Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
Hi everyone,
I'm so glad that I found this AFib support group. I've had AFib since 2004. I was 35 when it was first diagnosed and it scared and depressed me like nothing in my life ever has. My doctor asked me if I was drinking alcohol and I had to confess that I had drank a bottle of wine the night before. I was also smoking cigarettes so I guess that contributed as well. I've read through several posts on this support group site and it's really helped me to know that I'm not alone in suffering with this. I often get skipped heartbeats when laying down or after eating meals so I guess it's not all that strange for that to happen, which at least helps me feel normal for someone who has AFib.
I just recently went through an AFib episode last Friday, after 6 six years of mostly just experiencing skipped beats, but no AFib (that I know of anyway). It was so nice not being in AFib for those 6 years. I just recently asked my cardiologist to switch my med's from a calcium channel blocker to a beta blocker because my calcium channel blocker was preventing my wife from getting pregnant, but the med change unfortunately caused me to go into AFib. It was the most horrible, depressing experience I have gone through in a long time. I was wondering if anyone experiences these same emotions and how you deal with it while your in it. It just seemed like it would never end. My cardiologist used Multaq and I seemed to come out of AFib the following afternoon, but the medication seemed to wear out at the end of the day and I kept getting palpitations and skipped beats and I got this horrible anxiety that I was going back into AFib. I was really depressed the whole weekend. I guess I just needed to have more patience and faith that I would come out of it eventually. It's Monday now and I did come out of the AFib. My cardiologist switched me back to my calcium channel blocker at my request (I was using diltiazem and it worked wonders for me for years). I still have skipped heart beats when I lay down, but they seem to go away when I take my meds at night. I looking into maybe getting an ablation an also doing a sleep study because I'm pretty sure I have sleep apnea. I'm hoping that if I lose weight and exercise on a regular basis that this will help keep my skipped beats down to a minimum and lower my blood pressure. Any advice anyone has would be really helpful. It's just nice to know that there are other people who know how I feel. Thanks for letting me vent!
I'm so glad that I found this AFib support group. I've had AFib since 2004. I was 35 when it was first diagnosed and it scared and depressed me like nothing in my life ever has. My doctor asked me if I was drinking alcohol and I had to confess that I had drank a bottle of wine the night before. I was also smoking cigarettes so I guess that contributed as well. I've read through several posts on this support group site and it's really helped me to know that I'm not alone in suffering with this. I often get skipped heartbeats when laying down or after eating meals so I guess it's not all that strange for that to happen, which at least helps me feel normal for someone who has AFib.
I just recently went through an AFib episode last Friday, after 6 six years of mostly just experiencing skipped beats, but no AFib (that I know of anyway). It was so nice not being in AFib for those 6 years. I just recently asked my cardiologist to switch my med's from a calcium channel blocker to a beta blocker because my calcium channel blocker was preventing my wife from getting pregnant, but the med change unfortunately caused me to go into AFib. It was the most horrible, depressing experience I have gone through in a long time. I was wondering if anyone experiences these same emotions and how you deal with it while your in it. It just seemed like it would never end. My cardiologist used Multaq and I seemed to come out of AFib the following afternoon, but the medication seemed to wear out at the end of the day and I kept getting palpitations and skipped beats and I got this horrible anxiety that I was going back into AFib. I was really depressed the whole weekend. I guess I just needed to have more patience and faith that I would come out of it eventually. It's Monday now and I did come out of the AFib. My cardiologist switched me back to my calcium channel blocker at my request (I was using diltiazem and it worked wonders for me for years). I still have skipped heart beats when I lay down, but they seem to go away when I take my meds at night. I looking into maybe getting an ablation an also doing a sleep study because I'm pretty sure I have sleep apnea. I'm hoping that if I lose weight and exercise on a regular basis that this will help keep my skipped beats down to a minimum and lower my blood pressure. Any advice anyone has would be really helpful. It's just nice to know that there are other people who know how I feel. Thanks for letting me vent!
It sounds like you are doing the best you can. Losing weight and continued exercise was what I was instructed to do. Since I was just diagnosed in February I understand the feeling of depression after an episode. I'm still trying to dissect out what this all means. I have no magic advice, like you I'm trying to work on patience, faith, and continued hope. I had sleep apnea before the afib diagnosis and use CPAP daily. Currently my meds are being reduced after a 30 day run without afib, and if afib returns I hope the option for ablation will be open. I have read so many ablation stories on this site that give hope, and that hope may help get you through the episodes and depression. The people on this site are so outstanding, knowledgeable, helpful, and supportive. Try to keep your spirits up. We are all with you.
Thanks for the advice! I am definitely going to get a sleep test so that I can find out for sure whether I have sleep apnea. If I do, then I'm sure whatever treatment they give will help with my AFib and maybe I'll get some better sleep. I really like your idea about getting my medical records and keeping a prepacked bag in case I have to go to the hospital. Also, I like your idea about keeping medication on hand for an AFib episode. I'm still fighting some depression about having medical problems at my age, but I pray a lot and I try to be grateful that there are medications and procedures that can help me. I guess attitude is what really makes a difference. I'd like to add you as one of my friends if you're ok with that. Please let me know, thanks.
Thanks for adding your reply to my post. I really look forward to reading what other people have to say in reply to my post. It makes me feel like I'm not alone in this. I'm glad to hear that your med's are being reduced after 30 days without AFib. I was really surprised that there was such a connection between sleep apnea and AFib. I'm not looking forward to wearing a CPAP mask, if that's what I have to do, but I guess you get used to it and it sounds like it really helps you feel better and more rested. You're definitely right, the people on this web site are great! I'm still having trouble understanding all of the abbreviations that people use, but I guess I'll learn what they mean as I go. I am hoping that I stay out of AFib for a while. That would be really nice! Does anyone have any advice about ablations? I'm considering getting this done.
As for the wine, I was used to a lot of it as I make several cases a year, but now my friends are happy that I have to share it with them!
Take good care...all will work out!