Guest guest Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 I too have most of my episodes at night. However, I do not have sleep apnea. As crazy as this sounds I think dreams cause my AFIB's at night. I have from one to four nightly episodes. I wake during a dream - my heart is pounding and in AFIB. I sit up, start breathing deeply using my diaphram and convert to NSR usually within minutes. I usually go back to sleep ... wake again... etc. I have doubled my Flecainide dosage recently, I also take Lanoxin. This helps tremendously, I rarely have any problems during the day, but my nighttime " dance " with AFIB continues. I am seriously considering ablation hopefully sometime early next year. Debbie in Texas > >Most of my episodes (which started in 2002), although not all, have >occurred middle of the night to the early morning, I believe due to my >sleep apnea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 Debbie - have you tried taking something like prilosec, or pepcid each night before bed? I know that certain foods cause me to have vivid dreams (movie popcorn, spaghetti) and we all know that acid reflux can trigger afib. Just a thought! _____ From: AFIBsupport [mailto:AFIBsupport ] On Behalf Of d m Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 4:56 PM To: AFIBsupport Subject: RE: AFIB & Sleep I too have most of my episodes at night. However, I do not have sleep apnea. As crazy as this sounds I think dreams cause my AFIB's at night. I have from one to four nightly episodes. I wake during a dream - my heart is pounding and in AFIB. I sit up, start breathing deeply using my diaphram and convert to NSR usually within minutes. I usually go back to sleep .... wake again... etc. I have doubled my Flecainide dosage recently, I also take Lanoxin. This helps tremendously, I rarely have any problems during the day, but my nighttime " dance " with AFIB continues. I am seriously considering ablation hopefully sometime early next year. Debbie in Texas > >Most of my episodes (which started in 2002), although not all, have >occurred middle of the night to the early morning, I believe due to my >sleep apnea. Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com List owner: AFIBsupport-owner For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 My last 3 (out of 5) AFIB episodes have occurred in my sleep as well, and usually when I've been sleep-deprived. During one of the episodes as I was trying to fall asleep, I started to get arrhythmia as I lay on my side. After sitting up, I returned to regular rhythm. The same occurred with my other side. I knew I had to sleep eventually, so I lay down on my back and by the time I woke in the morning, I was in continuous AFIB. I tend to think that my AFIB is related to acid reflux since all 3 times I had spicy/exotic foods late. Now I try to eat a 'safe' dinner at 6 PM and sleep by 11:45 PM. Also, I now sleep on a large foam back wedge. When asked, my cardiologist feels its more the bloating than the acid that could push on my heart and trigger arrhythmia. The AFIB caused by dreams is a new idea to me, but it seems plausible if the dreams are stressful enough. I never seem to remember my dreams though. Bert ------- Male, 33 yr. - MVP, AFIB, 5 episodes since 3/05 > > Debbie - have you tried taking something like prilosec, or pepcid each > night before bed? I know that certain foods cause me to have vivid > dreams (movie popcorn, spaghetti) and we all know that acid reflux can > trigger afib. Just a thought! > > _____ > > From: AFIBsupport [mailto:AFIBsupport ] > On Behalf Of d m > Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 4:56 PM > To: AFIBsupport > Subject: RE: AFIB & Sleep > > > I too have most of my episodes at night. However, I do not have sleep > apnea. As crazy as this sounds I think dreams cause my AFIB's at night. > I > have from one to four nightly episodes. I wake during a dream - my > heart is > pounding and in AFIB. I sit up, start breathing deeply using my > diaphram > and convert to NSR usually within minutes. I usually go back to sleep > ... > wake again... etc. I have doubled my Flecainide dosage recently, I also > > take Lanoxin. This helps tremendously, I rarely have any problems > during > the day, but my nighttime " dance " with AFIB continues. I am seriously > considering ablation hopefully sometime early next year. > > Debbie in Texas > > > > > >Most of my episodes (which started in 2002), although not all, have > >occurred middle of the night to the early morning, I believe due to my > >sleep apnea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 Debbie - do you know for certain that you don't have sleep apnea - either obstructive or central? Were you tested in a sleep lab? > > I too have most of my episodes at night. However, I do not have sleep > apnea. As crazy as this sounds I think dreams cause my AFIB's at night. I > have from one to four nightly episodes. I wake during a dream - my heart is > pounding and in AFIB. I sit up, start breathing deeply using my diaphram > and convert to NSR usually within minutes. I usually go back to sleep ... > wake again... etc. I have doubled my Flecainide dosage recently, I also > take Lanoxin. This helps tremendously, I rarely have any problems during > the day, but my nighttime " dance " with AFIB continues. I am seriously > considering ablation hopefully sometime early next year. > > Debbie in Texas > > > > > >Most of my episodes (which started in 2002), although not all, have > >occurred middle of the night to the early morning, I believe due to my > >sleep apnea. