New to Afib and don't know what to expect....

[Beaky-Pompino]

Just been diagnosed with persistent Afib, and I have been put on beta blockers (started 2 weeks ago), no blood thinners, I have no underlying health problems and the consensus is I have it because I did endurance cycling. I am 54.

This is all new to me, I can't really do a lot without getting tired very quickly, not sure if this is the meds or the condition. Does it get any easier? Will I return to some semblance of normality? I know that long distance sport is out of the question but everything seems like such an effort at the mo. Just looking for other peoples experiences please.

[Paulbounce]

Hello Beaky.

You wrote...

" I can't really do a lot without getting tired very quickly, not sure if this is the meds or the condition. Does it get any easier?"

Med's can certainly have this effect - beta blockers did for me. It took about a month to get used to it - for me anyway. Things returned to normal no worries.

Does it get any easier ? Again this is for me personally - yep 100% better. Your body gets used to to afib and so does your mind. It's a rollercoaster at first but things get better as you adjust - honest I'm not just saying that.

That's my personal take anyway.

Paul

[Beaky-Pompino in reply to Paulbounce]

Thanks Paul, that is encouraging. It takes a bit of getting used to as If I try and do anything slightly too strenuous then that is me finished for the day! I thought the Beta Blockers would prevent that.

[Singwell]

Beaky I have paroxysmal AF and am 4 months in. I also have high BP is turns out so that's a co morbidity, whic carries additional challenges. I also started off on beta blockers and I'd agree it takes about a month to adjust. I found them OK except much slower at walking up hill or steps because of legs aching. Hopefully you won't get the ache cos I'm guessing your arteries are in better nick! But I'd agree with other replies here, you body will adjust and you'll do not the same, but you'll probably do fine.

[Gunnersawus]

I was diagnosed with persistent AF in August 17 when I was 56. I too was/am a cyclists and was doing regular about 4 one hundred mile rides each year and 40/50 mile rides each week with shorter rides in between. I was put on Bisoporol (beta blocker) 5 mg immediately and it took a few months to adjust as I became very tired very easily. I’m ok now though and still enjoy my cycling albeit now a 50 or so mile ride is my self imposed limit and I have reduced my average mph. The beta blockers make it difficult for me to push myself too much and I don’t wish to anyway and I stopped riding in a group for this reason. My personal experience is that while I was devastated for the first 12 months or so, I have learned to live with it and my body has as well. I can get on with life now and even though I have persistent AF, (ie had it continually since diagnosis without a break apart from 2 “successful” cardioversions which each put me back into NSR for about 4 days), I am generally Asymptotic. I am on the waiting list for an Ablation and the difficult decision as to whether to go through with this procedure is now on hold due to the current Coronavirus crisis. My EP’s view having seen the results of my Echocardiogram and MRI is that AF developed in me because of endurance cycling. My quality of life is good, so, provided yours is as well, believe me it does and will get easier. I very much lead a normal life, the only issue I have is I get out of breath very easily when I walk up steps, (this is my only symptom).

My last point is that I was put on Rivaroxaban 20 mg per day from the start for stroke protection even though my CHADS score was zero. It has been discussed since that I could come off this if I wish, but I decided to stay on it as a precaution. Was this medication offered to you?

Hope this helps you on your journey

Ian

[Beaky-Pompino in reply to Gunnersawus]

Hi Ian, your story mirrors mine exactly, the main consensus of my AF is down to my Audax cycling. Going from long distance to barely managing 20 miles is such a shock and to be honest I am so upset by the fact that it has come to an end, it was my life! But I am encouraged that it will get better. It is hard to know whether the symptoms I now have are due to the Bisoprolol or the AF itself as they are fairly similar so knowing that it will improved has given me a great boost. Thank you.

My CHADS score was also zero so no thinners they said, but there is talk of a Cardioversion so that will probably change. But after researching Cardioversions I am not hopeful that it would work.

[Desanthony in reply to Beaky-Pompino]

Why do you think a cardioversion will not help for you? I was diagnosed with persistent AF at just past 73. Put on angicoagulants and beta blockers. Couldn't get on with any beta blockers tried all sorts and combination but couldn't even walk downstairs without getting breathless. Eventually after I moved house and saw a new cardiologist I was put on low dose digoxin and that seemed to work but was only on it for 3 weeks prior to my first cardioversion which put me back into NSR for nearly a year. I have not been on any type of beta blocker since. I go to the gym 4 times a week, walk, cycle and swim - I always have and like you used to gun it. Can still exercise at quite a high rate for my age - better than most but there are those who have me envious even at 76. I have had another 2 CVs, both were successful though the second one was done just before a Total Knee Replacement and the rigorous physio afterwards put me back into AF. However, had another CV which has kept me in NSR since. I am awaiting an ablation but the Covid 19 pandemic has had this postponed for 3 months. I would have had it this month. I am still on the fence about the ablation especially now as I am not able to get the same exercise for my knee as I would in the gym and am finding it hard. I would rather get back into better physical shape before the ablation, as i know I will have to take it easy for a good while afterwards. Also my EP has said I will likely need more than one ablation.

If you are offered a CV then I would have it. Hope it works for you as it has for me.

[Beaky-Pompino in reply to Desanthony]

Thanks, that's encouraging. Only through research and that my consultant said that the Cardioversion does not have a high success rate. But it's worth a try and hopefully I may be one of the lucky ones. In the interim its Beta Blockers to ge used to. Thanks again.

[Desanthony in reply to Beaky-Pompino]

A CV is not a cure but if you go back into NSR even for a short while it does point to the fact that other procedures such as ablation may work. As I said I have had 3 cardioversions for persistent AF during that time there were 3 patients having it at the same time as me only once did one fail and I don't know if he had been in NSR for the half hour or so he was in recovery. Are you seeing a cardiologist or an Electrophysiologist?

[Gunnersawus]

I was told by the Cardiologist in the early days “carry on cycling but don’t push yourself”. It took a while for me and my body to work out what this meant, but now I understand my new limits and I enjoy my cycling as much as I ever did. It could be of course that it is the AF rather than the meds imposing the limits but I don’t think I will ever know that and I’m not sure I’m bothered to know to be honest. You will definitely adjust to this and you’ll be back into a new and different cycling regime where you can lift up your head during a lovely spin and appreciate the environment more. Before, for me it was head down and gunning it all the way, Strava segments to beat etc etc. 🤣.

Take care and see you on Strava maybe.

Ian

[Dodie117]

In your position I would research ablation. I opted for this rather than going down a meds route. It has a high success rate, especially for younger people. (You are in the “younger” bracket, you will be pleased to hear). I was 63 and my EP (have you seen an electrophysiologist) said if I was considering an ablation the earlier the better. That was in 2013 and no more AF since.

In the current climate you may have to wait longer so do your research.

I was on bosoprolol for about 6 months whilst on waiting list for ablation and made me very tired. Try taking it at night.

Good luck 🍀