Diagnosed with persistent AF 4 months ago completely out of the blue. Hadn't noticed anything different at all. Put on RIVAROXABAN and bisoprolol. Had an unsuccessful cardioversion and now feel like I'm on a treadmill I can't get off.
Messing with my mental health too.
How co you all cope?
Hi Nannystitch, I just like to start of with thankyou for your post and welcome to the site. It must of been a real shock to learn that you have AF, hopefully things will settle down with your heart with the medication you are taking. I would make an appointment with talking threpist NHS about any worries that you are experiencing, sounds like you might be surffring from health Anxiety like most of us on here, it's best to talk get it out of the open. My Anxiety comes on really badly when I start to get pain on my body and I start to cry with worries. I have heart palpitations and also have underlying heart issues which I only got to know in May this year. It really plays on your metal health. Take care
I'm totally "on board" with the mental health comment.
I was drowning in medical terminology for drugs and procedures. It seems to me that many people are on that treadmill that you mention, trying one medication or experiment after another.
I am sure that " stillness" ( Mind over Matter, Mindfulness, Meditation, etc. ) is the single most effective therapy for me. I always feel the benefit immediately when I just sit and 'be still'
Or else just watch an episode of ' Friends '
Hi I was diagnosed with permanent AF also 4 months ago,wasn't even offered a cardioversion!! And can't see cardiologist til Feb 24, angry as don't know why I have it!!!
It's a pain, isn't it? I was diagnosed with paroxysmal AF a bit over 2 years ago. I was told in a very light hearted way, almost "Well we've captured AF on you ECG, no worries, bit like having a cold really." That was the impression I got.It has been farcical from the start, GPs misreading notes from the hospital, test results going missing, total lack of follow up, etc.
There are 2 things that really grate on me, first that I have never, ever been given any advice or information about lifestyle changes that could help me help myself, and second, the continual passing of the buck; cardiology appointments are like hens teeth, I've had 2 in over 2 years, GPs tell you to speak to your cardiologist, (How?), or ring 999, and I was left feeling totally abandoned to try to find my own solutions.
BHF cardiac nurses helpline have given me invaluable advice.
I just try to take one day at a time, do what I can when I can, and have learned to ask for the simple things to help, like lifting or carrying.
Wishing you well
I agree scentedgardener, go with the flow, it's all a bit of a lottery isn't it ? Where you live, how knowledgeable your GP is , how long the waiting lists are, how interested your specialist is, but we do have some basic care which not all countries do.
Nannystitch,
You are in the fortunate category of AF patients, like me, who have permanent AF but had no symptoms other than a slightly raised heart rate. We have both been prescribed the standard medication, an anticoagulant to reduce stroke risk and a Beta Blocker to reduce heart rate. So long as the Bisoprolol dose doesn't reduce your heart rate too much (I'm on 1.25mg/day and my HR is around 80 when resting) then you should be able to forget about the AF and live a long and healthy life.
The heart is very good at keeping pumping even when it's not receiving the right signals!
Best wishes,
Paul
Hi Nannystitch
Don't panic! It is possible to live with permanent AF, what is important I think is to adjust your lifestyle to suit any effects it has on your body's ability to do things - like accept that you may walk slower uphill than before or miss the bus rather than run for it. I've been in permanent AF for over 4 years (on bisoprolol and rivaraxoban) and intermittently before that, had previously had a number of cardioversions but each time went back into AF for odd reasons - drinking an ice cold drink or getting super stressed one day at work, for example. Stress is about the shot of adrenaline that's like coffee and alcohol. I've been teetotal since 2015 (was a member of CAMRA and really miss the beer!!) and went on to caffeine-free drinks.
My employers have been brilliant about it and have me down on their books as disabled which means that I don't have to worry about making up time for medical appointments, for example, so it might be an idea for you to speak to your HR department about being registered with them as disabled, there are advantages.
Good luck, don't despair, there is life in AF. At first I panicked, then got very depressed, then adjusted. I think when we get these diagnoses we go through a sort of bereavement which is ok, it's about adjusting and accepting what you can't do and getting on with what you can.
Last thought, it's worth trying to educate people around you about AF, so people understand when you can't keep up the pace.
All the best 🙂
Atrial fibrillation effects on life.
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation post op
ECG - atrial fibrillation (AF)
