especially for my wife as she still has some PVC issues even after an extensive ablation. THe EP doctor seem to think it was a birth defect that is casing them. THe guy has years of experience and he said he had never seen anything like it. He said as soon as he would knock out a row (ablated) firing off in her heart another row would pop up. Her ejection fraction improved from 35% to 45% after the ablation and has remained steady for four years now.Marc1301 wrote:
I agree,....spo2 meters are a great tool to spot a-fib with. Mine was reading all over the map, ranging from 50 to 170 and everything in between. It just could not lock in on a solid heart rate. I also have an Omron BP machine with an irregular heart beat detection feature,.....most of the newer ones have this.jrent wrote:Up to 6% of the population have it and getting worse....Your resting heart rate can go up to 160 BPM. I am very familiar as I had an ablation for AF and AFL about three years ago.
Also my wife had a heart ablation for PVC s as she was throwing up to 23000 a day. My mother has had the maze procedure. My sister has afib. Our BMI for all of us is is pretty normal.
I am very familiar with it and although some people are asymptomatic most know when it is going on. I remember my first episode as I had several finger pulse monitors laying around and when I put it on my finger it was going from 120 bpm to 160 bpm and I was basically flat on my back.
I recommend everybody to have a couple of these laying around because there is a difference between a little flutter than Afib,
Afib is not considered an emergency but can lead to major problems possibly if not treated. Ken the Cardizem also worked best for me and the Flecainide they first tried me on like to have killed me.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/FDA-CE-PRO-Finger-Tip-Pulse-Oximeter-SPO2-PR-Oxymeter-Blood-Oxygen-Monitor-LED/193019726985?hash=item2cf0df4c89:m:mdEUm5eJW4R6Msm9HMg0odA
The below is also a reasonably inexpensive way of checking yourself as well, if you want to be sure. The old version is a 2 lead, and is only 99 bucks. I have yet to purchase one of these for myself, but I got one for my Mother.
https://tinyurl.com/y366xlr60 -
younger friend was having real low heart beat rate.....he was really drooping..got a pacemaker implanted and he looks good now and is doing well.... 0 -
KenK/84Bravo wrote:My particular BPM is usually around 220, when it happens. O2 levels plummet. :shock:
Good stuff.
As described here in years past, "a fish flopping around in your chest," pretty well describes it.
I would avoid it if you can. I do not recommend it, all things considered.
That sounds like flutter which comes from the right Atrium as usually AFIB does not get that fast. No doctor here so I am sure as said afib.
Every test they did on me came back as normal: echo, nuclear stress test, CTE scan, EKG when not in afib, etc. and BP was in the normal range without meds, resting heart rate was around 55-60 when not in afib.
One of the best youtube videos I have found as I have researched it for several years. Well worth the watched if you have this problem. Hope you get some relieve as working a hard job and dealing with this can make it very stressful as I have been there and one can only understand how bad this is with your heart going crazy and you feel like there is not a dam thing can be done for it. It plays on you as much psychologically/mental as physically. Ken I hope you can get this under control as I bet the heat from the last few weeks are causing some of this as I live not far from you and it has been supper hot. One thing that works for some is called a "Pill-In-The-Pocket" which is flecainide and it might work for you. That chit like to have killed me though as in the ER it stopped my heart three times.
Ken if this continues to be a problem for you and meds does not work effective, which the valve replacement may have something to do with, a good EP doctor can go in and map the area in your heart and possibly block the signal as success rates are getting better and reaching 75-80% with one procedure, especially with paroxysmal afib.....You sound like you are in great shape and I have read you are VA connected before as I have a buddy who had afib and they paid a top EP outside of the VA to do an ablation for him.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ_uIfj-hIQ0 -
jrent wrote:KenK/84Bravo wrote:My particular BPM is usually around 220, when it happens. O2 levels plummet. :shock:
Good stuff.
