Newbie

[Blacomb]

Hi all. My name is Barry and I was recently diagnosed with afib and sick sinus syndrome. Hoping to get info on what works and what doesn't.

[BobD Volunteer]

Welcome to our world Barry. Since you haven't asked a question ,my best advice would be to go to AF Association main website and read all you can. We are all different and manage (or not) our condition in different ways but always here to support. Apart that is from this weekend as we are all off to Birmingham for our annual conference tomorrow .

[Blacomb in reply to BobD]

Thanks! Enjoy the conference.

[CDreamer]

Hi and welcome - good advice from Bob, as always,

Hubby was diagnosed with same - he had pacemaker inserted for the SSS and so he could, but didn't, Beta Blockers for slowing HR down, especially when in AF.

That was about 3 years ago and he has very occasional AF episodes, usually 2-3 in a week then nothing for months. Never last more than a few hours and apart from peeing a lot and feeling more tired than usual, no side effects. He is 82 by the way, still plays golf and volunteers regularly for 3 organisations.

The only important thing I would comment on, if you haven't already been advised, is to check whether you should be taking anti-coagulants which your GP can do for you. Any further treatment is purely offered as quality of life i.e. to help symptoms so you can function better.

A lot of the drugs offered can give you side effects so always a balance as to how helpful they can be.

Please feel free to ask any questions, there is usually someone with experience and knowledge who can help.

Best wishes CD.

[Blacomb in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks for reply. Dr. has me on aspirin and Warfarin. Had to cut back on Metoprolol because heart rate dropped too low.

[mumknowsbest Volunteer in reply to Blacomb]

Unless you have other complaints that need aspirin Nice do not recommend it for Af. .

[Buffafly]

My cardiologist told me choice of ablation or pacemaker + medication. I chose to try ablation,very successful so far.

[Hidden]

I have had paroxysmal a fib now for 10 months, only 3 episodes so far, so I dont claim to be an expert. Biggest thing Ive learned is a fib is the same and different for everybody, lol. Some get ablations, some just meds. Me, I just take meds when I have an episode unless things get worse. Also we have been told that a fib probably wont kill us, big relief, but it can cause other uglier things like stroke. So best wishes on your new journey. For me, it was a huge wake up call. At 63, Im learning to take better care of my health, drop some weight, get more active, eat healthier.