Newly diagnosed

[gillanne]

Ive just been diagnosed with arterial fibrillation and spent a week in hospital. My heart rate seems to be in control as long as I take all the drugs. I have good and bad days and nights. I find these times so frightening and still feel unwell. Will I ever start to feel better

[Hidden]

Hello gillanne and welcome.

So sorry you are feeling down as well as unwell. Lots of us have AF and are doing very nicely, and it doesn't intrude too much on our enjoyment of life. I hope we can give you some encouragement. Many of us find, as we gain experience, that what was frightening at first soon becomes merely a bit tedious.

Though it's something we'd all like not to have, AF can have the benefit of introducing us to living in a healthier way.

What kind of unwell do you feel? Breathless? Wobbly? Wading through treacle? You need to discover whether it is your condition (note that AF is not an illness but a condition) or the effect (if any) it has had on your heart or (quite likely) the effects of the medication. You may find the first pills chosen may not suit you as well as an alternative or perhaps taking them at a different time may bring improvement.

There are lots of good ways forward and I am sure you will get a range of answers.

[gillanne in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for replying. I feel tired and am aware of every heart beat at the moment. My head is fuzzy and everything is such an effort. Im on Amiodrane, Ramipiril ,Bisoporlol, Furosemide and Xarelto. This is from someone who hardly ever takes any drugs not even aspirin if I can help it. I take most of them in the morning and at the moment have to double up on the Amiodrane and Ramipiril in the evening. Its the nights are the worse time.

[Hidden in reply to gillanne]

Lots of people find Bisoprolol makes them feel weary and fuzzy but it is very popular with doctors!

[higgy52 in reply to gillanne]

hi gillanne,

the Amiodarone that gives me fuzzy head and head aches,

good luck

[bennie06 in reply to gillanne]

On a similar meds regime and also came from a "nil pill background". I found that the side effects abated after a couple of weeks (wierd dreams, aching joints, hot flushes and more). Find that regular exercise helps, just a mile or two a day accompanied by the dogs. Good luck, stay strong and remember the sun screen!

[BobD Volunteer]

Hi gillanne and welcome to,our world. ATRIAL FIBRILLATION is very scary when you are first diagnosed but life goes on and you should soon get used t all the changes. Any treatment is only ever about improving your quality of life and it may take a while to adjust all the drugs accordingly. Yes we all tend to get a bit obsessed with our hearts and notice things that previously we didn't and frankly I don't think there is a simple answer to this. Many people find CBT and mindfullness useful as well as keeping busy so we are distracted. I would recommend that you go to A F Association main website and read all you can about this mongrel condition as knowledge is power to dispel fear.

By the way, Amiodarone is considered the drug of last resort here in UK so I do wonder who is treating you. Your drug cocktail sounds like it may well be causing you more issues than the AF right now so maybe get a second opinion. Ordinary cardiologists are not usually fully up to speed on AF so maybe you need to see an electrophysiologist (EP) as this type of cardiologist specialise in rhythm problems.

[bennie06 in reply to BobD]

With respect can you you provide the source of your "drug of last resort" quote or is this a personal opinion?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to bennie06]

European Society of Cardiology Protocol --from memory about eight years ago.

[etheral]

Agree with BobD. Amioderone is quite toxic both short and long term. Pulmonary and Renal function can be affected long term. Ask about Tikosyn ( dofetilide) as a safer alternative.

[Aprilbday]

I was terrified AFTER experiencing my first major A-Fib that landed me in the Urgent Care Unit. I was at peace during it, but now almost 30 days out, I’m dealing with the psychological and emotional side of this horrendous betrayal in my body. I feel I’m alone even though doctors have been supportive. I feel like I need to figure this out and make it stop. I never smoked, drank, in bed at good hour, don’t harbor anger, peaceful. So when I read about lifestyle changes I figure it’s code words for healthier eating and exercise. Exercise makes me tired and flutter. And so many people on here exercise regularly but still got A-Fib! So what lifestyle change? Lower stress is good I know. But if you work everyday in this crazy world, stress is the name of the game. Glad to be retired.

Question:

Do long time Vegans get A-Fib?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Aprilbday]

Anybody can get AF if they are designed that way. To have AF you need a predisposition which can be genetic or acquired. Genetic as in your heart is structured in a particular way. Acquired as in abuse of your heart such as alcohol abuse, excessive exercise (endurance athletes or fast jet pilots (fighting g forces)). Once you have it the condition can be self perpetuating and progressive.

