New sufferer

[RobertG]

Hello I have just been diagnosed with AF and frightened it has ruined the life I have. 73 and very fit, play golf 4 times a week and hill walk. Discharged from hospital with no advice or help at all, worried I am now going to become an invalid

[BobD Volunteer]

Robert. One word. Begins in B has two Ls and ends in k. You are not an invalid. AF may be in your life but it is not all of your life.

I'm now 71. was diagnosed eleven years ago and still here kicking a--e. Just not as hard as I used to.

Go to AF Association website and read all you can about this mongrel condition as knowledge is power. Hoover up everything!

Our history is similar although change golf for motor racing. The hill walking I had to give up due to arthritic knees probably due to fifty years of kneeling at the altar of race cars.

I hope that you are on anticoagulation for stroke prevention as this is your greatest threat right now. AF makes us five times more at risk of stroke so if they haven't done this then go see you GP RIGHT NOW and talk to him. What drugs have they put you on? Beta blockers such as bisoprolol are the fall back but do not suit everybody. If your GP can not help control the symptoms then you have the right to be referred to a specialist and this should be a doctor or nurse who specialises in arrhythmias, not just an ordinary cardiologist. Electrophysiologists are the top people in this regime.

Ask us any specific question and we will try to help but please don't think you are an invalid. AF comes with non optional anxiety of course so the support you will get here can help with that.

Welcome to our world by the way.

Bob

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

.....and there was me thinking it ended with an "s".....!!!

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

one lump or two?

[RobertG in reply to BobD]

Thanks mate really appreciate your help

[SRMGrandma Volunteer]

Hi Robert, Welcome to the club and sorry you've become a member, but you will quickly see that while it is no picnic to have AF, it is manageable. Get yourself a good EP (electrophysiologist) who will work with you to fix this condition, and stay fit and healthy with a healthy lifestyle. Healthy lifestyle makes a huge difference so sounds like you are ahead of the game. You will find a ton of support here. You are among friends who understand. Be well.

[Finvola]

Hello Robert and welcome to the forum. Diagnosis is such a shock when we feel that life is going along so nicely and suddenly we have to cope with something that sounds frightening and threatening. I was diagnosed at 69 and, like you, discharged from hospital without information, scared out of my wits, expecting to die, become useless, get worse etc, etc.

The good news is that AF is manageable and there is no reason why golf and hill walking (perhaps more slowly!) should not continue to be part of your life. Information and the proper course of management of the condition are the essentials in getting on with your life. There is a wealth of advice and information on the main AFA website at atrialfibrillation.org.uk and leaflets you can download. You may also be fortunate enough to live near AF support groups and there is an annual Patients Day in Birmingham. This forum is a lifeline into clarity and understanding and everyone is supportive and helpful, so feel free to ask questions - someone will know the answers.

Three years on from diagnosis, I am on drug therapy for AF, have a much healthier diet and do everything I used to do (perhaps more slowly!).

Best wishes - it does get less confusing and frightening.

[Goldfish_]

Atrial fibrillation is quite common in older athletes. There are 3 of us in my triathlon club (aged 45 to 55) with paroxysmal af, but all still manage to run marathons and compete in ironman triathlons. I note a 10% reduction in power when cycling if I go into af, so it shouldn't be a significant problem for you. Many are unaware they even have it, but beta blockers will reduce your ability to sprint as fast as previous!

However if this is recent onset af, I would expect you would be getting an electric shock z(cardio version) after 6 weeks of blood thinning, in an effort to convert you back into a normal rhythm.

If you have not had this proposed, which you should have if your af is recent, then insist on seeing a cardiologist who knows how to treat af, in the most diplomatic and tactful way or else pay privately.

[Hidden]

G;day Robert,

I really hope - that the dumbos at hospital started you on an anticoagulant. If not you need to be on this stuff pronto ! Otherwise do exactly as BobD says.

