New to AF and a bit worried about the future.

[billllly]

I've been off sick from work for two weeks with AF, I've been put on Warfarin, because of the fear of blood clots and I've got an history of heart problems, I get good days and bad days, on the bad days I'm extremely tired and everything is an effort. I'm worried about being able to return to work and my finances, I'm 64 with ten months left till retirement. Any tips??. Thanks for looking.

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Billly,

You didn't say what sort of AF you have got but I am presuming paroxsymal, in other words you are getting attacks, like the good days, bad days.

The first thing is really don't be too worried, very often the worst thing about AF is the diagnosis itself, it's really scary, but I am going to assume that you have also been put under a cardiologist and they will plan your treatment with you when you see them.

You are right the worst thing about AF is the risk of stroke, so most of us will be on warafin, or other anti-coagulants, and that is just preventative, for most of us warafarin has no side effects and it's just a pain in the bum with the regular blood tests until you stabilise.

In terms of tips, read read read, especially the AFA website link from the main page, and also the groups, you will learn a lot from just reading the posts.

Remember that this is the internet, so you will find some "wacky" stuff as well and really informative, so just keep one foot on the ground when reading.

Start preparing that list of questions for the cardio, you will have lots and lots, so write them down and take them in with you.

Ask loads of questions here and in other forums, there is always someone who has been there before, or has very similar symptoms.

Now work?, well obviously it depends on your individual circumstance, and on the treatment plan your cardio recommends; I am working full time with permament A Fib, and I have only had a few days off for tests and cardioversions and things like that, and yes I am tired all the time. There is no reason why you should not go back to work.

Anyway best of luck and ask anything you like

Ian

[TheStand]

Billlly,

First welcome to the forum. Ian has given you some great info... Search, read, learn and educate yourself on this condition. The AFA site is a great resource for information and also take a look at stopafib.org. These sites will give you an understanding of what AF is and how it can be treated. Armed with this knowledge write up your list of questions to take with you to the Dr. Much of the information about AF if fairly recent as are the treatments for it (in the last 10 or so years) and some of the cardio Drs were schooled before all of this came out. So learn, learn, learn and if the answers you get seem to go against what you have learned, question and ask for another opinion.

Fatigue is one of the major symptoms of AF. Due to the heart not pumping properly there can be a lack of enough oxygen getting passed throughout the body. There are many meds that can help keep the heart in rhythm which will make you less tired BUT those drugs have a tendency to cause some fatigue (usually not as bad as the AF though)

As Ian said the initial shock of finding out you have AF is usually more stressful that actually dealing with AF. After a while you will learn how to deal with the symptoms and you can get on with your life.

As Ian said, there are many here who have been right were you are now so ask all questions you need to and also just come here to blow off steam when you need it. We've all been there!

Tim

[billllly]

Hi, thanks for the replies. Seeing my GP this morning and will try and get some answers. Nothing was really explained to me regarding treatment other then I've got to wait six weeks to three months to make sure there are no clots in my heart. As for returning to work, I work in a residential home and the work is very physical, it really tired me out before this and im not sure I will able to do it anymore.

Billllly

[TheStand]

billly, Not sure about the 6 week to 3 month wait for treatment. There should be no requirement to wait to start taking either rate control or rhythm control meds. And if they wanted to perform a procedure like an ablation, I guess they could wait but they can (and sometimes do) perform a TEE while doing the ablation to check for clots then. I hope that you can get a few answers from your GP but honestly most do not have the answers you need (unless they deal with AF a lot and usually just refer you to a cardiologist. If you have a choice ask to see an Electrophysiologist. They are cardiologists' who are specifically train to deal with heart rhythm problems. They are the go to experts in dealing with AF.

I would definitely question the 6 week to 3 month wait! My EP looked at my ECG and spoke to me on my first appt with her and started me on warfarin and Propafenone (rhythm control med) that same day. The longer you wait to start a treatment to stop or slow down the AF... The more chance for a clot to develop. The wait just doesn't make sense.

Tim

[billllly]

Thanks Tim, saw my GP yesterday and he's booked me in for an ECG and blood tests, have to wait and see how that turns out. When I was taken to hospital they couldn't be sure when the AF started and were afraid clots may have already formed so they put me on Warfarin to dissolve them and said I had to wait six weeks to three months for any treatment....I just want to get back to work.

Keith

[Wiccan]

Hi Billy, I really just want to wish you luck and let you know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. My AF started in 2005 and at first my GP did not take it seriously and put it down to being a little over weight! I saw a different GP at the same practice who sent me straight to a cardiologist. It took a while to get a proper diagnosis, following several ECGs and a 24hr monitor. Once I was diagnosed with PAF, I was referred to Wythenshawe hospital for a catheter ablation. To cut a long story short, the first one did not work, which is quite common, but the second one did and I have been symptom free and off the blood thinning agents for 4 years now. I know it's hard being off work, especially when you feel well between attacks but stay positive and keep pushing for answers.

Samantha

[pip_pip]

Hi. Generally one has to be on warfarin for 6 weeks to 3 months before a cardioversion, and the i n r at correct levels for that period of time. The wait might be that.