Hi! I'm new to this group and new to AF, I went to the ER in a panic a few weeks ago and they kept me in for 2 days on a monitor until they seen me go into afib, I was told it went up to 250 hb a minute and lasted for 10 minutes, I believe I've had this on and off for a few years and didnt know it. I was put on flenicain and 180mg of cardizem along with eliquis, I was wondering if these meds cause fatigue? I cannot function, I wake up more tired then when I went to bed and I feel like I cant breath. I have never been so scared in my life & I feel the worse I have ever felt, no energy and cant even go to work. My cardiologist says I need to be on these meds for atleast 3 months and then we will figure out if I need an ablasion. He also said I have an underlying condition that has caused the a-fib, I've seen a GI doctor and a pulmonologist and they cant find anything, does anyone else have this problem of being exhausted and breathless??
Newly diagnosed with AF and cant seem... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Newly diagnosed with AF and cant seem to get out of bed from exhaustion 😭
Sounds pretty normal with AF to be honest. Obviously from the way you write you are in US and maybe you have got the names of some of those drugs not quite right. Some drugs used to control AF do make one fatigued as well as th eanxiety which goes hand in hand with the condition. One does get used to it! Ablation is not a cure for AF but can remove symptoms.
I would take issue with your doctor saying you have an underlying condition for you to have AF. Many people who are quite healthy in every way get it as well as endurance athletes and fast jet pilots. If you have a pre-disposition to it or over work your heart (athletes and jet pilots) then you can have AF. It can have a genetic trace in that it often runs in families but the only known conditon which can exacerbate it is sleep apnoea. Excess alcohol , stress, and many other things can bring it to the fore but you need that pre-disposition.
Go to AF Association website and read all you can to better understand this mongrel condition.
Thank you BobD, I used to be a runner and stopped 5 years ago just because I felt too exhausted after running, my father had it also. I will continue to read up on it, it's truly the worse feeling I've ever felt! Now I understand why my Dr. gave me a prescription for Busbar, it's to treat anxiety which now I'm learning it is part of the AF, thank you for explaining 🙂
Spot on about Ablation ... Lasts about 2 years... Not a fix... Tikosyn protocol keeps you in sync for life.
My (second) ablation has worked for many years - but they "killed" my atria so I have to have a two-lead pacemaker, to pace the atria as well as the ventricles. I have ECG on my Apple Watch - so I can check for AF any time I wish.
Ablation a temp... Tikosy Protocal works for lifetime
Tikosyn
I too feel exhausted when my afib goes over 160 for a few hours, not to mention its difficult to catch my breath. Ive been dealing with this for 3 years. The first medication they put me on, all I wanted to do is sleep 18-20 hr a day. I was not depressed, but I just didnt want to, nor feel like doing anything. I love building decks, working on the house, sewing, biking etc. I had no desire for anything. And all this time, still in and out of Afib. After 2 weeks of this, I was told that it was probably because of the Beta Blockers. WHAT???? I stopped them immediately and by the 3rd day I was back to my normal happy, energetic, take on the world, self. For the following year I tried several different meds, none of which stopped or slowed down the afib, and was told the ablation was my best option. So I quit them all over a year ago. Found a new cardo group, suggested a mini maze (with 85-95% success rate), or a balloon ablation. Im terrified, no, more like phobic about being near hospitals, and having anything done to me. So sever that the fear becomes so overwhelming at the thought of having something done to me puts me into panic attacks that set off my afib to over 190. So Im considering the balloon if I can just get past the fears.
