Hi, you shouldn’t be expected to ‘cope with’ frequent AF and a physical job. You need to get back to your GP and get an appointment with someone who can prescribe effective medication and/or carry out an ablation if that doesn’t work. As you are doing physical work already which will be straining your heart I wouldn’t try any extra exercise! I don't know what your average AF resting rate is but if faster than 100 bpm your heart thinks you are working out during episodes and doesn’t need you to do any more thank you very much 🥵 Perhaps you can make some arrangement with your employer (or yourself if self employed) to work less hours or do some lighter work until you get better treatment?
I have to go but I’m sure someone else will have plenty to advise on anxiety - all I’ll say is it’s normal but it should get better with time ❤️🩹
Thanks Buffafly. I have my first cardiologist appointment on Wednesday with an echocardiogram. My GP did mention ablation but without private health insurance in Australia the public waiting list for surgery is close to 3 years apparently. I'm hoping to discuss medication with the cardiologist.
Hello Catlover 72 . I completely understand your anxiety, when I first started with AF I got myself in a terrible state, I would just lie on the bed and wait to die, so ridiculous. Then I found this site and so many understanding people helped me It was so reassuring to be told I wouldn’t die and gave me tips on relaxation techniques to use the most useful being the 448 technique breathe in for 4 hold breath for 4 then breathe out for 8 it really calms thing down. There are other thing like meditation also yoga, they can all help the anxiety. I chose not to have an ablation (personal choice) and am in permanent AF but with the correct medication including Apixaban blood thinners being a must due to the stroke risk,,I have learned to live with it. I am 73 and do still get tired but an afternoon nap is all that’s needed and I no longer walk very briskly and can’t do hills but I accept this and life is much less stressful.
Thanks Florence-Nightingale,At this early point in my diagnosis the idea of being in continual AF at 73 is terrifying!
I have a young son and a job which I need for survival which makes it hard.
I've tried breathing techniques to no avail so far but I'm sure with practice I will get better.
Hi Catlover. I recognise your anxiety from having suffered from it myself. I got completely agoraphobic when my AF suddenly went from occasional episodes to full time 24/7. It's a horrible reminder of our mortality. First of all remember it won't kill you. Your treatments are protecting you. There are other medications like Flecainide which can control or even stop arrhythmia, but you need tests and monitoring to take them.
For the anxiety i can honestly say the best thing I did was to see a psychotherapist privately. In 8 sessions over 6 months, She was brilliant and used hypnotherapy to help me relax and accept. I can now use the techniques I learnt from her. It's a bit like meditation but easier, and makes me feel good, and certainly eased the AF.
I hope the cardiologist you see is an electrophysiologist. A rhythm specialist. Maybe if you describe your symptoms and difficulties with work you you can move up the waiting list for an ablation. 3 yrs is long. But are there other hospitals with shorter lists?
You will learn to live with this! Good luck ❤
PS I find a daily dose of Magnesium Taurate helps too. Calming and good for heart rhythm
Thankyou Coco51,It's a lot to take in over the first few months. I'm very tired, dizzy and sad. I have an amazing husband who looks after me.
Yes 3 years is a very long time 😫 I've taken out private insurance yesterday which means I can get surgery after the 12 month waiting period for a pre existing condition.
That's a good move with the insurance. I found my 2 ablations helped a lot. Important to try and get the procedure done if possible while you still only have episodic AF (Paroxysmal AF). It's easier to treat.
Hi, try not to panic too much and relax if you can while in AF. I used Headspace to help calm me down as I was in panic mode for months when I was diagnosed.
I found the hardest thing was to come to terms with the fact that I had to slow down, but I am 70 and would have had to soon anyway I suppose. Hopefully your cardiologist will be able to give you something for rate control which should help. You have some really good advice here already but it's worth reading this page for continued suggestions. We've all been through this. Good luck and best wishes.
Thanks Bassets,Yes I think getting on top of the anxiety is necessary. I'm only 51 so wasn't planning on slowing down yet, and I definitely need to continue working. But I have found the information on this site and replies so helpful 😊
I had my first episode of AF when I was 49, 29 years ago.The GP didn't give me any medication but said if it's only once or twice a year don't worry about it. I didn't In the 9th year it started becoming more regular. I mentioned it to a GP who I was seeing for another ailment. She told me to go to A&E next time it happened. I did and was kept in hospital overnight. I was put on Amiodarone, a drug I didn't like, and not a very successful drug. I had an echocardiogram, heart was structurally okay, and waited to see a specialist . Eventually the amiodarone was changed to Flecainide and I was free of AF episodes for most of the next 12+ years
And then I was found to be in persistent though asymptomatic AF. That was 7-8 years ago. I've now agreed that my heart will never go back to normal rhythm, so I live with it. I've lived alone for all my adult life and take a Doris Day 'Que Sera, sera' attitude to life. Whatever will be, will be. I am now 78.
AF can be annoying, but it won't kill you. You have an anticoagulant, reducing your chances of having a stroke. Take the advice from others. If you've got cats, let them sit on you. I have two and they're brilliant at bringing peace, although my flying feline has just landed on my PC keyboard, preventing me from updating my village website.
Thankyou so much Thomas45. If I was lucky enough to get another 10 years with little symptoms I would be thrilled. But I've learned in the last month Afib is the decider not me. I'm hoping the cardiologist changes my medication today to get on top of the racing heart. Australia has some of the worst wait times for public health unfortunately.
I'm in Canada and our wait times for an EP are also very long. I've found lifestyle (exercise, diet/nutrition and watch alcohol consumption, sleep) to be important and even though it has not eliminated episodes it's definitely brought the number down. Like others here I found just not worrying about it really helps. This of course when you're first diagnosed is really really difficult and it will take time. I was a basket case in the beginning, but I learned that the autonomic nervous system kicks up the more I went over and over it.
I agree FraserB the more I'm researching and reading the more anxious I'm becoming.
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