Kcarr, sorry to hear about your afib. My husband was diagnosed over 2 years ago and since has had an ablation. We went through that same stress, and thanks to all the great advice and loving people on this site our fears were lessened. I'm sure you have a million questions, so look through the threads on this site and many will be answered. One thing that helped was that our EP reassured us that Afib won't kill you, it just disrupts the quality of life. If you don't have a cardiologist or an EP you may want to get one as they can make sure you are being treated for stroke prevention. You will be fine. It's amazing how many people have this condition and live long happy healthy lives. Hang in there! Lisa

Hi kcarr1313
Welcome and sorry to hear that you are having a rough time. I think most everyone on this site had it rough the first time a-fib showed up. When you have no idea what is happening to you that is a huge cause for panic. What helped me was to find out what was happening and get as much information as possible.

Firstly know that a-fib will not kill you and from what you wrote it seems that you have a strong heart with no other problems (which is very good)! It seems that a-fib effects everyone in a different way: some can live with their heart in an irregular rhythm constantly and barely notice it, others are extremely sensitive and notice and feel each and every irregular beat. Because of that, therapies differ, too.

If your a-fib was not caused by a thyroid problem (too much or too little) or alcohol then it will probably continue to show up (but not necessarily only in the morning when you wake up so no reason to worry when you wake!). Some people only experience a-fib once or twice a year while others once or more times a week.

Also be aware that once you have a-fib you are at a greater risk for stroke (which could be debilitating and is definitely something you would want to avoid!!) if you are not on a blood thinner you probably should be. Aspirin may not be enough. Talk to your doctor, cardiologist or EP about that. (Check your CHA2DS2-VASc score).

If you have any questions ask away, there are lots of knowledgeable and loving people on this site who can help.

Take care,
across the pond

kcarr, if you are 72 and have avoided the hospital/ER until now, that is fantastic! Also many of us have had AFIB for years and it is interesting that you are just feeling it although some people can have AFIB for years and not know it.

I am SURE my first bout in the late 1980s was triggered by MSG in mexican food I ate. I was scared out of my wits. But it went away as quickly as it came. When I went into AFIB and was able to get to my doctor the first time, I asked him if I was having a heart attack and he laughed and said "no you are in AFIB and it will probably go back to normal on its own - the anxiety about it will kill you first." He's right. Living with AFIB means becoming social with, understanding it, combating it when needed, and knowing when to kick it out the door. I was scared to do anything when I went into AFIB but as the years went by, I ended up running and hiking with it and traveling with it.

It's a good idea to find the right kind of help: a highly qualified electrophysiologist who can monitor what is going on and suggest what actions you want to take. After I learned to live with AFIB, it ended up becoming such a frequent occurrence that I chose to have an ablation procedure. Before ablation, I always converted back to normal rhythm anywhere from a day to 2 weeks after it started. A good EP can tell you when you should go to the hospital (since you probably hate hospitals like I do - my doc didn't require me to go to the hospital unless I was extremely uncomfortable).

Having knowledge and strategy for dealing with AFIB can help control the anxiety because you feel like you can try to impact your outcome. I took magnesium, potassium and sodium supplements for years (they worked for me for awhile) and I found I could convert myself by going for brisk hikes or running - my heart health and doctor allowed me to do that.

Finally, I think it is common for us to "worry" about the next episode. I would go to bed at night wondering if I was going to wake with AFIB. That does not help one go the sleep. But understanding AFIB and having methods to deal with it perhaps bring the anxiety down. And sharing with others here is extremely helpful since there is no much experience and knowledge on this board. Best Wishes to you as you deal with AFIB.

Hi kcarr1313, Right now I am in NSR ( normal sinus rhythm) so it is easy for me to say , Relax, everything will be OK. For that is the truth, one day at a time, learn relaxation techniques that work for you,, have a plan for if or when you have another episode, and Enjoy your Day, regardless of your afib diagnosis.

Afib is the most common arrhythmia, and a large percent of population has it. We are not that unique any more,
But, when It happens to You, it is Shocking! Alot of us never heard of it, that is before all the Pradaxa ads. It seems like the first time, we realized we are really mortal. Most of us were in good health before the heart started misfiring. It is alot to absorb when newly diagnosed.

The worst thing about having afib is stroke risk. You have that covered.
The next worst, IMO is the unpredictability. Then the symptoms. Each of us is unique with those.
Only time will tell for you. Some folks go a long time between episodes and others, like me, start a once a month pattern that lasts for, for me, a couple of years.

You are Not Alone!!!!!!!!

