Jill: let me revise my last post If you don't have insurance, you are going to have to be prudent and not go down blind alleys. If you have a primary care physician (PCP), he should refer you to a cardiologist. Personally, I went to a cardiology group as they always have at least one electrophysiologist (EP) and cardiologists and EPs work together. There are various ways of treating afib, based on many factors (age, other heart conditions, sleep apnea, type of afib, thyroid problems, high blood pressure, and on and on). I didn't see what you meant by your "doctor"... (PCP, Cardiologist or EP?) My reason for cut and paste was that I go to various websites and find what I think is relevant.. in this case, it sounded like you were have alot of anxiety, so I had a collection of comforting quotes from websites including Mellanie True Hills' website. Right now, I think her website is a little too complicated and varied for what you need now, which is to relax. Also.. ask your doctor what your treatment plan is as tests are done. Being informed helps. Usually baby aspirin is prescribed for young people with what they call lone atrial fib, where there is no history of certain health conditions that increase stroke risk.

Most importantly.. afib can be managed and you can live a normal lifespan IF you get it treated as early as possible. Anticoagulants (blood thinners) are an important part of that treatment. Ask your doctor why only baby aspirin and not 325 aspirin or blood thinners.

You all are so so nice to respond to me. I know I sound dense, and I hope I'm not sounding rude.
My "doctor" did not allow me to ask questions. I don't think I'll be referred to any specialty. He is a GP, and so I kind of feel at a loss regarding this. Even in the hospital they never did call a cardio doc. Only saw the ER doc and the internal doctor. We asked for a social worker many times, even called and never heard back. Which is probably part of my panic.
Will see what this blood test I got this a.m. will show. I was told it was a blood panel, but the girl didn't seem sure, she couldn't even find the vein properly which is not usually a problem with me.
I do see there are specialists in the area, scripps, la jolla, san diego etc. but I only was in my local hospital.
I saw that on the specialist locator.
I don't really know how high my heartrate was, it was bad. There was one nurse in the ER who spent some time working with me, calming me, telling me that he lived with it. Wish I'd been a bit more aware to talk with him.
I do work at relaxing. Like, watching netflix. I don't think I've sat down and watched tv in over ten years or more. Not usually a sitdown kind of person, so this relaxing thing is a bit foreign. Plus, just in case they find my blood sugar out of whack I've already worked at converting my foods. I already only use whole grain foods and have no packaged foods in my home, except maybe an annies mac & cheese once every third month. My main concern was just trying to eat on a more regular schedule. Not eating too late since I think that may be one of the triggers.
You all are offering great help for me, even if I can't use it this day, I will the next. One day at a time. Just wish those around me could understand, I don't think they are quite getting it yet. Usually a cold every six to eight years. So, they aren't used to me not holding my own so to speak. Guess they'll have to.
thank you all, you are all making me feel that this is something I can work hard to overcome.
jill

Jill: I think you will find some friends here. You CAN live with AFIB.

Hi Jill,
This is a great place for info and support. You've already been given some great information. I want to caution you that the advice you receive here is based on that person's experiences. Not everyone with a fib needs to be on coumadin. Aspirin may be fine. It is dependent on several factors such as age, gender, other disease such as high blood pressure or other heart disease. I take 325mg of aspirin daily on the advice of both my cardiologist and my EP. Every case is individual. A fib also varies alot from person to person. What is a trigger for me may not be for you. Some of us are in a fib all the time and some only have occasional episodes. I think someone mentioned cardioversion, but you said that you are in NSR now. You don't need to worry about cardioversion since you converted without it.
I work in a community health center and I am very proud of the care that we provide. Our Drs are excellent, we refer to specialists and many of the local specialists are willing to work with our uninsured patients and provide care on a reduced fee based on income. We also help our patients obtain needed medications. For anyone who is uninsured....look for a federally qualified health center. They provide many services.
The best things you can do for yourself right now are to avoid the things that are common triggers like caffeine, any stimulant type meds (OTC cold meds, diet pills, etc) chocolate, alcohol, sugar, cut back on salt. Avoid large meals and get plenty of sleep. Do something to help reduce stress....take a walk, deep breathing, meditation, laugh at a funny TV show, etc.
Having a problem with your heart is very scary, but the good news is that a fib is something that can be controlled and you can live a normal lifespan with. Take care

Hi Jill: I know what you mean about people not understanding this condition. My brother is still convinced that it's simply tachycardia.

