Had my first experience of AF last Weds. It came out of nowhere while I was sat quietly eating my lunch at work. A bit cross by it all as I have been losing weight and have taken up running in a bid to get healthier, now feel 'what's the point?'. Heart went back into normal rhythm on it's own - literally as the ward round Doc was telling me I'd have to take warfarin and then have an electric shock (abrasion?) treatment. Now on Bisoprolol and need to have an echo- cardio gram at some point. I think I have got off lightly and apologise for moaning, it was just a bit of a shock. Is it likely to be a one off? I am 46.
Thank you Nx
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nickycdv
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OK so you've had an AF episode? your first ever I assume, and you got taken to ER.
You need to read a lot and find out all about it, and there is no better place for that than the AFA website, but I think you will probably have another episode at some point, although we never know, and it could have been triggered by something and never happen again we are all different and AF is a very mongrel condition effects us all differently.
Electric shock is called cardioversion, and they will not do that while your heart is back in normal rhythm that's reserved for getting it back into rhythm and honestly it's nothing to worry about anyway, very minor procedure.
Bisoprolol is a beta blocker and prescribed to lower your heart rate, some people can get very tired on these but others sail through.
Warfarin, well maybe 46 is young, but the real danger of AF is stroke we are at roughly 7 times the risk of stroke of a "normal" person, and those strokes tend to be the bad ones as well. They will score you using Chad2Vacs (Google it) and then make a decision, but it's not cut and dried I score zero but am on warfarin, but then I am in persistent (continuous) AF.
Apart from that you are now in a community who all have the same condition, so ask away, moan away, and even spout away, we are here for that
take care
Ian
G'day Nicky,
Sorry that you've joined this group - yeah its a bugger but don't worry and just carry on with life and don't dwell on it too much. It is important though to get established in your treatment as early as possible and you seem to have that sorted. You could explore with healthcare professionals about Warfarin or one of the newer anticoagulants and you maybe regarded as safe - but I'd rather be on it than not.
Some of your experiences are the same as mine (except age , I was 65). I was diagnosed within 9 hours of onset and by the end of 6 days in hospital during which time I had a continuous battery of tests including some designed to check out other cardiac issues I was declared as having paroxysmal AF only and treatment firmly established by the end of the 6 days. I attended for cardioversion 3 weeks later only to be kicked out because my heart had gone into NSR on its own. I've had a dream run with this thing but am not complaicent about it. Apart from politicians it is the most untrustworthy thing on the planet !
You will find that if you interviewed 20 , 50 or 100 of us we'd all have different stories about this condition, it affects us all differently - in my case my Chad2Vacs was 1 and I'm on warfarin - no sweat. You may find there is a settling in period with the drugs you are on - just go with the flow, your body will eventually settle into a new life (so to speak). In my case I'm one of the weirdos who can be in AF and not always know it, apart from my age, its another reason why I've been warfarinised. When I do know it the feeling can be like being kicked in the chest by a bloody great mule, a mob of octupuses wriggling away, a bag of worms trying to get out of my chest or several squadrons of butterlies fluttering away deep inside. Then there is palpitations ! Strangely, I find the palpitations the worst. Although I've now retired I still work part time driving buses and have no problem in passing my PCV (bus drivers) medical annually.
Thanks John - you're right about not dwelling on it, going back to work on Tuesday to see how I feel. Have a great boss who has said I can come back on a flexible timetable as need be.
It's good to hear your individual journeys as for the most part everyone is very upbeat. Thank you once again.
That's great news Nicky, so important to have support - not just from this forum - but from family, friends and your boss - and indeed from your GP. If you have a GP who is unsupportive or indifferent that's not good. I had a brill GP at the time and a great A & E team at East surrey hospital where I was dealt with. My recovery was pretty good and I went back to work (I was working full time in those days) initially on light duties, then only part shifts and then by about 5 months full driving shifts. Try and keep some sort of diary of how this progresses - we all pride ourselves on having brilliant memories - not true ! So a diary of things helps when you have your next session with your GP or Consultant. By way of support - my daughter has now been diagnosed (she is 30) with AF and she is into kick boxing and other adrenaline pumping activities - but she listens to her body and when it tells her enough is enough she takes a break and paces herself. She just won't let it limit her and is always positive.
