39 and Diagnosed 4 days ago

[Highbur8]

Hi All..After searching for the past few days for information on what i was told last Tuesday ive finally found this really informative forum.I had drove myself to A&E after waking up with palpatations and irregualar heartbeat...after investigations etc.i was cardioverted on Tuesday and released from Hospital and told to take Apixaban and Beta blockers....I have to see my Cardiologist in 3 weeks again but im constantly checking my pulse to see if its back.What I have taken from this forum is the "other options" available if the meds or cardiover. is not successful.Its given me a lot more confidence and positive outlook for the journey my heart has set ut for me.I will keep you posted.Best of luck to everyone and keep positive for yourselves and me.

[Hidden]

Sounds like you are informing yourself with information, knowledge really is power. When your heart decides to go rogue, it is a scary thing! The biggest advice I give people is to deal with the anxiety a fib loves to cause, it becomes a cycle. Remember that it feels like you are dying but you aren’t. Learning relaxation techniques, controlled breathing and healthy lifestyle will help a lot Best wishes on your new journey. Stay behind the wheel, don’t let a fib drive your car💜

[Finvola]

Hello and welcome to the forum where we are all more or less in the same boat. AF is a pain in the posterior but it can be managed and controlled.

The best advice I can give you is to read, read and read and a good place to start is with the main AFA website where you will find leaflets and articles on all things connected with heart arrhythmias. This will also make you more informed when you see a cardiologist and be able to target your questions.

It's very easy to say, and I did the same as you after diagnosis, but it isn't a good idea to keep checking if your heart is OK - the darned thing will let you know if it is misbehaving. Life was calmer for me when I stopped worrying about every beat - not easy but it can be done.

Any questions you have, do ask - someone will be able to help.

[Hidden]

Hello Highbur8, apologies but I need to be quick, my wife is pacing because we are due out! As others have said read, read and read again. To help I’ve added a link to an AF Association webpage which I’m sure you will find helpful. The fact that the cardioversion has worked is good news because if you feel significantly better in sinus rhythm you are more likely to be considered for an ablation if that’s the route you decide to take. The alternative is also effective but it does mean a lifetime of taking fairly potent medication. Depending on your lifestyle, there maybe lots you can do to improve how you feel and the success of the cardioversion. Avoid alcohol and if necessary lose weight but I really gotta go now, others will be along to help.....

heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

[Highbur8 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the response.btw...i know the feeling when they are pacing...but when the shoe is on the other foot its a different matter

[jeanjeannie50]

Some great advice from members here for you.

Just want to say welcome to the forum and to let you know that AF is nowhere near as bad as you may be thinking.

Have you read the recent post where we all talked about what we'd wished we'd been told when we were first diagnosed?

Jean

[Highbur8 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jean..The responses ive got today from members has already put me at ease...I am delighted I found this forum ...I am going to search for that post that you mentioned just now.Thank you all...Highbur8

[Hidden in reply to Highbur8]

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

[Hidden]

I'm 7months in it now and I was very scared thinking that was it but now on here I am go much better tablets are working and this group is great any thing you want to know some one know or try to help so glad I found this sight too we are incontrol chil and dont let anixity take over stay calm

[irene75359]

You have come to the right place for information and companionship after your diagnosis - it is a lifeline to many of us and things never seem so bad when they are shared. Best of luck with the cardiologist and let us know how you get on.

[momist]

All good advice from the others here. The only thing I can add is - relax. There really is no need to be anxious about this. It will be what it will be, and although it might mean some changes in your life, they are usually all good changes, like watching your weight, drinking less etc. If you are really worried about knowing if the AF has started again, get a Kardia device (about £100) which will let you grab a EKG reading whenever you can sit quietly for a minute, using your smart phone or tablet (Android or iOS).

[diannetrussell]

The Kardia mobile ECG (EKG) device has been a great reassurance for me. All the heart 'wobblies' I've had this year have turned out to NOT be AF, but just speeded up sinus rhythm. So it's given me the opportunity to look at my lifestyle and see what I'm doing that is over-revving my nervous system and making my heart go too fast sometimes. TV will do it, going to bed after 9 will do it, taking on anyone else's anger, judgment, excitement, aggression, or any other issues will do it, eating a meal later at night will do it..... So there's plenty of proactive stuff I can do to settle things down. The Kardia's been great - reassured me that my heart's not fibrillating, and took the focus off the wrong things and let me put my attention where it's needed....

[Highbur8]

Hi All...Met the cardiologist yesterday ...and my ECG and echo were taken 30 mins before this ...he basically brought me in and explained all were perfect and to be positive about everything...thankfully I took the advice from this group and had a list of questions i needed to ask rehearsed or jotted in my memory to ask....one of them questions was "why am i dizzy from the meds" ....he said this would be the beta blockers and advised me to take them before i go to bed rather than in the morning (contradicting his registrar who advised to take first thing in the morning) also advised he could not stress enough how important hydration was and to drink at least 3 litres a day......also advised to not drink alchol for at least 6 months and to stay away from coffee and any caffeine based drinks for the same period....i mentioned this forum and he was aware of it....when i asked about ablation etc...i was told not to talk about that until our next appointment in 3 months and see how i react within the period.Overall very positive i think and oh yes stay on blood thinners for another 3 months just in case.