I hope things improve for you.

Jill:

Marikay's last post is really worth re-reading. Her major points were:

1) No 2 patients are exactly alike and your doctor assesses stroke risk based on alot of factors... no aspirin, baby aspirin, full strength aspirin, coumadin (warfarin), Pradaxa, or whatever.
2) Apparently, financial and Government help is available. I know nothing about this, but it almost seems like we should start a new topic just on that since there have been a flurry of new posts of uninsured afibbers. The only thing I know is that all the bllod thinners above (except Pradaxa) cost almost nothing and Pradaxa has a saver card that you can get to reduce the cost for 12 months to $30 per month.
3) Do whatever it takes to treat yourself well and identify what triggers you have.

Good luck.

my hubby thinks i'm nuts when I describ how I feel in afib. He says just calm down. yeah right!

R2D2

I get those looks from my husband (MD). Just Once I'd like to hear that what I feel is common to those with a fib and prolapsed mitral valve! I see here my symptoms are common.

I feel for you. I have had A fib since age 17, am 40 now. As i am writing this I am having my first episode in 6 years. before that was about 4 years, before that every few weeks. All the fear came back quite quickly and almost slipped into a panic attack. But as I sat alone, I heard my cardiologist telling me "Its not the end of the world. Take long deep breaths, and on each exhale, repeat the word "relax, relax, relax." which I did and calmed myself. The episode has now been going for around 10 hours and im hoping that sleep will help settle things down. I wont head off to the ER till morning if needed but fingers crossed. Hope everyone else remains strong...

Hi all,
again thank you for your replies. One part of me doesn't want to hear a thing, I just want this to go away. I had a horrible day yesterday so I didn't reply. I did read all your replies coming in.
Listening to my family arguing made it bad. Then my husband started thinking he was having afib, think it was more like panic and he shut down. Thank god since he just wouldn't shut up. When I told him I was feeling bad he said fine, do whatever you want let me know how it turns out. He emptied out the bedroom to fix the carpet and then bailed out. Hopefully he'll be able to finish that today.
One hard thing is while I ate oatmeal, they ate fancy peppered bacon, my daughter went out and bought disgusting cookies and crackers etc. I'm still working on a diet plan for myself. Basically what I was already doing, minus the coffee and any sugar, and more veggies.
I tried to find childcare for the little guy.
No word yet from Kaiser.
I will hope everyone will be calmer today.
jill

Mine was under control until I lost my husband 4 yrs. ago. The stress I went through with him dying and having to pack up a home and move was too much for me. So now even the smallest of stress sets my afib off. i find I cant sleep more than 5-6 Hrs. Stress is a terrible thing.

Dont worry bout forceful heartbeat. I had it for years cause of poor diet. May be diet, meds and many other things

I will tell you what it strange to how mine happened I was out mowing lawn and felt faint, came inside took a shower and bam I was in Afib, I went to hospital and they admitted me, Got me back into NSR but had to go on, Deltizem( sp?) 140mg and Eliquis 5 mg, One week later I took a hot shower and bam again.... back to the Emergency room and my Deltizem was increased to 240. I have been better, but every once in awhile i feel a flutter and then it is back in NSR. It is frustrating, no heart disease in my family,. Ugh. I have Asthma and take a rescue inhaler sometimes, and feel a chest cold coming on, I was told I could take Coricidin HBP , but worried it might get me out of wack, and I have a nebulizer as well, will that make my heart go pitter pat?