New to this forum.

[barb1910]

I am new here. Recently diagnosed with A Fib and sinus tachycardia. Having some problems dealing with these issues.

[CDreamer]

Hi Barb and welcome.

I think many of us would resonate with the shock of this happening but what are the problems you are having? Psychological - adjusting and coming to terms that you have something wrong with your heart or practical or getting to see specialists and getting a treatment plan.

I was diagnosed in 2007 so it’s been a while and whilst I still occasionally have episodes, usually if I have an infection, I’ve been one of the lucky ones that have managed to adapt and find a life I can enjoy, albeit a very different one prior to AF but part of that is due to age and other conditions.

There are many experienced, knowledgeable and helpful people on this forum so don’t hesitate to ask any questions or just have a moan.

Best wishes CD

[jeanjeannie50]

Welcome to the forum Barb. Fire away with any questions you have and we'll see if we can help. You're among friendly people here who understand exactly what it's like to have heart arrhythmias.

Jean

[Figbar]

Hi Barb, I’m new to this too and I understand all the angst etc. that goes with this. I was diagnosed at 69.This forum is great ; please stay on and ask any question.

Chat with me anytime day/ night - I totally understand/ get it!

[barb1910 in reply to Figbar]

Hi,I was started on Eliquis and 50 mg of metoprolol succinate BID. My heart rate rarely goes over 100. I take my meds about 7 and 7 The days are pretty good. In the evening after I take the meds I feel awful. Mild chest pain and a lot of pressure. Haven't slept more than 3 or so hours per night since I started on the meds. My cardiologist wants to do another home telemetry mid December. Any thoughts?

[Omniscient1]

Hi Barb,

It could well be that what you are experiencing is a consequence of the meds not the problem.

Here's the NHS page on nhs.uk/medicines/metoprolol/ metroprolol.

I took a different beta blocker but felt dreadful until my dosage was sorted. There is typically (at least in the UK) a period of tuning these meds, so maybe go back to the Dr and say how you feel.

Last but not least welcome to the forum, and the best of luck.

Gary

[Dr-Gohan]

You are on the right forum. Many, many of us started from the point you are at now. AF changed my Life Style. I am 76 and was in bad shape when all this started in 2019. Today, I am back in NSR. I pace myself and monitor HR, BP and salt intake. One day at a time, it will get easier to deal with.

Welcome, hope you check in with questions and updates as you walk through this experience.

[Ppiman]

Bad luck. It's no fun at all is it? My troubles started as tachycardia (155bpm) and atrial flutter in 2019, after years of having daily skipped beats (PVCs). After an ablation I was fine for two years except the PVCs (or probably PACs) worsened and then came tachycardia and now occasional AF. Such is life. I'm lucky that the symptoms aren't too bad so fay at least.

Are your symptoms really troublesome or is it mainly the anxiety it creates that is hard to deal with? Mine was that initially but several heart scans all looked good so my stress levels are much lower now. It seems that the symptom that needs controlling is any persistent tachycardia and, if needed, to take an anticoagulant to prevent "micro" blood clots that can, apparently, form in the fibrillating atrium.

Steve

[barb1910 in reply to Ppiman]

This whole a fib thing started out of the blue in mid September. The cardiologist ordered 2 weeks of at home telemetry and I was diagnosed with a fib and sinus tachycardia. Started metoprolol succinate 50 mg BID and Eliquis. HR rarely goes above about 90 unless I try to be active (recommendation of electro physiologist) then I get dizzy and HR 120 or so. The biggest problem is that the days are OK but after my evening meds I feel worse. Chest tightness and random pain. Also, I can't sleep. It has been weeks since I have gotten more than 3 hours of sleep. They physiologist wants another week of telemetry in mid December.Echo showed that my heart is basically in good condition.

Have a call into cardiologist to see if he has any suggestions. Really don't want to end up in ER over Thanksgiving.

Thanks for listening.

Barb

[Ppiman in reply to barb1910]

Hi Barbara - it seems as if you need that new test to see what's happening. I get similar symptoms and I also have insomnia but I am not in AF at all often, only having the ectopic beats and mild tachycardia daily. The insomnia, in a way, does rule my life but I cope and, I suppose, manage well around it - there's no choice. I don't know anyone who understands it. Everyone thinks they know what a bad night is, but this is of a different order (as you know) and, for me, makes me irritable and stressed.

Steve

[SuziElley]

Hi BarbI think I know what you mean. When I first learned there was something amiss with my heart my emotions went all over the place. I went through a few boxes of tissues. Not ready for anything serious to happen to me - not understanding this wouldn’t be fatal! It wasn’t made any easier by not having a face to face appointment with a cardiologist. Just a phone call on Christmas Eve telling me I was being referred for an ablation - which I didn’t have in the end, but that’s another story. Anyway, this group is very helpful and supportive. Always someone on here. Just go with the flow, in my case it was the flow of tears. But one day I woke up and felt a lot better about things and realised I’d be alright.