AF Fears

[Pingu778]

Hello knowledge people! After 2 years of paroxysmal AF I reckon I am going into either persistent or Permanent. I am scared so much about this as I am not allowed any medical procedures as I’m too fat. Am slowly losing weight but I have a long way to go. Can you please tell me what life is like when it goes persistent or worse? I know we are all different. I am a teacher and love my job and my son is 10 so I’m ang to be able to enjoy him. I’m just so scared of what the future holds. I take 1.25 Bisoprolol and have started taking 100 flecainide twice a for about a week now. X

[BobD Volunteer]

For many people it is the switch from NSR to AF and back and forth which is so distressing and it can actually be a relief once it decided which it prefers,

So long as your rate is well controlled and you are anticoagulated where appropriate it really doesn't matter but do keep working hard on that weght loss as it will make a huge difference.

[Pingu778 in reply to BobD]

thansk a and yes I guess the uncertainty is what causes most of my anxiety x

[DevonHubby1]

My wife is in a similar position and was very depressed thinking this was her life from now. However since a face to face with her consultant she is much more positive. He believes there's a lot they can do to try to get her back to paroxymal. Her weight increases risks but does not preclude them attempting.

Push to see a consultant and if a long wait consider getting a private appointment. In my wifes case it didn't cost yoo much and all subsequent investigations were back under NHS.

[Pingu778 in reply to DevonHubby1]

thanks for your comment. I ahve seen 2 different consultants and both say my weight is a major cause of my AF. I am trying different drugs to see if they help but because I am quite lucky and my symptoms so far are not too restrictive they say to see how I go! My eco was also fine so they are not worried about that.

[waveylines in reply to Pingu778]

That's good to hear your ECO was fine. Did the doctor do a general check of bloods for possible cause of your weight problem? Always ask for copies of blood test results. Extra weight does put stress on the body & loosing weight will help so well done you..for starting to loose it.. It sounds like your consultant was also saying that they can still treat you despite your weight but I guess it rules out surgical proceedures ? I'm a teacher too and it's a very busy job which doesn't give much time outside the job and these days creates a work/ home life imbalance. I'm retiring this summer so looking forward to doing other things.... 46yrs teaching. I've loved it but time to go! I also have P-Afib currently managed by drug treatment.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to DevonHubby1]

Hi

Hubby of ..

She does not want to get back to paro......

No, the specialist should see that she is CONTROLLED in BP and AF-H/R.

I am.

120-123 - 69 BP. 62-69 H/R avge Day. 47 always avge NIGHT.

I;'m on daily 120mg CCB Diltiazem AM and 2.5mg BB Bisoprolol PM.

The former blocking calcium and relaxing heart muscles

and

the latter blocking adrenaline from heart.

Cheers JOY. 74. (NZ)

[2learn]

My experience is I get very tired, so although I have always exercised I often can't face it now. So, if exercsie is part of your weight reduction plan you may not be able to do as much as you expect/plan.

[Pingu778 in reply to 2learn]

yep I’m finding this out x

[Popepaul]

Hi pingu778If 2 consultants say that your weight is likely to be a causative and/or a sustaining factor in your experience of AF then weight reduction is likely to go a long way towards a significant reduction in your symptoms.

I would take this to be good news because weight is to considerable degree is under your own control. I think that the health consequences of being overweight can be systemic. Many people now refer to the term metabolic syndrome.

As we all know permanent weight loss is difficult to achieve. There are lots of books on the subject with miracle diets suggested.

I have noted that several people on this platform have recommended the Zoe app. It is likely to be the largest study of GI health to date. They recommend a largely plant based diet which includes fermented foods.

I know several people who have benefitted significantly by following Zoe for a year. Apart from the weight issue I think that this approach is conducive to good health overall and carrdio health in particular.

I am not trying to be patronising and I do wish you luck with your journey.

Regards

[Sixtyslidogirl in reply to Popepaul]

I can vouch for Zoe. It’s not a diet, but it gets you back to eating what your body needs and many people do lose weight. It’s about £450 for four months but it could change your life.

[Omniscient1 in reply to Sixtyslidogirl]

...and you don't need to carry it on once you've 'learnt' what suits you.

[Omniscient1]

I have permanent AF and am not aware of it except for a definite downgrade in endurance, but this doesn't affect everyday life much.As we know there are loads of people in AF who don't know because it's asymptomatic and they can't tell.

From this forum I read that people with recurring AF suffer more trauma than those of us in permanent AF.

[Gertsen]

I am getting more and longer episodes I am in AF more than in NSR my EP and I decided just to manage my heart rate. He is happy with below 110 when relaxed. It seems to be settling Betsy 83 and 100 . Quiet honesty I don’t really feel the difference now. Having gone for a long walk yesterday I thought I would see how high my bpm were only to find I was in normal sinus

[Pingu778 in reply to Gertsen]

that’s good x

[Tomred]

Heres a cheaper and effective weight loss stratedgy, intermittent fasting, i dont eat from 7 in the evening until 8 or 9 next morning and dont snack between the meals you do eat, all the exercise in the world never shifted an ounce for me , muscle and fat are two different things, and diet will shift the fat , good luck.

[Cabinessence in reply to Tomred]

I intermittent fast most of the week. I eat quite late which I know is not good. But then I'm on black coffee or lemon tea the next day and don't eat food till at least 1pm. I then just eat a late breakfast or lunch and have my usual dinner in the evening. I'm told mini ketosis kicks in after 12 hours of not eating so if it does, I'm in it for a minimum of 4 hours a day. So it's either that, or just the plain fact I'm effectively cutting out one of my meals, so therefore by definition eating less calories. But I know it helps me lose weight rapidly if I've had a blowout weekend or been on holiday. What's more you get used to it and after around a week I didn't even think about food till after midday. Good luck.

