Newly diagnosed AF

[Wrighty18]

Hi I'm Lisa I'm a Nurse that has recently been diagnosed with AF. Very scary being on the other side. Awaiting 2nd ablation meantime on anti arrythmia meds and life time apixaban.

[Nathan53]

Hi Lisa - welcome to the forum I am sure you will find lots of info on here and hear about the experiences of others. I am also sure your Nursing experience will be valued if you are able to give it. At the moment though you are probably feeling a bit battered being ' on the other side's. If you enter atrial fibrillation in the search field (top right hand section) it will identify those who have made posts about the subject. Hope you are managing let us know how you get on

[Wrighty18 in reply to Nathan53]

Hi thank you very much.

[Chappychap]

Welcome to the forum, everyone here will be wishing you all possible success with your treatment!

[Hidden]

Welcome! I too am a nurse, retired a year ago. I was diagnosed with paf 3 yr ago. Thankfully it has become less frequent so I havent pursued ablation and am getting by with prn flecainide. My last episode was 11 mo ago. The hardest part was dealing with the anxiety it caused, but that is much better now. Hope all is improving in your experience.

[Wrighty18 in reply to Hidden]

Hi yes I've heard the 'pill in the pocket' works well too. Are you on any anti coag too? Oh the anxiety is awful that's what I'm struggling with at the moment as well as getting used to the drugs and being chemically cardio verted!!!

[Hidden in reply to Wrighty18]

I am on xarelto everyday since I turned 65 last year, moved me up a point on the Chads score. I also started zoloft not long after diagnosis which helped alot with depression/ anxiety. Now, 3 yr later and a fib is an infrequent visitor, Ive cut dose back and hoping to get off it this spring. Retiring helped me alot, so much less stress and more time to focus on me, wt loss, exercise etc

[Philra]

Hi Lisa

Welcome to the group. I’ve had paroxysmal AF for over twenty years. I’m on meds to treat it. Notwithstanding my AF doesn’t cause me any great difficulty these days.

[Wrighty18 in reply to Philra]

Hi Thank you. I'm nervous about having another ablasion albeit a different one to last year this one will be a cryoablasion but what makes me more nervous is the fact of having to stop the diltiazam and flecainide days before the procedure ,I almost want to stay at work for permanent shifts just incase!!!! X

[Hidden]

Another nurse (retired) here. Good to hear you are on lifetime Apixaban like me. Having nursed stroke patients, this was my greatest fear and being prescribed Apixaban reduced that fear significantly. I had to fight for it with my GP surgery and sought support from my cardiologist as I’m 64 and female with no other risk factors.

I am also on Flecainide regularly and can take extra as a pill in the pocket if AF breaks through. No ablation needed yet.

Do go on the AFA Health Unlocked as well as this one - much more specific support on there.

[Wrighty18 in reply to Hidden]

Hi I'm lucky that I was on duty when they caught the AF on ecg a couple of weeks ago ( very scary but i work with a great team) nothing was picking it up ( previous ablation was avrt. Then all of a sudden in a flash I'm on life long anti coagulation and other meds too!! Anxiety has kicked in rather badly at the moment. Especially as I have a 3 year old too. I will look on the other side that you suggest too. Thank you .

[Wrighty18]

Thank you.

[Phil-52]

Hi there wrighty.

I did the Amsterdam half marathon at the age of 40. The night before we had a few too many pre race drinks and I was a little worse for ware the next day. I did the race however and we partied a bit more after. ( doesn't show me at my best I know) But the following morning I had developed AF which scared me a little. I went to the doctors shortly after getting home and they confirmed that I had AF. It lasted just under two weeks and I wasn't given any medication at all. fast forward to 2016 and recovering in hospital after a quad bypass I have a few AF flutters, I'm put on anticoagulants, beta blockers and other little pills for the rest of my life.

I hope all goes well

Phil

[Wrighty18 in reply to Phil-52]

Blimey that's a journey and a half isn't it. Hope all's well now and controlled.

[Semley]

Hope all is going well. Try not to worry. I've had AF off and on for 20 years nearly. I don't have many symptoms as apixaban and furosemide and other cardiac meds work well for me. I've had to stop apixaban just before operations and that's not been a problem and much easier to manage than warfarin

[Hidden]

Hi Lisa. Can you tell me how you found the ablation procedure? I’m terrified of being strapped down and awake!!!!!

[Wrighty18 in reply to Hidden]

The 1st ablasion I cried from the moment I left my house to the moment I got to hospital. I didn't know What to expect. Although awake for it i was heavily sedated about 30 mins in as i was so upset still crying at this point. But afterwards I thought gosh that was amazing. Now I'm awaiting a second one I know what to expect and albeit still nervous i know I'm in safe hands. Good luck with yours. It's mainly the fear of the unkown. X

[Hidden]

How lovely to hear such honest feedback. Thought it was only me that would be in such an uncontrollable state! Really don’t know whether to opt for general anaesthetic or go for the sedation. It’s really hard knowing just how sedated you’ll be until you’re there. If anyone else wants to comment on the choice, do say.