I am new here.

[Becbux]

I am 83 years of age had h/a 9 years ago with two stents , l have really joined because my wife has paryxmal A/F severe anxiety etc she is on Apixaban , Bisoprolol , statins etc and l joined hoping to see how other people are coping with their situation so l can get some ideas that might help her .

[Girlgolfer]

Hi I am new here too literally just joined. Sorry to hear about your wife. I had 3 episodes of SVT in 2019 and each time ended up in hospital. Very fast HR and ectopic beats. Last episode was put on Bisproplol and I have been ok since however not sure I want to be on it for evermore. Found out today about the horror stories trying to get off it so very depressed today as really had no idea.

[Becbux in reply to Girlgolfer]

Hi there sorry to hear what a rough time you have had l would just like to try and console you a bit , l have had ectopic beats which l learned to live with for 15 years and l have been on medication since my h/a 9years this includes Bisoprolol and other medications it's never been a problem , l hope this helps .

[Girlgolfer in reply to Becbux]

Thank you.....it's weird as I have been all ok on the beta blocker but just started getting a little breathless on it. So then I looked at how to wean off and frightened myself stupid seeing all the withdrawal rebound comments.

[Becbux in reply to Girlgolfer]

That's okay but please try not to worry l know it's easy to say but anxiety is the biggest thing out there .

[Peony4575 in reply to Girlgolfer]

I am most definitely one of the horror stories around bisoprolol but probably most people either get off with no or few symptoms , so don’t be depressed until you know you have a problem 😊

[Lovefrance]

Hi there. I also suffer with A/F and severe anxiety. The A/F is frightening andof course the anxiety then kicks in. The constant worry of is it going to happen again is awful and controls your life. I think I drive my consultant mad with constant questions. He tells me A/F is not life threatening and your heart will not stop. If I get anxious I I use this as my mantra. Do you take any antidepressants. They could help. This site is fantastic. We are all here to help one another so don’t hesitate to contact even if you think it’s a silly question. Take care.

[Ecki]

Hi there, I suggest you pop over to the AF forum. Lots of advice and help there from those of us who live with AF.

[Woollymum]

Hi there, I have AF diagnosed 15 years ago (am now 76) and, like your wife, was prescribed the usual statins, bisoprolol, ramipril, warfarin etc. I was certainly anxious, the majority of people are when something starts to go wrong with their heart! The medications have, for me, been very good. AF is infrequent and I can often link it to a particular activity or, and this may just be me, hot weather. Hopefully over time she will find she's feeling much better and more confident. There are things I don't do now that I used to but I probably wouldn't have done them at 76 years of age anyway! As a reassurance, during the 15 years of being treated for AF I have only had to go to the hospital once, kept their for 4 hours to monitor and then sent on my way when the episode settled. (I have my fingers crossed that I'm not jinxing myself by saying that!) Good luck and hope things improve for your both.

[Becbux in reply to Woollymum]

Thanks Woolymum This all started two years ago when a yearly blood test showed a high level of troponin which she was told indicates a mild heart attack by a inconsiderate doctor ( after we were told that she was below the level for a heart attack ) of course the damage had been done the anxiety kicked in and it's been like it ever since with paryxmal AF and nothing l can do or say will change it, l am glad to hear you are coping well with your AF ( l wish my wife was the same) may it continue .

[Woollymum in reply to Becbux]

That does sound a difficult situation for you to be in. Maybe if she saw some of the replies on this forum it might help her to settle, but only you would know whether that was something she'd consider. Just being able to see there are other people in a similar situation to us really does help and we all know that we will get considered and kind replies just when we need them. Very best of wishes to you both.

[Cigarboxblues]

Hi and welcome.You will achieve the state of mind we all hope to be in for most of the time which is, to be relaxed about it.

Easy to say I hear you scream! But really it’s your head not your heart that is the initial problem.

As they all say ‘it’s only AFib’... but to a newbie and anyone suffering it’s a lot more than an ‘only’.

So steady yourself for a journey into your own mind and body and work out how you actually feel about the issue of AFib rather than worrying about what everyone says about it. Pretty much we all in the same boat or at least rowing the same way, but we all row at different speeds.

So keep asking questions but listen to your body first and last.

Good luck, we are all here to help, if and when you ask.