My EP says that if I lose some weight (I gained a bit after being treated for Graves Disease-hyperthyroidism) and get my positional sleep apnea treated, I might be able to "set back " my afib a few years." She explained that it would not go away, but I might be able to return to 1 episode a year for a while. She said that recently, they found an even more strong connection between afib and sleep apnea.

I had gone in for one study, and they wanted me to come back for another wearing a darth vader mask (Cpap), but I never went back because I found that whole night so unpleasant, and dread that mask.

But I'm going to do it again, at a different place that my EP likes, and we will see what the results are. I just can't live this way.

And Hwkmn, I did read online about high doses of vitamin c helping. I just bought 1000 mg capsules. What strength do you take per day?

Petey, very interesting info, as usual. Thank you.

Adding...

Paul, didnt you say you jog to break your afib? I couldn't imagine raising my heart rate even higher during an episode!

Island, 2 gms twice daily, due to the fact that C has a half life of 30 min. If we did the RDA, 300mg, it would exit our bodies in 90 min. I use Poten-C by Divinci, best Ive found.
Mixed reviews on Cpap, but worth a shot if it controls AF. Weight surprises me a bit, I m not sure why that would matter.

Weight connection:

https://www.cardiosmart.org/News-and-Events/2015/03/Weight-Loss-Helps-Control-Atrial-Fibrillation

1. Heart rate over 160 and very irregular. Feels like my heart is pounding HARD and flopping around. Feel slightly short of breath and sometimes light-headed. I do feel a little cold, but not what I would describe as freezing. My chest feels sore (bruised inside?) for a few days afterwards. The day after an episode I feel exhausted.

2. Usually last 4-5 hours. Longested ever was 7 1/2.

3. I cannot work, cannot concentrate well, I feel so focused on my heart flip-flopping and very anxious. I lie down, become as quiet as possible and try to focus on breathing and relaxing....sort of meditation.

4. Take an ativan and an extra 1/2 dose flecainide and #3 above, and wait for it to stop.

5. Happens usually early evening. Have had it happen at work during the day, and also as soon as I get up. Never during the night.

6. Sometimes pacs/pvcs before, but not after I convert.

7. I have gone to ER twice....first 2 episodes, before I really had a plan for it. If my heart rate is over 140 and its been over 5-6 hours is my general rule. If anything else is going on like chest pain or feeling more short of breath I would go sooner.

8. Never happened when traveling. I would follow the same plan as at home. If necessary I would find an ER.

9. I had afib for a couple years and it got progressively more frequent from once every 6 months to about every 2-3 days. I had a hard time planning anything, I was anxious about every little blip my heart made, I tried not to get stressed by anything. Stress (or adrenaline) is a big part of it for me. So I finally saw an EP and started flecainide a few years ago and it has been a miracle pill for me. I haven't had an episode in over 2 years. If I do have an episode flecainide will help me convert in about an hour vs 4 or more before.

Some days I really don't think about afib. I resisted an antiarrythmic for a long time....too long I think. I have had no side effects from flecainide. I know how lucky I am that it works so well for me. Sometimes I wonder if I could go off it and just use as a PIP but I am afraid to stop it....its like my lifeline.

Lvr,. Most like that study were obese patients and most I would say with what is called apnea. Personally, losing 20 lbs did nothing to slow AF. Never a bad thing to lose a few lbs tho.

When I have Afib, i just feel the irregular heart beat. My heart raced the first time, not the second or 3rd, started to on the 4th, but that could've been anxiety, so I popped a metoprolol along with the cardizem.
My shortest attack after diagnosis was 1 hour and 10 minutes. My longest 57 1/2 hours. During an attack I fret. I worry, I can't sit still. My long attack happened during a work week, I was able to work. I convert by taking cardizem, so I guess I don't self convert. Mine has happened any time of day.
PVCs and PACs? I don't know. Before my 2nd attack, i felt funny all morning prior, thought my heart felt fluttery.
Went to the ER with my first attack when I received my DX. Also start my journey of anxiety with Afib when the ER MD announced they saved my life. I only waited an hour after feeling the irregular beat that was fast. I also work in health care, so I may respond quicker to health emergencies.
No attack while traveling, but I make sure I take my "rescue meds" and know where the hospital is when we arrive.
Threat of Afib? Very anxious after the 1st attack. Have Xanax to take to sleep. The longer I go without /in between attacks, I have less anxiety. I also adore my cardiologist whose goal is to keep me out of the hospital and comfortable, so I feel I have a good medical regimen and good responsive MD.

