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Afraid to sleep. Most episodes happen at night. What can I do?
Hi. New here. Was diagnosed with paroxysmal Afib in March and was hospitalized in ICU. Now realize first episode was probably in Sept. They happened about once every three months but now more than once a month. I live afraid. Not sleeping at all since most episodes happen at night. Last night had one and pulse was 208. Drove to er parking lot and took the Flecanaide pill In the Pocket for the first time. It cardioverted me after about an hour. Came home and have been up all night. Afraid to sleep and it happening again but no sleep triggers episodes so it’s worse. I don’t know what to do. I had taken a Xanax .25 during the day yesterday because I felt anxious and had lots of PVC/PAC so I figured it was going to be a bad night. I hadn’t slept in about 3 days. And that’s exactly what happened. The Xanax did nothing though which was strange. PVCs/PACs continued , was extremely nervous and afraid and went into Afib. Can someone recommend what I can do? I need to sleep but afraid to close my eyes and sleep. Actually afraid all day. This has changed my life and I am nothing of who I used to be. I don’t know how to live like this. Thank you for any answers you can provide.
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Hello- I understand your fear. You are not alone!
Are you taking Flecainide on a regular basis? I think you need your be taking some antiarrhythmic regularly but not just with an episode. Other option is to discuss with your dr ablation.
Arrhythmias are scary but since you are on meds dont be afraid to sleep. I put music on or a fan so there is a background noise before bed and I find it helps me!
Wow! I think I can relate to your fear and anxiety. I developed vtach (mostly nonsustained)
from scar tissue following valve surgery in 2017. I also had assorted PVCs, pacs, svt, bigemi ny, etc. I lived in fear and my life was devastated while they sorted it all out. I thought life as I knew it (I’m active and enjoy backpacking. etc.)was over. They got me onto medication that worked(flecainide), did two ablations that were partially successful, and I was able to continue with life as I knew it, thank God. However, I still had some arrhythmias and continued to be afraid and anxious. Sleep was also a problem.
Right now, it sounds like sleep deprivation and fear are the primary issues. Can you go back to the dr who prescribed the Xanax and see if they will increase the dosage or recommend something else? I am also on Xanax for anxiety 2mg per day as needed and can honestly say it has made it possible to live a normal life. I also note, that it seems to decrease the PVCs, etc.
Have they told you about valsalva maneuvers like coughing? I have frequently broken or headed off a run that way. I don’t seem to have AFIB, but it still might be useful.
Are your drs at all understanding or comforting? My experience has been that some are while others just don’t get it. Maybe get a counselor or someone you can talk to when you are afraid. Most cities have a referral system or crisis line you can call.
Please don’t wait; it sounds like the mental and physical are feeding off each other.
You’ve come to the right place here; welcome. I’ve always found caring and responsive people.
Please let us know how you’re doing.
From your descriptions, you appear to be more of a 'Vagal' AF sufferer. There are two components to our body's regulation neurologically, the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. The Vagus nerve runs our parasympathetic responses, those being ones to help us to rest and to remain calm and even-keeled. The sympathetic nervous system is governed by the cognitive process, fear and other emotions generated in the amygdala, and in the adrenal glands....fight-or-flight. If we attempt to rest, to recline and to sleep, and it happens that our fibrillation takes place at that time, then it's a problem of Vagus nerve tone, or autonomic dysfunction (which can often be treated effectively). I don't have much background in this type of AF (and I'm not in the health field, just relating what I (think) I know and can recall from reading widely. You should get replies from people talking about ways to get yourself out of AF using Valsalva maneuvers, dunking your head into a basin of cold water, just exercising lightly....all things that are going to delay the onset of sleep....unfortunately.
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1 ReactionI hear you! All of my episodes have started at night! I was cardioverted in December, 2024 and was pretty much free of problems until May when I had three episodes about a week apart. Unlike you, mine have never had a pulse over 130 but still! Who lives like this? I went to the ED and cardioverted on my own before they were ready to convert me. I had a 3.2 second flat line, then it went back into a NSR. I saw a EP who listened to me and we agreed to try Flecainide first to see if it would work before we tried an ablation. I think the medical review of Flecainide are scary, but the cardiologist claims it is "safe" for people without structural heart issues or blockages. I am into 6 weeks of taking the med and so far so good. But I really, really understand your anxiety. Hope things will settle down for you.
Please read "The AFIB Cure" and get an experienced highly rated doc to do it.
If you live near and can travel to Raleigh, NC, contact this office to send your test results, especially the latest echo, to the great cardiac surgeon, Dr. Byron Boulton; set up a consultation visit, perhaps by phone. He is Director of the WakeMed Structural Heart Program at WakeMed in Raleigh, NC. Phone (919) 231-6333. I had a serious regurgitation/mitral valve problem and AFIB. He repaired my mitral valve, did an LAAC, and did an ablation to cure my AFIB. That was over three years ago. I am as fine as wine, off all meds too, except for 4 amoxicillin before dental visits. I am an 81-year-old male, just a kid.
Regards,
Sagan
That was so me. I’ve had Afib for years. But it was maybe 1x every 2-3 years. Then in March I reacted extremely badly to Eliquis and Afib came a lot at 1am. With 4 ER visits.
I too was afraid to sleep and didn’t get much sleep. Cardiologist was no help “take more extreme pills for Afib” No!
Now I go to a good acupuncturist. Got a massage. and every night before bed it’s warm chamomile tea, lymphatic massage, tapping with positive thoughts and diaphragmic breathing. After 3-5 breathing cycles I’m asleep and I sleep thru the night now. It’s worked for me.
And not food 3 hours before bed.
My PCP said try TaiChi and yoga too