Hi CoramDeo and welcome! I can totally relate to the feeling that one's body has betrayed itself. I was diagnosed with Afib nearly 5 years ago and still feel angry about it sometimes. It is difficult to accept the loss of control at times. Being actively involved in your treatment and your own advocate helps and does give back some control over things. This group is a great place to talk with others going through the same things you are experiencing. It is also a great place to learn how others cope with Afib and there is always a great deal of good information provided by other member's research and knowledge of this condition. Good luck as you move forward in your treatment and take care, Carrie

Hello, and welcome. I am pretty new here (not to A-fib, though), and I just want to tell you that you have come to the right place! There are so many knowledgeable and compassionate people here! I don't post often, but I can't begin to tell you all that I've learned here! Just reading the posts here have given me a sense of "ok, I can do this". The more you know about A-fib, the better you will feel prepared to handle it.

I know the anxiety and worries of A-fib well. Never knowing when it's going to happen is just hard to live with. I will say, though, that as time goes on and I learn more, I'm dealing better with it. I, also felt "betrayed by my own body" (I love that quote!), but I know that I'm doing all I can to keep myself safe and ward off the episodes.

I will let those with more knowledge give you some great advice, but I will say it helped me so much to have an appointment with an EP (a specialist in rhythm disorders). He was a godsend to me as he eased my mind and gave me a "plan". My cardiologist just gave me meds!

Please come back and ask your questions. So many people here will help you even if you just read others' posts. Let me know if I can be of any help. Sometimes, just chatting with someone who actually knows how you feel can really ease your mind.

Take care! An know that you are not alone!

The best thing about this group is that every one of us know exactly what you're going through. So while faith, family, and friends are greatly important, it's nice to talk to people who truly understand.

Sorry you have to join our little club, but this is a great place to learn about afib, ask questions, or just vent. Welcome!

Welcome to the club! Glad you found us, there seems to be more and more of us lately and age and gender seem to make no difference on who is hit with the beast anymore. All you can do is do your best to stay positive. Log your episodes and see if you find a pattern, it may be you have triggers with foods, activities,indigestion, gut problems etc. Make sure you are getting enough magnesium, have your thyroid checked, eat healthy, no processed foods of any kind, You will find your way but it does take time and some hard work on your part but it is so worth it in the long run, you may not cure your afib but you will feel better physically and mentally about things that you can control. You are not alone and we all feel your grief over being hit with the beast.

Welcome! I think we have all had similar feelings and it is a process to adjust to this "new normal". This is a wonderfully supportive group. So glad you found us.
I am interested in why you were put on amiodarone? It is a heavy duty antiarrythmic to be started right out on. If you don't have follow up scheduled with an EP ask for a referral. The thing that has helped me the most is having a plan for what to do when afib hits.

Welcome! I am new here, too. I agree with the others who say that being informed is your best defense. When I realized that the AFib itself is not terminal, I found I could take control of the things I can and let the rest go. I have very few symptoms at this point and am only on one med at a very low dose. I am just happy for that at this point and will take the rest as it comes. I have no access to an EP at this point but my Cardiologist was wonderful and agrees that the least med is the best way to start... so I'm happy. Take care move forward one day at a time!

Yes it is good to be amongst people who know what it feels like to be in afib. They have helped me know what to ask my Dr. and how to live with afib. It was all so overwhelming to begin with I wasn't sure what to do.

Found this group after being DX by ER and PCP and was waiting for appointment to Cardiologist/EP. I was far better prepared for that appointment and less stressed by the time I got there.

Body betrayed is a good way to say it.

laurab

Sorry to welcome you here, but glad you found us .. Please talk to your Dr. about the Amiodorone - it is a powerful drug .. I had a very bad reaction to Amiodorone after 4 months of use .. Everyone is different .. Do some research .. I wish I had .. I'm not intending to frighten you in the least .. The 4 months I was on Amiodorone - I slept like a baby, didn't have one PAC or PVC, my heart was perfect, but it came with a very steep price for me .. There are lots of AFib-Smart people on this board .. I've learned a lot .. MAINLY GET AN ELECTROPHYSIOLOGIST .. the difference is night and day between a general cardiologist and an electrophysiologist .. Look forward to hearing from you soon .. Best Wishes...

Charlene in Tulsa, OK

Thank you all for your warm welcome and encouragement. I looked forward to getting replies and making buddies. So again, thank you. Re: amiodarone: it was an EP who put me on it: started at 800 mg, then after 4 weeks, dropped to 400mg and now as of today (about 6 weeks post AFib I'm down to 200 mg. I had one prior episode and was on metoprolol but no anti-arrythmics. I admit I FEAR amiodarone but I've been told by my pcp (says he has handled it as a GP due to working in a small town environment) and by new EP that it is temporary and that my EP would like to see how I do...and gradually change to another med. They have signed me up for an amiodarone 'clinic' where they claim I will be monitored for problems...but yes I am familiar with what amiodarone can do to some extent but THE COST MAY BE TOO HIGH. That's why I'm so nervous...I've done fine on prior drugs but this is one toxic disaster waiting to happen...That's why I'm here....praying and hopeful I won't lose sight or a kidney on it. I'm surprised as I read the literature that I was put on this so quickly, too. Any advice? Any take it for a few years and do okay???

Yes, welcome to the club that we'd all rather not belong to. Sounds like there must be more to your situation than we know. Just remember you are the patient so you have the final say so. Some people only take rate control drugs and do fine. Usually when rhythm control is introduced they use something like rhythmol or flec. If you are able travel to a top notch EP and get a second opinion, do so.

I did the titration with the Amiodorone and ended with the 200MG daily. My internist told me his partner was on Amiodorone for years - never had a problem. I'm so glad you will be monitored while on this drug - I was not. Sounds like you have some good physicians in your corner. Don't worry yourself too much - it sounds like the bases are being covered. I wish you well. Are you doing ok right now?

Charlene in Tulsa, OK

Great forum here at DS. I hope things settle down for you. Welcome and all the best. - Tom

What a wonderful group you all are. Thank you!! I'm touched and already encouraged!~