From day to night

[Craigtx]

Hello. My afib episodes have migrated from day to night (early morning) episodes. This of course is ruining my sleep because I stay up trying to stop it via running in place, etc. (any other tips that you have heard of that sometimes work?).

I was thinking of asking my MD for a change of times that I take my metoprolol, to perhaps right before bed. But since this medication slows down the heart, wouldn't the heart rate already be at a low point during sleep and would the medication make the heart beat too slow (I have heard that if it beats too slow, this may actually trigger afib).

The MD talked about toprol a while back but the downside is that during my bouts, I would get a stronger boost if I take metoprolol at the onset (assuming I hadn't just recently taken it druing my usual time) which I can't do if I already have toprol in my system.

Your thoughts? Thank you.

Craig

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

Craig,

Thanks for the post.

You likely have parasympathetic-induced atrial fibrillation.  Some patients are more likely to develop afib when their pulse runs low, like at night.  The fact that running in place gets rid of the afib is decent evidence that this is the case for you.  If indeed this is the case, than the metoprolol might actually be exacerbating the problem.  I will strongly caution you, though, that you should only stop or alter this medication after discussing it with your doctor.  I have never seen you, and thus the advice I give is strictly conjecture.

Another possibility is that the afib is induced by alcohol.  This might be the case if you drink at night with dinner or before bed.

Good luck, and talk to your doctor.

[jaz5802]

I would like to know why A-Fib is triggered when drinking alcohol at night.  Anyone know why?

A few years ago, I drank red wine with dinner almost every night and consumed more on the weekends (in the evening).  Eventually, I would wake up "in the middle of the night" with a racing heart (not pounding, just fast).  It would take about 30 minutes for it to calm down.

I assumed it was from the sugar content in red wine. Switched to rum, then vodka, etc.  Fast heart rate each and every time while sleeping.

Needless to say, I've stopped drinking!  It's been 2 years but I am curious as to why this happens.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Beth

[John Morales]

I too am having problmes in the Morning when ever iget up pmy rate is now arounf 140 this has happened the past three day and they come down to where mmy base line has been of 90..

I hope I have found a place where maybe I can get some sympthy, advice, and help . I am a Veteran now of 6 EP ablation Studies in about 8 years including a tras-ceptal in february I think I spelled that right. My last ablation was about a two weeks ago and it appears that the ablations was a nightmare as he was close to the SN and the doctor fells that maybe some of the burns have caused some damage he said they did 60 burns all in the upper Q around the SN. As I now appear to have Sick Sinus Syndrome.

Here is a whats happened after the ablation my base HR was 108 this was on Tuesday morning it stayed that way until I was awoke on Thursday morning by the nurse becase my HR had suddenly dropped to 40 well I paniced (yes for me the world was comming to an end) my base rate stayed at 50 or so for another 5 days, After I went home I had 3 days of low HR in the 40 - 60 total. I got up on thursday and all of a sudded in was at 93 it has now been in the hi 80's to about 110 at rest,mostly sitting about 90 on top of that they had stopped my med which consisted of lopressor and flecinide, and Im getting alot of PAC skipps or pauses I should sayu that at the hospital the Dr. origonall wanted to put a pacemaker in I opted to wait as I was not happy with the outcome of the procedure.

So my Q is has anone had these types of probelms and how do you cope and what do you do, I wish I didnt feel every Beat and chaeck my rate every two seconds I dont sleep well as I fell all the pac and like many am afraid that my hear will just stop.

Well maybe Il like a few here frantic and lost.If anyone wiould like to contact me my email is ***@****

Thanks

John