Hi all-

I usually have episodes monthly or slighly less, but I've a bad chest cold and now a sinus infection and have had three episodes in the past week. I've been coughing allot. the first episode lasted about 5 minutes, the second five hours, and the third about 4 minutes, but feels like it is threatening to come back on. I've had afib since 3/01. I'll tell ya, in some ways this thing is not so bad, I mean it's less bad than a migraine I suppose. But it is the unpredictability. When it starts it's just tough to think it's going to stop. I do a pretty good job of dealing with it, but sometimes it's very discouraging. And really I have a pretty mild case, comparatively.

So, does anyone have any experiences with increased frequency during colds/flu/stomach flu(that would be a nightmare af+vomiting)etc? thanks! Thomas

Thomas:
Antihistamines are a big trigger for afib. Actifed, Sudafed and or most cold remedies have antihistamine. Check your meds.

Hope you feel better,
Pam

Thomas

I am the other way around. When ever I got ill with flu or colds etc I knew my AF would stay at bay. I never take decongesterants lemsips or anything. These will trigger AF. Just keep well hydrated and eat lots of fruit and veggies. Are you taking anything for your cold or sinus's?

Fran

I used to find that colds, or any sort of being under the weather tended to bring forward afib. I attributed this to dehydration that often accompanied the illness.

The Arrythmia Unit at Mass General Hospital told me that viruses trigger afib.
Carol

The best medication i was told by the Sister at my local hospital when i was admitted during my Afib attack was Simple Cough medicine or Simple Cold medicine it is much safer than all the others and a lot cheaper. She said it would not be safe to take any other medication. You can suck anything like Stripsil for sore throats.

Babs

I am more vulnerable to afib when I have an infection and/or am feeling weak.

I knew of an instance where vomiting stopped a person's afib.