As described here in years past, "a fish flopping around in your chest," pretty well describes it.
I would avoid it if you can. I do not recommend it, all things considered.
That sounds like flutter which comes from the right Atrium as usually AFIB does not get that fast. No doctor here so I am sure as said afib.
Every test they did on me came back as normal: echo, nuclear stress test, CTE scan, EKG when not in afib, etc. and BP was in the normal range without meds, resting heart rate was around 55-60 when not in afib.
One of the best youtube videos I have found as I have researched it for several years. Well worth the watched if you have this problem. Hope you get some relieve as working a hard job and dealing with this can make it very stressful as I have been there and one can only understand how bad this is with your heart going crazy and you feel like there is not a dam thing can be done for it. It plays on you as much psychologically/mental as physically. Ken I hope you can get this under control as I bet the heat from the last few weeks are causing some of this as I live not far from you and it has been supper hot. One thing that works for some is called a "Pill-In-The-Pocket" which is flecainide and it might work for you. That chit like to have killed me though as in the ER it stopped my heart three times.
Ken if this continues to be a problem for you and meds does not work effective, which the valve replacement may have something to do with, a good EP doctor can go in and map the area in your heart and possibly block the signal as success rates are getting better and reaching 75-80% with one procedure, especially with paroxysmal afib.....You sound like you are in great shape and I have read you are VA connected before as I have a buddy who had afib and they paid a top EP outside of the VA to do an ablation for him.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ_uIfj-hIQ
Thank you Sir.
I will be leaving work early tomorrow for and Echocardiogram. I will be at the Harbor House in Abingdon about 11:45/noon for lunch, on the way to the Hospital. If you would like to meet me there for lunch, its on me Sir.
Just saying.
-Ken-0 -
That's great news, hope it remains that way. My cardiologist seems to think highly of that new '6 lead' Kardia Mobile model for what it's worth.jrent wrote:Thanks Marc as I would like to have one of those especially for my wife as she still has some PVC issues even after an extensive ablation. THe EP doctor seem to think it was a birth defect that is casing them. THe guy has years of experience and he said he had never seen anything like it. He said as soon as he would knock out a row (ablated) firing off in her heart another row would pop up. Her ejection fraction improved from 35% to 45% after the ablation and has remained steady for four years now.
On to your mention of Flecainide. That was one of the drugs that was used to chemically 'convert' me, and I was put on a low dose of it upon leaving the hospital. It took me a couple of weeks to get used to it, and then it did pretty good with me for a number of months. After that I started feeling horrible, and even getting neurological type symptoms that my doc seemed to think was being caused by the Flecainide. He switched me to a low dose (150mg 2X day) of Propafenone instead, and i have been taking it ever since with no issues. It virtually has eliminated my PVCs/Pacs as well,.....and the ones I DO get, are not nearly as noticeable. My mother has been on Propafenone for many years as well with no problems.
Propafenone is the same class of drug as Flecainide, but has a MUCH better side effect profile, and a longer history of use. A lot of people that are unable to tolerate Flecainide, have success using Propafenone if that type of drug is really needed. Just wanted to let you know, in case you were unaware of it.0 -
Ken, I had a-fib when I had my mitral valve operated on with a implant about three years ago. It cleared up in about three days and did not return. Craig Smith in Columbia did me because if he did not kill Bill Clinton I figured he would not kill me. My Army buddy told me to ask him if he ever did this before and if he said "NO" to run like hell. Luckily Dr. Smith said "Yes".
A word of caution. My wife has two stents in her heart and pretty bad a-fib. She had ablation done on heart in Hackensak Hospital(great hospital). Doctor was a great salesman. You know 85%-90% sucess rate, you won't need to take medicine anymore. Bull shit, it was a bust and I don't believe the stats. Hey what the heck do i know, i am not a MD.
