How do you cope w ith being told you have PAF along with your other cardiac problems

[hausjac]

Having had AVRT for over 35 years controlled by drugs my tachycardia has now broken through the meds. Zio monitor has now shown PAF and Troponin is elevated. Started on Apixaban last week but have had to stop it as it totally wiped me out. How does one cope with all this without stressing oneself even further and making any episodes of AF worse. Still haven't got to the bottom of increasing tachycardia either. Any help appreciated!

[Hidden]

Hi hausjac, I'm sure you are stressed and distressed by this additional diagnosis but I think that your best ally will be increased knowledge of exactly what each condition is and what to expect in terms of living with it and what medications can possibly help you. The trouble is, when we become panicked and worried, particularly over matters concerning the heat (which is of course very dear to all of us), we can make ourselves feel unintentionally worse.

Knowledge equals understanding and power. You could write a list of your concerns down as they occur to you to ask your care provider at your next appointment, or use some reliable websites to help inform yourself.

You are already here at HU and it has a useful program for learning more. As I type this there is a banner at the top of the page advertising the one for AF! It's free to enrol and would I'm sure, answer some of your questions.

Sadly there are no cures for either AVRT or PAF, only assistance through various means, so some of the solution is to come to terms with that and decide how to cope with them. Hope this helps a little.

[hausjac in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. Trouble is I'm an ex-medical secretary and having worked in Cardiology in the past it's a case of knowing too much and frightening the life out of oneself! Your words are helpful though thank you.

[Hidden in reply to hausjac]

Oh it's scary having knowledge of medical terminology isn't it hausjac? I have a medical background too and whilst it can be OK hearing these terms describe someone else's condition, it's a whole new feeling when they are applied to you! Take care and try not to stress too much. 😳😊

[bantam12]

Are you sure it's the Apixaban causing the fatigue as it's not a known side effect. As for adding PAF to a list of other issues, well all we can really do is plod on, it's not easy but no choice 🙂

[BobD Volunteer]

Apixaban is a very necessary anticoagulant to prevent AFrelated stroke and is unlikely to be the cause of your fatigue. Please re-consider as the affects of a stroke could be catastrophic .

[hausjac in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob and yes I know but it was my cardiologist who told me to stop it. He will probably put me on something else after I talk to him on Monday evening. I just couldn't move after taking it and several anticoagulant forums also talk about extreme fatigue when taking it and my HR also shot up even more. Sheesh - drugs are such a nuisance although needed.

[SJB1234]

I was changed from Warfarin to Apixaban but unfortunately after 6months I was going to have my 2nd ablation and they found I had a clot at the bottom of my heart so they immediately put me back on warfarin. But I didn’t find I was fatigued when on it.

[hausjac in reply to SJB1234]

Good lord wasn't taking Apixaban supposed to stop all that!

[SJB1234]

They just said it didn’t suit me