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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Heart, Blood & Circulation
/ Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

It's Back...so sad and scared

Shae1961
Shae1961
Been pretty good, turned 50 in July, a couple blips and flips here and there, but nothing to write home about. Then today, waiting to get lab work done...I felt that tell tale flutter and my hr quickened for about 10 seconds. I hate it, hate it, hate it! Still taking Atenolol, Avapro and regular aspirin. Little different from last time, I usually describe it more like a 'dead fish flopping in my chest feeling', but today it just kinda quickened for a minute. I thought maybe it was something different and now it's going to effect my ventricles...so scary. Exhausting, totally, exhausting! Thinking about trying some meds, but the side effects scare me to death. Anybody on anything that doesn't give you more problems? Any help, advice or thoughts would be appreciated. Know I won't sleep tonight for sure, so stressed, any I know that probably doesn't help at all. Feel like just walking off a cliff sometimes! Anybody else feel that way? Awaiting your replies and thanks in advance.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Really feel for you because when that 'flip flop' starts all the other 'free' days pale into insignificance. How I wish afib could be as high profile as some other conditions then perhaps a cure would be forthcoming. Hang on in there it will pass xx
deleted_user
deleted_user
Try not to be stressed (easier said than done), but stress does seem to bring about more episodes. There is about as many combinations of meds as there are members of this blog and there is no doubt that they are all with their side effects. We all have to decide (with the drs help) what we can live with and how best to be treated. The wonderful thing about DS is all the information we gather from this community.

Take care and try to relax.
Moysra
Moysra
Wishing you courage and hope through these difficult times.......
Moysra.
deleted_user
deleted_user
We all can relate to how you are feeling just try to get a grip on your self or try taking an anxiety pill they work wonders when you are upset frightened and your mind is working overtime you want to try and keep your adenalin down as that makes afib worse
pacyetep
pacyetep
Bystolic and Pradaxa do not bother me.
BillBass
BillBass
Multaq, Pradaxa, Magnesium Oxide, Potassium Chloride, Diovan/HCT work well for me without any side effects. I have had paroxsymal afib for 2 years now. I stopped multaq and it got much worse and when I restarted it got much better. It occurs once in say 3 weeks and lasts for 2-3 hrs only. When it does occur I have no quality of life.
svenska
svenska
Bystolic and Flecainide worked for me....am off Flecainide now, but had absolutely no problems with it....hang in there......
marikay234
marikay234
It is scary and the anxiety only makes it worse. On the plus side an episode of 10 seconds is good. The damage happens from uncontrolled heart rates over long periods of time. If you don't have other heart problems your heart can handle a few seconds of fib here and there. It will also take longer for a clot to form so you aren't at risk for a stroke that quickly.
But....it also is a reminder that you do have this problem and that is a downer.
As far as meds, I have been taking flecainide for about 5 months and it has given me my life back! I haven't had any side effects so far and I believe with close medical supervision (like periodic EKGs) the risks are low.
tomorrowsdream
tomorrowsdream
Bill, if you were diagnosed over a year ago, you have permanent A-Fib, not proxymal. That much I do know. Proxymal when caught quickly can be cured....I wish you the best.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Shae1961 - I hope you are feeling better and not sad and scared as you were when you posted. Have you had a doctors appointment lately to find out if there are any changes with you or your medicines. Please take care of yourself.
tomorrowsdream
tomorrowsdream
Lopressor/metroprolol has completely diminished the side-effects of feeling any flutter or a-fib for me, but it's certainly not for everyone. I've failed a lot of the heart drugs. I'm not a candidate for flecanide, because I've had previous heart surgery, but I think trial and error are the only way you will find to control your rate and rhythm. I hope you feel better after going to the Dr. Please let us know what your plans are.