Confused.com

[Hutchie1]

Im new to the site and the illness. Up until last week I was diagnosed with SVT.

Now it's diagnosed as AF. ..Meds have increased and I'm in a permanent fog.

Does it get easier as even the slightest exercise leaves me breathless and feeling ill. Is having the "procedure "the best way to go ? Thanks.

Linda

[BobD Volunteer]

Hello Linda and welcome to the club you didn't want to join. It is always difficult when diagnosed with a condition like Atrial Fibrillation as the anxiety it creates adds to the condition. Getting the right treatment for YOU is hard as there is no one size fits all. AF is a mongrel condition and there are so many different ways that it affects people. Add in people's ability to cope which varies greatly and you have a real problem. Drugs often make patients almost worse than the condition and it can take a long time to find the right combination of drugs for each individual.

The good news is that AF is life changing rather than life threatening and many people actually find their life improved by the changes they make. Losing weight, stopping smoking or alcohol, improved diet rich in plant based foods with less meat etc have positive benefits both for longevity and improved quality of life.

Getting the right treatment is always the problem as few GPs and or general cardiologists have anywhere near all the answers. Electrophysiologists are the rhythm specialists or electricians of the heart world and contrary to popular belief will not always suggest ablation though that is always an option. If you are not happy with your treatment ask to be referred to one.

Knowledge is power so read all you can form the fact sheets on AF Association main website and then you can engage with the people treating you rather then being a mere customer.

Ask us here and we will try to help any questions ,. however stupid they may sound.

Bob

[Hutchie1 in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob.

It's a bit of a minefield as I read up on SVT so sort of knew what was happening. Now after a 72 hour monitor turns out to be AF. You are right the tablets are worse than the illness...most of the time. I don't drink or smoke and eat reasonably healthy. Diet and exercise were a priority but exercise now is proving difficult.

Need all the info I can find now. At 52 my life was restarting, now feel like it's on hold.

Linda

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hutchie1]

I was 60 or thereabouts when my AF was finally diagnosed after many many years of missed opportunities.

Since then I have had three ablations (nine years AF free so far) plus cancer six years ago oh yes and a cardiac arrest and I'm still kicking a--e.---- Just not as hard as I used to. Life is what you make it. Live every day as if it is your last 'cos one day you will be right.

B

[Hutchie1 in reply to BobD]

I would kick a** if I just had a bit more energy lol

[Finvola]

Hello Linda and welcome to the forum. Diagnosis is a heck of a kick in the teeth and caused me to go into anxiety hyperdrive - which only made things worse. Drug therapy can have a deadening and exhausting effect. When I started on Bisoprolol 2.5mg, I found its effects dreadful and sometimes frightening but on half dose plus Flecainide - and with the passage of 3+ years - I have become used to it and now function fairly normally - just more slowly.

I always set myself goals, practising on our laneway - 100 yards of mountainside with a 10% hill - six steps and stop, then seven etc, etc. Now I can walk up the lot in one go again.

You may get more used to the drugs or you may need a review of them - or, like many others, ablation may be the way forward for you. The main thing is to get informed, do your research and try to think positively.

[Hutchie1 in reply to Finvola]

Thank you. I'm am currently on 10mg of Bisoprolol and I'm zombie like. This was only upped last week to be fair.

It's the lack of energy that's mostly the problem and I hate this feeling.

Have another appointment on Wednesday so hopefully more informationor at least a way forward.

[Lofty77]

Hutchie could be the medication does not suit you ,I went through all what you are experienceing have another word with your GP ,its swings and roundabouts with medication.

[Hutchie1]

Thanks. I have the hospital tomorrow again so hopefully some answers.