I am 75 always very fit and active had horses for last 30 years believe that kept me fit was still working up to a couple of weeks ago I lost my horse 6 month ago and decided to join a gym first time it happened had just had a swimming lesson that day went to work bad a care assistant at night but had trouble breathing but thought it was asthma two week later I went nto gym and went on machine at night couldn't breathe properly went to doctors he ordered an ambulance told me I had AF hospital all day let me go home with apixoban and bisoperol I have packed my job in as a care assistant am slowly getting back into moderate exercise and walking however feel ok but am terrified when I read about it and side effects of dugs
Just diagnosed with AF andso scared - Atrial Fibrillati...
Just diagnosed with AF andso scared
Written by
KelliEAnniE
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62 Replies
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BobDVolunteer
Knowledge is power so go to AF Association man website and read till you drop then come back and ask anything and we will try to help.
REMEMBER. AF won't kill you even if it feels like it some days.
Being scared ****less is normal by the way. We've all been there some of us many many years ago., We're still here.
By the way, best out of the care industry. I saw what it did to my wife.
thanks so much for your reply feel better already
AF will kill you so please stop playing semantics I don't think it helps anyone
What are you on about?
If AF causes your HR to go over 150 say and the medics can't control it then what happens, you'd probably have a heart attack or stroke, either of which may kill you. However medics would say it was heart or stroke which killed you, but you wouldn't have been in that position without AF. So to me its the same kind of semantic argument the gun lobby use in the USA about guns, guns don't kill its the people what does it, but without the guns there'd be far less deaths.
What are you scared about? It’s easier to reassure you if you say exactly what your fears are, we’ve probably all had the same ones. As for the side effects of drugs, not everyone has the drugs, not everyone has the side effects, if you do there are often options and further treatments, and some people put up with a few side effects in order to control AF and get on with their lives.
Talking of which, I am sad to hear that you gave up your job as carers do such valuable work. The carers who sat with my husband overnight when he was in the last stages of cancer were deeply appreciated. I can understand that night work is not good for you - I’ve done it and it does mess you up! but perhaps a few day hours when you’ve got your head around the diagnosis might be doable.
Best wishes ❤️🩹
Shame they are so poorly paid. My wife is far better off since taking her pension than when working!
Just reread and see you are 75! So take that suggestion back, enjoy retirement ☺️
yes thought maybe you had and they were 12 hour shifts thanks for getting back to me. just got mega worried with it being heart related but having seen some messages from people who have had it and have had it for ten years or more think I need to stop overthinking it regards suer😊😊
I’ve had it for 24 years, 79 now but that’s not a record!
oh that's brilliant that's helped me so much do you take medication for it I'm on bisoperol and apixoban started it two weeks ago seem ok on it though
I take diltiazem (turned out to be allergic to bisoprolol) and Apixaban. I used to take Propafenone as well which is meant to stop the AF happening but did have some undesirable side effects and was offered an ablation, that worked for a couple of years but AF crept back. I don’t want another ablation, like you I’m able to take life more easy lately so I’m doing ok as I am.
thanks for that information
I've had AF 20 years...since my late 20s. Very much alive and kicking. Its only in recent years that I've had more problems. But it's different for everyone.Try not to worry too too much as this won't help the situation.
Read up on fact sheets rather than random Google stuff, if you can.
And ask questions of your doctor and of this forum.
The medication can cause side effects, but not for everyone. And if they do for you, this can be reviewed and there will be other options.
I think at 75 you're entitled to slow down on the work front.
I know how hard carers work without much gratitude. So here's a thank you 💐 from me.
Maybe it's your time now to receive some care and take time to relax.
I’m 80 and acquired mine after 75 active years!
Snap!
How lovely to find you- I’m in the UK- where are you?
hi I live in Bury greater Manchester
Hello!
It was a sensible decision to give up the night work. I think that it is detrimental to your health. This is especially so as you become older. If you continue to follow this forum I am sure that you will make better sense of your condition. This will almost certainly significantly reduce your current anxiety .
Regards
yes glad I made decision to leave hard work and long hours thank yo for taking the time to reply helps hearing from other people regards suer
Hi, here’s a link to all the patient information sheets, I would start with the AF Fact File and Patient Information booklet.
heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...
It isn’t as bad as you first think but you have to learn that for yourself by reading to get the knowledge that BobD mentions. You will find plenty of reassurance on here as you’ve already seen. I’ve been on both of those drugs for 3 years with no problems.
