Does Warfarin make you introspective ?

[overmars]

One of my sons said to me tonight he noticed these past few years since AF and Warfarin I have been much more introspective .

Do others feel like this ?

I feel Im in my own bubble .

[SRMGrandma Volunteer]

Well, I don't know that Warfarin makes one more introspective, but I think having AF certainly does. When you have a health issue that can terrorize like AF I think it is pretty easy to get a little lost in oneself. I've tried to turn that into mindfulness, paying attention to being fully present in the moment and not letting all the "what if" scenarios stay front and center in my brain.

[overmars in reply to SRMGrandma]

Has it made you feel like in a bubble ?,And does it antagonise your relationships ?

[Kodaska in reply to SRMGrandma]

Mindfulness is, indeed, the best answer to anxiety issues, short of curative therapy (if there is such a thing).

[dedeottie]

Yes I agree with grandma. I am a lot less outgoing than I was but I also feel I am more genuine and "true to myself". I keep my A.F. to myself these days as explaining to people was so complicated and I think that is better for me as it stops me dwelling on things all the time. That's why I so appreciate this site as I can really be myself x

[overmars in reply to dedeottie]

Its a good reply . I think I find being pushed from pillar to post..Dr to hospital to blood clinic to dentist to Dr a hard game .

[Finvola]

Yes, I know exactly what you mean but I don't take Warfarin. I think it is a reaction to the diagnosis of AF and the fact that my heart which I was unaware of for so many decades suddenly decided to misbehave.

Coping with AF is a whole-body experience - mind and body and we become more aware of our mortality, weaknesses and strengths.

The bubble is a perfect description!

[overmars in reply to Finvola]

Thank you

[overmars in reply to Finvola]

I read this in my Happiness book just now ...

" Tomatoes grow sweeter with age .A bottle of milk grows sour .Live your life like a tomato and don't cry over spilt milk ."

[Musetta]

Hi Over,

I also agree with grandma, dedeottie and finvola - The diagnosis of AF alone can make the uncertainties of "what can happen" bubble to the surface more often than prior to diagnosis. For example, I use to love driving and in my lifetime have travelled countless kilometers and to many places. However, because of my past symptoms during AF episodes, my love for driving has taken a nose-dive and my other half does most of the driving now and I'm not happy driving the car alone because occasionally, the "am I going to have a stroke while driving" also bubbles up. Mostly, like grandma, I push those thoughts away from the centre of my brain and continue to enjoy all things life has to offer.

All the best to you,

Musetta

[overmars in reply to Musetta]

Yes this is helpful .

What could I say to my son to help him understand ?

[Musetta in reply to overmars]

Perhaps show him some posts on this forum - there are some

outstanding examples of answers and replies re: the mental

and physical roller-coaster rides some people experience with AF.

As has been mentioned on prior posts, AF affects many people in many different ways.

All the best.

[overmars in reply to Musetta]

I will indeed .

Thank you .

[Kodaska in reply to overmars]

AF and other ailments bring us face to face with our fragile, temporary selves. Introspectiveness (especially mindfulness) helps us accept the fact that we age, we get sick, and we eventually die. The nature of youth is to deny such things. In middle age we try to turn away. At some point we have to choose whether to face the facts or remain in denial.

Your son will not understand until he's older. Maybe an open-hearted story of your own path might at least help.

My own son couldn't make sense of my situation. I finally told him about impaired circulation - that I almost drowned because I couldn't swim well enough, that I couldn't do anything strenuous on warm days because I couldn't transport heat despite profuse sweating, and that I had to wear extra clothing because I couldn't keep warm. He still didn't make sense of it. So I asked him to tell me about his activities - soccer, mostly. He started to get it when I told him he couldn't play for more than five minutes at a time because of overheating. But his understanding is pretty dim, mostly an intellectual thing.

[overmars in reply to Kodaska]

Wise Bob ..how do I begin telling my son ..

[overmars in reply to Kodaska]

The ideal would bevto have 6 beers and tell him buy no binge drinking !

[BobD Volunteer]

Nothing to do with warfarin but lots to do with having AF. I get over the problem by concentrating on helping others rather than worrying about myself. Simples as the meerkat would say.

[overmars in reply to BobD]

Helpful Bob . I signed up today

[Bob56]

I am pretty sure it isn't warfarin, or any particular medication. Of course we should all check out side effects for our various drugs and if necessary change them to get a combination which suits, but I suspect it is the feeling of vulnerability that is the cause of your introspection. I was one of those who used to feel invincible, always strong and in command of the situation. Gradually AF started to undermine this, and as the attacks became more frequent I began to worry about doing certain things, socialising with friends, important occasions where I was desperate to feel well and so on. It has been a big struggle to try and carry on as normal, do the things you used to enjoy, and accept that you are doing all you can to cope with the condition. Its an old cliche , but we all need to take each day as it comes. As for our loved ones, try as they might, they won't ever completely understand what you are going through. AF is unseen and you would need a big plaster cast or a bandage round your head to achieve that! They will have to think what they think and you concentrate on making the most of your life. All best wishes.

[overmars in reply to Bob56]

Wise advice

[lingooz]

I found in early days it took away my confidence, and restrictions on ones life don't help, like watching what you eat, and I can't drink alcohol, makes life less fun and less able to be impulsive, BUT I am working on it 😀

[souljacs4]

I think we still have most of the choices we had before AF I can still drink alcohol if I want to or have coffee and tea. I just don't want to suffer the consequences. I know a lot of people with AF still have a drink and a lot don't make life style changes. It is up to the individual there are a lot of conditions that cause us to make lifestyle changes some people do some don't I would rather think that the things I am doing will make my general health better.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to souljacs4]

Interestingly at HRC in October we were told that far from limiting life, AF patients frequently lived longer than non AF. This is to do with life style changes such as better diet. reduction of stress. reduction of alcohol. stopping smoking etc etc. so life can be good.

[souljacs4 in reply to BobD]

Thank you Bob it is nice to hear some good news about AF.

[higgy52]

Sorry never heard of Introspective, whats it mean.

[Tauntonjimbo]

I don't believe Warfarin is the problem . . . . AF in itself can be depressing because it is so debilitating even when free of it for an unknown period of time . . . . worse when it is happening.

[Hidden]

I think that pretty much everybody is in agreement that Warfarin isn't the culprit.

May I put a slightly different slant on AF? For me I am not frightened by AF, not anymore. I've experienced and learned about AF. I have PAF and when I am in AF I fully understand that I become a little bit "different". I suspect that people would consider that I become more insular. I have no fear of death and AF hasn't made me feel more fragile. That said I know that, when in AF, people probably see a difference in my personality. We all just need to understand that AF makes a difference to the person experiencing AF. That experience is very personal.