AF

[lindyloo59]

I never heard of AF until Mid Dec 17 when my husband was in hospital and developed it. I think it is a very debilitating condition and seems to have turned both our lives upside down 😩

[Hidden]

It's seems that way at first and can be scary. Best thing to do is read all info on AF website. It will help you understand condition and treatment options. Knowledge helps you to ask the right questions too. People affected in different ways with varying levels of what they can and can't do. It's a good forum to be on and we are friendly lot. Is husband on anticoagulant?

[lindyloo59 in reply to Hidden]

Yes he is had artificial heart fitted 12 years ago 😁

[Hidden in reply to lindyloo59]

An artificial heart ?

[lindyloo59 in reply to Hidden]

Sorry meant to say artificial heart valve

[Hidden in reply to lindyloo59]

Ah that explains it

[Hidden in reply to lindyloo59]

phew!! you got me worried their lindy. No doubt the artificial valve will influence the treatment plan, but in most cases we do come to terms with our condition and try very hard to not let it take over our existence.

[lindyloo59 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your support 😀

[Finvola]

I know what you mean lindyloo. I had never heard of AF either until I was diagnosed four years ago. The first few months after diagnosis were very stressful but a treatment plan and a good EP helped me to settle down - as did finding this forum and learning so much about the condition and how to cope with it.

I’m certain my husband had a more stressful time at the start than I did - it worried him to watch the episodes and wonder if I would be carted off to Coronary Care again. The good news is that things do get better and life does settle down, if slightly differently. Best wishes to you both.

[lindyloo59 in reply to Finvola]

Thank you. Its hard to accept when you have been a very fit person before working as a Plumber and coping with a large allotment. He has gone like an old man and hes only 61 its very worrying. He has af persistent 🙁

[Buffafly in reply to lindyloo59]

Do you think he is being affected by the diagnosis rather than the condition? Please don't take this the wrong way, what I mean is that some people cope with symptoms of AF for years until the day when someone tells them they have a heart condition and then they become very fearful. This is a very common reaction but sometimes loses its power with knowledge and treatment. Your husband must have been very strong and fit and basically he still is so hopefully he can be helped if not cured.

[lindyloo59 in reply to Buffafly]

Thank you for your kind words. Im not sure what he feels he doesnt seem to talk much about it. I think it has come as a shock to him also the lack of further investigation tests etc that are at the moment none existing are worrying him most 😩

[Buffafly in reply to lindyloo59]

Looking at your previous post I can see he may also be thinking 'what now?' Not talking about things seems to be a 'man thing' so he is lucky he has you fighting for him! Best wishes.

[lindyloo59 in reply to Buffafly]

You too 😁

[rosyG in reply to lindyloo59]

Try to get lots of information as this will stop him worrying. AF isn't serious as long as one has anticoagulants which reduce the risk of stroke. Ask any questions- someone on here will have had whatever he is having and will answer11

[lindyloo59 in reply to rosyG]

Thank you 😀

[Hidden in reply to lindyloo59]

Why no follow up?

[lindyloo59 in reply to Hidden]

Just been forgotten about more or less. I had to ring hosp myself and say it was affecting me also i was in tears then they arranged an appt 🙁

[Hidden in reply to lindyloo59]

Good at least in system now.

[Finvola in reply to lindyloo59]

Well done - we really do need to push sometimes.

[Bee-Honest in reply to Finvola]

Your husband needs reassurance that he is still the same person, but needs to re-adjust his lifestyle and that will come in time, and once the medication settles with him. I'm a newish member of this forum and I think it is great. I have had PAF for 16 years and have gone through the low points and uncertainty of what next? There is always someone on the forum with advice. I believe the stats are 1 in every 100 people have a type of AF, so not alone.

[Hidden in reply to lindyloo59]

Five yrs no exercise finally got back now go gym 5/6 days a week. 63 next month. It may take a while but things do improve

[Zachzallen in reply to Finvola]

What was the plan given to you by your E.P.?

[Finvola in reply to Zachzallen]

In a nutshell - rhythm control with 200mg Flecainide and a small dose of Bisoprolol to keep rate down in case of Flecainide-induced AFlutter. Six months trial - worked well. He also advised lifestyle changes (the usual list of things) which I followed and improved on with advice from this forum.

After a year or so, we discussed ablation and agreed that six month reviews would continue with a cardiologist and if/when I decided to seek intervention, he would fast-track me to his ablation waiting list.

It gave me stability, both physically and mentally and helped me to see a way through the misery after diagnosis. Four years on, I’m still on drugs and following his advice.

[a1anx]

Changing my diet helped a lot. No bread and practically no other wheat products. No processed food. Meat, Veg nuts ok, a limited amount of sugar (in tea & coffee) ok. Don't bother counting calories.

[Coachv]

Is he taking new medication? Sometimes there is a period of adjustment. But if he still feels physically very affected I advise talking to the GP to get to the bottom of it. It may be he feels better on a different medication. For example I can't take beta blockers but lots of people are fine on these. Are they offering any other treatment if his AF is persistent?

[lindyloo59 in reply to Coachv]

Ok thanks no other treatment at moment going to see cardiologist tomoro so hopefully get something sorted