Also use the search bar at the top to search previous posts and also look at related posts on the right or towards the bottom if on a mobile device.
thanks so much for that information really feel so much better for listening to people that have it regards suer
thanks for the link have been studying it interesting article about swimming can actually pinpoint my first episode to an intense swimming lesson but t thought it was asthma then two weeks later had second episode after a half hour session in the gym on the machines that's when I went nto doctor still thinking it was asthma then doctor immediately ordered ban ambulance to take me to hospital so I am gradually starting back exercise not in a gym or swimming though more pilates and walking I am definitely feeling more positive with all the info the lovely people on this site are sending me many thanks
In my experience, it can be easy to take your eye off hydration while swimming, I always have a bottle of drinking water on the side these days. Never used to think about that when I swam regularly.
I have had it for over 20 years and still here at 80, so breathe, I too am drug averse wouldn't take as much as an Aspirin but I know that without them and my trusty pacemaker life would be a lot difference. So, take deep breaths, learn about it and how to live with it, you will be ok.
try not to worry too much about it Kelli. You’ll be ok. It’s always a shocker when you first get diagnosed! It was for me anyway. 10 years on and I’m still here working full time, going on holidays, baby sitting grandkids etc.
all the best.
Ron
Hi
Side Effects affect some of us.
Metoprolol was banned case it made me breathless. Always at night pauses and didn't control my 186 bpm Day with little exertion. 47bpm at night.
Changed to Bisoprolol better for AFers. But still uncontrolled at 156bpm.
Added CCB Diltiazem 1/2dose but too much adjusted to 120mg AM. Controlled at 60s Day. Stayed 47bpm at night.
Reduced Bisoprolol to 2.5mg PM which controls my BP.
So on meds with no side effects (sleep well)
110-130 / 69. 60s Day. 47bpm Night.
Be part of decisions/what meds. Know your levels.
So take your anti-co.agulant (I chose PRADAXA 110mg x twice day).
Take my CCB AM. (after my thyroxin 1 hr earlier due to thyroidectomy due to papillary cancer found during a carotid artery scan which showed squeaky clean bu shadow on thyroid).
Then PRADAXA 10am.
Bisoprolol PM 7.
Then PRADAXA 10pm.
That's me done. Throughout Day exercise, walking JAZ the wee dog, having a R Shoulder recuperation after rotator cuff repair but I'll be back to Bowling, Fishing, Gardening, Fix-it Lass, and being more active.
I always think this, had the stroke Sept 2019 with AF, in hospital discovered Thyroid cancer which was a lucky chance. I'm still alive.
You are still alive.
May be your life may slow you down but there are plenty of alternative things to do. Your horses will still be in your life.
Here's to health. We are both the same age!
cheri JOY. 75. (NZ)
it can feel scary but there’s plenty of options, I was diagnosed 31 years ago and it came and went and I managed to get on with my life and continue to exercise. Read up as Bob said you might find some triggers that can set it off. For me it was overeating maybe not letting it digest properly and then going to bed. Another couple were alcohol and caffeine followed by vigorous exercise or physical work. All can trigger AF for me. I’ve changed my lifestyle to accommodate
Hi Kelli,Welcome, what the others have said.... Plus, your meds may take a while to settle down, like any, which ones suit you what dosage etc. Also while it's new make sure you're on top of what hospital interventions are available to you, at some point you'll see a cardiologist or electro-physiologist who will advise you.
Lastly, I see it, and I think the NHS sees it, actually as a stroke risk, not a heart problem, so make sure you're in top of prevention for that. Google chads2vasc.
Lastly again, if AF was in my list of top 50 things not to get, it would be 51 or lower.
Lastly, lastly again. Don't be afraid to ask questions here. Best wishes, Gary
You are on 'entry level' medication; there are many other alternatives if that doesn't stop the AF completely. You might have to book a private appointment with a cardiologist (circa £250) to get prompt attention and nip the anxiety in the bud.
As it has worked for me over 11 yrs, I am a believer in a hybrid 'cure' for AF - that's medication and lifestyle changes.
Don't panic but accept you need to learn a lot to be prepared and will also need persistence.
