Hi - I'm new. I've just been to A&E and got told I have Atrial fibrillation. Was given anti-coagulant and some beta blockers, but really scared what this means. Will see a cardiologist and apparently have an echo cardiogram. Mainly I am in shock! I have diabetes which is a risk factor, but exercised etc....so feels like 'life is over' right now. (its also 4am and i cant sleep, so I know I am in panic mode).
Any reassurances of living life with Afib? Will I still be able to exercise? (I mountain bike and ski which worry me due to anti-coagulants/injury/bleeding out) and I have no idea what to expect as obviously A&E aren't about chatting long term plans.....
thanks
*UPDATE* 31st Dec 2019.
Dear all,
thankyou for your amazing replies last night/morning...it's really helped me get a bit of perspective. Still worried, but I have stopped thinking I am about to drop dead any second. Also that there is plenty of hope - and life for the future. Can't thank you all enough.
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patience12
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We all hate change especially when one is told that they now have Afib. It’s really about taking care of you. It is best to read the fact sheet on Afib on this website. I was diagnosed with Afib and put on the same regimen as you. I finally felt relief when I was told that I had Afib because I had been so unwell for a long time. But, actually, the regimen helped me and now you have this website where other Afibbers can help you gain more understanding. I was in a bicycle accident four years ago while on anti-coagulants and was not a pretty sight, besides breaking my arms. It woke me up to risk and how much was necessary to exercise. You will come to a new understanding about yourself and your limits. As we age, we do often contract “stuff” and then it becomes a strategy to deal with it. Be loving to yourself and you will learn and know how to deal with this new turn of events. You’re still alive and vital. Take care.
I am sorry to hear you are so worried. I am sure you will receive many replies from some very experienced and knowledgeable people. In the meantime go to the Atrial Fibrillation Association website and read as much as you can, knowledge will hopefully alleviate some of your fears.
Once you see a cardiologist (and hopefully an electrophysiologist) you will have a more individualised treatment plan. For example, risk factors will determine if you will be on anticoagulants long term etc.
Diagnosis can be a positive step, as you can manage risk factors in the future.
Over the last 3 years since diagnosis, I have had 2 ablations and been on a variety of medications; but currently due to the success of the last ablation and low risk factors, I am currently unmedicated and AF free. I am 46 and still horse ride, run with my dogs and generally lead an active life. There are many on this site far more active as well. I hope the dawn of a new day brings less stress for you. You are not on your own.
So great to hear being AF free is a possibility even: i know not maybe for me, but could be...Also horse-riding: amazing. thanks for the uplifting post x
I was devastated when diagnosed with AF. I had the persistent one, no attacks, just constantly out of rhythm and beating fast.
I was diagnosed in September 2018. Straight into Apixaban, Bisoprolol and Ramipril. Saw a cardiologist in the November. Had the echocardiogram aswell.
Felt miserable as hell as well as physically ill all the time. Constant headache and breathless. Plus I was so scared.
Then in January this last year I had a cardioversion which put me back in rhythm.
The feeling was like night and day. I did some looking at my lifestyle.... gave up my binge drinking and eating. Gave up caffeine.
I’ve been in rhythm ever since. Still on all the drugs but saw the cardiologist in November and he doesn’t need to see me for a year now. He has taken me off the ablation list.
Good things can happen.... things can get better. You get used to it. You learn to live with it. You realise after a while that you haven’t thought about it for a while....
I’m not saying mine won’t come back.... a lot of people on here, assure me it will but so far, so good.
The thing to do is look at how it all started and see if you can make some changes there. Believe me, I thought I hadn’t done anything wrong .... but a closer more honest look revealed what I was doing.
Either way, things do get better and you do stop waking up at night worrying about it. I promise. ❤️
You speak wise words! I have diabetes. I know I haven't been always great at control. And overweight. Irony is I have lost 21 lbs since September. I'm worried I started AF off by the sudden Christmas onslaught of booze, and rich foods!? (I am not a 'drinker' but had a few G&Ts, some wine and a port or 2, which I don't normally have). Anyway, I will definitely keep up the weight loss, which was part of gaining better diabetic control.
I suggest you get a freestyle Libre continuous blood glucose monitor. For me it has eliminated the risk of nocturnal hypoglycaemia and lowered my hbA1c to below 6.0.
By my assessment it was the strain on the heart during nocturnal hypoglycaemia that caused the Afib.
how do you get one? Does doctor need to prescribe it or can I buy it from a chemist? thanks.
p.s. been back to low carb this week to help blood sugar, but they are still high - 8.8mmol after a latte! So, now I am worried I've killed off my beta cells as well! Arrrrgh.