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 Debbie in Texas, My wife thinks I am crazy because I swear I go into A-Fib when I dream. I have the craziest dreams (not nightmares) and I can remember the entire thing when I awaken. The stories I can tell her. Usually I dream about forgetting my high school locker combination, or men with light bulbs for heads. Anyway, I can almost guarantee I will have A-Fib if I have a crazy dream. Go figure. Sweet Dreams, Vick d m dm365@...> wrote: I too have most of my episodes at night. However, I do not have sleep apnea. As crazy as this sounds I think dreams cause my AFIB's at night. I have from one to four nightly episodes. I wake during a dream - my heart is pounding and in AFIB. I sit up, start breathing deeply using my diaphram and convert to NSR usually within minutes. I usually go back to sleep ... wake again... etc. I have doubled my Flecainide dosage recently, I also take Lanoxin. This helps tremendously, I rarely have any problems during the day, but my nighttime " dance " with AFIB continues. I am seriously considering ablation hopefully sometime early next year. Debbie in Texas > >Most of my episodes (which started in 2002), although not all, have >occurred middle of the night to the early morning, I believe due to my >sleep apnea. Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com List owner: AFIBsupport-owner For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2006 Report Share Posted February 22, 2006 It is my understanding that you can have the most sleep apneas in REM sleep which is also when you dream the most, I think. My a fib always started at night and since using the machine to cut down on (but not yet eliminate) the sleep apnea events, I have not woken up with a fib for 3 months. Prior to beginning the apnea treatment I had been getting more and more frequent and longer episodes of a fib. So I am hopeful I am eliminating a major trigger. You may want to consider having a sleep study. > I too have most of my episodes at night. However, I do not have sleep > apnea. As crazy as this sounds I think dreams cause my AFIB's at night. I > have from one to four nightly episodes. I wake during a dream - my heart is > pounding and in AFIB. I sit up, start breathing deeply using my diaphram > and convert to NSR usually within minutes. I usually go back to sleep ... > wake again... etc. I have doubled my Flecainide dosage recently, I also > take Lanoxin. This helps tremendously, I rarely have any problems during > the day, but my nighttime " dance " with AFIB continues. I am seriously > considering ablation hopefully sometime early next year. > > Debbie in Texas > > > > > >Most of my episodes (which started in 2002), although not all, have > >occurred middle of the night to the early morning, I believe due to my > >sleep apnea. > > > > > Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com > List owner: AFIBsupport-owner > For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, > send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help > > Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2006 Report Share Posted February 22, 2006 Garry - I know what you mean. My dreams are crazy too. I think the Flecainide makes them even crazier. One of my crazy dreams is that I forget to put my blouse on and go to school - see - pretty darn crazy, huh? And, why the heck a 54 year old would be dreaming about high school is beyond me. I have thought about having a sleep study, but my " better half " who does have sleep apnea tells me that I have NEVER have it - and I fall asleep on the couch all the time. Sooooooooooooo....go figure. Debbie in Texas > >Reply-To: AFIBsupport >To: AFIBsupport >Subject: RE: AFIB & Sleep >Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2006 20:38:08 -0800 (PST) > >Debbie in Texas, > > My wife thinks I am crazy because I swear I go into A-Fib when I dream. >I have > the craziest dreams (not nightmares) and I can remember the entire thing >when > I awaken. The stories I can tell her. Usually I dream about forgetting >my high > school locker combination, or men with light bulbs for heads. Anyway, I >can > almost guarantee I will have A-Fib if I have a crazy dream. Go figure. > > Sweet Dreams, > > Vick > >d m dm365@...