AFib getting more frequent - what to do?

I was diagnosed with afib a decade ago (am 54 year old woman). I used to have about 4-5 episodes a year, often less. Lasting anywhere from 2-18 hours. Since March of this year, I have had 17 episodes. I am concerned about this jump in the number of episodes. They have a pattern now - start between 5-9pm and end around 5-9am. I take Diltizan XR twice a day and Atenolol (50mg morning; 25mg evening).

My afib first arrived after I was very dehydrated, and if I don't have enough water, that can still trigger episodes. I've added magnesium, potassium and fish oil to my regime and usually drink enough water. But maybe not enough these days? I don't know. I can't figure out why the jump in the number of episodes this year.

[Jerry_NJ]

The bad news is AFib is more prevalent in older people, that is as one ages it is likely that AFib will get worse, or start if none was present.

You are the one in the best (only) position to determine if anything besides the passage of time has occurred in our life.  Sounds like you are at least thinking about that issue.

Then, you should discuss with your doctor... and it may be time to talk about corrective action via an ablation.

[LindaTX]

Either ablation or change in medication may help.  With a-fib the meds can eventually stop working or even bring on episodes. A-fib, as Jerry states, is progressive by nature. One of my Drs once told me the heart has a memory and I do believe it is true.  Muscle has memory and the heart is a muscle.  Your heart rhythm gets used to going on those aberrant electrical pathways and it gets "stuck in a groove" so to speak, and it gets harder and harder to pull itself out and back on track.  

[trudyh]

I;m in a web afib support group at http://****.*****.****.***/group/P_Atrial_FibSupport/

I think if you join, you will find a lot of people dealing with this type of thing who will have suggestions.

It does not seem to be true that afib always gets worse.  They used to think that.  But a lot of us have made medication adjustments with our doc's guidance of course or lifestyle changes and improved things.

Since your episodes are at night, I would guess (I'm not a doc) that you have vagal afib and a med change might help.

[Jannie411]

Unfortunately, these episodes become more frequent as we age.  I was on medication (Atenolol) for 10 years.  Eventually it stopped working and I had an ablation, which was the best thing I ever did.  Have you consulted an EP to see if you would be a good candidate for ablation?

[DeltaDawn23]

My Afib first appeared 9 years ago at the age of 57.  It was a very stressful time, husband having surgery.  Had tons of tests, went on Atenolol and Xanax, was good for 7 years, then a couple of years ago had 2 bouts at home which converted on their own.  I've had 2 this year -- since Christmas) that had to be electroconverted in the hospital.  I am now on Norpace, Coumadin, Xanax and Atenolol and have stayed in normal sinus rhythm for 2-1/2 months.  The medication has some side effects, diet is limited by the Coumadin which has to be checked, but better than being in the hospital in Afib.  I am learning a lot from this message board, learning to identify triggers -- chocolate, carbonated drinks, caffeine, eating large meals, not enough sleep, STRESS.  I also have sleep apnea that was not being treated appropriately.  Since that has been brought under control, I am better.  Are you on a blood thinner or asprin?  It sounds like you are still converting on your own.  Talk to your doctor and see if a change in meds might help.  I am retiring soon and feel like the daily stress I'm under will make a difference.  I hope so.  I would be careful with the potassium and magnesium, as if they off either way, they can trigger episodes.  Some people have said the fish oil causes episodes.  I am off of it because of bleeding issues.  I do believe the aging heart may be increasing likely to go into Afib.  I'm reading the ablation accounts and keeping it in mind if my problems increase.  My atria are enlarged, so my chances of a first ablation being successful are 50-60% (depending on who you ask), 2nd 75%.  I have heard of people with this problem having a successful ablation first try.  Good luck.

[lapopessa]

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts. I'm currently in afib (started 3 hours ago). Grrrrr.  I haven't spoken to my doctor yet about ablation. I was so hoping to deal with this through other methods - or at least slow it down. The supplements I take are the same ones I've taken for several years now, so I can't think they are directly related to the increase in episodes the past few months. I understand age brings an increase, I guess I just thought since this increase was so quick and odd that there might be something else behind it.

[lapopessa]

Thanks for your comment, although the website address didn't make it through. I don't think I have vagal afib, episodes start in afternoon more than evening (the 9pm one was rare) and I can sometimes tie them to dehydration (which caused the original episode years ago) or exertion. But I am thinking about contacting my doc to talk about med changes or updates.