When we have AF we often have complaints that impact our condition, I know I do. So how do you manage them and know what works and what doesn’t?
Personally I think it absolutely appropriate to be able to ask about any condition that relates in any way to our condition of AF simply because it impacts on what medications we are able to take, what supplements we use, how inflammation in the body can trigger AF, how anxious we become as we become more frustrated and more therefor more likely to trigger AF.
This forum is for patients, it’s (I hope) a safe place to bring stuff that impacts our AF which in my book is anything emotional, stressful, frustrating, physically painful, confusing and complex when dealing with multiple conditions.
We don’t always want or need clinical solutions but reading various responses to threads has helped me to widen my horizons, find my own solutions, informed me on SO many other topics and basically saved my life through distracting me when I couldn’t do anything else but rest.
It also taught me there are SO many people struggling and worse off than me.
Go Well.
Written by
CDreamer
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Absolutely agree! Think of how we might have issues of digestion, hypertension, thyroid imbalances and psychological challenges such as anxiety and depression. Others are facing the same issues, other have found solutions. By asking and honestly sharing our experiences we can help each other. Even if that help is just to know you're not alone or which questions to ask your GP/cardiologist/EP. I definitely go more well because of this forum!
Completely agree CD. I did not see any criticism re the post that I guess prompted your comment myself so must have missed it. If you have AF then everything else is fair game. Of course if you come here looking for answers to a completely unrelated health condition then expect to be sign posted to a forum with a better fit. Occasionally we do get confusion on occasions as ablation is a medical term that doesn't only refer to pulmonary vein isolation.
Well said CD. I agree with you totally. What a great post of yours to start the day.
Who knows what other ailments are more likely along with our AF. It's only by discussing them here that we can find out. For example I guess holding tension in our bodies because of an unusual heartbeat, could cause muscle soreness in that area. There's no end to the possible links. I look forward to reading all the replies you receive.
Jean
Hi CDreamer, I do agree with what you say, and I know that, sometimes, a word or two on something that's off-topic can be as reassuring as all those that are to the point. That said, having looked at this from both sides, (I administer another group on HU), I know how easy it is, and how quick, for topics to slide way off any subject, because we are all human, and before you know it, relevant questions and comments can become buried among greetings, recipes, poems and photographs. On the other hand, a group which sticks too closely to the rules can become stale, repetitive and, through that, sometimes unused. So there's a balance to be achieved and in the main I think that the AF Association community has that. It is a really busy community as arrhythmias are really common as well as often stress inducing and worrying. Its principal function is being met, and so long as it has some relevance to our condition overall, I've not found a problem in mentioning something that wasn't strictly to the point.
I totally agree with you CD.
Since my diagnosis, I have attended innumerable talks from medical professionals on all aspects of AF and other related issues and I have endeavoured to share that information with others in response to forum questions. However, that in itself can present problems which is why I tend to labour the point that I’m not medically trained. However, the consequences of having AF can be far more complex than dealing with an irregular heartbeat and are often overlooked or underestimated by some medical professionals.
Compared with many others here, I have been fortunate in that my AF has been relatively simple so I often refer to information that might not impact on me directly. Bearing in mind that some medical professionals can sometimes disagree in their opinions, it can be a bit of a minefield but as long as members understand the basis upon which the information is shared, hopefully it is deemed better to share than not.
I guess this is why I tend to focus on medical issues rather than offering suggestions for dealing with other, equally important issues such as diet, anxiety, alternative medication etc because others here are so much better at offering good advice than I could ever be.
What encourages me is that many people come to this forum in despair, not knowing which way to turn or how to come to terms with their condition. More often than not, the variety of responses they get over time, helps them realise that there is life after being diagnosed with AF and gives them the confidence to have a more meaningful dialogue with their medics.
Many of us on this forum have other ailments, not just AF (probably because there are a lot of older people on this forum and we come with extra baggage lol) so these often affect our AF. It is good that we can get information from others of how they or their medical team have dealt with their problems, whether it is medications or procedures. So many times posters asking questions regarding odd symptoms, reactions to drugs get reassurance that other people have had same reactions, I have at times found this very helpful, often when my GP has told me that they are nothing to do with AF or drugs I am taking.This forum has helped me understand AF and take control of my situation, it is a caring, friendly forum and a little bit of fun at times.
I’m with you CD. In discussions with my EP over the years he has said that any stress on my body can upset my heart.
I’m grateful that last year when I was going in for ankle surgery I could talk about my fear and feelings with a community that understands. When my anesthesiologist said a couple of days before my op, “if your heart behaves we’ll send you to the orthopedic ward, if not we’ll send you to ICU” it made me a little anxious.
I’m a Polyanna, always positive, but sometimes have underlying heart issues impacts your mental health and nobody understands what that is like unless they have been through similar things.
Couldn’t agree more CD. When is a condition ever limited to one thing. It can kick of a whole gambit of things that you wouldn’t necessarily think we’re connected. If it isn’t the condition itself it can be the medication, surgery, procedure, after effects etc. To be able to ask and find you are not alone can do so much for someone. I’ve had Afib circa 17yrs, thought I was fairly clued up on it yet every so often I’ll read something on here and thought “well I never knew that”, or realised it can be connected to Afib. Take care. xxx
You are so right, I have had AF now for about 5 years since being diagnosed, and many years before that. I used to be able to go about my business as usual but not now I am much more symptomatic get dizzy, tired an sweaty. I am sure it is stress related my husband is ill and I have been caring for him he is now in hospital at the moment and it is a roller coaster one day I think he is improving the next day doom and gloom again. My episodes are now quite frequent about a week to ten days between them and the last for anything from 20 to 40 hours. I only take bisoprolol and apixaban so take it easy when I have them like now.
Stress is such an insidious factor which affects all ill health and yet seems the one we pay least attention to and have the least effective suggestions from health professionals so is often the least spoken about. I am finding the older I get the more the slightest stressors affect me.
It’s very hard watching your loved one in distress and that overwhelming feeling that you are on your own. Roller coaster ride describes it so well. Best wishes CD
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