> wrote: > I too have most of my episodes at night. However, I do not have sleep >apnea. As crazy as this sounds I think dreams cause my AFIB's at night. I >have from one to four nightly episodes. I wake during a dream - my heart >is >pounding and in AFIB. I sit up, start breathing deeply using my diaphram >and convert to NSR usually within minutes. I usually go back to sleep ... >wake again... etc. I have doubled my Flecainide dosage recently, I also >take Lanoxin. This helps tremendously, I rarely have any problems during >the day, but my nighttime " dance " with AFIB continues. I am seriously >considering ablation hopefully sometime early next year. > >Debbie in Texas > > > > > >Most of my episodes (which started in 2002), although not all, have > >occurred middle of the night to the early morning, I believe due to my > >sleep apnea. > > > > >Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com >List owner: AFIBsupport-owner >For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, >send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help > >Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should >be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2006 Report Share Posted February 22, 2006 Hi Bert - I cannot lay on my left side - AFIB in about 15 minutes for sure. But, I seem to do fairly well either on my right side or back. I have tried propping myself up and it doesn't really help me that much, and hard for me to sleep that way. I too think AFIB might be linked to reflux - I make a point of usually never eating after 7:30. The strange thing is, about 80% of the time I fall asleep on the couch, sleep for about an hour or so and never have AFIB. This is not long after I have eaten. But, then I go to bed about 11:00 - nothing to eat since 7:30 - and have AFIB's about every 2 or 3 hours. Another one of life's many mysteries!!! Debbie in Texas > >Reply-To: AFIBsupport >To: AFIBsupport >Subject: Re: AFIB & Sleep >Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2006 23:25:11 -0000 > >My last 3 (out of 5) AFIB episodes have occurred in my sleep as well, >and usually when I've been sleep-deprived. > >During one of the episodes as I was trying to fall asleep, I started to >get arrhythmia as I lay on my side. After sitting up, I returned to >regular rhythm. The same occurred with my other side. I knew I had to >sleep eventually, so I lay down on my back and by the time I woke in the >morning, I was in continuous AFIB. > >I tend to think that my AFIB is related to acid reflux since all 3 times >I had spicy/exotic foods late. Now I try to eat a 'safe' dinner at 6 PM >and sleep by 11:45 PM. Also, I now sleep on a large foam back wedge. >When asked, my cardiologist feels its more the bloating than the acid >that could push on my heart and trigger arrhythmia. > >The AFIB caused by dreams is a new idea to me, but it seems plausible if >the dreams are stressful enough. I never seem to remember my dreams >though. > > >Bert >------- >Male, 33 yr. - MVP, AFIB, 5 episodes since 3/05 > > > > > > > Debbie - have you tried taking something like prilosec, or pepcid each > > night before bed? I know that certain foods cause me to have vivid > > dreams (movie popcorn, spaghetti) and we all know that acid reflux can > > trigger afib. Just a thought! > > > > _____ > > > > From: AFIBsupport [mailto:AFIBsupport ] > > On Behalf Of d m > > Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 4:56 PM > > To: AFIBsupport > > Subject: RE: AFIB & Sleep > > > > > > I too have most of my episodes at night. However, I do not have sleep > > apnea. As crazy as this sounds I think dreams cause my AFIB's at >night. > > I > > have from one to four nightly episodes. I wake during a dream - my > > heart is > > pounding and in AFIB. I sit up, start breathing deeply using my > > diaphram > > and convert to NSR usually within minutes. I usually go back to sleep > > ... > > wake again... etc. I have doubled my Flecainide dosage recently, I >also > > > > take Lanoxin. This helps tremendously, I rarely have any problems > > during > > the day, but my nighttime " dance " with AFIB continues. I am seriously > > considering ablation hopefully sometime early next year. > > > > Debbie in Texas > > > > > > > > > >Most of my episodes (which started in 2002), although not all, have > > >occurred middle of the night to the early morning, I believe due to >my > > >sleep apnea. > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2006 Report Share Posted February 22, 2006 Thanks Stef - I take from two to three 20 mg pepcid per day. With my other meds pepcid is one that does not have interaction problems. Thanks for the suggestion though. Have a good one! Debbie in Texas > >Reply-To: AFIBsupport >To: AFIBsupport > >Subject: RE: AFIB & Sleep >Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2006 17:12:02 -0500 > >Debbie - have you tried taking something like prilosec, or pepcid each >night before bed? I know that certain foods cause me to have vivid >dreams (movie popcorn, spaghetti) and we all know that acid reflux can >trigger afib. Just a thought! > > _____ > >From: AFIBsupport [mailto:AFIBsupport ] >On Behalf Of d m >Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 4:56 PM >To: AFIBsupport >Subject: RE: AFIB & Sleep > > >I too have most of my episodes at night. However, I do not have sleep >apnea. As crazy as this sounds I think dreams cause my AFIB's at night. >I >have from one to four nightly episodes. I wake during a dream - my >heart is >pounding and in AFIB. I sit up, start breathing deeply using my >diaphram >and convert to NSR usually within minutes. I usually