I'm trying to learn how to live with Afib. It was devastating when I got diagnosed. Thought my life and life style had taken a turn for the worse. I got encouragement from people on this site and others to keep on going. I'm back to exercising again but not at the intensity I was before. I was encouraged not to give up and that's what I'm saying to you. DON'T GIVE UP!!!. Learn what your body's limits are and live within them. My triathlon days may be done but I can do a lot of other things. I was scared when I first found out about Afib but I learned even though it feels like the end of the world it's not. There are people out there with a lot worse conditions then we have. Almost makes one grateful. Hang in there

1) Don't restrict yourself if the symptoms don't get in the way.
2) If symptoms exist, you are not going to die, even though it feels like it.
3) Be glad you know the cause of your afib...sleep apnea. If it is mild to moderate, you can use an oral appliance and it will go away. If moderate to severe, you need a mask.
4) Work on your anxiety. An occasional Xanax is ok.

Keep walking just slow down and do not give up, there is still quality life with afib! I was afraid to do anything too in the beginning, I would not go far from a hospital and traveling was off limits because of the fear. You can and will get thru this and the modifications get easier to deal with, Get some help with the anxiety and the rest will follow. It does take some time but until you deal with the anxiety you will not be able to move forward. Get some xanax or something along those lines to take when the anxiety is really bad, it will make a world of difference for you. Try some therapy that also helps, a good therapist can help you work thru this and teach you some techniques that also help with the anxiety That is what I did and I no longer need either but there are still there if I do need either.. You can do this!

I have sleep apnea and use a cpap machine. It's not bad at all. You'll need to go through a little process finding the right mask (try the nasal mask first! It's by far the least obtrusive) Fact is, I ended up being really happy with my apnea diagnosis because using the mask makes me feel so very much better during the day. If Petey's right and apnea is causing your afib, then this diagnosis is a godsend. A cpap machine will certainly help with afib, no matter what. And it's easy to travel with a mask. Don't be fooled by ads in the papers that make cpap mask users look like goons. There's an excellent cpap online forum whose name I'm forgetting that helped me get good info.

I understand that apnea and afib is a lot to take on all at once. It sounds like your afib is pretty bad; believe me, after afib, sleep apnea is a walk in the park. Again, the cpap machine may really help!

I recently took up classical guitar as another, very satisfying and meaningful hobby. This was an unexpected revelation for me which came from looking for alternatives to higher level aerobic activities. Maybe something like this for you?

Cancelling a trip to see your family? Why? Sounds to me like you need the support network that a family provides now more than ever.

All said and done, you can't turn into an agoraphobic and never leave the house because you're afraid of going into afib. You will go into afib again at some point. Accept that. A-fib in and of itself is not life-threatening. You must accept that too.

If you got a diagnosis of sleep apnea last week, I would think that would be a bit of light at the end of the tunnel - at least it gives you a direction to go in. Get that apnea treated - get a cpap machine if you need to. In the meantime, get in with a good EP and develop a treatment plan. But don't live your life in fear. Every one of us on this board knows the anxiety you're feeling - myself included. You have to get to a point where you decide that you're not going to let it run your life.

Also- if you didnt have symptoms, like me, you wouldn't know you were in afib and would just do things in afib. So it's the symptoms not the afib. Reducing anxiety helps.

I have used a cpap machine for 7 years. I used to use it 'when it was convenient' until the night I went into AF for the first time. One of the attending physicians at the hospital asked me if I was using my machine the night I went into AF. I was not. He told me to use it every night and I have. I don't even nap without my machine. I actually look forward to sleeping with my machine - it comforts me. There is a wonderful website cpaptalk.com where you will find lots of incredible information. Please e-mail me if you have any questions. I also use Xanax for anxiety due to AF and that has made my AF diagnosis live able. Good Luck to you.
Charlene

I, too, would be more than happy to help you through the CPAP beginnings. I found out about my sleep apnea AFTER my first AF episode. I wasn't happy that I had SA, but I remember feeling like at least I knew where the AF came from. (Not sure if that's correct, but it was a little comforting at the time.) CPAP takes some getting used to, but after a couple of weeks, it truly will make you feel better. I, also, don't ever sleep without it.

Please let me know if I can help. CPAP and AF are not anything to be excited about, but it's ok! You can live with it! Think positive thoughts, learn all you can, and keep coming to this great site!

Shae:

Can you give us more details about your afib - and history with it? It sounds like you might be highly symptomatic. Is that correct?

Travis

Shae, It sounds as tho your bodys system is working as it should and sending you a message. Consider this a gift. Some dont get any warning. Of course there are much worse conditions than Afib and SA, so again, thank your lucky stars this is your lot.
My friend just went to ER with Afib for first time and they found 3 blockages and an aneurysm in her aorta. Shes not happy to be left with Afib, but certainly happy to be around to complain about it.
The number one trigger for AF is stress or anxiety. I love it when doctors tell us to relax with this, but they are right. So first I would find a way to reduce your anxiety, whatever way possible. Afib itself isnt fatal, tho debilitating for most. You can do alot for yourself with diet, lifestyle changes and adding some simple supplements like Magnesium, Hawthorne, etc. Sometimes a simple adjustment of your spine can help. If you do take meds for this, its a good idea to take supplements along with them as meds deplete some good nutrients in our systems. Taking care of your SA may actually end your episodes, were all different. It didnt for me, however I dont miss SA now. Regards

Shae: Another good idea is to take a new "selfie" of yourself smiling. You talk about anxiety a lot and your picture says "I'm anxious". Smiling and seeing yourself as a smiling person helps the mood. :-))))) petey

Shae: I can completely understand your feeling overwhelmed. I'm sure that there's a larger back story involved with your post that adds to the mix. I'm really pulling for you to find a way to manage all of this; we all are.

I just wanted to add that when I started using a cpap machine, it improved my mood immensely. Sleep deprivation had a huge but hidden impact on my emotional life. (Hidden, in that I wasn't aware of how sleep deprived I was!) I've suffered from depression and lack of sleep made this worse, and was even causative. I hope that you can think of the apnea diagnosis as a chance to make things better in your life by addressing and overcoming this issue.I was happily surprised at how much better I felt both physically and emotionally once I started using my cpap machine. I hope that this will be true for you too.

Shae,
I like what Petey said, it's the symptoms, not the afib. And don't let it stop you unless you're too symptomatic to cope at all.
I had to make the decision in December whether I would go south this winter as I usually do, or stay home and freeze and not get out the door because of the weather and symptoms.
So, I took a chance and just left town and tho I've had a few bad times, at this point I'm glad I made the decision to go. If I had sat around at home dwelling on my symptoms and anxiety, it would have been much worse. You need to find a way to do something you enjoy to distract yourself from the symptoms. I know this is not easy at all and I still suffer greatly during my episodes. But I think giving up all of life's pleasures to fear is so much worse. Just give it a try, you may be happily surprised.

Shae,
I think what you are going through is something that we all have experienced. After my afib diagnosis, I freaked out when my wife and I were going to the Drive-In, which is only an hour from my house. In the beginning you are afraid to do almost anything that involves leaving the house. I think there are many options available for dealing with this anxiety - therapy, relaxation techniques, or chemistry. But Junie is correct, the worst thing you can do is become a prisoner in your home. Be strong, and know that most of us have gone through the very same emotions you are going through now.

Bill

Totally agree