Finding this community has really helped. I just feel a bit of a fraud I guess. Friends and family were all a bit shocked, I sort of feel normal (whatever that is?) now but a bit fragile round the edges!! I guess I just need time to adjust.
I know what you mean. I gave up smoking on November 2012 and everyone was telling me how much better I would feel in about 3-6 months, especially how much better my breathing would be. Then in February diagnosed with AF, put on bisoprol with breathlessness etc. so felt like it was all a waste of time. One year on I have had ablation, off meds except warfarin and so far feel a lot better. You are young so you will adapt and lots of treatments so you will find one that works for you. Lots of good wishes and stay well. Marie
Thank you Marie - good to hear you're off meds. Head feels a bit woozy and hands are cold/white bruised looking which I think is the tablets. Going to keep a diary as John suggested , see GP in a couple of weeks so we shall see. Great to have this community to share with.
I had one AF in August last year but I needed cardioversion as it would not go to normal rhythm. Since then I am on bisoprolol and anticoagulant rivaroxaban. I saw EP and was told that it was up to me whether I wanted to continue on anticoagulant. I heart still is holding on and do hope that it was only one off. Kind regards.
Because heart went back into a normal rhythm on it's own they didn't put me on the warfarin in the end. Glad to hear your own heart is doing well. I guess it's a wait and see game for now. I go from feeling very positive to miserable - need a good slap ( figuratively speaking) and just get on with it.
Thank you for taking the time to reply.
Nicky
Hi Nicky and welcome,
There was two years between my first attack and the second, so try not to worry too much, if it happens it happens. In some people it never really takes off badly, while others will be getting it all the time. We're all different! Of course you feel down about it, it's natural, but I just live my life with it, you do get to that stage - and as others have said, plenty of AFers are very active and I believe one of GB's gold medal winning rowers had it! As long as you're on the right medication for you (and don't hesitate to tell your GP if you feel bad) you will be fine.
Yeah I'm gradually getting my head round it. Going to try work tomorrow for half a day and see how it goes. Hoping I can get back to my running at some point. I can't thank everyone enough for their kindness on here - it has really helped.
I had my first episode of AF at 39, and then didn't have another for 7 years! Then I had another one two years later, and two in the last year (I'm 49 now). I have also been getting a lot more ectopics (extra beats) and palpitations in the last couple of years (several daily). I'm not on any meds, except for blood pressure (irbesartan), and my EP prescribed 'pill in the pocket' for when I have an episode (metroprolol and flecainide), which I've taken the last two times, but they made me feel so bad I'm not going to take them again, I'll just let it run it's course and if necessary pop along to the hospital for another cardioversion (very simple procedure). I will speak to my EP about anticoagulants next time I see him, but I have decided not to take any other meds, I will opt for an ablation when my EP thinks the time is right.
So as everyone else has said, it's really a wait and see game, and while we can all relate to each other's experiences we are all so different too. I do find it strange how many people are put straight onto beta blockers after just one episode and before any further tests, especially someone so young. It's as if the docs think they just have to put you on something! I would be questioning the need for it, especially if your normal resting heart rate is 'normal'. If the doc had put me straight on something after my first episode, it would have been for nothing for 7 years, and I would never have known as we would have thought the meds were controlling it when it just didn't need controlling at that stage.
Remember to read as much as you can and write down as many questions as you can for when you have your next appointment, and just listen to your body, you know it best.
I was in fast AF and the dose of Flecainide didn't seem to have much impact. It lasted for over 12 hours and as I said they were going down the warfarin/abrasion route when it went back into rhythm by itself. I got the impression the Bisoprolol was short term. I will see my GP next week so can ask. Good to hear about your experiences - thank you.
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