I was diagnosed 3 years ago with AFib after having similar symptoms as you. I never had issues like this until I had an extensive hernia surgery and returned to work too soon. I was exhausted every day at work by noon and should have not gone back until I felt much better. I work as a tutor to at-risk students in a high school and it’s a mentally exhausting job. Anyway, I had an ablation which didn’t seem to help at first, and then I had a second ablation 6 months later. It took another 6 months to feel better and I had a summer off to recuperate. I am still not 100% where I was before all this, but I can work. I am not where I was physically before the surgeries and have accepted that because I’m 63. I have three young grandkids and can watch them without getting exhausted and I can walk every day. As long as I watch my diet and get enough rest, I manage. I was dealing with a lot of stress with my husband losing his company in the last recession and that didn’t help. Like you, I was so anxious and a ball of nerves when this happened. I’m on a low dose of metoprolol to keep my heart rate down and 50 mg of flecainide every 12 hours, but at my next cardiology appointment in a few weeks I hope to reduce it more and eventually stop it if possible. I know it causes fatigue for me but it has also helped. I take Eliquis as well and will probably be on it for life. My body has adjusted to the medication and I have worked through the anxiety. I have mostly good days, but if I feel tired, I take a day for myself. It’s about finding a balance. Hang in there as you work through treatment. It may take some time, and don’t hesitate to keep asking questions. This site is a great source for support and information.
I had an Ablation on April 1,apparently unsuccessfully, again on April 26 I went through another procedure ( a bit more severe as I understand it.)and since then seem to be progressing ok. Take one 5 mg Eliquis daily (supposed to take two) and exercise most days ( a few pushups , a few sit-ups and two miles on the treadmill in 30 minutes). Work outside ( not in this heat , 100 degrees today) as I like work and physical activity ( trim trees in a Genie with small chain saw, ride jet skis and cut grass on air conditioned lawn mowers,)but find myself tiring a lot more readily than earlier in life. I have always believed “ push harder tomorrow than you do today” and your body will reward you. I don’t know if that philosophy is good anymore but old habits are hard to break. I hate pills and resolve myself to rid my consumption of anything other than natural stuff. Unfortunately I am older than dirt at almost 82 and want very much to enjoy life as I did ,not so many years ago ; however I understand “ your health is your wealth” and I don’t want to screw what I have left up. Your posts have been so informative ,I really appreciate the whole group of you. My question is “ at what point do I slow down my exercise program “? Again , your posts have really made this guy look and listen. Thank you
7 pk
Check our the writing of Dr. John Mandrola - cardiologists EP in Louisville Ky, particularly if you are in USA. Dr. John is a medical conservative who does ablations but really pushes the lifestyle changes he believes can affect AFib.
Now for my two cents, acknowledging I’m not an MD. Diagnosed with AFib 6/17 and now halfway through recovery period from catheter ablation. I’m 73.
I have quit all alcohol after 53 years of happily quaffing more beer than I should have.
AFib won’t kill you. A stroke might - which is why you should dutifully take the anticoagulants (dubbed a blood thinner is USA).
As for jumping immediately to strong anti arrhythmia meds which have awful side effects- you have choices. You might want to seek a second opinion or re check with your doctor. You can often wait out an AFib attack if you aren’t so scared (I speak from experience) and you heart may get itself back into rhythm. You can discuss a strong shock in doc’s office if it stays in AFib more than 24 hours.
Try to stay out of emergency room - they will hit you with lots of treatment to get the heart rate down and may insist on admitting you to hospital. If you are panicky during an attack, it helps to have a qualified EP with a night nurse who can talk you through - and will only advise ER if you can’t breathe or are dizzy. I am quite friendly with my EP’s night nurse! Although I don’t even call now, just go to deep breathing, lots of water and reading...
Sometimes with the meds the treatment is worse than the AFib. I just want you to know there are choices.
Will let you know in July if I think the ablation was a good idea.
Shouldn't you also be sure to point out that many people end up having multiple ablations before they find relief? I wouldn't be so quick to push your opinion on ablation on those who are newly diagnosed.
Did you notice the post yesterday from someone who had had 7 ablations? Many posters here have had more than 2.
Tikosyn Protocal was easy and worth the 3 days in hospital. Apples Watch series 4 insures that I'm in sync
Unless your Electro-physiologist is world class... I would not believe that 20%
Thank you all for your input, I just turned 50 a month ago and I didnt realize my parts warranty were gonna wear out already, no fun and super scary 😭 the dr. blamed it on sleep apnea which I didnt know I had either 🤔
If you have sleep apnea, do you have blood pressure problems? Are you overweight as in waist half your height or bmi above its top limits? Do you take regular gentle aerobic exercise to get your blood flowing? Still drink alcohol? Any problems with your sugar/alcohol levels ?
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