AF diagnosis and medication. Doing what is best for "You."

[Goldensilverado]

My AF started with pneumonia last Christmas. Since then I had one Cardioversion that lasted 2 days; an NHS cardiologist who would request a test and forget that I had done it since my last visit and someone that didn't always know my true status or even what medication I was sometimes taking. Also, sending me to a chest clinic to investigate sleep appnia when this was purely and simply a case of Digoxin slowing my heart down too much causing lack of oxygen. I lost confidence in his Diagnostic ability and medical support to the extent that I even sought a private Cardiologist for a second opinion. More recently I was taking a Beta blocker that caused me to put on significant rapid weight. I reached 130 Kgs from 115Kgs in a few moths. He then told me I would have to go on to Warfrin as a blood thinner instead of Rivaroxaban since I had reached the weight limit of 130 Kgs that this drug would support.

I did not want to go on Warfrin and felt that it would be a step in the wrong direction of a down hill trend; I was shocked that I had reached this weight, so I decided to take the bull by the horns and do something about everything.

I lost 5 Kgs in 2 weeks and am now 118 Kgs and still take Rivaroxoban as a blood thinner. I started cylcling and got myself fitter than I had been for a while and can now cycle 9 miles and think nothing of it.

I now manage my medicine by how I feel within myself and using medical consultation. If medication makes me feel unwell over a period of time I either change it or come off it, sometimes temporarily but again using medical consultation. I always take the blood thinner to avoid blood clots.

I'm now fitter than Ive been for ages, lost a load of weight, and sometimes am just taking only one tablet a day for thinning my blood. Even with my 24 hr a day AF, I have not felt better since my AF begun. Please be aware that every case of AF is treated individually and I am not a doctor. My point is to not blindly take the word of every person who you consult with as being the best or only thing for you. Before you know it, you could be taking 10 pills a day, putting on weight, getting depressed, and the concoction of drugs that you are taking making you ill or even seriously damaging a body organ that was perfectly OK. Research your medication through professional sources and try to decide on what is best for you.

I personally have not felt better since my AF started; I would also be taking a handful of pills a day, be overweight and probably depressed if I had blindly taken all of the advice that had come my way.

I also had to rethink my life style, my career, my diet and follow this through.

I now live in Fort William Scotland where I live an active healthy life with AF, living each day to the full and trying to enjoy life along with building up a small lodging business (Photo).

[rosyG]

well done you!! excellent effort and results!!

[Goldensilverado in reply to rosyG]

Thanks Rosy. It doesn't come easily as with most people who have AF it can be frustrating or depressing. It becomes a matter of deciding what is best for you, facing up to a new reality and getting on with it.

[Hidden]

I agree with so much that you have said. You have done so well. Too many people blindly take any and every drug they are given.

Best wishes

Sandra

[jeanjeannie50]

It certainly sounds like you're doing well and have made the right choices.

I agree we really do have to plan what's best for us and sometimes what we decide turns out to be the best route to better health.

I now know that what I eat and how much, has an effect on my AF, but it's taken years to get that into my head. The trouble is no matter how many times we're told that, we're still tempted to eat rubbish food. I now follow a gluten and lactose free diet, but hey they do chocolate digestives that are gluten free and I need to have some treats and yes they do soya chocolate deserts. Do I eat just one biscuit, no I'll have at least 4 (well they're not as big as normal chocolate digestives). I get cross with myself and say I'm not buying any more, but then a moment of weakness comes over me in the supermarket and I give in.

Do you now have a healthier diet, or is it just the lifestyle and medication changes you feel have helped?

Jean

[Goldensilverado]

I have a healthier diet, also based on my daily calorie intake through which I control my weight. Breakfast I have a home made "Museli" so I know whats in it. Lunch I have meat or fish with any amount of veg and potatoes. Bananas or fruit for desert. Evening around 5 O' clock I have home made Museli again or can vary this with tinned tuna and salad or pink salmon and salad or both if I'm hungry. Also poached eggs (No toast or butter.) I keep some hard boiled eggs in the fridge and try to avoid snacking. I made this diet myself as I enjoy eating these foods; avoiding salt, fat and refined sugar. You can make your own diet eating foods that u like. Not following the rules, I will drink coffee controlling my intake and will drink Irish rarely and in moderation. These products are not recommended or good for you with AF, I allow myself this release to help "Enjoy" life as this is also very important. Certainly no beer, whiskey or other forms of distilled alcohol. I do monitor my vital signs daily and in this way also greatly helps control my medication. During the last month my BP is good, heart rate is good, rarely feel weak though I still live with AF 24 hrs a day. Among other things you have to watch for Fibrosis and the fact that if you are not taking a certain medication or a Beta blocker you are not creating a situation where your heart likes to stay in AF through Cardiac neuronal remodeling. Like I said, I'm not a doctor and each case of AF should be treated on its own individual merit through professional advice, also taking into consideration the patients own wishes and quality of life. I have made my choices based on what I consider to be best for me, but this does not mean that I can continue with my present choices if my medical circumstances change. My choice was to loose weight, get fit and watch my medication "Very" carefully. So far I feel the better for it. Everyone has that choice of what to do.

[Mo-ararat]

Yes, yes, yes. It is about finding all that can empower you. This forum has a vital part to plan in this process. Thank you to all who participate and a joyful Christmas to you all. ❤️

[Goldensilverado in reply to Mo-ararat]

Thank you for your comment as it helps encourage others; and a Happy Christmas to you too.

[Pikaia]

Great post Goldensilverado . It's important to take responsibility for your actions and life and it sounds like you've done that 100%. Fort William is a great place to live as well! Good luck with it all.

[Goldensilverado]

Pikaia...thank you.