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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shantima 01/09/2013

I'm out of NSR and back in AF. Not feeling too discouraged though. Just taking one day at a time. I gave it a good try and some day I may have the third ablation but it's been a rough year and I'm going to take a break. I've decided though to try an alternative to the coumadin. I really miss my greens and salads and fruits. I've been a vegetarian for twenty years and cutting out so many things was adding to my discouragement. I stayed on the coumadin because I always said it's good to know your enemy. The alternative drugs were new and I was leery. So I'm wondering which drug most people are using and why. I can't wait to go back to salads. In the meantime I may have to have cervical surgery on 3 herniated discs. No one seems to know where that happened. My lung incident appears to be permanent but not severe.

deleted_user 01/09/2013

I was on Coumadin at one time. My AF stopped. I had a possible TIA. The EP put me on Pradaxa. Other than a little upset stomach at the beginning, I've been very happy with it. I don't miss the blood tests one bit and I too love green veggies.

pacyetep 01/10/2013

Pradaxa for 2 years. No problems. petey

deleted_user 01/10/2013

On Pradaxa for several months with no problem. I also love salads and greens.

If I were going onto an anticoagulant now I also would seriously consider apixaban as the FDA approved it in December 2012 for people with afib that is not caused by a heart valve problem. It's suppose to have advantages over Pradaxa though I can't remember exactly what those are right now.

bergeram 01/10/2013

I've been on Warfarin since diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago.
No problem.. I love salads, greens and fruit which I continue to enjoy.
My dosage was based on my regular eating habits.
I don't mind the blood tests. I would switch to one of the newer drugs if my doctor recommended it.

deleted_user 01/10/2013

On Pradaxa now with no problems. I was a stanch Coumadin user prior to this and very leary of the newer drugs. I too am a vegetarian and I had problems keeping my INR in range while on Coumadin. Pradaxa is much easier. No blood tests and none of the side effects I had from Coumadin (bruising, hair falling out, dry skin, brittle nails).

Steveinnsr 01/10/2013

I'm on Pradaxa, 1 1/2 years now. So far no side effects. It does require dosage on a 12 hour schedule for most but in time that becomes routine.

sautee 01/10/2013

I was on Pradaxa for about 5 weeks after my afib diagnosis in July, 2012. I couldn't tolerate the side efffects. (However, I did lose 10 pounds which I've managed to keep off.) I switched to Xarelto about mid-September, and have no side effects so far. Also, it's once a day, while Pradaxa is 2x/day. Good luck with your decision on an anticoagulant.

shantima 01/10/2013

Thanks everyone for your speedy replies. I'm going to check out Pradaxa and speak to my EP about it.

McHale 01/10/2013

Xarelto since Sept 5 after a TIA....no problems at all

MoonDancingNana 01/12/2013

All things being equal and the only thing wrong with me is A-fib the cardiologist put me on 1 whole aspirin. I am happy with his decision and based on research it is ok with me.

NYNM 01/12/2013

I keep worrying about the possibility of bleeding and that there's no antidote with Xarelto or Pradaxa. I am even thinking of going back to Coumadin!
Has there been any progress in reversal for bleeding?

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