Home alone with AFib

[Racquet]

I am a new to this forum as well as being new to dealing with AF. On this last trip to A&E, the cardiologist told me not to go to hospital unless the episode lasts more than 24 hours. As I am on my own due to the very recent sudden death of my husband, staying at home alone during what can be 12 hours or more is frightening. My question is: as I take apixaban and Bisoprolol 1.25 twice a day could I take a diazepam for anxiety during an episode.

[CDreamer]

That’s a question for your GP as we cannot qualified to comment on medications.

Unfortunately anxiety is AF bedfellow & there many components to anxiety the principle 3 being - Sudden/Traumatic change due to life Events - which certainly would apply in your case after your bereavement. Physical - because AF is often aligned with our Autonomic Nervous System which is giving you strong alerts that something is wrong and our outstanding ability to imagine the worst possible outcome which means we develop what is known as Catastrophic Thinking.

All can be managed without more meds which actually only screen rather than treat the underlying issues. Can be helpful for some in the short term but reality is that you will need to develop coping strategies long term so may I suggest:-

1. Bereavement Counselling

2. Breathing & relaxation practices which give direct biological feed back which helps sooth ANS - and most importantly - your symptoms.

3. Some form of short term CBT Counselling for the worry thoughts.

Personally I am a great fan of Human Givens trained Counsellors for Anxiety & know many have seen relief with 2-3 sessions. I’ll post you a link.

I was diagnosed with PAF in 2007 but had it for much longer. I’ve had episodes in the most peculiar places far away from any medical assistance so had to just manage. When I have been to A&E I’ve never received any treatment - at best just monitored but sat in a few waiting rooms for up to 9 hours without being assessed to I soon got fed up with that!

It will take time for you to accept your new circumstances so you need to be really kind to yourself. Know that most people on this site will have been in your situation at the start of their AF journey and will therefore empathise. We all have found our own ways of dealing with life with AF and you WILL find yours but it’s going to take time, patience, support and a lot of hard work from you.

We will Yelp & support as much as possible.

Hope some of that helps. Others will have different experiences or beliefs & thsts good but someone, sometime will say something which will resonate with you & which will help.

Very early days for you. Go well.

[CDreamer in reply to CDreamer]

Help rather than ‘Yelp’ 🙈

[BobD Volunteer]

Just to add to what my good friend CD has said, there are three things to remember about AF. 1) It won't kill you. 2) it won't kill you and 3) it won't kill you. Well not unless you are stupid enough to try and run a marathon whilst in AF anyway.

Deep breathing helps a lot.

A and E is definitely not the palce to be I assure you UNLESS you are fainting or have chest pain. As one member once famously said" If I went to A and E everythime I had AF I would live there. "

That said, if your GP can't satisfactorily control your events then you have the right to see a specialist cardilogist who is better trained for arrhythmias. In today's world the waits may be long so the sooner you ask the better.

We are always here so dip in anytime.

[Paulbounce]

This is my experience.

I've been back in afib for about 3 months now. I certainly would not visit A&E based on that.

If my HR hit high levels I might. However it would need to go high for a few hours to do so. I'm on rate and rhythm med's and in for another CV. TBH I wonder if it worth it - I'm almost at the point to say leave me in permanet afib but control my HR.

Ablation is the next step. Again is worth it - many here have had a few and no lasting success.

What to do ??????????

Paul

[Paulbounce in reply to Paulbounce]

PS - as above we are not medic's on here.

You asked

"could I take a diazepam for anxiety during an episode"

I know the answer but I am not a medic. Please speak to your doctor about that one.

Good luck sweatheart.

Paul

[doodle68]

Hello Racquet , it must be very difficult for you coping with AF and losing your husband in a short time .I am a widow and live alone out in the countryside and when first diagnosed I used to text my son when an episode started in case I needed help. I always managed alone but it was reassuring to know that someone was aware I was in P-AF.

Is there someone you could tell when an episode starts .

It is really important to try to stay calm during an episode , getting anxious can make it harder for you body to cope. I found it helped to learn breathing excercise and relaxation techniques to get me through episodes of P-AF.

Remember you are not alone, millions of people worldwide have AF ...

[jwsonoma]

Hi Racquet, AFib is a progressive condition. The more events you get the easier it is to have another event. In early stages a goal is to have as few events as possible with a combination of life style changes, trigger avoidance and preventive drugs.

I would move to a specialist now. You will have more experience and expertise.

I am not a doctor but from my experience it appears that besides tha anticoagulant your current doc only has you on a heart rate reducing drug at the lowest possible dose. You could also have a rhythm control drug like Flecainide to use as a pill in the pocket (PIP) to take when you have AFib. It prevents and stops afib. Bisoprolol reduces adrenaline so an additional dose as a PIP could also help your afib and reduce stress.

I went through the same thing as you. After being diagnosed with afib I was only given Bisoprolol and Wafarin. After a few more afib events and reading all the comments on this form I asked my GP to refer me to a specialist. I subsequentially switched specialists as well. I dropped a bunch of weight (BMI 22), went plant based diet, do daily exercise, and quit drinking. I am on 1.5mg Bisoprlol and a relatively low dose of Flecainide. I keep extra doses of each as a PIP. I have been afib free for several years. I could easily be in permanent afib by now if not for the kind and generous souls on this board.

Best of Luck

[plopper]

Check WebMD drug interaction site for info.

[Disciple5451]

I did and my pulse was far to slow u really should a s k Dr there no med thst suit all the older u r the more potent diazapn please consult Dr I'm surprised ur Dr ish bing u them my Dr took me off them cuzZ my age

[Greenhilldrive]

I live on my own like you and I have AF episodes that last for 7 to 12 hours and they do not bother me because I know they will stop in time. Just relax and try to carry on as usual without doing anything too strenuous. Above all be calm and try and distract yourself with light chores around the house. You’ll soon learn to get used to this little hiccup. I think the fear of an AF attack is worse than actually getting it. I usually think to myself “here it comes and it will go soon and I refuse to let it get in the way of my plans”.

Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. I was rather fearful when I was first diagnosed with this condition but now I am able to live with it. I’m 80 and I was diagnosed about 18 months ago.

You’ll be alright, relax. I have anxiety too and I take Clonazepam when needed.

[Racquet in reply to Greenhilldrive]

Thank you, Greenhilldrive. That's comforting and I'm beginning to chill out over it, too with the help of fellow fibbers on this forum. God bless you.