go back to sleep >... >wake again... etc. I have doubled my Flecainide dosage recently, I also > >take Lanoxin. This helps tremendously, I rarely have any problems >during >the day, but my nighttime " dance " with AFIB continues. I am seriously >considering ablation hopefully sometime early next year. > >Debbie in Texas > > > > > >Most of my episodes (which started in 2002), although not all, have > >occurred middle of the night to the early morning, I believe due to my > >sleep apnea. > > > > >Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com >List owner: AFIBsupport-owner >For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, >send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help > >Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or >should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2006 Report Share Posted February 22, 2006 Hi Phyllis - I have not had a sleep study, but my " better half " tells me that I have never indicated to him anything like sleep apnea - and he has it. I'm always falling asleep on the couch and he is wonderful about it. I might occasionally snore very softly - but that is rare too. Debbie in Texas > >Reply-To: AFIBsupport >To: AFIBsupport >Subject: Re: AFIB & Sleep >Date: Wed, 22 Feb 2006 00:59:23 -0000 > >Debbie - do you know for certain that you don't have sleep apnea - >either obstructive or central? Were you tested in a sleep lab? > > > > > > I too have most of my episodes at night. However, I do not have sleep > > apnea. As crazy as this sounds I think dreams cause my AFIB's at >night. I > > have from one to four nightly episodes. I wake during a dream - my >heart is > > pounding and in AFIB. I sit up, start breathing deeply using my >diaphram > > and convert to NSR usually within minutes. I usually go back to >sleep ... > > wake again... etc. I have doubled my Flecainide dosage recently, I >also > > take Lanoxin. This helps tremendously, I rarely have any problems >during > > the day, but my nighttime " dance " with AFIB continues. I am seriously > > considering ablation hopefully sometime early next year. > > > > Debbie in Texas > > > > > > > > > >Most of my episodes (which started in 2002), although not all, have > > >occurred middle of the night to the early morning, I believe due to my > > >sleep apnea. > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2006 Report Share Posted February 22, 2006 I think my flecainide gives me crazy dreams too. I didn't know it was a side effect but it sounds like it. I'm 51 and mine get ptretty strange too. lol Rhoda d m dm365@...> wrote: Garry - I know what you mean. My dreams are crazy too. I think the Flecainide makes them even crazier. One of my crazy dreams is that I forget to put my blouse on and go to school - see - pretty darn crazy, huh? And, why the heck a 54 year old would be dreaming about high school is beyond me. I have thought about having a sleep study, but my " better half " who does have sleep apnea tells me that I have NEVER have it - and I fall asleep on the couch all the time. Sooooooooooooo....go figure. Debbie in Texas > >Reply-To: AFIBsupport >To: AFIBsupport >Subject: RE: AFIB & Sleep >Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2006 20:38:08 -0800 (PST) > >Debbie in Texas, > > My wife thinks I am crazy because I swear I go into A-Fib when I dream. >I have > the craziest dreams (not nightmares) and I can remember the entire thing >when > I awaken. The stories I can tell her. Usually I dream about forgetting >my high > school locker combination, or men with light bulbs for heads. Anyway, I >can > almost guarantee I will have A-Fib if I have a crazy dream. Go figure. > > Sweet Dreams, > > Vick > >d m dm365@...> wrote: > I too have most of my episodes at night. However, I do not have sleep >apnea. As crazy as this sounds I think dreams cause my AFIB's at night. I >have from one to four nightly episodes. I wake during a dream - my heart >is >pounding and in AFIB. I sit up, start breathing deeply using my diaphram >and convert to NSR usually within minutes. I usually go back to sleep ... >wake again... etc. I have doubled my Flecainide dosage recently, I also >take Lanoxin. This helps tremendously, I rarely have any problems during >the day, but my nighttime " dance " with AFIB continues. I am seriously >considering ablation hopefully sometime early next year. > >Debbie in Texas > > > > > >Most of my episodes (which started in 2002), although not all, have > >occurred middle of the night to the early morning, I believe due to my > >sleep apnea. > > > > >Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com >List owner: AFIBsupport-owner >For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, >send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help > >Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should >be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2006 Report Share Posted February 23, 2006 Interesting Debbie, I have found that dreams can also set off my A-Fib. And for the most part they are those dreams that you can remember for awhile after you awake. A-fib used to always start at night for me. But recently it happened when I lowered the walking deck on my treadmill, so who knows. I have also read many stories about people with sleep apnea that hook up to breathing machines each night but still end up in the ER for cardioversion. It is kinda like the vitamins and or whole foods people. What works for one does not work for others. I thought I was making progress by exercising daily, it sure makes you feel great!.. but then A-fib came along while I was on the treadmill. It is a pain but at least yours stops by itself...mine always requires a trip to the ER and a bit of electricity. Best of luck to you! d m dm365@...