Willam W. New Member

[wwatson280283]

Hi there, like KiwiBlake I am a new member and also have a very similar story. I am a 55 year old male who was first diagnosed with AF back in 2016. This was out of the blue resulting in a blue light ambulance ride to Accident and Emergency. Like KiwiBlake this episode was at a very stressful time with my mother passing away suddenly and then funeral arrangements etc afterwards. Everything in time seemed to calm down with only very short blips of "oh no here we go again" but these didn't amount to anything. I kept myself relatively fit going to the gym at least 3 times a week. Roll forward to Setember 2021 and like KiwiBlake there was a terminal cancer diagnosis given to my father and a stressful period until January 2022 when he passed away. During that period I cared for my father and my AF returned and with a vengeance. This resulted in a few trips to A+E and being prescribed Apixiban and Bisoprolol.

In March 2022 and after another trip to A+E the doctor indicated that I may have a sensitivity to the Bisoprolol as my heart rate dropped significantly. I am now on a calcium chanel blocker Verapamil although I don't feel quite as secure/stable as I did on the bisoprolol.

My symptoms now seem to be more regular.

I am from Scotland and my experiences with the NHS in North Lanarkshire, other than A+E haven't been that good I'm afraid. I seem to be left in limbo with nothing proactively being done to reduce the symptoms or curing them. No sign of being offered any form of intervention like ablation.

All of this has had an impact on my physical health but I imagine like others there is an impact on mental health which in turn does not help AF.

Like others I have learned a lot more from this site than I have from medical professionals and its comforting to know that I'm not alone.

I appreciate all of the information posted on here and given the festive period is approaching I wish everyone a happy, prosperous and above all a healthy Christmas and New Year.

[BobD Volunteer]

Welcome to our world. AF is a long journey but you have great travelling companions here.

[CDreamer]

Welcome. Unfortunately some parts of the UK have better access to Arrythmia support services than others.

Like you I learned more in one visit to this forum plus attendance at Patient Day than I had done in 6 years of Paroxysmal AF seeing doctors. Unfortunately my experiences of A&E were not good but thankfully I did find some excellent specialists - but I had to travel to London from Devon for treatment, which I had to source privately. Thankfully I was able to do that as I company private insurance.

Unfortunately since COVID services seem to be reducing further, my EP told me that this is because AF is not considered a life emergency. My father had AF although it bothered him quite a bit, none of the family knew about his diagnosis until after his death (from other causes) because his GP had told him that it was usual at his age (75 then) to experience occasional palpitations. That is not that long ago 1990’s.

[wwatson280283 in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks CDreamer. I get that medical experts don't consider AF to be a life emergency because a lot of people live with it and on most occasions it is a product of ageing. However when it has a direct affect on the quality of your life it should be taken more seriously. No matter what age you are but particularly when you are reasonably fit and active it can be very debilitating especially when you don't know when the next episode is going to occur.Stay safe and healthy.

[CDreamer in reply to wwatson280283]

can’t disagree with all you say.

I have found a good enough treatment, they are available but getting into the system to access them is very much of a post code lottery, unless you can afford a private consult?

[Paulbounce]

Hi Watson.

All I'll say is welcome to the forum and I wish you a healthy New Year too. Not long to go now !

Paul

[Frances123]

Welcome to the group that no one wanted to join but you are in the right place. I’m glad you have found the group helpful and don’t feel alone. I look forward to getting to know you better.

[bassets]

Echoing Paulbounce, welcome and I hope you have a stress free Christmas and New Year . Best wishes