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.
I was just diagnosed with A-Fib about a month ago. I think I may have had it for quite awhile as I've been feeling very fatigued. Sometime within the last year it must have happened, but because my rate is controlled, I never felt it and still don't....just the fatigue. I didn't have it on my last EKG and now I do. I was put on Coumadin for a mo. and just had cardioconversion a week ago. I was in normal sinus rhythm for all of three days, and it was like having my life back again and feeling so much energy...and then it was back again. I think I'm going to pass for the time being on any other treatment...ablation, etc. I have taken Lopressor for over 10 years, because that is when I had open heart surgery. There is the chance with all the scarring from the previous surgery that ablation would not work anyway. I'm going to continue the Coumadin, my krill oil, my vitamin D and CQ10 and I think I will just manage it. Some of you I know have had horrible symptoms with atrial flutter, etc., but I don't have that, so I'm refusing any antiarrhythmic meds, because I think they can cause more harm then good. I was in the medical profession for over 30 years, so I'm familiar with the treatment available.
I wanted to say hi and join a support group, because there is so much fatigue some day I truly need it. I'm in my 60's, so I'm not really young like some of you.
Anyway, hello and I'm happy I found you.
Dee
I wanted to say hi and join a support group, because there is so much fatigue some day I truly need it. I'm in my 60's, so I'm not really young like some of you.
Anyway, hello and I'm happy I found you.
Dee
I just found this site - dx'd last October, but had sx about 6 months prior. I'm 62, and otherwise in good health. Working diligently on losing weight - following the new Atkins. Doing well with food and not so well with exercise. My favorite exercise is walking, and we have a beautiful area and lovely early morning temperatures, so I've no excuse...
My afib had been stable until about 6 wks ago -- have had two brief episodes (2-3 hours) and otherwise an occasional short run of tachycardia.
One day when I first started Atkins, I had 4 diet sodas (with aspartame) - and that night was the first attack I'd had in a year.
So I researched aspartame - targeted it as trigger and have cut it out of my diet.
Also during this time I quit taking Prilosec - now wondering if that may also be contributing to increased symptoms. Will use otc prilosec a week or so and see if there are changes.
I'm taking a beta blocker and ASA. So far no cardioversion nor coumadin.
Good luck!!
Susan