> wrote: Hi Phyllis - I have not had a sleep study, but my " better half " tells me that I have never indicated to him anything like sleep apnea - and he has it. I'm always falling asleep on the couch and he is wonderful about it. I might occasionally snore very softly - but that is rare too. Debbie in Texas > >Reply-To: AFIBsupport >To: AFIBsupport >Subject: Re: AFIB & Sleep >Date: Wed, 22 Feb 2006 00:59:23 -0000 > >Debbie - do you know for certain that you don't have sleep apnea - >either obstructive or central? Were you tested in a sleep lab? > > > > > > I too have most of my episodes at night. However, I do not have sleep > > apnea. As crazy as this sounds I think dreams cause my AFIB's at >night. I > > have from one to four nightly episodes. I wake during a dream - my >heart is > > pounding and in AFIB. I sit up, start breathing deeply using my >diaphram > > and convert to NSR usually within minutes. I usually go back to >sleep ... > > wake again... etc. I have doubled my Flecainide dosage recently, I >also > > take Lanoxin. This helps tremendously, I rarely have any problems >during > > the day, but my nighttime " dance " with AFIB continues. I am seriously > > considering ablation hopefully sometime early next year. > > > > Debbie in Texas > > > > > > > > > >Most of my episodes (which started in 2002), although not all, have > > >occurred middle of the night to the early morning, I believe due to my > > >sleep apnea. > > > > > > > Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com List owner: AFIBsupport-owner For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2006 Report Share Posted February 23, 2006 I stopped taking Flecainaide awhile back and now that I read this I really can't recall waking in a-fib and remembering what I was dreaming since I stopped the meds. I wonder if Flecainaide causes the dream or helps with dream recall? When I was using Flec .. the dream memories where vivid upon awakening. I still remember some on them, not all the details but they are like real life memories. Rhoda Sherman ladyrho54@...> wrote: I think my flecainide gives me crazy dreams too. I didn't know it was a side effect but it sounds like it. I'm 51 and mine get ptretty strange too. lol Rhoda d m dm365@...> wrote: Garry - I know what you mean. My dreams are crazy too. I think the Flecainide makes them even crazier. One of my crazy dreams is that I forget to put my blouse on and go to school - see - pretty darn crazy, huh? And, why the heck a 54 year old would be dreaming about high school is beyond me. I have thought about having a sleep study, but my " better half " who does have sleep apnea tells me that I have NEVER have it - and I fall asleep on the couch all the time. Sooooooooooooo....go figure. Debbie in Texas > >Reply-To: AFIBsupport >To: AFIBsupport >Subject: RE: AFIB & Sleep >Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2006 20:38:08 -0800 (PST) > >Debbie in Texas, > > My wife thinks I am crazy because I swear I go into A-Fib when I dream. >I have > the craziest dreams (not nightmares) and I can remember the entire thing >when > I awaken. The stories I can tell her. Usually I dream about forgetting >my high > school locker combination, or men with light bulbs for heads. Anyway, I >can > almost guarantee I will have A-Fib if I have a crazy dream. Go figure. > > Sweet Dreams, > > Vick > >d m dm365@...> wrote: > I too have most of my episodes at night. However, I do not have sleep >apnea. As crazy as this sounds I think dreams cause my AFIB's at night. I >have from one to four nightly episodes. I wake during a dream - my heart >is >pounding and in AFIB. I sit up, start breathing deeply using my diaphram >and convert to NSR usually within minutes. I usually go back to sleep ... >wake again... etc. I have doubled my Flecainide dosage recently, I also >take Lanoxin. This helps tremendously, I rarely have any problems during >the day, but my nighttime " dance " with AFIB continues. I am seriously >considering ablation hopefully sometime early next year. > >Debbie in Texas > > > > > >Most of my episodes (which started in 2002), although not all, have > >occurred middle of the night to the early morning, I believe due to my > >sleep apnea. > > > > >Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com >List owner: AFIBsupport-owner >For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, >send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help > >Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should >be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.