Ignoring it might be the best approach

[Mejulie69]

I have just looked at my AF diary and for the last 11 weeks, I have averaged 1 bout per week lasting 2-3 days. This thing is not going away as I hoped.

The last 6 days I have been super busy on holiday. Mostly cycling round Scotland on my eBike. On Saturday I pushed my heart a bit too hard whilst showing off, and sure enough, it sent me into my latest bout.

Since then, I have continued being just as busy on holiday and have barely given the AF a second thought. Sure, I feel the flutters and a bit of angina, but I've largely ignored them and just got on with my holiday. I feel this might be the best approach to living with AF.

[Finvola]

I agree with you up to a point - it depends on the symptoms, our reaction to them, whether there is pain or not (angina?) and what it is we want to do.

Absolutely agree that getting on with our lives is paramount and for some of us that will be more restricted than with others. For me, it was small steps forward and small achievements - if you can enjoy your life, doing what you love to do, you will learn what might be 'enough' for the heart by doing it. Go for it!

[kiki1952]

Mine was coming every 8 days and lasting 2 days then it came 10 days a couple of times and last week it came after 7 days. A couple of times it lasted 3 days, this has been happening since I was told in feb this year I had AF, it always comes. I am on 5mg bisoprolol and 20mg rivaroxaban and I feel terrible.

Keith.

[Kitkat38016 in reply to kiki1952]

Hi kiki1952, I have been diagnosed w AF and SVT. I had episodes lasting a few hours every month or so for several yrs. Not really doing anything about it, I started having them every day for anywhere between 3-12 hours this past 3 months, Even for 24 hours, once. Dr. Had me on several different drugs and nothing worked for me until I went to the ER with 230 bpm. After a 3 day stay hooked to a monitor and trying several drugs on me, they prescribed Flecainide 100 twice a day and Pradaxa 150 twice a day. That was 3 weeks ago and have not had an episode since.Fingers crossed, it has changed my life. I'm going to see the cardiologist this Friday to schedule ablasion surgery. Wish me luck. I hope you can talk to your dr. about the drugs I'm on, and maybe they can work for u. I'm a true believer. Good luck to you! Kim

[Mejulie69 in reply to Kitkat38016]

230bpm... wow that must have been pretty awful. Amazing that a couple of chemicals have temporarily fixed you. My brother also has AF, he has been on Flecainide for over 10 years. Takes one pill daily and has only had a couple of attacks within the last 10 years.

[CDreamer]

I agree and good luck to you - but also ensure you work within some limitations, especially when exercising. Know the HR which will trigger a bout. Listen to your body and don’t ignore persistent symptoms, pace yourself and remember that rest and recuperation is as important as exercise.

[Hidden]

Definitely agree with your conclusion, just get on with things and don't bother thnking about your AF.

But, off the subject, do you like your eBike? Thinking of getting one, maybe the G-Tech. I like cycling but it's a bit hilly round here which puts me off. I can pedal and even go fast on the flat, but hills require a sudden change in effort which I think my drugs don't allow.

Koll

[Mejulie69 in reply to Hidden]

A total Godsend. I was a keen (mad) cyclist prior to my AF and I had 4 bikes subsequently unemployed. I decided to convert one of the bikes with a electric kit. One of the best decisions I ever made. I feel like I have got a large part of my life back.

[Andyt36]

See guys I am a great believer that the mind does not help and this is something the medics ignore. How many of us tense up when it happens, do you worry, fight or flight kicks in adrenaline etc and so gets worst. Believe me I have not figured this out yet in terms of calming the mind once it kicks in, but I do believe that this is one thing that can be addressed.

[Mejulie69 in reply to Andyt36]

It’s a tricky one. I don’t pretend to have conquered it but I have it under control for now. Meditation and counseling helped a little bit, but the biggest successes I had were through education (and realizing that AF was very unlikely to shorten my life), getting active again (ignoring AF), and often a taboo subject but I list it with total conviction – anti-depressant medication.

[AFCyclist]

Yes I agree try not to let it affect things. Can knock your confidence as I know well. On cycle hols I try not to overdo it and often take a day off if A F strikes. Keep hydrated. I use my heart rate monitor to control effort.

[clarence16]

I agree with you up to a certain point, since, I believe, dwelling on it can make it worse in some cases. But, safety wise, AF is not something to be ignored. The most serious issue is stroke. Have you seen a cardiologist? If so, did he/she recommend a blood thinner? I, too, have AF and have had it for over two years now. I ignored my doctor's warning (thinking I was a low risk because healthy otherwise) at first about going on a blood thinner and ended up having a TIA (minor stroke). Luckily, for me, I didn't experience any residual effects. While I was at the hospital for treatment for the TIA I immediately went on a blood thinner. I just recently had an ablation and feel much better overall. Even after the ablation, I am still taking the blood thinner which I am totally fine with. Just be mindful of how you are feeling and only ignore things up to a certain point. Good luck!

[Mejulie69 in reply to clarence16]

Hello Clarence, what is your CHADsVASC score? Mine is 0. My cardiologist advises I do not need anticoagulants. I am, however, currently reading the NICE guidelines so I can make my own decision.

[clarence16 in reply to Mejulie69]

Mine is 3. One right off the top for being a female. Lucky us! The other two are for high bp and for having a previous TIA.