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.

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Heart, Blood & Circulation
/ Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

Afib

Shae1961
Shae1961
I saw my EP on Friday. I am so tired of him telling me that the aspirin is enough for clot prevention. Nobody seems to care. It would be fabulous for him to experience what I experience, just once, then maybe he wouldn't be so carefree about my condition. I take Atenolol for rate control. I have HBP and take regular meds for that. I don't drink or smoke. I don't touch caffeine at all. I am so sick of this. I am 50 and no longer enjoy life. My quality of life is non-existant. Nothing is fun anymore. I have given walking (which I loved), yoga, ballroom dancing, camping, traveling, etc. All because of AFIB, then when or where terrify me! I think of nothing but AFIB! I pray all the time....I just want the flutters, flops, racing, skips, and palpitations to stop.

I've thought about ablation, but with no guarantee and all the horror stories everywhere, even here, it seems too risky. What do I do? Please help! At my wits end!
jodelleknits
jodelleknits
Shae, I am so sorry you are having such difficulty. Afib can be so debilitating, especially when there seems to be no way out. Hang in there. As for your EP, is it possible for you to look for someone else? The first EP I saw was so uninterested that I could not help but just stare at him in wonder. I would go in for an appointment where he would fidget for about three minutes and then get up to leave (charging me about $300 for the three minute visit). He would just shrug his shoulders while he was exiting. The next EP and his colleague spent almost two hours examining me and talking to me. After exhausting all other options I chose ablation and have been afib free for almost three years. What a difference. Also, maybe your PCP should help you with some treatment for the anxiety that comes with afib.

Thinking of you.....
marikay234
marikay234
I was in the same place you are about a year ago. I started flecainide 6 months ago and have been in normal rhythm since. It gave me back my life.
It sounds like you have paroxsmal a fib. How long are your episodes? How frequent?
I have had a lot of anxiety as well and treating that has also been very helpful.
Don't give up on getting your life back. Have you tried other medications? Keep looking for what will work for you.
Remember you are not alone. Take care.