[Samies]

Hi everyone, have been reading this forum for a few weeks which as brought me great comfort in that I am not on my own and just wanted to share my story so far.

I work as a med sec for two stroke consultants in the UK, (a little knowledge a dangerous thing lol)this year as last we were all advised to have the flu jab which I did just before I had a weeks holiday, a day and a half later started with a horrendous cold, two weeks later a bad back, so bad I was off work and could hardly walk, two days after that started I noticed my heart beating hard in my chest, and not regularly, this terrified me, I felt tired, dizzy, was coughing it would beat fast then felt like it would stop briefly then start again with a huge thud all day and all that night, the next day dragged myself into work felt like I was going to pass out and took myself to A&E ECG showed sinus arrythmia with premature complexes, I was sent away with them saying nothing to worry about but if continues see gp for 24 hour tape as cardiologists would probably not do anything, I went away feeling like I was going mad, luckily our dept had a7 day event monitor which was free so I used that for the next 5 days, got the report printed off which showed nearly 23,000 narrow complexs, showed gp who said it looked normal, showed a cardiologist who said I needed to see someone, ended up in A&E again a day later with palpitations they wouldn't do anything until had seen cardiologist, that morning I just wanted to run away from myself, my heart was driving me mad, banging away, I was coughing, chest felt heavy, and i was shaking, it was skipping every fifth beat I just wanted someone to knock me out, the room was spinning it was so awful and I had cut out diet coke as told to stop all stimulents which was all I used to drink from the age of 18 so probably a lot of caffeine withdrawal symptoms in there too. I felt so embarrassed again when they sent me out with nothing again as I felt like I was dying.

I carried on for two more weeks then ended up in A&E again after speaking to gp who advised me to go, this time I had narrow complex tachycardia with frequent premature ectopics ie every 2 nd beat, this time dr in a& e was lovely, he said I would probably need ablation but explained that I wasn't going mad and to take things easy until saw cardiologist - I haven't been back to a&E now for 5 weeks and saw cardiologist on Weds, echo was normal but have had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation - the relief to get a diagnosis was been amazing, the attacks are getting less, there is no cause for the af so am hoping it will go but no one in A&E mentioned af - I think it is just the not knowing- I haven't ad any skips now for3 days and although it may not last now I know what I am dealing with I feel I can cope much better.

I feel for all of you as the skipping is so frightening and it does become all consuming at times too, I have only had them for the last 6 weeks, and my life was on hold, I now know I can go to gym (am still plucking up courage for this lol) and carry on as normal, if it starts again for more than 24 hrs I can get beta blockers from gp, they may go, they may flare up from time to time or they may become permanent but since stopping caffeine am hoping they will go - and really sorry for such a long post lol

[Katie]

Wow. I really feel for you. I thought I'd go mad crazy too! Glad you've found some relief and you'll definetly feel better on the boards here knowing you aren't alone. My doctor told me as sudden as they appear they can suddenly disappear and even if they don't disappear they will gradually taper off at times. Have you tried anything at all to find out if they correlate to anything at all? Any patterns?

[Susie]

I have not heard of A&E, is that the same as the ER?

Welcome, by the way.

I have PAC's, they come when they feel like it, usually when I eat or drink water, also, when slouching in a chair like I am now, I better sit up straight, LOL, now, I am OK.

Drats, I slouched again and one got me, that stinks.

Feel free to post anytime, this is an awesome group.

[Samies]

Originally Posted by Katie

Wow. I really feel for you. I thought I'd go mad crazy too! Glad you've found some relief and you'll definetly feel better on the boards here knowing you aren't alone. My doctor told me as sudden as they appear they can suddenly disappear and even if they don't disappear they will gradually taper off at times. Have you tried anything at all to find out if they correlate to anything at all? Any patterns?

These boards are great and so helpful, I'm hoping mine will disappear in time although started skipping again last night and still going today, trying not to think about it too much, I've been told to avoid caffeine although not sure whether stress can trigger it too, will have to see but least I know am not going mad

[Samies]

Originally Posted by Susie

I have not heard of A&E, is that the same as the ER?

Welcome, by the way.

I have PAC's, they come when they feel like it, usually when I eat or drink water, also, when slouching in a chair like I am now, I better sit up straight, LOL, now, I am OK.

Drats, I slouched again and one got me, that stinks.

Feel free to post anytime, this is an awesome group.

Hi, sorry yes A&E (Accident and Emergency) is the same as ER, mine seem to start with PACs which seem to get closer and closer together over a day or so until the AF starts, it is a horrible feeling and once they start i am trying to find out if I can stop them, if you have any tips at all.....

[Katie]

Cough or bear down as if using the toilet I've heard it helps.

[Amanda]

Yes as katie said you can cough or bear down. Bearing down usually works well to slowing thw heart and getting it back into normal rhythm. Push as if ur passing a bowel movement. Slow deep breaths also. Sometimes if you stick your head in ice cold water my cardiologist said that might work. Ive just had the ablation procedure done. Best of luck.. Any questions just ask.

[Samies]

Well arrhythmia getting worse today, thought I was in af with irregular pulse managed to get ECG done which showed sinus rythym with occasional supra ventricular complexes but of course had calmed down a lot at the time -not sure what to do now, pulse all over the place again, not going to a&e - should I go onto beta blockers to see if they sort it (although not keen) but not sure how long can go on like this it starts and stops every week or so for three or four days dreading bedtime as I probs won't sleep, anyone any advice or experiences with beta blockers?

[jkfrench]

Why don't you try that ice trick that we learned about from Debbie. She eats ice cubes or ice cream, or shaved ice and it stops then in their tracks. Something about the cold hitting the vagus nerve. Can't hurt! Jodie

[Samies]

Originally Posted by jkfrench

Why don't you try that ice trick that we learned about from Debbie. She eats ice cubes or ice cream, or shaved ice and it stops then in their tracks. Something about the cold hitting the vagus nerve. Can't hurt! Jodie

Hi, tried it by having some ice cream, unfortunately in me it hasn't worked, oooo when they get going they jst don't know when to stop!! Hoping by morning....