Hi Shae...
I hope the docs get your meds worked out. I started having issues with my walking in December 2014 (I was only taking 81MG aspirin and 5MG Pindolol). I had my 3rd AFib event in March 2015. While in the hospital I met my current doctor an Electrophysiologist. He changed my meds and I am doing better. Less PVC's and PAC's. I am back to walking and feeling better.
AFib is all consuming and overwhelming. It can take the wind out of your sails - just worrying about your next event. I am trying every avenue to settle my nerves. The exercising helps a ton - so I pray you can get back to that. Keep us updated and I wish you the best.
Charlene

Hi Shae... I am very new to this - only 3 weeks since my first AFib event... had several days when I was out of the hospital that I felt nothing and thought I was going to be the lucky one. No luck... have been in AFib almost constantly for the past 3 days. It is tiring and irritating. I'm also on a 30 day event monitor to see how often I'm in AFib. It's only been a week and it is getting old already... ha ha.

Those who do not have AFib have no idea how draining it is sometimes. I am trying very hard not to let it worry me when it happens, but it is difficult to sleep with the constant heart thumping and skipping feeling.

I'm not on a blood thinner either. My Dr. said just one baby aspirin per day since I have no other risk factors... but I wonder also if this is enough since I feel like I'm in AFib almost constantly.

I have no increase in symptoms when I walk, so try to do that as much as possible. Try it and see if there is any difference... it might be just what you need.

Keep positive if you can... I am trying hard to do that, too.
Cheryl

Anyone who isn't on an anticoagulant should look up CHA2DS2Vasc on Wikipedia. If you are female, that gives you 1 point. That would be enough for me to get on one. Age matters too. So does any rise in BP, even a small one. If you are 64 (I have no idea), don't think you will be safer than someone 65 who gets an additional point for age. There is no magic on your birthday. petey

Try and walk some anyway and talk to your doc about the beta blocker, for some of us they can cause other issues and depression being a huge one of them, I could not tolerate a beta blocker, the depression and fatigue they caused for me were overwhelming and I felt like I was just waiting to pass on, it really sucked, After I was changed to a calcium channel blocker things got better mentally so I could focus on the physical piece. I would ask to switch as it seems like you are going thru many of the same things I did when on the beta blocker.
I take Eliquis and have no issues with it, I imagine I will be on for the rest of my life and I am okay with that as it does give me some piece of mind.

Shae, reading your posts it's obvious you need help with the mental side of things maybe even more than the physical - you've GOT to get your anxiety under control. Fear and anxiety only make afib worse, and I think deep down you know this. Talk to a psychologist / psychiatrist / therapist and take charge of your condition. You'll find a lot more peace that way.

Been through a lot in my life but afib knocked the wind out of me.

Yes we all die, but a stroke will really take your quality of your life down. Eliquis is what I take along with a calcium channel blocker.

Exercise was an issue at first just kept going slow and worked my self back in to it. Helps the heart and anxiety so please just keep trying.

Don't be afraid to get help from a therapist as duder said as fear can paralyze you. I hope it becomes easier for you soon.

laurab

laurab

Oh My My......yes we are all going to die, a flaw of the human condition but absolutely no reason to think your a fib is going to hasten that event. Seriously Shae you can have a perfectly normal and wonderful long life despite a fib be it paroxysmal or chronic. Confidence, knowledge , education and an attentive provider are the keys. You can walk , you can exercise there is almost nothing you cant do once you have your plan in process and are on the right medication for you . I was terribly symptomatic and anxious and pretty much a wreck when this all started for me several years ago but the right dr, the right medicine, the right changes in lifestyle and I dont even mention anymore how long I have been without incident for fear of jinxing it :) ok, so Im still a little superstitious. Marikay and I pretty much walk the same path of treatment and types of drs and meds and so many of us here have found the key to success and happiness but its never ever through fear or anxiety. Rely on the people here to support you but find a knowledgeable and smart EP guy who knows what you need and will find out quickly and once you gain your confidence in your conidition your quality of life will soar. WIshing you the best.....jan

Good evening Shae!

Sending out all my good wishes to you as you wrestle with our shared unwelcome companion, AFib. Perhaps it will help you to know that I've had episodes for 15 years and during that period have traveled, exercised, fallen out of a canoe, gone dancing, had a cardioversion in the hospital for one episode that would not revert, and now I can sleep through an episode because, as I said, AFib and I are good pals!

Of course, I'm being a little facetious on this.

Like you, AFib has changed my life simply because I have no control over when it may arise. But take hold of it, send good messages to your strong heart which is doing such good work for you, and know you have plenty of company out here, going though the same thing.

I'm far more concerned about dying due to crazy drivers texting on the highway than I ever am with AFib, which is a fairly benign affliction.

A compassionate counselor could be a great help is providing a place to let off steam. Also, if you can swing it, a gentle massage whenever you can. Anything to make you feel comforted and supported.

You say you might have prevented AFib; please try not blaming yourself for a situation that arises despite all we may do in our lives.

Be kinder to yourself on this issue -- see what your doc says about exercise. In my case, I'm able to proceed with anything and I'm 71.

I also gave up all caffeine, never drink alcohol, avoid salty foods, try to laugh as much as possible and stick around kind, loving people. Highly recommended: The funniest films you can find on Netflix. Good luck!

Hi Shae,

I agree with duder. The mental and emotional distress was a bigger enemy for me than the afib could ever be. Try to focus on addressing that first and you'll feel so much better about the whole thing. I understand it's easier said than done. For me, the anxiety was pretty much my one and only trigger. Don't be afraid to try to lead a normal healthy life. Don't let the afib keep you from doing things you would normally do. If you do, it wins. I used to be so scared to do anything that would trigger an episode. But then I realized that I was having episodes just sitting calmly on my couch...no exertion, no drinking, no eating this or that. I was having episodes every time I was afraid and anxious I might have one. Hope you can find some solace reading this. Hang in there.

Hi, Shae- know what you mean about the walking. I can hardly make it around the large grocery stores, etc. holding on to the cart to lessen the strain. I do have terrible arthritis and COPD in addition to the Afib, so those contribute to my breathlessness and pain. My fear at first was terrible too. I still despise awaking in the night with the feeling of frogs loose in my chest. However, I have just lately been able to come somewhat to terms with my fear (with the help of lorazepam when I feel an episode coming on). I even managed to drive 16 hours to see my sick brother in another state.
I hope you feel better soon, and the EP will give you some info regarding your recording device. It always helps to know what's going on. Hang in there, it will get better, you just have to keep willing it to be so.

Shae1961

If your EP isn't getting back to you on results, that is totally unacceptable. Your EP works for you and is supposed to get back to you on anything you want to know about your health situation.

You may want to think about switching to a new EP (or cardiovascular specialist/cardiologist). You deserve better.

I'm on an aspirin a day. Lots of serious side effects with blood thinners as well.. Like brain bleeds. So, pick your poison. I'm female (gives me a point) but two EPs and a cardiologist all said I don't need to be on blood thinners.