I have very different symptoms this time around then I had 3 years ago. Then I couldn't feel the A-fib, but I was extremely tired and dizzy. Now, I think I'm seeing the full on effects of A-fib this time around. I feel completely and utterly washed out, I feel it more so then I did last time, and the overwhelming feeling of just not feeling good is wearing me out. I am extremely tired all the time. I think I was extremely lucky that my ablation worked for 3 years, but you can't live in a bubble and protect yourself from stress. Another stressful situation, like a death, could once more put me back in A-fib after an ablation, so I have to give it lots of thought. I'm thinking of going with over-the-counter meds, which I'm getting ready to order. This consists of Vit. C 1000 mg tid; CQ 10-300 mg one a day; L-Cartine 3000 mg. a day; magnesium glycinate 800 mg once a day, and D-Rubose 3000-6000 mg a day spaced out. I already take fish oil supplements, and I may also try L-Argentine. I know one thing. I will never take Warfarin again. I have a free trial of Equilis, but I have not filled it yet. I really don't want to take these drugs for the rest of my life.

TomorrowsDream: I've been on Eliquis for about a year with no problems whatsoever. Before that I was on Wafarin, with blood work every two weeks and the dietary restrictions. Eliquis is so much better, and there should be an antidote soon. For me an anti-coagulant is not an option, its mandatory with a history of DVT, Pulmonary Embolism, AFIB and stroke, there is no choice involved. Good luck with your choice.

Hi IslandLuvr. Sorry, to hear about your struggles of late. I agree with YogaCat's remarks about being timely. But we all know that there is "no" good time for a AFIB incident. Fortunately, I do not get attacks as often as many here, but that don't mean that they are any less scary and difficult to deal with.

1). I feel like I'm about to pass out and 'gonna die. I heat up and feel like I am burning up. The bottoms of my feet perspire.
2). A few hours with the help of a PIP or when I get lucky. The longest has been 18 hours in the hospital.
3). I walk around try to do things and drink a lot of water and pace. Unfortunately, I also have to ue the rest room constantly during a situation.
4)." ".
5). For some reason late morning near lunchtime. But lately, I have been aroused late at night with similar issues.
6). I do not know about the PVC stuff. But I always get a thumping feeling in my throat.
7). 8 plus times in the ER over the course of 5 years. Hospitalized 4 times.
8). Yes. I had to drive to an ER.
9). It sucks. I try NOT to think about it. I take my meds. and live normally. but when it happens it's terrible.

I ran out on metoprolol last week and it took me days to get it refilled. The last time I went to the pharmacy, they still had not filled it. I had to call an emergency Dr., and I did not get of the phone with him until he filled the 'scrip while I was there with the pharmacist. It was a terrible scene 'cos I was close to going to the ER. Fortunately, things settled down later that night.

Tmmrws, you may want to up that C to 4000 or more. Better yet, take 1000mg several times a day because of a 30 min half life of C. I know of some that use 10 gms a day. That may be most of your issue with inflammation. Hawthorne berry and Taurine are supps Id research also.

Thanks for the advice, guys. I will get the Eliquis filled. I was so sick on the warfarin that taking something else really scared me. Now, that I know you have not had any problems, Paul, I will give it a try.

I will also definitely up the Vitamin C.

I think I was nave when I had my ablations thinking if I got beyond a yr. or so, I was safe. There is no such thing as safe apparently. I'm told that by 5 years time only 25% of people don't have the recurrence of afib. This time around, I'll try and be a lot smarter about my choices. I have lots of time to think about it. My Dr. that did the ablation is booked through Dec., and next year's book isn't even out yet. I go on the 11th though for an echo, and probably a stress test after that, and we will know more. They believe there is some CHF in there, because I had some fluid in my lungs...not much, but a little...enough to take Lasix a couple times a week. We live and we learn.

A Note about getting a Sleep Apnea Study done for a CPAP. I went in the hospital for the Sleep Apnea test (on Medicare you have to have it done in a hospital) . After they hooked me up and I put on the mask I could not go to sleep - Lights out at 11:00PM and no TV. They only got a reading for less than an hour for me. It showed that I had Sleep Apnea, but not enough of a study to allow Medicare to give me a CPAP. Another study had to be done.

I don't know if this is available to everybody, but by Sleep Doctor sent me home with a monitor for the night that goes around your chest and you hit a button to start the test. I got a full nights sleep wearing it and got a good reading from it. They told me that a lot of insurance companies like this method better because it is less expensive for them. The result was that I do have Sleep Apnea and have to wear the CPAP. Medicare approved my CPAP with this study.

The monitor test does not give all the information that the test does at the hospital. But, if your just trying to find out if you do have Sleep Apnea then it is an easier way of doing it.

I am not obese and have Sleep Apnea. Anyone can have it. It's pretty scary when you see how many events you have during the night per/hour. Once you see that, you will wear the mask!

Great Info, Thanks!

We can do much for sleep issues without testing or appliances. For thousands of years, human brains have controlled breathing during sleep and now we feel the need to basically turn a vacuum cleaner backwards and force air down our throats. Simply put, Not all who have this invented condition, have AF, and not all who have AF, have sleep issues. Id look into several other breathing techniques, such as Buteyko and relaxation before I wear that contraption.