PS.....I was thinking Pradaxa when you said Xanax. I am wrong, you do not have the Stroke prevention covered....unless you Are taking an Anticoagulant.

Have you seen a Cardiologist or EP???????

Yes, the whole thing can be very scary at first, and especially the hospital admission. Since they weren't sure what was wrong, it looks like it took a while to diagnose and treat. Hopefully you feel better now.

I felt the same way when I was diagnosed: my primary care doctor was quite alarmed when he took my pulse (I just went for a regular check up) but the cardiologist was not very concerned. I asked for a referral to an EP, tho, and I strongly recommend that you do this. You will feel more relaxed with an expert.

Other than taking an anticoagulant and meds for hypertension, I just live with a-fib, and it's not too bad at all. Read what you can, ask us questions, get good doctors!

Welcome to the club,

We all feel the very same way.
I agree with others who have said you have arrived at 72 with
no health problems ... this will be a walk in the park for you.
A very common problem and a blood thinner is in order .. for sure.
Keep tuning in ... there are so many kind lovely people who want
to help and reassure you.
God Bless!

Kcarr: he Xanax will take the edge off, but in the long run, you need to believe you will be ok and come to terms, as many of had to, that our clean health record has now been compromised. Many try to figure out "why" and endlessly search for some meaning or "blame" for what has happened. In most cases that effort is fruitless. The bottom line is: You got it, it won't kill you, you just need to manage it and that is dependent on your knowledge of afib and how aggressively you want to treat it based on your type of afib, your age, and degree of symptoms. Dr John Mandrola said it best:

13 things to know about Atrial Fibrillation

Here are 13 things I tell AF patients.
1.I am sorry that you have AF. Welcome to the club, there are many members. (Three million Americans and counting.)
2.I know how it feels.
3.Your fatigue, shortness of breath and uneasiness in the chest are most likely related to your AF.
4.AF may pass without treatment. Really.
5.Important new work suggests AF is modifiable with lifestyle measures. As in, you can help yourself.
6.AF isnt immediately life-threatening, though it feels so.
7.Worrying about AF is like worrying about getting gray hair and wrinkles. Plus, excessive worry makes AF more likely to occur.
8.Emergency rooms treat all AF in the same way. One hammer often a big one.
9.There is no cure for AF. (See #5)
10.The treatment of AF can be worse than the disease.
11.The worst (and most non-reversible) thing that can happen with AF is a stroke. For AF patients with more than one of these conditions: Age> 75, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, or previous stroke, the only means of lowering stroke risk is to take an anticoagulant drug. Sorry about the skin bruises; a stroke is worse. Know your CHADS-VASc score.
12.The treasure of AF ablation includes eliminating AF episodes without taking medicines. But AF ablation is not like squishing a blockage or doing a stress test. It will be hard on you. It works 60-80% of the time, has to be repeated one-third of the time and has a list of very serious complications.
13.If your AF heart rate is not excessive, its unlikely that you will develop heart failure. Likewise, if you have none of the five risks for stroke, or you take anti-coagulant drugs, AF is unlikely to cause a stroke. In these cases, you dont have to take an AF-rhythm drug(s) or have an ablation. You can live with AF. You might not be as good as you were, but you will continue to be.


petey

Hello Kcarr,

Sorry to hear about the a-fib, but welcome to the club. One additional word of advice which never gets enough serious medical attention: counseling. Although Klonopin got me through the anxiety during first 6 months with a-fib, it is the counseling and re-engineered 'self-talk' that has sustained by ability to 'dance with a-fib.' My counselor used a technique called EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) to help me accept that my a-fib wasn't going to kill me, and especially that the anxiety, fear, and panic about a-fib wasn't going to kill me. I also had a great chat with my EP who attempted the first procedure. I placed these quotes on my door so I had to read them every day: "A-fib is not dangerous; it's just uncomfortable." "I am not experiencing complications from the procedure." While a-fib just sorta happens much of the time, it can also be aggravated by anxiety and panic. So best wishes on finding a peaceful mind about it all. At first, indeed, there's nothing quite peaceful about it.

