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'm 41 with lone afib. I've had this crap since 2006 and in the past 8 years I can count the number of afib episodes I've had on one hand as each one has required a cardioversion (I've had 4 so far). I had an afib episode on Feb. 3, 2013 (but who's keeping track) and I was cardioverted. Prior to that, I had an episode on October 14, 2011 - which I was also carioverted. Before that it was the summer of 2006.
After the Feb. 3rd attack, I was hoping and praying I would make it at least one full year without an episode and wouldn't you know it, just 2 weeks shy of my one year, I had a damn episode that required another cardioversion. I went into afib on January 19th (last week on Sunday) that required a cardioversion. Lucky for me, it was the most pleasurable experience. I was in and out of the E.R. in 90 minutes!!
Now I'm super bummed and nervous that I *might* be in the stage where this crap starts spiraling out of control. I went 5 years between my first and second episodes and now my last two episodes have been within a year or so apart from each other. Is it possible I can continue to just have one a year or is it inevitable that I will get episodes more and more frequently now?
I guess I'm hoping someone can chime in and tell me they only get one once a year and have been doing that for "years." I'm just looking for any glimmer of hope here:) But I'm afraid most of you are going to tell me I'm screwed and it's just going to get worse.
Travis
After the Feb. 3rd attack, I was hoping and praying I would make it at least one full year without an episode and wouldn't you know it, just 2 weeks shy of my one year, I had a damn episode that required another cardioversion. I went into afib on January 19th (last week on Sunday) that required a cardioversion. Lucky for me, it was the most pleasurable experience. I was in and out of the E.R. in 90 minutes!!
Now I'm super bummed and nervous that I *might* be in the stage where this crap starts spiraling out of control. I went 5 years between my first and second episodes and now my last two episodes have been within a year or so apart from each other. Is it possible I can continue to just have one a year or is it inevitable that I will get episodes more and more frequently now?
I guess I'm hoping someone can chime in and tell me they only get one once a year and have been doing that for "years." I'm just looking for any glimmer of hope here:) But I'm afraid most of you are going to tell me I'm screwed and it's just going to get worse.
Travis
Well my episodes were only 2 months apart (the only 2 I had b4 ablation)..but I was AMAZED to read that many folks would go 10 years between episodes. I fear that once they start coming closer together, that will be the trend...but others here will be able to provide a more statistically based response. Good luck to you.
Bill
Of course, everyone's mileage may vary. And past performance is no guarantee that you'll make any money.
I think you should focus on writing down everything you were doing, eating,drinking and your state of mind when you experience an afib incident. Perhaps you can discover common triggers that you can avoid.
I think having an antiarrhythmic and perhaps one of the new noacs available as a pip might be worth exploring because you may not be able to get to an er within a timely manner.
You did not mention how long you are in afib when you have an episode. Has the length of time in your 4 afib incidents increased or do you automatically go to er for cardioversion. Is it possible for you to self convert? I would think these might be areas to explore with your doc to determine if afib is progressing.
I think everyone's afib is different so I am not sure that comparing your afib to another person's is that worthwhile and may give you false hope or greater anxiety.
Anyone who can describe their cardioversion as a pleasurable experience is doing well. Rather than focusing on the past and possible future episodes I would focus on living in the present. and getting the most out of your afib free days which is about 99.9 % of your life.
Best of luck and I really like your blog,
opsyn
I experienced a gradual increase in frequency of episodes. At first it was about a year apart and in a period of about 3 years went to 8 months, 6 months, etc til I was having episodes 2 to 3 times a week. At that point I started taking flecainide and it keeps me in NSR about 99% of the time. I guess what I want to say is that you have options, I never thought that I would take an antiarrythmic but it has been a godsend. Take care.
I don't know how long my episodes last because I don't give them time. I'm literally at the E.R. within an hour of having an episode. I only do that because that's all I know to do. Plus, I just don't want my heart pounding out of my chest! I want it stopped as quickly as possible so cardioversions have always been what I do.
Thanks for you compliments about my blog. I appreciate it.
@marikay234 - I've read a few of your comments on this board regarding your success with antiarrythmic drugs. I'm glad it's working so well for you. From everything I've read, you're fortunate because a lot of people don't tolerate them or they simply don't work. My doctor doesn't think I would do well on these drugs because my resting heart rate (50) and blood pressure are so low. He said if I took them I wouldn't be able to get out of bed...lol. He has mentioned (and recommended) the PIP approach but I've been reluctant to do it. I just hate drugs so to me a cardioversion is just "cleaner" and simpler. However, it's expensive and a pain in the butt so I might give the PIP approach a serious consideration moving forward.
Travis
Afib is so different across people. My afib episodes would be only resolved by electrical cardioversion, drugs would not work at all.
They were 3-4 weeks apart.
That's why I opted for an ablation after few months. Another reason is that I was worried about permanent heart remodeling, which is a controversial issue. Cardioversion is not a cure, although quick and painless. If afib recurs you should consider a different solution. PIP is an obvious thing to try.