Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.

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ray2600 02/22/2014

i am in continues afib where i sometime feel it at night , i am on warafin and my INR fluctuates between 2, to 2.5 .

my family is having a getogether in hongkong , that is a 15 hour flight from los angeles .

i just hav ethis fear of flying and having something happen to me my doc says she will give me xanac.to come my anxiety .

just like to hear from my other friends here any help will be apreciated

kind regards

ray

los angeles

pacyetep 02/22/2014

Hydrate.
Walk around every couple of hours.
Take Xanax as prescribed.
Watch the movie.
Think about what you are going to do in Hong Kong.

svenska 02/22/2014

Ray, I took a 10 hour flight to Europe last fall. Ditto on what pacyetep said. I watched a movie until I got tired then put the earplugs in and slept a great deal of the time. Take a Xanax if you need to, but go and have fun!

ray2600 02/23/2014

thank you so much

acrossthepond 02/23/2014

I personally hate flying but do it every few years (gotta see the family occasionally!). One of the best flights that I had was when I taught a friend, who flew with me, how to play backgammon. It kept my mind off of any bumps, time flew by quickly and it was actually fun!
Hope you have a great time in Hong Kong!!

atp

Paul60 02/23/2014

I addition to the Xanax, hydration and walking around. Wear compression stocking on your legs. That helps prevent a DVT in the legs, you don't want that. And make sure your anti-coagulant is at the proper level.

daisy0808 02/23/2014

I too have the anxiety about going on trips, do as the others have suggested, take a Xanax if you need to, they work great for me and think happy thoughts! It will be an awesome trip for you!

Orchard25 02/23/2014

Ray,
Something weird going on! I have sent u two messages and neither of them showed up here - so don't know if u got either one?Anyhow, I had all the same fears as you after my first a - fib last March. I had great support from these people on this site- the are so great:). I had no issues and have flown three times since. I did the DVT exercises listed in the pocket right in front of u. Stretching legs rotating ankles, walking around, reading, movie and did relax. My- longest trip was 5 hrs. Just relax and it will help. DRINK lots of water! Have a wonderful trip
Hugs,
'Christine

DeTalentedOne 02/25/2014

I took my first flight this past December since I was diagnosised with afib and I was worried as well because of being in an high altitude. It was a short flight but it was good. I took extra metaprolol to make sureI don't get any fast heartrate due to my overactive imagination. Definitely stay hydrated! Also don't carry a stuffed burito in your carryon! Your gonna get searched like I did! Lol Have a safe flight and bring headphones and plenty of reading material!

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