Another word of caution. My wife rejected her Card Doctors advice to take blood thinner for years and about three years ago she had a stroke and hit the floor hard. Face and both knees. Her mind by the grace of GOD is 100% ok and she just had l knee replaced. The rehab is hell at 81. If your doctor says you need to go on blood thinner and you don't, you are playing with fire!0 -
I will be leaving work early tomorrow for and Echocardiogram. I will be at the Harbor House in Abingdon about 11:45/noon for lunch, on the way to the Hospital. If you would like to meet me there for lunch, its on me Sir.
Just saying.
When I am up that way I will let you know as most of the time Kingsport is were I go....0 -
4205raymond wrote:Ken, I had a-fib when I had my mitral valve operated on with a implant about three years ago. It cleared up in about three days and did not return. Craig Smith in Columbia did me because if he did not kill Bill Clinton I figured he would not kill me. My Army buddy told me to ask him if he ever did this before and if he said "NO" to run like hell. Luckily Dr. Smith said "Yes".
A word of caution. My wife has two stents in her heart and pretty bad a-fib. She had ablation done on heart in Hackensak Hospital(great hospital). Doctor was a great salesman. You know 85%-90% sucess rate, you won't need to take medicine anymore. Bull doodoo, it was a bust and I don't believe the stats. Hey what the heck do i know, i am not a MD.
Thanks Raymond. I am familiar with Hackensack Hospital. Yes a very good one. I had my Mitral operation at Valley Hospital, in Ridgewood, NJ. (Dr. Bruce Mindich)
Just had an Echocardiogram this past Thurs. My Cardiologist making noises, "how would you feel about me going back in, and tuning you up?" Uh,.......................................No, not unless absolutey necessary.
We will see when they get the results back. Had an Esoesophogeal scope done, (where they put you out, and run a tube down your throat,) about 6 months ago.
Good stuff, good times.0 -
jrent wrote:I will be leaving work early tomorrow for and Echocardiogram. I will be at the Harbor House in Abingdon about 11:45/noon for lunch, on the way to the Hospital. If you would like to meet me there for lunch, its on me Sir.
Just saying.
When I am up that way I will let you know as most of the time Kingsport is were I go....
Sorry we missed each other Sir. Lunch was excellent, Fried clams and Catfish combo, cole slaw, baked potatoe, butter/sour cream, onion rings, sweet tea with lemon. You get tons of food there. (Falls off the plate.) I brought about half of it home. Dinner tonight.
I work in Glade Springs, VA. Live in Mtn. City, TN.
Don't get over Abingdon way very often, only when medical stuff scheduled at Johnstons Memorial, or I have an appointment with my Cardiologist/Thoracic surgeon. (Dr. Nick Cavros) [Highly recommend.]0 -
4205raymond wrote:Ken, I had a-fib when I had my mitral valve operated on with a implant about three years ago. It cleared up in about three days and did not return. Craig Smith in Columbia did me because if he did not kill Bill Clinton I figured he would not kill me. My Army buddy told me to ask him if he ever did this before and if he said "NO" to run like hell. Luckily Dr. Smith said "Yes".
A word of caution. My wife has two stents in her heart and pretty bad a-fib. She had ablation done on heart in Hackensak Hospital(great hospital). Doctor was a great salesman. You know 85%-90% sucess rate, you won't need to take medicine anymore. Bull doodoo, it was a bust and I don't believe the stats. Hey what the heck do i know, i am not a MD.
Another word of caution. My wife rejected her Card Doctors advice to take blood thinner for years and about three years ago she had a stroke and hit the floor hard. Face and both knees. Her mind by the grace of GOD is 100% ok and she just had l knee replaced. The rehab is hell at 81. If your doctor says you need to go on blood thinner and you don't, you are playing with fire!
Strokes scare the Hell out of me. I saw what my Dad went through last ten years of his life. (I don't know how he did it.) A Better Man than I am.
If I have a heart attack and pass, so be it. Having a stroke/strokes and lingering incapacitated? Not for me.0
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