I’m freaking out again...advice needed - Atrial Fibrillati...

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I’m freaking out again...advice needed

Julia7 profile image
27 Replies

I wrote about my recent AF diagnosis and had some fabulous feedback, thanks. Only one episode, thank goodness. Healthy heart from scan and all other tests great. I’ve just had a phone call from arrhythmia nurse who said the female cardiologist (who is new) wants me to have an MRI scan before she discharges me to check all okay. I got upset and the nurse said that because I’m young, she wants to just make sure for certain all okay. She told me another younger lady was having the same treatment and also because I’m adopted (and don’t know family history)....this is also a reason. Then could be discharged. I’m getting anxious about this (not the procedure but the reason). I was so pleased this morning that all okay; now this.

Julia

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27 Replies

It just sounds like you have a doctor who is very thorough. I wouldnt worry too much.

Julia7 profile image
Julia7 in reply to

Thanks so much; I’m a little calmer today. Just thorough checks. I feel great, physically so I’m trying not to worry

Julia7 profile image
Julia7

Yes, it is marvellous, fairplay. Makes me worry they spotted something after giving me a very positive diagnosis. My health anxiety is terrible with this. What is anh? They also said it’s because I’m adopted and they don’t have family history. Goodness knows. I feel fantastic in myself (apart from stressing about this)

Julia7 profile image
Julia7

Lolololol...yep, I need my glasses. I thought it was some terrible heart problem. See how anxious I am? Yes, can’t be much wrong....she is just being thorough. I’m reassured about them referring to being discharged.

Julia7 profile image
Julia7

It certainly has, haha, thanks, John6

rosyG profile image
rosyG in reply toJulia7

the heart scan is good because there are some meds you can't have if there is a fault so she's looking ahead `i think- being cautious

Julia7 profile image
Julia7 in reply torosyG

Thanks so much, RosyG. Yes, that’s what I’m hoping. If they are talking about possible discharge then it can’t be a huge concern. I have terrible health anxiety and need to calm down. I over-think everything!

rosyG profile image
rosyG in reply toJulia7

I'm the same and can make my BP go up!! If you get lots of information it's easier to forget about it- it's fear of the unknown that's a problem- with me anyway!

Julia7 profile image
Julia7 in reply torosyG

SNAP! I like to be well informed and know I’m healthy. Health is my wealth.

Tikaneko profile image
Tikaneko

Try not to worry, as others have said they are being thorough and some if us are not as lucky. All the very best for positive results

Julia7 profile image
Julia7 in reply toTikaneko

Thanks....the nurse specialist said on the phone she was very thorough. Think it may be before they discharge me, hope so anyway.

jennydog profile image
jennydog

Do have a wee before you have your scan as it can take a long time. The scanners CLANK so you will be offered ear defenders - I prefer foam ear plugs.

All will be well!

Julia7 profile image
Julia7 in reply tojennydog

I hate the small space but can’t do anything about that, lol. Thanks for your reply.

Cat04 profile image
Cat04

The mri will give a current base point for any future scans to be compared with so that any changes in your heart can be dated and accurately monitored. Its a really good thing to be offered it not so much looking for a problem now but if anything develops in the future too.

Julia7 profile image
Julia7 in reply toCat04

I just thought that they only scanned if they thought there was a problem. Maybe not then!

Cat04 profile image
Cat04 in reply toJulia7

My paperwork calls it a baseline CMR (cardiovascular magnetic resonance) .

twishy profile image
twishy

Julia7, please don't freak out, what they are doing is to reassure themselves, and you, that there is no other problems.... i understand your anxiety being a very anxious person myself, but how to deal with it is to realise how LUCKY you are that you are getting this MRI. Love to you x

Julia7 profile image
Julia7 in reply totwishy

Thanks so much for your positive reply, twishy. I just hope they don’t pick anything up for me to additionally worry about, lol. I feel great in myself.

Bagrat profile image
Bagrat

Health anxiety is the pits. Have you got help from a mental health team? You may find this odd but getting a diagnosis of AF was a huge relief to me after having panic attacks and having days just feeling not well due to anxiety. I have since had help and it is practically a thing of the past.

It is great that you are being checked out so thoroughly even though you find it another stressor.

Julia7 profile image
Julia7 in reply toBagrat

Hi Bagrat....my dr said I need a few sessions of counselling to calm me down. I’ve always been very fit and healthy but had a benign spinal cord tumour removed in 2012 which really shocked me. It was an urgent situation. I’m always wondering what else is around the corner, which is making me anxious. I think anxiety and af / ectopics feed off each other. I love life so much but hate feeling anxious about health.

Builderpete profile image
Builderpete

Hi Julia

The mri is a good scan to have and it’s nothing to be worried about, it’s a routine scan.

DueNorth profile image
DueNorth

They say that if you need a doctor get a newly qualified one. They are more likely to be fresh, up to date, enthusiastic and to play it safe.

Julia7 profile image
Julia7 in reply toDueNorth

My mum was saying the same yesterday, funnily enough!

jamesvdv0 profile image
jamesvdv0

I have been diagnosed with PAF. I have had numerous episodes over the last decade, some lasting 24 hours, though none since I started taking the daily tablets (1.25mg Bisoprolol and 2 x 50mg Flecainide). I am now 54, so started episodes of AF in my mid 40s. I inherited the condition from my mother who is 89 this year.

I wasn't offered an MRI scan but I had all sorts of other tests, including numerous ECGs, an echo-cardiogram and a tread mill test. I say, it's worth having all the tests that are offered, even though they'll probably come up with nothing. They obviously want to exclude any underlying causes before discharging you.

Julia7 profile image
Julia7 in reply tojamesvdv0

Thanks so much for your sensible advice...I’m calmer now and just think it’s like you said. Tests before discharging me. I feel great in myself!

FancyPants54 profile image
FancyPants54

I'm sure you will be fine. But any letter from a doctor or hospital is alarming. It's just the sign of a good doctor. Having been diagnosed with AF in my mid 40's I only had the odd bout for years but apart from seeing a cardiologist at the start no one bothered with me at all. Then earlier this year a GP phoned me and said I should be on an anticoagulant. I argued with him and refused it. Then in March I went into persistent AF and still stuck there so I am on an anticoagulant and beta blocker plus digoxin. But no one cares at all at my surgery. I had to ask to see a cardiologist (same one as last decade) but he didn't do anything other than increase my Digoxin and say he'd book me in for a cardio version. Not heard back since. Nothing. I'd quite like to know someone cared. I am now 56, but still quite young to be stuck in persistent AF in my opinion. At least it's not too bad.

Take all the care offered and live in hope. Also, you are 44. Get your doctor to check your female hormone status. You will need 2 blood tests spaced 6 weeks apart (I think it's 6 weeks) to check this. If you are in peri-menopause (as you most probably are) you might benefit from starting low dose HRT to stop your heart struggling with falling oestrogen levels. Before HRT I had a lot of ectopic beats and short runs of fast beat. HRT has stopped all that nonsense.

Julia7 profile image
Julia7 in reply toFancyPants54

Wow, thanks for this! I’m convinced it’s perimenopause and have been for some time. I get increased ectopics around the time of ovulation and period. I’m seeing the dr again in two weeks so will get him to do this.

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