[Pingu778 in reply to Tomred]

am trying this x

[GordonS]

I'm currently in persistent AF and have been for close on a year although only confirmed in January 23. Apart from an increase in my Bisprolol to 2.5 there's been nothing else. My resting HR is around 85-90 when before AF was 50-55. I have had to restrict my cycling efforts a little but still do approx 120 miles per week albeit at a slower pace. I have a date (19/7) finally for a Cardioversion so fingers crossed 🤞. If it doesn't work I'll still be ok with permanent unless they offer me another ablation

[Pingu778 in reply to GordonS]

sounds like you still do well x

[Rosie0202 in reply to GordonS]

Hello Gordon. Are they going to cardiovert you with the aid of an antiarrthmic drug which you will take first. I am in permanent AF since November 2022. The EP wants me to go onto amiodarone then cardiovert. However it’s a nasty drug with some serious side effects. To date I haven’t made my mind up.

[GordonS in reply to Rosie0202]

Hi Rosie, I decided against Amiodarone because of the side effects but also I am fairly asymptomatic. It wasn't offered in the first place and I asked because I had seen something about a greater success rate with the drug. Very much a personal choice I think. When are you scheduled for the CV?

[Rosie0202 in reply to GordonS]

hi Gordon. I don’t have a cv planned because they are waiting for me to decide if I’m going to take amiodarone. I just don’t know what to do. It’s the toxicity of amiodarone that concerns me. Also they want to pre-load and then reduce but I prefer it to be slow build up. There was a study I recently read and that seemed to find that my preference for start low and titrate up can be successful.

[GordonS in reply to Rosie0202]

My EP didn't seem to have a preference either way, entirely left up to me.

[GordonS in reply to Rosie0202]

I'm also still waiting for the Echo

[sheffbk]

We're all different - I've been in permanent AF for many years (and often flutter at night) but although not asymptomatic (I'm aware of the 24/7 irregular slow pulse) I have a full and sporty life at 75, no procedures and only take a DOAC. I won't say more as I know I'm v lucky, but just hope to give a view that all is not lost with permanent AF>

[Pingu778 in reply to sheffbk]

that’s great x

[Rosie0202 in reply to sheffbk]

Hi. I am in permanent AF since November 2022. Can you tell me more about your drug regime please as I have decisions to make. I am tolerating it quite well apart from some occasions. I’m on bisoprolol for rate control and apixaban for anticoagulant. My only worry is potentially developing heart failure. My echo was pretty good and the said I had a healthy heat when it was fine in 2021. However heart has since enlarged but no treatment suggested. I hope you can see where the thread is going.

[sheffbk in reply to Rosie0202]

Hello - I take no meds apart from an anticoagulant. My EP/consultant did talk about future need for an in chest device because my heart rate is pretty slow, but not mentioned again; I also have a slightly enlarged heart and aorta, plus slight mitral valve murmur but ejection fraction is good and none of these measurements have significantly worsened over the years. I just accept a constant variable and slow heart rate and forget about it most of the time.

Off to compete in an oldies swim competition.

Best of health to you - we're all different.

danny

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi there

Let's do the weight loss together!

I lost 3 kgs by last November and another 3kg actually registered last week. Now 87kg and want to get down to 78kg.

I decided to reduce my portions but if I get hungry at night I will do a healthy snack.

I have always been on a low fat diet. No fatty meat, venison sausages once a month. Low fat cheese, Edam etc. Cheddar.

Plenty of water. They say have a glass of water before meals.

I'm not sure that it is my loss of weight but in November my H/R Day went from 88-98 to 62-69 Night.

My exertion rate is higher.

I did have rapid, persistent H/R AF with the stroke. The thyroid cancer was found within 4 days of hospital stay. Papalliary cancer removed 4 months later catching 2 lymph nodes on right removed with 12 as well as total throidectomy. Carcinoma 1.9cm to edge of right lobe. On careful examination of left lobe one surgeon saw a tiny amount there also.

I am lucky.

Interestingly since being on this forum 18 months I reckon persistence leaves me not noticing the AF coming and going and importantly being controlled both in BP and H/Rate I don't feel it.

I'm not saying it will be better for you, I read it usually progresses to persistent.

What drugs are you on and what are your levelsin BP and H/R.

Sounds like you need to have an up-to-date 24hr-monitor and ECG.

Take care

JOY. 74. (NZ)

[Pingu778 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

thanks for the advice x

[FancyPants54]

I have been in permanent AF for several years now. No procedures other than one cardioversion which held for a couple of weeks but then back to permanent.

I just take a beta blocker to slow the rate down a bit and an anticoagulant. I much prefer permanent to intermittent AF. Intermittent was a nightmare, horrific and frightening. I don't even know I have it now unless I check the ECG function on my watch or someone plugs into my pulse for some reason. Don't be afraid of permanent. It's a lot easier on the body than the roller coaster of back and forth.

They made a big deal about me being "so fat" I needed a specialist doctor to oversee the cardioversion not just a technician. So what. I'm fat because I'm hypothyroid and the NHS couldn't give a damn about trying to sort that out for me. I'm having to do that myself.

[Pingu778 in reply to FancyPants54]

i to have a thyroid issue!! Makes it all harder. Your words give me some hope thanks x