I am in Afib 24/7. Have had 2 Cardioversions and 1 ablation with negative results. My heart rate would go so low,, had to have a Pacemaker. The pacemaker keeps my heart pacing but doesn't help the afib. I am on Metoprolol and warfarin and a diuretic. I have very low energy and fatigue, very little stamina.

Hi Shefland,

It always hits me when I'm falling asleep or sleeping. My average start time (I keep a diary) is around 0230 am. Lasts for 10-26 hours, usually twice a month. I only went to the ER once and that was in May, my first episode. I was put on beta blocker, every day, but, makes me very tired. Now, I use the BB as a PIP. Also in the early stages of using Flecanaide as a PIP, we shall see.

I'm non in afib unless I push my luck on the usual triggers for me, such as stress (not enough sleep), wheat gluten, caffeine, sugar, booze or the sneaky one, MSG. That is in a lot of things. When I go into afib, I sometimes feel coming on as a tightness in my chest, my heart beats stonger as if I've been running and if I don't do something about it, afib. Or afib without the signals. What I do about the oncoming feelings is take 2 Vit B complex, magnesium & Nux Vomica. That, often settles me down in about 20 minutes. Unless it is MSG that has triggered me.

When I go into full blown afib, I've seen different actions have different effects.

If I take 150mg of Rythmol, it may take 3 to 5 hours to get back to normal.

If I take 300mg of Rythmol it may take 2 to 4 hours to get back to normal. Sometimes I've needed another 150 mg after 4 hours if the first 300mg didn't do the job.

If I take 300mg of Rythmol, pico magnesium, 2 vit B complex and Nux Vomica, I can be back in normal rythm in 1 hour. If I don't take anything,

I've been 6 hours in afib trying to see if it would go away without treatment,so I've always taken something.

I use the pill as needed method, otherwise I don't take any medications at all.

I do take lots of supplements, however. Ginko Biloba and Cod Liver Oil for blood thinners, Vit B complex, Salmon oil, CoQ10, Multi-vitamins, Vit E & C, pico magnesium and trace minerals.

I know all too well about having to rush to the ER becasue of a prolonged afib episode with an high rate. Have you considered an ablation? Do you have an EP or just a cardiologist? I commend you on going through 11 cardioversions. They had to do it to me 3 times and they didn't work at all. I self converted about 6 hours later. I had burns for like a month. DO you happen to know the joules they used on you? I think the highest for me was 340 joules.

I would think diuretics would be really bad since they are almost always full of caffeine. I take Inderal twice a day for mine, and Xanax for panic attacks. When I feel AF coming on, I take an Inderal, a Xanax, and 5 low dose asprin. I too, get very anxious and have usually gone to the ER. One time, it stopped on it's own after about 30 minutes or so. Mostly, It's been around 5-6 hours with help from the doctors. Once with cardioinversion.

Sending healing, soothing thoughts your way.