When we are first told that we have AF it is a bit of a shock because it's usually something we know nothing about. All that resonates in our minds is 'there is something wrong with my heart and that's what keeps me alive'. First let me tell you that it's highly unlikely to kill you and your life is certainly not over, so please stop thinking that.
The echo cardiogram you're booked to have will show if all is structurally right with your heart, or whether you have something like a leaky valve. Most of us after having this are told that all is fine and there's no cause there.
It's normal for people with this condition to take anti-coagulants and some beta blockers. I remember, after my first visit to hospital, feeling stunned that they wanted me to take beta blockers daily. I said that I didn't want to take them all the time as I may never have another episode and was allowed to take them just if I did. Fast forward 15 years and I could write a book about my experiences. The overall thing to accept is that no matter how bad your AF attacks are, life goes on. Now, be warned, you can either accept that or make a big fuss every time and people will not want you around them.
We all understand here how poorly attacks can sometimes make you feel and now that you have joined our forum, we are here to support you in any way we can. So please feel free to ask any questions and note that we always say there's no such thing as a silly one.
When you have AF certain things have been discovered that can reduce your attacks (sometimes stop them completely). First is changing your diet to a more plant based, additive free one. For me artificial sweeteners were a sure trigger. Avoid any stimulants like alcohol and caffeine and some people have found that taking a supplement of magnesium has helped greatly. Losing weight if needed and cutting down your sugar intake are other things to try.
Oh yes, now for the good news. My sister had a few attacks of AF for a year or so, refused to acknowledge them, never went to see a doctor and carried on with her life. They just went away and stopped completely. I'm convinced that the mind plays a part in our attacks and it's important to carry on in life with a positive attitude and doing those things you've always done, but only if you feel you still have the same energy levels as before AF came into your life.
Look at the questions asked on here as often as you can and you will soon become an AF expert.
Hi jeanjeannie50: interesting as I wondered (in reply to lordgabriel) if I set it off by suddenly switching my stable weight loss plan (lots of veggie casseroles and soups) to loads of rich foods, and drink over Christmas. Guess I will need to look out for triggers and learn. I am not feeling unwell particularly (good sign??) except the fibrillation I can feel makes me feel worried. I just took my first proper beta blocker this morning and although pulse seems same, I cannot 'feel' it as much, unless I think about it. Thanks again x
It often feels like a death sentence when you are diagnosed with AFib. It isn't. You need to learn how to live with it, what affects it, what drugs help you and which drugs you don't get along with. Work with your medical team!
It can be a wake-up call to live more healthily: to lose weight, stop smoking, drink less alcohol, keep better hydrated, more exercise, etc.
There's lots of information available. You will be okay!
thanks - helps to know it is not death sentence as when I left A & E I literally thought I was in danger of instant heart attack etc. (took my husband to point out they'd hardly send me home in that case! but the mind goes into shock and them catastrophizing.). thanks for the positive comments !
Hello patience and welcome to our forum of AF livers.
Diagnosis for each one of us caused some degree of shock, fear, misery or unwilling acceptance. Some of us - certainly I for one - thought it was the end of the world. I can so sympathise with the 4am worries - that was always my time for ‘how will I cope, what if (add 35 more worries here) and I am going to die’.
One thing I have learned is that the period after diagnosis is the worst, apart from our natural worries, the docs do not rush in headlong with interventions until you have been properly appraised - hence your referral to a cardiologist and an arrangement for an echocardiogram. A&E did things exactly right and have set you on the correct path.
The best thing you can do to help yourself until you see the consultant is to read and read about the condition, remembering that not all aspects of it will apply to your case. The AFA website is a wonderful resource with downloadable leaflets at heartrhythmalliance.org/afa. Also, look up breathing exercises on this forum - top right box will search for posts where we discuss them.
Hang in there - it really does get better and once you get a treatment plan set out, you’ll do well. Best wishes.
Hello. I’ve had type 1 diabetes for 50+ years. Do you have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or is it continuous. In other words were they able to revert you to normal sinus rhythm with medications?
Hi - no idea yet just afib?? I haven’t seen a cardiologist yet. I was just sent home from A and E with ‘atrial fin’ , beta blockers and anti coagulation. So I’m not in sinus right now; am in continuous AF and it’s been a week so I guess it’s the persistent type?? Anyway Cardiologist will hopefully shed more light x
Yes. Will be good to see someone as soon as possible as from my experience A&E doctors weren’t authorised to administer medication that might stop the AF. Good luck with getting it treated!
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