breathlessness

Hi there,

Thanks for all the helpful ideas regarding vitamin supplements. I have started on magnesium, Q10 etc.

I meant to ask this before but my brain forgot ! After I've had an attack of AF I still get the feeling of breathlessness. I wondered if my rhythm is still not quite in full sinus .......Is this possible? The doctors seem to be so vague when you ask them..... which isn't very helpful.

I have just had a long attack ( nearly 48 hours) and still feel off; also the doc started me on beta blocker 1.25 of Cardicor. My blood pressure is high although I find taking hawthorn brings it down. Stress is a big factor here as my husband has terminal cancer ( in remission) so relaxing is diificult. Have you any ideas about that too?

Thanks


Nicola

Nicola,

Here are some suggestions as a wild stab to help. My guess is that the Buteyko approach to increasing CO2 might be helpful - both for your blood presure & your breathing. Those who have sleep apnea might also want to investigate. Dr. Buteyko actually started by curing himself of high BP with this approach - raising blood CO2 levels through breathing & then went on to see benefits with asthma and many other conditions including angina. In some references, it mentions that low blood CO2 can cause excessive mineral excretion in the urine. This could affect afib.

First Sam talks about breathing & afib here: [www.afibbers.org]

Buteyko breathing has mostly been directed as asthma here in the west. However Buteyko had data that showed that too little CO2 in the blood could affect many major body systems.

A different, but related approach to reducing blood pressure is the RESPeRATE machine. Their website is here: [www.resperate.com]. Essentially they also try to correct overbreathing. The clinical research is here: [www.resperate.com]. At the end of this post is copy of a post I made to Keith on the RESPeRATE machine and some other approaches I feel are related.

Jackie has taken a Buteyko course and has posted on it. Here are her recent posts on the topic:
[www.afibbers.org]

Although a teacher is recommended, here are some "How to do it" posts:

[members.westnet.com.au]
[members.westnet.com.au]
[members.westnet.com.au]
[members.westnet.com.au]
[members.westnet.com.au]

More links:
[members.westnet.com.au]
[www.normalbreathing.com]
The first chapter of a book covering some of the science:
[www.normalbreathing.com]
[www.thebuteykoshop.co.uk]

This site has a "how to" video, plus they have more of the theory on their site: [www.buteykovideo.com]

A fairly inexpensive how to course sold on Ebay:
[cgi.ebay.com]


George

=============================================================================================
My post to Emmie on RESPeRATE:

Author: GeorgeN v/51/na (---.biz.mindspring.com)
Date: 10-03-06 12:48

Emmie,

If you want to try Keiths suggestion - here is a quote from their website:
"By gradually prolonging the exhalation tone to slow your breathing, RESPeRATE leads you to the therapeutic zone of less than 10 breaths per minute."

From what I've seen with HR monitors, you are trying to synch your breath and the increase/decrease in HR that occurs as you inhale & exhale. There is data that shows that this synching occurs with an inhale & exhale duration of 5.6 seconds each. I'm sure that there is some individual variation. I've played with this myself and a 5 or 6 second rate works pretty well.

You can try this by breathing (through your nose) in for 5 or 6 seconds, then exhaling for 5 or 6 seconds. It doesn't have to be really exact. The machine will give you tones to tell you when to breathe, but you can either record something on tape, count or just get into a pattern which is about right, then practice the breathing for a while. Here is more reading on this:

[www.coherence.com]

Thread on this topic: [www.afibbers.org]

A paper on heart rate variability (increase HRV is a good thing) & breathing [ajpheart.physiology.org]

This is also what the FreezeFramer device is trying to get you to do.

George

I was told by probably the most prominent/eminent electrophysicologist in the U. S. that breathlessness, fainting, etc. can occur from the pause that occurs when afib converts to NSR.

I have had this problem.

Carol

I used to find that it took me about 5 hours to recover from 12 hours AF, during this time I felt weak and faint and had to lie on the bed till it passed, I always said that I was not really right till I had the next full nights sleep. Not any more now I have my trusty friend the pacemaker, the last "do" I had I converted at 9.30 am and was in Church at 10.30 am, and in the afternoon we walked 5 miles, it is a real good pal to me. Heather

Nicola, When you are feeling well enough to do it, moderate exercise can help in many ways, including stress reduction.

Thanks for all your replies. I am overweight and have great difficulty in shifting the fat! Exercise is fine but on the one hand you're told ....take is easy..... then you're told lose weight cause it will help. I have an exercise bike which leers at me from the corner , and I throw myself it its general direction; but am concerned just how much and how long is safe. The last thing I want is for my heart to leave SR after waiting paitiently for it to get there.

I t is such a great feeling not to 'feel' your heart ..... something that until you hitch up with the Beast you take for granted. I'm not an invalid nor do I intend to become one; I guess all I want is to do what's best to fight it and hopefully find a treatment that works for me.

If anyone has any more info please send it or post it here. You make me feel that I'm not alone ...... for, with the best will in the world, those who are lucky enough NOT to have LAF , their understanding is limited.

So....keep on trying...

Thanks again

Nikki

Nikki - Being overweight doesn't mean you can't exercise sensibly. My functional medicine MD said recently in a seminar, if you have to take a seat along with you, WALK. Walk as far as you can and sit down. Rest. Start again. Set small goals. You have to move.

It can be overwhelming to plan to exercise for 30 minutes on a bike or a treadmill or just walking.

Start out with the intention of just doing 'something'. It doesn't have to be long or great but just moving is a good start.

Several years ago, a new Curves franchise opened in our area. We all went into try the new circuit concept. It offers a chance to go at one's own pace and everyone has different levels of fitness. There were two very large women who came in and they could barely walk. It was a chore for them just to get situated at one of the stations. We all gave them support and encouragement to take one session at a time and view it as a step in the right direction. Sometimes it was all one woman could do to get up from one station and get to the next before the call was made to change again. She was embarassed and we all told her to just consider doing one station for two moves. It was a wonderful thing to see her progress and start losing weight and gain confidence and self-respect. She and her friend came regularly.... and the progress was profound.

If you think you can't do it; you won't. Just tell yourself, you can do a little more each time you try. Try several times in a day. Exercise doesn't have to be 30 minutes or an hour. Just start and see where it takes you. If you have to lie down and take a nap after your first experience - fine. Plan to get up and try again later in the day. Do not reward yourself with food.

Your heart and your body will appreciate the effort and soon, you'll start noticing that it becomes easier and you'll challenge yourself more.

Good luck. It's important to try.

Jackie

jackie

Yes you're right. I do try not to forage for food as a 'feel good pill' because it isn't; that only makes things worse. Luckily I live where I can start going for walks along the beach...... and if the weather is really too bad I can use the exercise bike at home.

I think the worse part is for ever waiting for SR to depart!!!! It creeps into everything you do ; I suppose only being diagnosed for 5-6 months it's still new. With the worry of all the events of the last year this was the straw that broke the camels back !!!!!


I shall do my best!

Thanks

Nicola

Nikki - I can totally emphathize with your feelings of impending doom. That thought almost never leaves the subconscious of an afibber but in time, it becomes less threatening and feared. It's still a big inconvenience though so I can truly understand how you feel.

Lucky you that you can walk along the beach. That's my version of heaven. Love walking along the water. Very calming and inspiring for me.

Today is the day - you can start to make a big difference.

Keep me posted.

Jackie

Jackie, in case no one has told you lately. You are so inspiring to all of us! Sharon

Thanks again for your input. It will be easier to do with the help and support of people like you!!!

I shall think of you while I'm splashing about in the sea...... autumn or not ..here goes !

Nikki