Welcome to both sautee and Solssol.....I haven't been on in awhile but saw that both of you are new to this group. We all know what you are going through and hope to help you get through it as some many people have done for us. I had an ablation on July 9th and it was wonderful. You will hear lots of negatives about this surgery but I would recommend it if you get to the point you need it. I was on some really bad heart meds and still failing. I am down to 1 aspirin a day and a couple of 30 mg Diltazem a day.....its a nice change!

I had my echo cardiogram yesterday, and the heart center called today and said the results were really really, really (3 "reallys"!) normal. What a relief! I go to the cardiologist next Tuesday. Hopefully, he will adjust/change the meds and I can get back in the game. My best to all in this wonderful support group!

Glad to hear you got good results on your echo. I think that having a normal heart makes a really big difference in some of the ways that they can treat the afib!

Welcome.

Glad to hear you echo test came out good.

I could not stand the drip in the hospital as it flattened my B/P to no reading. Just on pills. After a week sent me home. Yeah I was weak. Was told walking was good. I could not walk very far and get back to house okay. Walked on my own place to start. Too tired. I just walked what what I could and back. Then twice a day. Slowly worked up to more. From early Aug to Xmas , Xmas I could walk a whole mile at one time. Kids went with me. So I start a mile a day. Where I had been half morning and night. I had to work up to that slowly. I got to where I could lift a gallon of milk in to the fridge. Been two years now and I walk the mile a day. Some days I miss when trip to city or trip out. Weather , Couple more months and I will be 81. I was never much on lifing. Dr got me cut down in medicine after few months and things were better. I was scared at first to do things. Dr had said do what ever I wanted. I was scared it would bring on another heart attack. But has not and I do things. I live alone and this year I moved next door to son. So different town and all and it does upset me. Stress and this medicine togather. It takes times.

Welcome, sautee and sunssol!
I agree with the posts that you have read so far. We can empathize with your anxiety and dizziness experiences. Each of us have managed our a fib in our own ways, drugs, ablation, etc. There doesn't seem to be ONE way to manage it. Good to consult with an EP and find the best way for you!

Great to be able to have this forum to get info and just plain support. This forum is great for both.

As you might have recognized from reading the different posts, Afib sends each one of us on a journey. We have learned that the journey is different for all of us! We learn about ourselves through our own experience and the experience of others what afib is all about and the anxiety that can be associated with it. It is scary and discouraging at times, but can be managed with the right doctor (EP) and the right attitude. This helped me to reduce some of my anxiety/fear when having episodes. It is important to learn as much as you can about yourself to try and figure out what may be linked/cause your episodes.
Try to stay positive and remember, there are many people here that you can rely on for support.

I still check my pulse and blood pressure often! It all takes time!

Going to the cardiologist tomorrow for the follow-up from the ER trip and echo cardiogram. Any guidance on the right questions to ask about possibly changing meds to get rid of these side effects?
Many thanks....

sautee: Ask the size of your atria (left and right). Ask about any structural heart issues. Try to get to the bottom of the cause of your afib (there are many possibilities like sleep apnea, dehydration, heart issues, thyroid, high blood pressure, etc. Tell your doctor about your symptoms... sometimes it is the medicine, sometimes it's the afib. Discuss your CHA2DS2VaSC score. Ask about your prognosis and the level of exercise that is appropriate for you. That can help you feel better/less tired. Good luck. petey

Petey put together this list for me:
What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
What are other possible causes for my symptoms or condition?
What kinds of tests will I need?
What's the best treatment?
What foods should I eat or avoid?
What's an appropriate level of physical activity?
How often should I be screened for heart disease or other complications of atrial fibrillation?
What can I take for headaches, pain?
What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend visiting?

What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor may ask:
When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
How severe are your symptoms?
What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?

I hope this helps, Sautee, we've all been where you're at now. This website has been my saving grace. Sunsol, welcome. You're both among friends.

Those are good questions from Petey. I have answers for some but not all. I am also new to this site and have found comfort in reading about all your experiences.

It is difficult for me to see an end to afib at this point. I am having a hard time with the meds and the slow down of my life. I have lost a part of me as I have always been very social and am so tired some days that I can't go out.

Well, I saw my cardiologist yesterday. He spent 20-25 minutes with me (amazing in itself). Bottom line: my atria are normal size for my age (he said if I were 30 years younger, they might be considered enlarged), no structural heart issues, etc. He talked about Pradaxa and its reversibility (or not). He said that frozen blood plasma can be used - takes 1-2 days. He took me off the diltiazem to see if I can alleviate the dizziness, weakness, et. al. I asked about exercise (no problem, so I went back to the gym this morning and started with a modified routine). I asked if there were any restrictions, and he said "No." The EKG showed NSR yesterday. So, here's hoping that I'll be back in the game soon. Thanks to all for the hugs and good wishes......

A Belated Welcome sautee,
20-25 minutes with a cardiologist is amazing.
Glad to hear your good news. Sounds like you'll be fine!

Annette

Thanks, Annette. Your beautiful, happy picture makes me smile every time I see it!

"A Belated Welcome sautee, 20-25 minutes with a cardiologist is amazing. Glad to hear your good news. Sounds like you'll be fine! - Annette."
Ditto on Annette's kind remarks and welcome. I hope things continue to stablize for you moving forward

Is/are there any additional details you wish to share here regarding your situation? It can be helpful to some degree regarding people's future comments and relating to your individual situation, etc. All the best. ;) - Thomas