I have paroxysmal AF (PAF - means I have episodes before spontaneously going back in normal sinus rhythm ). My episodes generally last for <1 hour to ~14 hours. I used to worry about these episodes before it was diagnosed as AF. I didn't know what was happening and thought I was having heart attack. I'd agonise over whether to go to ED, in some cases walking around house in middle of the night too worried to go back to bed for fear of dying in my sleep.
Because paroxysmal, my AF was difficult to detect - it kept resolving itself before being seen during 1st trip to ED and several visits to GP. It also didn't appear during 2 visits to cardiologist or in a 24 hour Holter monitor test between visits - so I was diagnosed with harmless ectopic beats. It wasn't until another trip to ED that AF was picked up on an ECG and the "penny dropped" for all concerned.
I'm now medicated for PAF. Taking tablets twice a day and making sure anything else I take does not interact with them is a bit of a chore . I still have episodes but generally they are few and far between (almost 2 months since last one and it was short-lived). Like most of us with PAF, I look to identify and avoid possible triggers for my episodes. We're all different so what works for some of us won't necessarily work for you but there's lots of good advice on do's and don't available in this forum.
Anyway, now if I think I'm having an episode I either use my smartwatch or another device often mentioned here, a KardiaMobile 6L to check to see whether I actually am in AF. If it is, then I know it's only AF (no fear of the unknown there). I'm more interested in logging the episode and thinking about what I've been doing, how I've been feeling, sleeping etc and what I've been eating and drinking. It's all about identifying my triggers and reporting back to my cardiologist.
To date, my PAF appears to be relatively low burden - and it's aided greatly by my medication. I'm low stroke risk so not on anticoagulant medication but ready to start that whenever my stroke risk increases sufficiently.
I don't like having AF (always been fit and healthy). I don't have any obvious risk factors so why me???? Other than that, I am thankful that it's only AF - it could be something a lot, lot worse.
4 years in and I basically lead a normal life - and it's possible you will as well.
Good luck with it all.
Hiya, I'm a retired Medical Microbiologst with AF and heart failure, diagnosed in 2018 when I collapsed rushing between hospitals, of course I thought that I had just tripped but of course the wonderful sister in AE realised that I was in AF.Anyhow, I'm still working on my house and travelling, the various combination of medication can take time to get used too.
It's easy to say don't be afraid especially as I'm in the business. My cardiologist asked me if I wanted advice, statistics etc. I laughed and said that you're my consultant and I'm a patient just treat me.
Don't overthink just enjoy yourself and work if you want.😊😊😊
Hopefully your GP will arrange a specialist appointment. You will be given an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of your heart. If this is clear, which is most likely, then you will likely be offered other treatment if needed, but often the daily anticoagulant and beta-blocker tablets, along with getting used to things (and the reduction in anxiety that time and doctor's reassurances will bring), do the trick.
Steve
Thanks I will be seeing my GP for a review and to discuss the hospital report in three weeks
TracyAdminPartner
Welcome to the Forum, I am sure all the Members here will make you feel welcome and offer you some great advice based upon their own experiences. Please do not worry, AF is not life-threatening and with some adjustments to your "everyday" you should be able to continue life much like before. For help and information, please contact our Patient Services Team on 01789 867502 or info@afa.org.uk we are here to offer support and answer all your questions.
Have you visited the AF Association webpage yet? heartrhythmalliance.org/afa
Perhaps you may like to download one of our many booklets from the patient resources tab? api.heartrhythmalliance.org...
booklet
Thanks very much lovely to have so much support
As you can see we all have our stories to tell. We are all on slightly different journeys, but the initial shock and coming to terms with how we need to change is something many of us are still going through.
Having also been fit and healthy all my life, at 67 the "why me?" question was one that I had problems with. I finally came round to the answer "why not me?" But for someone who has been active finding suitable levels of activity that are good for you both physically and mentally is not easy. For me the psychological side of things has been more difficult than the physical side. Yes, read up on things (from reliable sources), but don't forget to work at getting on with your life.
Good luck CM 🙋♂️
thanks for your good advice
AFib sucks, I'm not going to lie to you.
But if you can control your pulse rate during AFib, you are protected with anticoagulants and you manage your symptoms, than there's nothing you cant' do!
You must find and follow a treatment plan with your doctor that works for you.
For a reading, I recommend the european guideline for treating AFib:
escardio.org/static-file/Es...
It's from 2020 but I don't think much have changed.
