Signed off after my Watchman

[Scrabblefiend]

Update on my story: so after having a Watchman put in (in December) to block my Left Atrial Appendage and reduce my stroke risk (necessary as I can’t take blood thinners), today I have been signed off and the aspirin removed from my pill regime - still on ramipril and low dose of bisoprolol. The cardiologist says that should be it for now, as the A Fib incidents are not causing problems. In the future if it gets worse I could consider ablation or a pacemaker or whatever new things are developed (that was encouraging). I asked whether a Kardia would be useful but he says not really, as the key thing is my A Fib has already been definitively proved by ECG. I can have an extra bonus bisoprolol as a pill in the pocket if I have a longer session of A Fib.

One of the problems was that my attacks could be asymptomatic but as time goes on I am realising that when I feel just generally bleurgh and weird that can be A Fib - pulse all over the place, and I feel sort of awful but not really clear how awful it is until the attack ends and I am normal again… if that makes any sense to others here!

[mjames1]

If you're not always sure when you're in afib, and if that is causing anxiety, I would continue to use your Kardia. Doctors are not always right. For me, Kardia helps control the situation rather than the other way around. It also can help determine whether or not it's time to take a PIP. And in your case it can document episodes which might be helpful down the road if you decide to get an ablation because you're will be more fully documented.

Jim

[AmandaLouise77 in reply to mjames1]

I agree, I wear a Fitbit which I find reassuring rather than inducing anxiety.

[BenHall1]

Hiya Scrabblefiend,

Yeah, your last para describes me too. My AF journey began in January 2010, aged 65. By September 2011 I had well and truly identified a trigger .... food. With the aid of a Nutritionist I evolved a diet and over the years managed to whip the AF beastie into touch - to the point that over time my AF kicked in seriously every 4 or 5 years. That I know of.

Now, here is the rub - right from the get go in 2010 I was identified as being asymptomatic.

Your comment ...... "but as time goes on I am realising that when I feel just generally bleurgh and weird that can be A Fib" it's like I have just crawled out of a train wreck and I'm good for nothing. All my get up and go has got up and damn well gone but I do feel a weird disturbance in my chest. My Kardia doesn't pick up anything and the only evidence I can produce in a medical sense is a slightly higher blood pressure reading than usual on my Omron. Even my pulse( heart rate ) is stable. But I know the gremlin is at work.

You've described it - spot on the money.

Further, I've just done a 700 plus round trip road trip to a funeral - away from home 3 days. For me not an emotional trip as my OH's family were involved and so I did the bulk of the driving. Got home last Thursday afternoon. I still do not feel well or back to normal and so damn tired and as you say ........... bleurgh and weird.

Part of my treatment plan at the moment is getting much more exercise, I'm doing this, and even beginning to enjoy my walks - but - it requires a supreme effort.

May the force be with you.

John

[Lilypocket]

I think a Kardia is good to have around. It is useful to catch an episode and record it to send to your Dr in case you feel that a particular episode is not the " norm" for you if you see what I mean.

[Kodybear]

That’s how my AFib is. Generally just feel a bit “off” and when I check, I’m in AFib. No symptoms other than that feeling of anxiety.