holidays: well this time next week i... - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

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holidays

13 Replies

well this time next week i should be going on my holiday to celebrate my 40th......new york for 5 nights, however ive hit a lull in my diagnosis, im waiting on all the relevant tests to see if my right bundle branch block is due to a congenital heart defect, coronary disease or merely just one of those things, with my luck i think the latter is unlikely.

the EP i saw last week said to go on my holiday and take my bisoprolol as a PIP in case i had another episode, also said if i have insurance then no need to worry as america has some of the best hospitals in the world so ill be in safe hands,

my wife has sort of guessed im not really excited as i would usually be for a holiday, im in two minds to not go and sit and wait for my tests, ive gone from an outgoing happy 40 yr old to a nervous worrying wreck whos constantly googling my condition and the prognosis of it, which is nearly always terrible....

has anyone else felt like this with theyre diagnosis and how did you overcome it as at the moment its ruining mine my wifes and two beautiful young daughters lives

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13 Replies

All I can say is, we went to New York for 5 nights some years back and I wouldn't miss for anything. I said I'd never spend time on an open-top bus but we spent 3 days on them, just brilliant. Lovely people, safe and the buildings are simply jaw-dropping. It's like being on a massive film set somehow.

If you're EP said for you to go, then I guess that's good advice as long as your insurance is OK for it.

Hope you manage to go :-)

Koll

meadfoot profile image
meadfoot

I completely understand your current misgivings about going on holiday and your constant search on goggle around your condition. It is par for the course when diagnosed with an illness and not knowing how it will affect you especially when you have been hitherto very well. Its a real shock and you are actually grieving too for your old self as well as being afraid. We have all been there.

However, things will improve, you will get a cohesive diagnosis and treatment plan and you will get your life back on track. Yes you have a heart condition like the rest of us here but there will be a new way forward, the dust will settle and life will improve again. You will take control of your life again even though it does not feel like it right now.

Be kind to yourself and don't beat yourself up with could be's, may be's, should have been's etc. Not easy but its necessary to see the positives ahead not just negatives.

On the holiday front, if you can then go, your doc has sanctioned it and it will give you a different perspective and break this current emotional state. You know the saying - feel the fear and do it anyway.

Some practical things - ensure your insurers know where your health stands at this point you cant afford to not be covered if needed. Research where the closest hospital is before you go as a comfort blanket. On the plane drink plenty of water (no alcohol) to keep well hydrated, move about as much as possible and do leg exercises to keep the blood flowing well. Arrive at the airport early to reduce dashing about and getting stressed, get plenty of sleep.

Things will get better, time, education on the subject, a good medic and a loving family will see you get back on track, honestly. Talk with your wife don't bottle things up she will really appreciate it and be understanding. Now is not the time to be the strong silent type in your man cave.

Be well.

Dee

PeterWh profile image
PeterWh in reply to meadfoot

I 100% agree with Dee's comments. Very sound. As your EP has said go then I would go even if you don't feel 100%. If you are feeling under the weather on the odd time you could always stay in your room for a couple of hours. Definitely contact your insurance company to update them and say that the EP has said OK. Go and enjoy yourself with your wife and daughters. They will enjoy it more you being there even if you are below par rather than worrying about you if you stay behind.

Peter

in reply to meadfoot

That's a great post Dee.

MickN profile image
MickN

I was very apprehensive about going on my two week holiday to Barbados post my ablation, was not just the recovery from the ablation but other things that were leaving me unwell and drained of any energy.

Anyways I went, and it was the best two weeks I have had in ages of feeling like my old self, and I even drank alcohol whilst there, it was so relaxing and also think the hot weather done me the world of good.

So go and enjoy New York, and good luck with the outcome of your tests.

lloydie823 profile image
lloydie823

I was going to postpone a summer holiday this year, however the Dr I spoke with told me not to let AF define life or control your life....so I'm off on holiday in September. You can't do anything to influence those results so just get on with life and wait till you know fact, then you can decide what to do next.

Enjoy New York and your family time away.

Rellim296 profile image
Rellim296

Juggsy, we can overcome our apprehension and the sense of doom by being bold and seizing opportunities. The satisfaction we get when it all goes right gives us encouragement for the future. If it all goes very wrong, or even slightly pear-shaped, we learn from the experience. As time goes by and we've kicked AF in the teeth a few times, our attitudes change and AF doesn't rule: we are in control. You can live - not merely exist - with your brand of AF. Alternatively one can take the easy option - give in, wrap up in cotton wool and feel sorry for oneself. I did this a while ago and I didn't learn anything useful from it.

when i was bad on holiday took it as a bonus as not at home seriously though as long as doc says ok and insured fly and enjoy

in reply to

Thanks for your replies, the AF I'm not too concerned about as the EP said it can be controlled it was the finding of the bundle branch block that's thrown me as this usually points to a more sinister underlying problem.....the wait for my tests is killing me

meadfoot profile image
meadfoot in reply to

Can you call them and chivvy them up on the results front, how long have you been told it will be before you find out. Would you feel better if you had them before you went away.

Take care.

Dee

in reply to meadfoot

Haven't had them yet....got one on 28th and other is 10 week waiting list....then have to go back to the specialist to talk about the results

meadfoot profile image
meadfoot in reply to

A long drawn out job by the sound of it. I do hope you can find a strategy to cope in the interim. If you have a good GP it might be worth seeing them to try and get some peace of mind or support at the very least.

Thinking of you.

Dee

Buffafly profile image
Buffafly in reply to

Hi, when my husband was found to have an aneurism he was seen and diagnosed in a few days and repair scheduled in weeks so I think if you had something serious suspected they would be speedier.

Not saying I don't completely sympathise though!

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