-Sean

Kcarr,
First of all I want to reassure you, as many others on this site have, thaat you are certainly NOT alone in your fear. Your incidence sounds a lot like mine when it started in March 2013. I had always been in great health, taught Kindergarten, had loads of energy and then one day when I was very stressed and depressed, !t hit me.! My heart rate was 150 and my B.P off the charts. I thought I was just nervous, but it continued, so I called my PCP and they freaked and told me to go straight to the E.R. They tried to get my h.r. down and get me back into NSR with diltiazem drip and other meds. Didn't work, so I ended up in hospital for 3 days with all kinds of medicines and finally got to go home with amiodarone for a month (insidious), Dr. wanted me off it fast, so ended up with Diltiazem and Warfarin. I did fairly well for 6 months but was TERRIFIED - wouldn't even go out, constantly checking my pulse and b.p. I finally, with the encouragement of people from this site, started going out - to eat and get my nails done, but still was apprehensive. This is a wonderful site and I have learned a lot and researched on my own, too. Then in Sept. I had a really bad attack and ended up in the hospital again for 3 days. Oh, by the way I had every test imaginable and everything was normal and blood work. Second time in hospital, they repeated several and gave me a Lexiscan stress test. Finally one of the top Cardiologists in Denver came in to see me. He was very cheerful and an older man, written articles on A-Fib and seminars. He reviewed tests and checked me and put me on sotalol twice daily. The first pill put me back in NSR overnight, so got to go home the next day. He said, "get out of here you are two healthy to be here," I have flown twice after being diagnosed and did o.k. We are moving from Denver area to Florida, near out oldest daughter and family on the 21st of this month. So, had to arrange for a different ins. plan as my plan Kaiser Permanente isn't in Fl. so chose another HMO plan which starts June 1st, so am trying not to get anxious over this. But, please stay with us on this site, you have a lot of support and love. Please stay in touch.
God bless you,
Hugs,
Christine

Hello Kcarr...You have come to a good place with your questions. Everyone here is in the same "boat" and will give you good advice on how to deal with your PAF. I have found much more information here than I received from my EP, even though I greatly trust him. There is nothing like shared experience, which may help take that edge off your anxiety. The anxiety seems the absolute worst part of this whole deal because, unlike the PAF, becomes continuous, if we allow it. I have recently sought counseling, as you will see advised by Sean here. Sorry to hear you have developed this! The first time is the worst, I believe, because you don't know what the heck is happening. Find a good EP, seek counseling, and try to learn relaxation. You can do it! Cindy

Scary stuff, no if's and or buts! This site was what kept me sane, the support, comfort and knowledge here is unsurpassable!
Hang in there!

I want to thank everyone that responded to my plea for help. You are all very kind and caring and helped me a lot in understanding what I will be dealing with. It doesn't sound like an easy thing to deal with and you all sound so brave. To answer some of your questions I am on Xeralto, Diltiazem ER, Zoloft and Xanax. The really surprising thing is that until I found this group I had no idea this is an ongoing problem. The doctors in the hospital and the cardiologist never said a word about the fact that this isn't a one episode thing. They made it seem like we fixed your problem and now you just take a heart pill and blood thinner and you'll be fine. I see that many of you say to see an EP doctor. I don't know what that that stands for and should I be seeing that kind of doctor rather than a cardiologist? I went online and read as much as I could about Afib and found that many people with Afib also are diabetics. I found that interesting since I am a diabetic. I don't wake up with the anxiety I was having when I first wrote on here and I think that is because you all made me feel less anxious about everything. Thanks so much for your help.

Kcarr,
I am also new to this afib stuff and have had a lot of anxiety. I am on this site almost every day because it is helping me cope. I also take 1/2 mg. of xanax when i feel an episode starting because I have started having panic attacks. Also, it just helps with the uncomfortableness of the symptoms. You have done great not having health probs till now! I have had health probs most of my life, so feel blessed.
I had an experienced cardiac nurse tell me that afib crosses all races, income brackets, ages, etc. Basically, if you're going to get it, you'll get it. There is no prevention.
An EP is a dr. who specializes in the electrical system of the heart. That is why we have afib.....our electrical system is messed up, so in the end, that is the kind of dr. you want to see. You may have to work up to it. First primary dr., then cardiologist, then EP.
Take care. Prayers go out to all who are not on a blood thinner yet, like me, that we are protected from strokes.

GG

Hi Kcarr,

Welcome to the club. I agree the episode sounds frightening, I would like to be able to allay all your fears and questions with a simple answer, alas I don't have one. What I can tell you is that I have had a form of A-fib for the last nearly fifty years. If you take control of it, instead of letting it take control of you things will get better. Follow your doctors advice, sometimes the conservative treatment is the right one, sometimes the aggressive treatment is right. It is all in how you want to look at it. The Xanax is something I am not well versed in, I have avoided those because of thyroid trouble to go along with the A-fib. Do what you can to alleviate the anxiety, time will help, but maybe you can find something to help keep your mind off of it, maybe Tai-Chi or something. Keep us posted.