There is , however , a growing suspicion amongst some medics that AF is actually a symptom of some other problem as yet undiscovered.

[KMRobbo in reply to BobD]

I am not a medic but I also have this feelng that the drugs and ablations are fixing the symptoms caused by some other root cause. Hence why non of the fixes appear to be forever.

However until the root cause is discovered then I am happy to get some of the fixes even if they are temporary !

[SimplySimonUK in reply to KMRobbo]

The drugs are just used to reduce the likelihood of a stroke; they don’t resolve any of the AF causes.

[KMRobbo in reply to SimplySimonUK]

But what is the cause?

After almost 3 years i have not really positively identified even a trigger!

[SimplySimonUK in reply to KMRobbo]

I’m not a cardiologist, but having researched my own condition, it seems to be rogue electrical signals interfering the heart’s normal operation. The reason for the signals can be varied and complex, but in my case, there’s a long history of heart problems. My father also has AF and that, along with a very unhealthy lifestyle, contributed to him suffering a heart attack when he was 50. For me, AF is just an unfortunate result of genetics.

The human body is ridiculously complicated. Even with modern medical science, there’s a hell of a lot we simply don’t know or understand.

[Aprilbday in reply to SimplySimonUK]

I had my gallbladder and tonsils removed years and years ago.

Anybody here ever had surgerical removal of body parts? I read somewhere that people with certain surgeries may be prone to A-Fib

[Ianc2 in reply to Aprilbday]

Is your weight within your bmi? with regard to exercise may I suggest that you find a route that will allow you to walk for a mile in the morning and a mile in the evening and do it with absolute regularity. I used to have a job that involved sitting down a lot and I now think that the lack of activity slowly but surely destroyed the muscle tone within my heart, and once it is gone it will take a lot of getting back.

[Aprilbday in reply to Ianc2]

Due to a deformity, I am not able to walk very much without pain and some temporary paralysis so I have started to use the elliptical. It doesn’t cause issues. Slowly. But I hope it counts as some form of exercise. I do some stretching on the floor. I should add some weights but haven’t yet.

I hope this is enough to help me.

[Ianc2 in reply to Aprilbday]

I salute your determination, I hope you can find a form of exercise that can help you get some aerobic activity, be it swimming or cycling or whatever. AFib is a strange condition but a lot of people on this site have learned to live with it, with varying degrees of success.

[SimplySimonUK]

I think the problem with AF is the drugs. They are so debillitating that you feel worse when taking them. Think of them as a life jacket - they will stop you from drowning, but you are still floating in the middle of the ocean! The challenge is figuring out the way back to dry land. 😊

[bennie06 in reply to SimplySimonUK]

Well i certainly can't agree with that. Are you saying that medical professionals shouldnt prescribe drugs and just let us get on with it. So far my meds are working and side effects are manageable .

[SimplySimonUK in reply to bennie06]

No - that’s not what I’ve said at all! Did you actually read my post properly?

In most medical conditions, unless it’s something like a bacterial infection, drugs can reduce the symptoms. They can’t cure the ailment. Of course we need drugs to help us deal with those symptoms. That's why medicals professionals prescribe drugs until a permanent solution can be provided, e.g. surgery. I’m well aware that there are plenty of conditions which can’t be cured, so the only option is to prescribe drugs to provide a reasonable quality of life.

Are you seriously saying you’re happy just taking meds and you’re not bothered about finding a cure?

[Marney]

Hi. I agree with Bob, he always give good direction. Especially with the cocktail of meds. The flecanaide works very well for me over the last few years as a daily med . I have had 3 ablations, and have appt in July with EP, hope to get off some meds soon. But not xeralto as I have had one TIA I will absolutely stay on this.

Good luck and let us know of any changes in your meds . There are better days and nights ahead. Honest!

Marney

[peterlees2820]

Hi gillanne

As others have said AF is a horrible thing to have. I was diagnosed early last year and am now on Flecainide to control the AF and Revaroxaban as an anticoagulant. they at least stop me from feeling dizzy and my heartbeat still goes up to about 120 bpm at times, but hey ho I AM STILL ALIVE, and that is the way you have to look at it I'm afraid. There are lots out there worse than me so I count my blessings I am as I am. I know it can be a worry at times but worrying will only make it worse. One thing I am rather intrigued with is that you are on so much medication. I know I am not a doctor but it seems a lot to me, not criticizing just wondering why so much. Try to keep your spirits up and the best of luck for your future.

Regards Flyer