With this AF thingy, look at it as one of life's little plateaus. Yes, there is an adjustment to be made - for me personally it took about 6 months in total to get used to the medication, change of lifestyle and diet but it hasn't stopped me doing things I want, when I want. I have close family in Australia - I still fly there, last trip I did the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, 500 ft to the top and back down the other side. I go out walking the South West Coastal path down here in Cornwall, I still work (I hold a PCV licence for which I have to have and pass an annual medical for DVLA) and for 30 to 40 hours a week I still drive my tourist shuttle bus including man handling passengers baggage ( not much of it under 15 kgs) AND last Nov I had to come off my anticoagulant ( which is Warfarin) while I had a partial knee replacement, but, hey - 11 weeks post op I was back at work AND - NO, the surgery didn't trigger me back into AF and nor did I have a stroke. By the way - I was 65 when diagnosed and I turn 72 next month ..... and for my 72 birthday I plan a trip down the Zip wire at the Eden Project.

Look at it as not the end of the world, rather a slightly different take on the world you knew.

I support all the varied comments made on here by everyone who has posted a comment to you but you as sure as hell need a bloody good EP (Electrophysiologist ). I think the AFA website has a list of them in Britain so have a look and see one near you (if you are in Britain).

Good luck with this hill you'll find it no sweat - may the force be with you.

John

[RobertG in reply to Hidden]

Cheers mate cheered me up no end

[Hidden]

The only thing I would add is that the day before you were diagnosed you probably felt generally fine. Like me, after the diagnosis, your mind takes over when in reality, not a lot, if anything has physically changed. Follow the advice of those far more qualified than me and work hard at not letting change your active lifestyle. Best wishes, John

[RobertG in reply to Hidden]

Thanks John great to have such support I feel much more positive already.

[Hidden]

Hi Robert, chances are you will be fine after doing lots of reading up, tests and precautionary changes to lifestyle (that's the tough bit) looking to build back to 'Square 1' once you are comfortable. I would say changes to diet, supplements, exercise and other lifestyle changes prompted by AF can increase life expectancy and enjoyment in later years by avoiding other chronic conditions. Persistence is a virtue.

[Hidden]

Hi Robert - just to say, on top of all the excellent things people have already said, you're not alone. This forum is great for support and helped me enormously when I was first diagnosed. You'll find your own limits as you go, and I suspect you'll be surprised by how normal your life can be. Just read as much as you can, make sure you're on anticoagulants, and ask for a referral to an EP.

Lis

[Buffafly]

I think many doctors see AF in the same category as IBS, not going to be fatal, can't be cured so has to be managed, b***** nuisance for patient and doctor and in comparison with other hideous conditions the docs see every day not a big deal. The patient who has just been diagnosed has no idea about this - total panic!

AF is very variable and affects people differently physically and you will only find out how it is for you as time goes on. As others have said the important thing at the moment is to try not to panic!

[AFCyclist]

You will find lots of sports people on here who keep going with their sport particularly runners and cyclists. We have all learnt to adapt things a bit and it is only sensible to adapt your lifestyle to help. The medical profession will also do their bit. Read up stuff on this website and regard it as a journey.

[PeterWh]

The things that can be key are:

1) is it just AF that you have?

2) whether you have paroxysmal AF or are in persistent AF.

3) what your triggers or exacerbators are (eg adrenaline, processed foods, salt, sugar, etc.

4) what co morbities that you have.

5) the medications that you are taking.

This is why it is important that you you discuss with your EP / Cardiologist / GP.

[RobertG in reply to PeterWh]

Thanks Peter

[CaroleF]

I can't really add anything to the words of wisdom other forum members have already given, but I do so empathise with how you were feeling when you posted. I too was hit quite out of the blue with a (probable) diagnosis of Paroxysmal AF recently after I fainted whilst at work (voluntary job) and spent several days on a coronary care unit undergoing a battery of tests. Although what AF is was explained to me I felt very apprehensive about what the future might bring and worried silly that it was going to change my life completely and turn me into an invalid. Something that, as an active 72 year old, I was in no way ready for!

Now, a couple of months later, with the help of the AF Association info and almost daily reading of posts on this forum I have regained my composure - as I am sure you will do too - and am back to my active life pretty much as before. 'Knowledge is power'!

I think it's not knowing what you're dealing with that's the most scary thing. Once you're better informed things will look a whole lot better.

[RobertG in reply to CaroleF]

Thanks Carole, already started to be more positive after all the info I have received, also great support, played golf yeterday with with no after effect, so thanks again Carole.