I have just joined this amazing web s... - Atrial Fibrillati...
I have just joined this amazing web site. My wife has ÅF and is very concerned about what to do if an episode occurs when I am away.
Hi Bill and welcome... Everyone here is a great support, I've found, so ask anything you like! Word of caution, personally I don't know anything medical, but I can speak from my experience. I have AF and my hubby goes away for work overnight several times a month. I don't know how often your wife has AF, or how bad the episodes are and everything depends on that of course. I had AF while my hubby was away once and just stayed in bed until it stopped... If she feels ill or is worried of course she should call the doctor or an ambulance, whatever is best.
We have animals, and I have a neighbour's phone number in case I need someone to come round and make arrangements for them. For peace of mind, a little bit of forward organisation for those things that might need taken care of is really useful. But for me attacks are usually unpleasant rather than trip to hospital territory, thank goodness - I'm hoping the same is true for your wife. And she can always come to the website for advice and support, the members are really friendly and knowledgeable.
Lis
I agree totally with Lis. Your wife should be on warfarin - this is essential for peace of mind. I can often sleep off an attack. The worst problem for me is when AF starts when I'm away from home and just have to cope with feeling rotten. This is one reason why I refused to go on holiday last year. I can cope at home. Realistically this is my way of planning and that's what Lis advised.
Just wanted to say welcome and to agree with Lis. We are all different. I was given different advice by GP and consultant. GP said call ambulance if it goes on for more than thirty mins. Consultant said if at night try and relax and rest till morning then"make your way to A&E, unless any chest pain or you feel ill in which case go in at once to be on the safe side"
Nurses on CCU just say just come straight in if you're worried.
I think the more you know and understand the better you feel. This site is a great help. Regards Wendy B
I am on my own all the time, and give an "episode" half an hour to improve before I seek help. I keep a little bag with toothbrush etc. ready all the time. Haven't needed to use it for 9 months but its there ready.
Another little extra if an A&E visit is necessary, is something to read. On your own in A&E can be very boring.
I wish your wife well.
Hi Bill, that is a really difficult question to answer as we all experience AF in different ways and have wildly different levels of tolerance.The biggest problem is anxiety and allowing ones self to panic as this only makes thing worse., . AF is not in itself life threatening, just very unpleasant and many people with permanent AF life active and "normal" lives and for most of us the mantra is "AF may be in my life but it is not all of my life" I feel that you need to encourage her to some independence with that knowledge. Think of it this way, she will feel rubbish during an event with you there or not and you being there won;t make her feel any better if she conquers her fears.
Bob
Bob
Hi Bill, I am living on my own, when I was first diagnosed I was very anxious and during an episode it can be an extremely frightening experience. Preparing was the only way I could go, like what has been suggested, getting an overnight bag ready or calling someone if its not too early in the morning. For me I didn't want to burden anyone so I got a necklace to press if it got too much for me (Vital Call) I didn't use it at first because just knowing that the ambulance was just one buzz away, was quite a relief. Now I am used to it more, I know what type of episode it is and whether its serious or not but this takes a while to learn, its hard to keep calm during an episode on your own, but it can be done. Maybe you could ring in at times to re-assure her. I found that this site has been helpful with more experienced people than myself to carry me in moments of need. Its good to know you are thinking of your wife this way.
It depends on how severe her attacks are and if there is any pain. My hear rate never went over 130 and I had them 75% of the time so I would have been permanently in A and E ! My E.P. said to stay away from A. And E if possible because they would probably keep me in and not let me go till I had seen a consultant and then he or she would have to get in touch with my E.P. e.t.c.e.t.c. . Better to ring E.P.s Secretary direct. I'm now well medicated so no A.F. for now. It is horrible when you first start with A.F. but there is light at the end of the tunnel whether it be meds or a procedure or your body simply gets used to it and you find you can cope. Anticoagulation is a must and then she can be sure she has protected herself against stroke. It's lovely that you are concerned . Take care.x
Bill, Have they tried all the drugs available? As dedeottie says, if you can get medication that prevents the AF, end of problem. I've just been through a number of different drugs, some gave me AF, another worked quite well but had a bad side-effect, and now eventually they've found one that works on me very well, and I now feel fairly normal.
As has been said, anxiety is a big trigger and it's hard to control. My GP gave me a small supply of anti-anxiety pills to take only when I needed to. A couple of times I had a bad bout, one extremely bad, and popped an anti-anxiety pill and within 30 minutes I was back to reasonably normal. Now, as someone just said about having a button to press made them feel secure, I also feel secure in terms of being able to control any anxiety, and the result of that is, I don't have to take the pills. Can't remember the last one I took. Just a thought, might be worth a try if you haven't already?
Best wishes
Koll
Whenever my husband is away, I try to be organised at night, have a bag ready, as above, plus the keys to lock the door and my mobile phone both handy. Important to take other things (like bus pass / senior railcard (if appropriate) money, outdoor shoes, coat and so on so that you can get home again (and into your home) if they let you go after you have been taken to hospital by ambulance and your AF has vanished.
When I was on my own and called for an ambulance, they wanted to know all the medications I was on and the dosage, so it might be handy to have them in your bag. Also if you take your mobile, also remember charger. Breathing exercises can help with anxiety. My partner is often out of the country and 90% of the time I get AF at about 2.00am - it usually wakes me up. Fortuneately I can ring him at anytime and do. I have his number on a quick dial to make it easy. I found it useful (as and when I can think of it) to have my house keys upstairs so that I can throw them out of the upstairs window to the ambulance crew when they arrive, as I can be dizzy and best not to chance walking down the stairs.
