Newly Diagnosed

[cujos]

I have been newly diagnosed with AF and I'm scared my quality of life is going to go way down because of this. I am only 35. I want to live longer. I'm depressed. I have asthma, high blood pressure, pre diabetes, depression and am morbidly obese. Around 400lbs. I'm looking for something to ease my mind about this but the permanence of it frightens me. Please. Anything. Help.

[robboian]

Cujos. You've found the right place to get some advice. Although we are not all in the same situation as yourself, we have all dealt with the emotional impact of being diagnosed with AF. Your case is complex and you certainly need to talk to your doctors. But, get informed. Have a look at the post here

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

Remember, AF is not a life threatening condition. Yes, it affect your lifestyle, but, it won't kill you. What is more critical is to talk with your doctors about anticoagulants, the greatest risk to life with AF is the increased risk of stroke. Given your complex medical issues, you need to get expert advice on this.

[Hidden]

Hi,

AF is not life threatening and quality of life can be achieved working alongside your healthcare team. I think you need to take this as a wake up call. You need to look at your lifestyle and make some changes: diet, cafine, alcohol, exercise, smoking, stress. You can do this. Get support and use this site to support you further. Good luck.

[annhere]

Hi, Cujos, I am sorry to see that you are having so many health problems. However, there is help available. Click on the following link and listen to this wonderful doctor. Her recommendations will be of immense help to you.

m.youtube.com/watch?list=PL...

[Rellim296]

If you think of AF as an electrical malfunction rather than having something wrong with your heart, it really doesn't feel as bad.

AF often has long term benefits (even though it can take us through some dark days at times) as it does tend to goad so many of us into a few lifestyle improvements. Perhaps in time you will look back and see the diagnosis that we've all found thoroughly unwelcome as having been a turning point in your life and the start of incentive.

Apart from AF, I have high blood pressure in common with you and I was about 43 when my heart first misbehaved and that was 27 years ago.

[buddje]

I think you may benefit from weight loss to help with a fib - me too but its so hard.

So many illnesses go hand in hand.keep posting -support is there

[BobD Volunteer]

AF is life changing rather than life ending and there are many other things you have which will finish you off long before the AF and every one of them will be improved with weight loss. Concentrate on that first and I am sure that ALL of those other co-morbidities will fade away.

[davebakerpurton]

Being obese is a greater threat to your longevity than AF, you NEED to get down to under 200lbs, studies have shown that this also helps greatly with AF, being so obese will also put you at a very great risk of diabetes which will impact your health and life expectancy far more than AF

[Plai]

Have a look at Slimming World their diets are so good you never need to feel hungry.

[Vony]

As many other replies have said, making changes to your lifestyle will have a positive effect on both your physical health and your mood. And the good news is, although you may not be able to completely change or control your health issues, you are in control of weight loss and lifestyle decisions. Work within your limits to start and your limits will lessen as time goes on and you become fitter. Wishing you so many blessings on your journey.

[JaneFinn]

Dear cujos, I feel for you so much. Please don't despair. It's a frightening diagnosis - I feel it too, having been diagnosed only 3 months ago. I too have high blood pressure and I'm very overweight - I'm gradually losing weight, but it's tough, isn't it?

Maybe you can take heart from these thoughts:

1. As everyone has said, AF isn't in itself life threatening - and actually getting the diagnosis, treatment and support to live more healthily can actually save your life from the other stuff that might otherwise have drifted unchecked until too late.

2. You're not alone! I hope you have some supportive people around you? If so then talk to them - let them know how you're feeling. And even if you don't, you have us here. There's a lot of wise, experienced people who can point you in helpful directions, and there's not-so-wise and inexperienced people like me who nevertheless empathise and care!

3. Right now is the worst bit. Just post-diagnosis is a scary and lonely time. But it gets better. Truly. You've got through the hardest bit. There's light at the end of the tunnel.

4. Don't beat yourself up (or let other people make you feel guilty) over the medical issues you have. There's no point looking back - it just makes you feel more hopeless and helpless. Here is where you are - with all the conditions you have - and you're alive and you have people who love you. And you have a good life ahead of you. You can get there, honestly. One day at a time.

Please please make sure you have the best support (both medical and therapeutic) you can for your depression. It will make all the difference.

Take care - love and prayers x

[cujos in reply to JaneFinn]

Thank you for you kind words and encouragement. What a relief to not feel so alone.

[T_costa]

Hi Cujos,

I don't have any of the other issues you have, besides the afib, and I still feel just as scared. Like someone else said, afib can be a wake up call. Even though I don't have the exact same experience as you, I've had to change my lifestyle. I'm exercising more, drinking way less caffeine, doing a lot of yoga, taking magnesium supplements. Afib has kind of forced me to treat my body better.

Anyway, sending you some positive energy. You can do this!

Tomas

[Deadwoodmike]

Hi Cujos. I can only believe that the chances are that the ablation will improve your quality of life. And I don't mean to sound mean at all, but if you could lose weight it would probably help with your blood pressure and pre diabetes too. You are young, and that fact is on your side. But I wouldn't worry about having the ablation. Keep the faith!😊👍

[tibetan36]

Hi Cujos

By registering here you instantly have many friends in a similar situation from all over the world. I'm in Australia.

Like it has been already mentioned AF is an electrical problem. It affects our heart which is the pump that's controls blood flow around our heart.

I'm retired now from working in community welfare as a counsellor. As you stated your overweight. The causes can be many however on the surface it sounds like your trying to protect yourself from past emotional trauma.....it's something we all do from time to time. Of course some medications can create in increase in weight. I'm sure there would be great counsellors in your area who would be only too willing to provide assistance for you!

I'm sure this forum can provide you with moral support.

Kind regards

Barry