So SO sorry I have not replied earlier I went away for the weekend and have just got back – needed to clear my head and try and work this AF diagnosis out. I didn’t have my laptop with my but I printed out all of your replies and put them in my AF folder (Yes I really do have a folder Lol!!) Anyway they all meant so much and I keep reading them when I feel scared and low and they make me feel better so thank you all x
So ….. I had a good chat with my Doctor yesterday and she completely understands my fear and depression and she kept her patience with my asking at least 67 times ‘Can I lead a normal life’ and ‘Are you sure I won’t die’…. Ha-ha. She confirmed that I can lead a perfectly normal life as long as we control the AF. I really don’t want to go back on anti-depressants (Just weaned off of 25 years of them before the evil AF diagnosis) so she is going to refer me to a chronic illness psychologist so that sounds good. Also I have an appointment with Dr Mathew Fay or one of his team on the 26th Nov so all is looking good.
Also not had AF episode for 3 weeks now – it seems by my Alivecor readings, my Doc says I am having ectopic atrial beats but often can’t get a proper reading as my heart rate is below 50 Grrr… But all looking quite positive and on the plus side not had a cig now for nearly a month – I would NEVER have stopped smoking if it wasn’t for the AF diagnosis - I was on at least 30 a day so there is always a silver lining eh!!
So now having a cook-a-thon – need to start eating better so in the process of making stew, carrot and turnip and apple pie ( Oh c’mon apple pie IS healthy lol!!)
Love to all xxxxxxxxxx
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Apple pie???!!!!!!!!!!! I'm on my way. Where did you say you lived apart from near Matt?
Well done, you sound in a much better place and I am so glad. It is difficult for sure . I just hope that you see Matt and not one of his partners as he really is an inspiration. Tell him Bob says hello.
Hi Bob, I am in Bradford so its about 8 miles from the clinic. I phoned today and next week I am seeing the AF nurse for ecg and bits and bobs and I asked the receptionist to ask if I was seeing Matt Fay and she wasn't sure - God I hope so - but she said I could request him in future - I will bleat like a spring lamb I am sure until I get to see him!!! Is there any way Bob I can make sure I see him, maybe write to him?? x
Personally (unless Bob says otherwise) I would definitely write a short summary of your "history" in date order starting from the oldest (but not listing actual dates) but do it in bullet point format, max 2 lines per bullet, and then go on to ask to see him personally and explain how that will give you confidence, hope, comfort, etc, etc. Also tell him the current date if you have one.
The worst thing is that he says no but more likely he will say yes!!
I'm just thinking (my husband groans when I say that, and this is probably complete rubbish) that if your system was used to antidepressants for 25 years it may have been upset by the change and needs more time to adjust. When the dose of one of my heart drugs was halved I had a lot of funnies for a while but they've stopped now. Maybe coincidence I know but I hope it is a positive thought.
You seem very fortunate in your GP so that is another plus. And cooking is very therapeutic, so all good!
Yes Buff I did mention that to the Doc but to be honest they are thinking it was my hole in heart op when I was a kid - plus since my Mum passed away I became addicted to alcohol so they think that pushed it over the edge - But luckily I was medically detoxed with the booze and the AF will make sure I never drink again - another silver lining ....Lol!! xxx
Excellent new - well done you! And there's nothing wrong with apple pie! Ive been making them and crumble and Eve's pudding with apples from the garden. Might be some calories but in moderation its good food that you know where it has come from! And it makes you feel good too.
Quite unrelated to AF I stopped adding sugar in apples years ago and really enjoy the extra flavour. Sometimes if doing a crumble or pie I use soft eating apples which also have the advantage of staying firmer. However I will willingly join your table for the double cream!!! Yummie.
All will be well in the end - and this is a brilliant sight for 'chatting ' with people - maybe being able to air your deep concerns whereas friends may not understand.
And cooking your back to health is a brilliant thing to do - just makes sure everything you bake & Coke is imbued with love.
It will always taste good then and can only be good for you.
Yes Susie I love this site - it's such a help for people that know how you feel - a few of my friends still think it's panic attacks and palps - I am a self confessed drama queen but convincing them that this is a real problem is hard work - I have has a huge eye opener of so called friends in the last month - it's strange since I can't drink anymore ( I was always the biggest loudest drinker of us all) a few friends have dropped me like a hot potato and it's broken my heart but it's also good in a way as I am gonna brush myself down and make lots of new friends!! x 0 x
Yes Susie I love this site - it's such a help for people that know how you feel - a few of my friends still think it's panic attacks and palps - I am a self confessed drama queen but convincing them that this is a real problem is hard work - I have has a huge eye opener of so called friends in the last month - it's strange since I can't drink anymore ( I was always the biggest loudest drinker of us all) a few friends have dropped me like a hot potato and it's broken my heart but it's also good in a way as I am gonna brush myself down and make lots of new friends!! x 0 x
Fortunately none of my froends disappeared like that and all of them (and me as well) are quite happy when I am drinking soda and lime and they are on their pints or wine!!! In fact often they won't accept any money from me into the kitty as the soda and lime is 50p to £1 per pint and I usually only have a couple, sometimes three!!!
I SHOULD be on a diet - had a gastric bypass a couple of years ago and lost 13 stone but I can eat what I want now it really worries me - I bought a load of fruit and veg today but I shall eat it tomorrow after I have eaten my apple crumble and cream tonight!! x o x
So good to hear from you, I was just wondering yesterday how you were doing. I had also been on anti depressants/anti anxiety pills for years but had stopped before the AF came along. Definitely didn't want to go back on them, I do yoga now, not fast exercise yoga but calm gentle yoga with lots of controlled breathing, I am also recognising the value of relaxation and meditation. I use much of it when I am in AF especially the breathing.
Yes, home made apple pie is good (for you)!! Enjoy. x
Hello!! Yes I am looking at yoga - In my CBT sessions I did mindfullness and I am gonna look into that again- I didn't take it very seriously at the time as I was drinking a lot but feel ready to do it again x x x
Apple pie is an absolute must for AF. Should be on prescription.
Smoking is a much bigger threat to your life than AF. I stopped 3 years ago and I have NO will power. Stay with it and read Alan Carr's book.
My beloved brother died at 64 and mainly caused by smoking. My other brother now has lung problems, heart problems and terrible quality of life and he is still smoking.
Sounds like you are making great strides so stay positive, ask loads of questions and stay away from the fags.
Ha yes it should be on prescription!!! Yes I would never have stopped without the AF and the booze too - it wasn't willpower that stopped me drinking it was the terrible racing heart that did it - looking back it will have been the AF - I drank very heavily after my Mum passed away about 3 bottles of wine a day. So in a way having AF had been a life saver - but really don't feel like sending my diagnosis of AF a thank you card and a bunch of flowers just yet haha!!
So sorry to hear about your Brothers-life really is cruel x x x
Apple pie is very tasty, but also very bad for you. It's extremely high in sugar, and if you use a traditional crust, also fat. It's a great way to pack on the pounds, though.
Good luck, and don't forget AF is not a death sentence.
Yes apple pie is bad Kodaska but I have just read that apple crumble and cream is very GOOD for you indeed and I should have an extra large portion - can't remember just where I read that though!!!!! xxx
Having just read this post from top to bottom so as to ensure that I hadn't missed all the updates my mouth was watering as I only had two humble apples for my dessert and feel left out!!!
However it has also given me an idea for next year's holiday - going round the country sampling various AFers wares and seeing many different parts of the country!!!!
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