Atrial Fibrillation

[hoppy77]

I’ve had persistent AF for about the past 10 years. Had one ablation but only in SR for about 6months

Taking Edoxaban, Enalapril and Channel Blockers.

No follow up, just yearly MOT. I feel forgotten

86 year old. Overweight. Also with Angina and a wife, who I love dearly, suffering from Alzheimer’s.

[Model52]

Sorry to read about your predicament. I hope you are not too symptomatic and that your heart rate is under control. In that case, it may be a comfort that you can live to be 100 with the condition. Losing some weight would be a good idea, as it is one of the triggers of Afib, and it will be beneficial to your overall health too. I have my Afib under control most of the time with Flecainide and Bisoprolol, and I can live a quite normal life. Have you tried these meds? Or Amiodarone? I see that you’re not taking any anti-arrhythmic medication now. You’re not alone in this, there are millions of us worldwide, and as long as rate and anti-coagulation are under control, we can live a happy and active life. Wish you all the best!

[hoppy77 in reply to Model52]

Thank you

[Thomas45]

I've had AF for 29 years, the first 22 of them it was paroxysmal, although after 20 years the medication I had reduced episodes to one or two ten-minute episodes a year.Between 7 and 8 years ago my AF changed to Persistent, though asymptomatic.

I was told to stop taking the rhythm control medication, Flecainide, because it had stopped working. I take only an anticoagulant. My heart rate is around the high end of normal. I have accepted that my AF is permanent and that no medical intervention will return my heart to normal sinus rhythm. I was discharged to the care of my local medical centre about 7 years ago, during which time my heart has caused no problems, otherwise I would have asked my GP to refer me to a specialist.

I do have an annual MOT for my other ailments ,( asthma, and BPH)

[hoppy77 in reply to Thomas45]

Thanks for your reply Thomas

[Ppiman]

Life as we get older can be hard. Loving someone dearly is surely a blessing and it was good to read that in your post, even though that is also made difficult by your wife's dementia. What a curse these things are.

My elderly friend has had permanent AF for very many years. He lost his wife just before Christmas, sadly, but he is coping. I visit him regularly and we go out for lunch twice a week.

So far as I can tell, there is little more to be done for AF unless it becomes excessively symptomatic, so I think your treatment is the safest and best there is.

Here is a lovely little poem that inspires me when I feel low:

Days

.                                                                

What are days for?

Days are where we live.

They come, they wake us

Time and time over.

They are to be happy in:

Where can we live but days?

 .

Ah, solving that question

Brings the priest and the doctor

In their long coats

Running over the fields.

.

Philip Larkin

Steve

[hoppy77 in reply to Ppiman]

Many thanks for your kind reply

[Buffafly]

Hi Hoppy, I don’t want to come over as Pollyanna but in fact you are lucky to have the yearly MOT as we frequently have posts from ‘forgotten’ people who don’t. The MOT should pick up any changes in your heart health and hopefully give you a chance to mention any new worrying symptoms.

I used to nag my husband about his snacking habit because I know it’s very difficult to lose weight in old age unless you are ill so I didn’t want him to put on too much weight. Sadly, he developed dementia and cancer but I’d love to have him back to nag. I know that you can be very lonely and isolated when you have to stay home with someone who needs care. I hope you have some support but if not I urge you to try to get it. Even a half day off once a week would allow you to join a fellowship group who can support you in the future. Members of my church have supported me and welcomed me back after my husband’s death.

I wish you and your beloved wife all the best ❤️‍🩹

[hoppy77 in reply to Buffafly]

Many thanks