Coping with AFIB when at work.

[Electricblue1]

What advice can anyone give me on how they cope at work when AFIB occurs. It scares me to be at work and have an episode as I’m very symptomatic.

[Hidden]

I don't know what your job is Electricblue1, but the first question to ask yourself is, 'Am I safe doing what I'm doing, while in the middle of an episode. And more so, does your employer feel you are safe, as whoever you work for has responsibilities to make sure you are safe too. If you feel weak or in danger of passing out, then you can't continue to work during an attack. Otherwise I think it's wholly reasonable to let management know that you wish to continue as normally as possible during an episode, but that you aren't up to par. Your work management team should be made fully aware of what your Afib entails and to work with you to make a plan which allows for you to work around this, which is actually a disability in the workplace. Whether that is taking a complete break, a day off, or whatever it is, it should be discussed and a proper plan made, with input from an occupational health team if appropriate.

[Electricblue1 in reply to Hidden]

Hi , that sounds good but I think having AFIB is a major turn off for most employers, I can’t go back to do what I normally do as I’m a lorry driver, one day maybe. I am symptomatic in an episode but not to the point of being incapacitated but my symptoms are not pleasant.

[Hidden in reply to Electricblue1]

Hi there Electricblue,

I really do sympathsise with you. I am asymptomatic. That is I can be in AF and not have any symptoms. I was diagnosed in January 2010 (aged 65) and was off the road for 3 or 4 months until I could demonstrate my paroxysmal AF was being controlled. I held a PCV licence then. I still hold my PCV and have continued driving buses ever since and still do 3 or 4 days a week with 10 hour shifts. Because I am now an old git over 70 I have to have a medical each year (Optical and General medical). I have never withheld anything from my GP or DVLA and apart from the first 3 or 4 months DVLA have never revoked my PCV.

I guess your dilemma is that are you on the one hand incapacitated or does your GP or Consultant worry that you will become incapacitated and then how you personally feel in yourself about driving. I might add my employers are fully aware of my condition and they have no issues with it at all, nor do their insurers.

What sort of AF have you. paroxysmal, persistent, Permanent AF ?

Have you had a look at at the DVLA website - Medical Services section. It gives you details and conditions of all medical conditions and discusses the pros and cons.

How long have you had AF ? When you say 'lorry driver' .... I assume you hold an HGV licence.

Anyway, I wish you well. If you ask questions on here there will always be someone who can offer the wisdom of their experiences.

John

[Electricblue1 in reply to Hidden]

Hi there , I’ve had AFIB for about two years, I think it’s paroxysmal.Yes I have a HGV license, it’s a real passion for me , I’ve wanted to do it for as long as I can remember. I’m not incapacitated, I have symptoms but i try to push on with it.

I don’t pass out or anything.

The first ever episode was bad and my license was revoked but I got it back.

I’m going to let time pass and see what happens, I’m looking after myself and trying to eat healthy. I’ve had one ablation and might have to have another one.

But I’m staying positive as much I can.

Thank you for your input it really is much appreciated.

[Snowgirl65]

I'm retired now, but when I had a-fib at work, I would get myself involved in a project to take my mind off thinking about it. It seemed to work each time. The same strategy worked in retirement too, i.e. getting involved in something -- gardening especially. It would usually subside when I stopped thinking about it.

[Electricblue1 in reply to Snowgirl65]

Hi, I do try and keep busy but it’s so hard when I feel so awful.It is good to keep the mind occupied.

[Ppiman]

It depends just how much your symptoms affect you, I would say. I had to drive home from Robin Hood airport the other evening just after dropping of my son and his family; carrying my grandson into the departures lounge set off my tachycardia with sporadic AF. I'm sure it was the awful stodgy Burger King meal we had en route that actually caused this well-timed event as I'd been fine all day (3/10 for that rubbish meal!).

For me, it's the combination of high rate that seems to make me feel so "off" - fearful, really When it happens, I take a bisoprolol (1.25mg) and generally wait for it to work before doing much, which it slowly does.

Steve

[Electricblue1 in reply to Ppiman]

Hi , yes I once had a mc Donald’s and I’m not sure if it was that that set me off but I had an episode the next day that lasted 30 hours , it wasn’t worth it. I try and ride it out but it’s hard when I feel so awful.