Help !!!

[Edm174]

I have just been diagnosed with Af and I am so scared of what happens next !!

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Edm

Well firstly welcome to the forum that you never wanted to be a member of.

Everyone on here has AF and we are all sufferers and importantly not medically qualified, so what you will get here is real practical advice, but it should not in any way replace medical advice.

Scary isn't it, being told that that big pump in your chest is "wonky" and not beating correctly, so let's start with the basics, It's not fatal. Let me repeat that it's not fatal. But depending on what sort of sufferer you are and if you get bad AF episodes, it can feel like you are dying at the time.

You need to learn all there is to know about AF and please start on the AFA website, loads of information patient videos (including mine) and lots and lots of advice.

Depending on how old you are and other factors you may need to worry about, and what is serious and that is the stroke risk. We AF'ers are at 5 times the usual risk of stroke and there is a test called CHADS2Vasc which will give you a score. 3 and above and you must be anti-coagulated, 0,1 and 2 you need to talk to your medical advisors, but I score 1 and I am on anti-coagulants if that tells you anything.

Now ask away, we're a pretty friendly lot, and there is no silly questions here, you can ask anything.

Be well

Ian

[Edm174 in reply to Beancounter]

Thank you Ian for getting back to me !! My head is full of questions I will be 60 in April and will see cardiologist in February! For now they have put me on a beta blockers, I'm sure after I have been to hospital I will know more !! Thank you Eileen

[CDreamer]

Hi and welcome. What happens next will largely depend on what you do, what you think, what you want.

A diagnosis of AF may be scary but need not be.

Normally you would be referred to a cardiologist with a special interest in arrythmias - an Electrophysiologist. If you haven’t been - ask to be.

Go to the AFA website and download all of the information and read - knowledge is power.

Without much more information such as - how were you diagnosed? Are you symptomatic? Your age and activity level? Any other conditions p?

It will be very difficult for us to support you so once the shock has diminished and you have a little more understanding of what AF is and how it really, really is not a life threatening emergency but a very unpleasant, chronic condition with reasonable treatment options

Read some of the threads, know you are not alone. You will find knowledge, information and support here.

We have all been where you are now - just look at my first post here!

First take a deep breath, then another - then keep taking them. You will get your head around this and we will be here to support you.

Very best wishes CD.

[Edm174 in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you for getting back to me it's much appreciated!! It's so scary I am healthy and walk every where I eat healthy food and never smoked !!! I see the cardiologist in 2 weeks so will know more after my visit!! Thank you Eileen

[doodle68]

Hi Edm welcome. First don't be scared, you are certainly not alone , the site is full of once very scared people who have learnt to live with AF.

Do you have AF constantly or does it come and go. I have the 'come and go' sort called 'paroxysmal' I have learnt was to cope with it and it is not such a big thing now.

Look here at the link below and go to 'For Patients' ...

heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

[Edm174]

Hello I'm not sure think it's here all the time ?? I am healthy never smoked and walked everywhere!!! I am due to see cardiologist in February so might get some answers!! Thank you for the link will check it out !!!

[Hidden]

Hi Edm. All these previous posts are on target. The hard part, I believe, is the trial and error phase you and your doc(s) will go through at the beginning until they find what treatments work best for you. And read! read! read! theposts, They will reinforce that there are many of us who have settled into a comfortable way to live with this 'chronic' illness. Some of us are older and have lived a long time with afib. For me, I'm 73-diagnosed in2011 and now see it as my new normal way of life. Other medical situations are far more bothersome for me than afib. And you will get there too. I believe the important thing is having docs you trust ,have confidence in, and who listen to you. This is a condition where-as seen by the many posts-patients very often have as much (if not more ) knowledge than some caregivers. If you find you don,t feel comfortable with certain health providers don't be afraid to change. Good luck and take care. There are many worse journeys than afib, in my opinion. Burma

[Edm174]

Thank you for your comments they are much appreciated!!!!

[Hidden]

Lots of good advice and not much to add.

One major problem is that AF reacts badly to stress and anxiety, but that is exactly what happens when you are first diagnosed. In my case, I was feeling mildly breathless, but generally well, went to the doctors on, say a Monday, immediately told to get an ECG taken at the local hospital where persistent AF was diagnosed. By Tuesday, having consulted Dr Google I was climbing the walls and almost planning my funeral. It took a while, but with the help of the forum and our local AF support group, things began to get back to normal so I guarantee there is life after AF!

[Edm174 in reply to Hidden]

Hi flapjack !!! That's sounds like me !! It made me laugh !! Take care and thank you for making me smile 😄

[Hidden in reply to Edm174]

Your welcome, all the best.....if you live anywhere near Epsom hospital, join our support group, next meeting this Wednesday!

[Edm174 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you 😊 but I'm in Hull !!!

[Hidden in reply to Edm174]

Haven’t you got a bus pass! 😉. Other support groups are featured on the webpage, good luck

[Edm174 in reply to Hidden]

Hello !!! No not old enough yet !! 😂 Will check the webpage out thanks for your help 😄

[Hidden in reply to Edm174]

Hi Edm, I can go you guys one better. When newly diagnosed not only did I have the funeral planned (including the flowers(my fav) SUNFLOWERS but I also had my eulogy written!!! LOL. Have a good day. Burma

[Edm174]

Aww bless you !!! I am off out tonight might have a small glass of wine 😄 Hope it is allowed !!!!

[Hidden in reply to Edm174]

Enjoy your wine. Most of us learn we tend to feel better without alcohol and also sometimes mental health comesbefore physical.Wine accomplishes that beautifully-in my opinion.

[Edm174]

It certainly does!!! Have a nice evening!!