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 am a 50 year old male who has been recently diagnosed with A-Fib. I am very active and am a social drinker. Nothing to extreme.
In May I had an infection in my throat that needed immediate attention. I was given 2 strong meds. One was a steroid for inflammation and the other was antibiotic for killing the bad bacteria (Clindamycin) . While taking these meds I had panic attacks and I have issues with my stomach. I was able to finish them but at a health cost, mostly with the antibiotic. I started having bloating issues with my stomach which triggered my A-Fib episodes . I saw a gastroenterologist. He said I had an inflamed stomach lining which caused a hiatal hernia. All the symptoms from the hiatal hernia , mainly the gas caused my A-Fib.
This whole incident has lasted about 5 months which is probably small amount of time to many people with an A-Fib problem. Since my diagnosis I have been eating healthier than ever and stopped drinking at the instruction of my doctors. I have also been trying natural meds to help get my stomach back to its normal self. I yoga and mediate 5 times a week. I rarely get A- Fib episodes. When I have them it will last for a couple of minutes or had a bad one when I eat late at night. (All symptoms seem to point to the stomach) The Rythmol medicine that I am take seems to have it under control. I know that once my stomach goes back to normal the A-Fib episodes will cease or stop.
I realize that these symptoms are minor compared to most but I still get some anxiety on when the next one will occur. What if occurs while I am alone or when I am doing exercise. This feeling puts me in a funk at times. I deal with it a day at a time. I am thinking of joining a group to talk about my issues. I was wondering if there were groups that I could seek out for advice on this feeling within New Jersey? Any help would be much appreciated.
In May I had an infection in my throat that needed immediate attention. I was given 2 strong meds. One was a steroid for inflammation and the other was antibiotic for killing the bad bacteria (Clindamycin) . While taking these meds I had panic attacks and I have issues with my stomach. I was able to finish them but at a health cost, mostly with the antibiotic. I started having bloating issues with my stomach which triggered my A-Fib episodes . I saw a gastroenterologist. He said I had an inflamed stomach lining which caused a hiatal hernia. All the symptoms from the hiatal hernia , mainly the gas caused my A-Fib.
This whole incident has lasted about 5 months which is probably small amount of time to many people with an A-Fib problem. Since my diagnosis I have been eating healthier than ever and stopped drinking at the instruction of my doctors. I have also been trying natural meds to help get my stomach back to its normal self. I yoga and mediate 5 times a week. I rarely get A- Fib episodes. When I have them it will last for a couple of minutes or had a bad one when I eat late at night. (All symptoms seem to point to the stomach) The Rythmol medicine that I am take seems to have it under control. I know that once my stomach goes back to normal the A-Fib episodes will cease or stop.
I realize that these symptoms are minor compared to most but I still get some anxiety on when the next one will occur. What if occurs while I am alone or when I am doing exercise. This feeling puts me in a funk at times. I deal with it a day at a time. I am thinking of joining a group to talk about my issues. I was wondering if there were groups that I could seek out for advice on this feeling within New Jersey? Any help would be much appreciated.
As for the anxiety, you just have to tell yourself that afib will not kill you. Try doing something that takes your mind off the afib and focuses your attention elsewhere.
Any other specific questions, ask em here. Lot of knowledgeable folks here.