And although it's not that relevant, here is a list of famous people diagnosed with afib:
-Joe Biden, president of the USA, has afib for a long time now
-Sir Elton John, in 1999 was diagnosed with multiple heart arrhythmias, including afib
-Barry Manilow - diagnosed with afib at 60 years old
-Ellen DeGeners - found she has afib at 53
I know how you feel. AFib can be scary. I found reading everything about it and the information sheets from this forum, plus the help you get from people on here, helped me come to terms with it. I was offered an ablation, but it took a lot of courage and eventually, with help from people on here, I decided to go ahead with it and finally had one in September last year, after 18 months on the waiting list. I’ve got a follow up appointment next week, but apart from palpitations, I’ve been ok. They are not as bad as they were, so hopefully, they will disappear soon.I’m hoping AFib will stay away now, but only time will tell. Any questions you have, people on here will reply to and I’ve found it really helpful.Hopefully, you will get the treatment you need and AFib won’t be such a worry for you. Best wishes.
Well don't be scared Kelli because like you my life has been horses since day 1 almost! Of course AF is one of the scariest unseen conditions there is but once you get your medication sorted out and lifestyle too you learn to live alongside of it and get on with life. I eventually became a Saddler and didn't completely retire until 2020 so it didn't stop me. By the way just celebrated my 86th birthday last Sunday.!
oh that's lovely to hear so encouraging
Hi KelliAnnie,
Sorry you have AF, its a club none of us wanted to join.
I had had a few episodes before I was diagnosed at 56. I thought I was just dehydrated, and drinking electrolytes would solve it. So I was surprised when AF popped up in January. For me its been about 10 months since I was diagnosed.
I feel pretty good other than when in AF. This forum and a Facebook group on the Wolf Mini-maze have been my lifeline. I won't say I was terrified, but I really thought this was it, I now know how I am going to shuffle off.
The anxiety was the toughest part, it was always present, until it wasn't. It took six months of tests, reading, yoga, tai chi and then one day I felt better about me.
It clear from all your replies to folks that this is helping, I hope it continues to do so and you are able to get to a place that you are more comfortable.
Elliot
thanks for your message regards KelliEAnniE
Finally figuring out what was going on with my 9periodically) erratic heart rate was a relief for me. Being on Apixaban for the past 5 years has been reassuring for me (I'm more careful around sharp objects) and I haven't had noticeable adverse effects. I have had two ablations which I hope will keep me on an even keel.
AF is life-altering but not life-threatening. Now that you are retired, it's a good time to focus on a healthy diet and exercise. Being proactive does wonders!
Best wishes.
I am on apixoban and bisoperol I have always been very health conscious and eat healthy band always exercise every day I joined a gym as I lost my horse a few month ago so joined a gym bto keep my fitness up but first episode was after an intense swimming lesson and second was after a half hour workout on machine so cancelled gym membership and concentrate on exercise at home which I have always done like pilates and using dumbbells easing back into this now I'm wondering if as I hadn't been as active with not having my horse for 6 months and then started going to gym after not doing as much was the trigger
You could be right about exercise being the trigger . Mine started in September 2014 after a very intense session on an exercise bike. It might be worth asking if you would be suitable for a cardio version where they shock your heart back into rhythm. I had one in November 2014 and it lasted 4 years. Since then I've gone in and out of AF and had 2 more cardio versions .
ooh just looked it up sounds a bit scary
It does sound scary but you will be asleep and don't feel anything. A cardiologist would only put you forward for one if your heart is basically ok apart from the AF. It's worth considering if you get a lot of symptoms from the AF (some people are lucky and can hardly feel they have AF so it might not be worth it for them ). Also, I'm not sure how long you have had it but over the last few years I have spontaneously gone back into normal rhythm loads of times, sometimes after a few hours or days or once even after 2 weeks so that might be a possibility.
that's interesting Might mention that to my doctor
Welcome to the club that no-one wanted to join! I've had Af for 7 years or so now. When I was diagnosed I immediately went into panic mode which really didn't help, in fact my anxiety made things much worse. I ended up paying to see a private electrophysiologist who suggested an ablation which I then had. This relieved my very strong symptoms and while I am still taking meds, everything is calm. You will be ok when the dust clears and you have either sorted the best meds out for you or opted for an ablation. In the meantime try to keep calm and enjoy life as much as you can. Good luck and best wishes. x
thanks for your advice
have you given up Alcohol? Do that , cut out the sugar as best you can also and exercise a bit
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