Hi all. I went to the doc a few days ago with palpitations and anxiety attacks that had started waking me through the night over a few days. She gave me propranalol and i had an ECG. Bloods came back normal apart from hormones which said i was i. Menopause & possible cause of palpitations. ECG showed minor A Fib. Doc said she needed clarification from cardiologist so been waiting to hear back & feeling very anxious. Also light headed and unsteady on feet which is hopefully the change in BP from betablockers. History...increasing anxiety for 18 mths (menopause?) as well as chronic digestive (gas) issue for a cple yrs (ibs? All tests negative), palpitations sporadic over 2 years coinciding with excess gas, leading to panic attacks. Over Xmas, more stomach upset due to eating richer foods...panic attacks and 'palpitations' at night (waking me up many times), then diagnosis of minor A Fib. Any support would be much appreciated, thank you.
Hi Julia reading this as made me double think my afib now and just how much is anxiety etc as the other day I felt like I was going into afib .. heart picking up speed light headed but my granddaughter turn up really upset in the conversation that followed I realised my heart was normal for me 47/51 and it was because I didn't have time to think about it ? I'm on bisoparol and blood pressure tablets and thyroxine , I'm beginning to think it might be 80% anxiety and 20% afib , I'm on the fodmap diet too so do feel better in myself now ( hope that keeps up) and I hope you have more answers now and feeling better it's a scary thing at first but ppl on this site are really helpful and knowledgeable 👍 X
Hi Julie, there seems to be a lot of anxiety there and rightly so as you are worried. There does seem to be a link to stomach and acidity and A Fib and certainly since I have been going through the menopause it does happen more frequently. It is just a case of seeing how it goes and if it gets worse there are things that can be tried as well as the drugs route. If you can stay calm that may help you relax more. I know it can be a worry but I am sure the Cardiologist will find the best treatment for you. Do you lie on your right or left side? It seems to be happening to people more who sleep on the right side and it is more noticeable in the posts I have followed over the years. Might be worth changing if you do and see if your sleep is better.
Hi Mazieboo , I thought it was when you slept on your heart side it caused it and for the last 2 years iv slept on my right side 😐 It's great to learn new things to help cope with this awful thing , thank you x
Hi Julie, I was diagnosed 6 years ago and since then I've discovered a lot about my A Fib. It can be so different for everyone. With me it's truly a food, and irritated vagus nerve thing. With a stress component thrown in there. I'm also on the FODMAP diet and it's a miracle for me. I'm very strict with it and it works! Over Christmas I was eating many foods I shouldn't as we all do at this time of year and sure enough I had 2 mini attacks that self corrected. Thank God as I was too busy to go for a cardioversion lol.
Thank you Bea. Yes I'm the same, when I think about the AFib i get anxiety symptoms. I dont know if its possible that my anxiety and overproducing adrenaline for 18mths started the AFib off? I've never had anxiety before...I'm putting it down to the menopause. Im on betablockers now so that should help, but no bloodthinners as docs figuring out what to do, which worries me!
Oh and whats the fodmap diet? My stomachs been haywire for 2 yrs...bloated and over sensitive
Hi Bea, i was told it was a strain for the heart sleeping on your right side and each time I was awoken with AF it has been when I have been on my right hand side but it is interesting to see what other links and common symptoms we all get. There is definitely a link with digestive problems due to the Vagus nerve that connects both and any upset to that area seems to trigger AF.
Hi again Sandie I was wondering how you were getting on with the fodmap diet I think it's great and hopefully the Moore weight I get of the better il feel , iv had a few non starting afibs but am feeling lots better than I was 🤗
Julie if you look on some of the threads about the vagal nerve that connects the heart ,stomach, brain it makes so much sense I googled it too learnt so much and the fodmap diet is amazing , most ppl who have afib tend to have stomach problems too I hope this helps , Bea
Hi Mazie, i used to sleep on back or left side but it triggers the palps now so i sleep on back or right side, propped up on a few pillows. Yes Ive read about the connection between stomach and heart via the vagus nerve.... I suppose i feel in limbo cos i know ive got the AFs but dont know yet if it lone AF or if theres any disease there. Thank you for your support
Thank you Sandi...it gives me hope that it can be managed. Guess I just need to know that it's not down to any disease of the heart, maybe then i wont stress so much!
And I will look up this Fodmap diet now!
Most things have already been said but I concur with a lot of them because although with AF 'one size does not fit all' there is a lot of similarities. I would also recommend the Fodmap diet - I only started it before Xmas and it has already helped a lot. I sleep on my back - I cannot sleep on my right fullstop and can go on my left but body says - get on your back. I also started using a wedge cushion before Xmas .... that seems to help but it not perfect because I tend to slide down it but as I say there are some improvements so I am trying to get used to it. You say you are lightheaded - maybe the dose is a bit high and you could be cut down a bit - something for you to work out in time. You seem concerned about not being on blood thinners but if you are light headed on BP tablets and the doctor hasn't precribed them yet then you are possibly saving yourselves side effects from them. If you need them then you will have to suffere side effects but if you don't them that will also help you. You mention anxiety but I am not sure what is causing your anxiety it sounds pre AF anxiety or maybe you mean it is also unconscious fears ......but if this is done to the menapause as you suggest then it will settle in time as you go through it. Once you get on blood thinners and other tabs you are unlikely to come off them so radically change your diet and do everything you can to calm your system whilst you go through this horrilbe but hopefull temporary stage. I'm afraid eating rich food is a trigger if you read the posts so to keep your body calm and AF free it must be avoided. The least tablets you have to take the better unless of course they become necessary. Good Luck
Being on AF tablets also causes brain freeze and spellings mistakes to anyone reading the above!! That's why if possible avoid but if necessary take graciously
Once you know it's not a disease of the heart and more an electrical malfunction you'll be able to relax a bit. It does get easier but I think how it feels physically when it happens is what freaks most people out. I wish sometimes I was one of those A Fib people like my dad who don't even know their in A Fib. They feel nothing. Oh I wish lol.
Go to the one at Stanford hospital under the digestive health center nutrition services. I trust this one the most.
Sandiishealthy - that is a good point about some people not knowing they are in AF. AF and being on all the tabs has turned me into a weak wreck and I know instantly when it flips but the good thing is I don't panic and get anxious when I get the AF I remain perfectly calm because I want it to correct and save myself a trip to A&E. Lots of people have AF but it affects us all differently. But agree it is just the electrics and with careful managment of the fuse when it blows you do get used to it. Or do I mean learn to live with it!!!
Julie - It varies for all but I have had AF since 2011 and have had about 15 hospitalisations and lots of self managed episodes. I had an echo and scan the other day in prep for ablation and all above episodes have been happening in a 'structurally sound heart' so please don't panic and make adjustments where you know it will help.
Yes it's a horrible feeling and then for me the panic ensues and living on my own, I find it hard with no support. Ive been on betablockers for a week but feel a bit dizzy, unsteady on feet, so I've not been shopping in days. I was walking 10miles a week before xmas, now I feel I should wait to hear more before I exercise. So then im not getting any feel good chemicals either :-(