New to the forum...hi everyone...

[pinotnoir]

Hi everyone - my journey began in December 2013, I was suffering from a very bad viral infection and ended up at the doctors because my pulse was very fast and I was exhausted.

The doctor said my heart rate was too fast and rang an ambulance. I was taken to hospital and hooked up to an ECG and it was then that the nurses mentioned AF. Once my heart rate settled (to about 90 bpm) I was allowed home and was told that I would be referred to a cardiologist.

I've had an echocardiogram and another electrocardiogram, and have been put on Bisoprolol (2.5mg) as a precaution. I'm also having a heart monitor fitted for a few days later this month and have a follow up appointment in June (!).

I've always had 'palpitations' but have never worried about them until now and I continue to get occasional strong 'flutters' that last minutes at a time though they have reduced in frequency since I've started the meds.

So far I'm coping on this strange journey and am getting used to the side effects of the meds (freezing cold feet and hands, jittery)

I'm very active, my blood pressure is fine and my weight is normal.

I'm looking forward to getting to know some of you.

J

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Pinotnoir and welcome to our forum. This is a good place to ask any questions and get great support. They're a fantastic group on here. From what you say it's sounds as though you may have had AF for a while without realising it. Can you remember ever having periods of extreme tiredness before you were diagnosed?

[pinotnoir in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi and thanks for the welcome - I can't think of any time where I've been extremely tired but I did have a stressful 6 months leading up my hospital admission and I do need my 8 hours sleep every day (and the dark shadows under my eyes are getting harder to conceal) x

[BobD Volunteer]

Hi Pinotnoir and welcome although I'm more of a merlot man myself.,

You sound like you have had a pretty standard journey to diagnosis so far and as Jean suggests you have probably had AF for some time before you were diagnosed. One thing I will mention is that AF is one of the prime causes of stroke and you should be assessed by the CHADS2 or Chads2Vasc score system to see if you should be on anticoagulants and I don't mean aspirin as this is about as useful as a chocolate fireguard where AF is concerned. This is very important and don't be put off by your doctor as many GPs seem to be more keen on people having strokes that prescribing warfarin.

You are right to say this is a journey but you have great travelling companions on here so ask away if you need to know something. There are also some great fact sheets on the main website which I commend to your attention.

Bob

[pinotnoir in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob and thanks - no-one has mentioned anticoagulants yet, the doc said the bisopropol should stop me going into AF (?) and therefore reducing the risk of stroke. One thing I've recently discovered is that my maternal aunt has Hughes Syndrome (sticky blood) - I did tell the consultant and he said I have a 1:4 chance of having it - I suppose I should maybe ask for a test to determine if I have it it not ?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to pinotnoir]

If you go onto the main website there is a Chads2 score thingy you can do to check if you need warfarin. Just be aware that once you have been diagnosed with AF, not having it because you are on drugs does not remove the stroke risk. Many of us have a very low risk score but stay on warfarin as it causes us no problems and we would rather have the minor inconvenience of it that end up drooling in a corner. This country has the lowest percentage of at risk patients on anticoagulation in Europe bar I think Latvia and we could save 8000 stroke per year if more people were properly treated so don;'t be put off. Ask yourself why we have that % and you come to doctors who will not prescribe it. Preaching over!

Good luck

Bob

[Hidden]

Hi Pinotnoir and welcome,the start of your journey sounds exactly like mine only mine started October 2012.I,m also on 2.5 bisoprolol but in the last 8 months have had a pacemaker fit and an ablation,but don,t panic it dosent meen youll be going down that path we are all different but if you have to have any of these dont worry as both proceduers are nothing at all to panic about,keep in touch and let us know how your journey is getting on

[pinotnoir in reply to Hidden]

Hi thanks - the way I look at it now is that it's been found and it's being dealt with - I walk at least 10 miles a week, I'm healthy, young and have a positive attitude to life so I'm not gonna let this drag me down whatever happens - fast forward 12 months and I might not have the same view but I'm starting off on the right foot haha !

[Hidden in reply to pinotnoir]

Good attitude to have i think the same you will have days that get you down but you get through them.I also do a lot of walking I try to do 2 to 3 miles a day my doc says walking is the best exercise for people like us good luck on your jouney