Quote for 2016

[Musetta]

Hello all,

I can certainly relate to the following quote:

"Nothing brings home the reality of your own mortality

than an irregular heartbeat"

Cheers,

Musetta

[Mazza23]

Great quote must remember it

[jsheard]

So True

[Buffafly]

When I told the nurse before my ablation that I was surprised how nervous I was considering that before my spinal op I had not felt nervous at all, she simply said 'It's because it's your heart'.

[BobD Volunteer]

Whilst that may be true. being told you have cancer is worse! That puts AF into perspective I can tell you.

[Emsysy in reply to BobD]

I'm with you Bob. 10 years with AF but if I have to suffer with anything I'd rather this than cancer. I always remember there are folk fighting a much bigger battle than me and some very close to me.

I've just completed a 26 mile cycle ride along the Sussex coast half of which was into very strong winds. But hey, I was able to enjoy the ride.

[Azbycx]

Any chance you might have a few optimistic quotes for 2016

[gateman]

Keep your pessimism to yourself.

[Geza10]

My goal is to get myself as fit as possible retire from the drink and live longer then the ones that DON'T have AF, this hiccup in life can be beat this site makes you feel positive.

Geza

[souljacs4 in reply to Geza10]

sounds like a plan Geza

[souljacs4]

I can usually be really positive about AF most of the time and overall this site is excellent and give access to so much knowledge which has kept me going during some rough times with AF. But then there are posts on here that say; "AF is always progressive and always gets worse"", that does not help our psychological wellbeing for managing this condition.

Both my EP and GP have told me they have patients who have taken many years to get worse but they are mainly people who have not be treated early enough. Also they have patients who, with treatment, have remained stable. We must remember we are a tiny minority on this forum so I assume there are millions dealing with AF everyday. The doctors them selves admit they don't know enough about AF to be sure of anything.

There are many people who are given a really bad prognosis for many diseases but there are, I am sure, many exceptions to the rule. I am sure for the newbies that join this forum the last thing they need to hear is "it always gets worse" . There are many new treatments in the pipeline for AF so maybe it would be nice to start 2016 on a positive note. I for one will do all that I can so that my AF gets better and not worse.

Just want to say thanks to all who contribute to this forum and wish you all a happy and healthy 2016.

PS. Hope my post is taken in the way it is intended; one of positivity!

[Emsysy in reply to souljacs4]

I have to say that after 10 years with AF and now with a permanent condition I have found the problem has become easier for me and much better to cope with; and this follows the diagnosis of a leaky valve 3 years ago.

It's not the same for all, of course, but my glass is always half full.

[souljacs4 in reply to Emsysy]

Good for you.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to souljacs4]

Yes of course Souijacs we all have opinions. I confess that I am one of those to whom you refer regarding AF being progressive but one must take into account the context i e when encouraging people to accept the inevitable and go the ablation route before it is too late.

Many people on here also seem to think that their world has come to an end with a diagnosis of AF but as I have said many times, learning to live with AF and getting the right treatment prepared me mentally for the cancer diagnosis and ultimately successful fight with that problem.

Best quote of all time was not one of mine but a good friend who told me "AF may be in your life but don't let it be all of your life. " This has been quoted many many times on here since then.

Bob

[souljacs4 in reply to BobD]

I will remember that quote Bob.

[Hidden]

I wasn't aware that there are many new treatments for AF in the pipeline . I thought things were at a standstill .

Meanwhile we can help ourselves by trying to adopt healthier lifestyles.

Sandra

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

They pretty much are Sandra. A few new tweaks to equipment , better and easier to use catheters etc and better imaging to enable the EP to do his/her work often with such as the robotic devices in better safety (for them), These systems enable the EP to work with slightly more precision and with less stress which has improved outcomes in some cases. When I did my presentation at HRC in 2008 I was full of optimism for future developments despite one of UK's leading EPs telling me that he thought development had reached a plateau That is why he is one of UKs leading EPs--- he was right!

[souljacs4 in reply to Hidden]

Treatments can come in many forms and as you say lifestyle changes can make us healthier Dr John Day and may other Doctors are now saying that these changes can help reduce AF in some people.

[souljacs4 in reply to Hidden]

Stem cell injection may be used for AF in the future, impossible as that may seem.

I would have thought that ablation seemed just as impossible a few years ago.

I believe that a cure for AF is still being sought and research to that end is on going.

[Hidden in reply to souljacs4]

I was first referred for an ablation 20 years ago at St Georges in London so we are due for something revolutionary!

Sandra

[PeterWh in reply to Hidden]

Was that a catheter ablation?

[Hidden in reply to PeterWh]

Yes, Peter it was for a rf catheter ablation.

My cardiologist referred me to Dr Edward Rowland at St Georges to see if I was suitable for the procedure then in its infancy. ( I was having trouble coping with Amiodarone )

As it happens I did not have the ablation as it was thought that I was not sufficiently affected to warrant it at that stage.

How times change !

Fast forward 13 years to 2009 -- much water under the bridge -- I somewhat reluctantly agree to the first of 3 catheter ablations at The Heart Hospital in London under Edward Rowland.

Still get bouts of persistent ( not permanent ) fast AF though which usually require DCCV.

Just part of my life.

Sandra

[souljacs4 in reply to Hidden]

I hope so Sandra you having been dealing with AF for a long time and still seem so positive. we need a break through for this dam thing and they seem to be getting some good results with stem cell when used in heart failure which may also be useful for AF we need a eureka moment the sooner the better.

[Hidden]

I have tried to take it as a positive - yes, it's made me aware of my own mortality but I appreciate every day I have, and try to be grateful for every moment I get rather than grumbling about being bored or the rotten weather. And I know there are far worse diagnoses...

I wish there was more hope of advance - I guess they will be tweaking the medicines and techniques and maybe that will improve outcomes. Meanwhile, I'd just like to wish everyone a happy and healthy 2016.

Lis

[souljacs4 in reply to Hidden]

My dads favourite quote was; "where there life there's hope".

He was a POW during the last war after being captured at the battle of Arnhem.

I often think of his words, it soon puts things back into prospective for me. hope your have a happy and healthy new year Lis

[Hidden in reply to souljacs4]

Your dad was a very wise man! Wishing you all the best too x

[Halpin]

And the scarey thing is one feels one is counting down the time, but thankfully it goes away. J.

[Elaine1951]

With my first attacking this Christmas and landing up in AAndE on Christmas Day I thought it was my last Christmas

[Musetta in reply to Elaine1951]

Know exactly how you feel Elaine - with my first AF episode (it certainly

feels like an attack!) I thought it was curtains but four years later, and a few more episodes and I'm still here alive'n'kickin'...

Cheers,

Musetta

[Elaine1951]

Thank you. Xxx.

[Musetta in reply to Elaine1951]

No worries Just wondering,are you anticoagulated?

Musetta