Sorry to hear of your fears, afib is a contrary companion. we all seem to suffer the same symptoms but have varying triggers and different medications. I still tend to go in panic mode when a bad long term episode occurs but feel better since I have been taking an anti -coagulant. You say you have been given aspirin, I thought I'd let you know that aspirin is no longer regarded as suitable for afib as clots formed by afib are different in consistency and occur in a different way from other heart related blood clots. they need warfarin or dagibatrin or one of the other new anti-coagulants. I recently joined the atrialfibrillation association www.afa.org.uk and they have some excellent information which may be of help to you. they also have a 24/7 helpline +44(0)1789451837. I hope that you feel more relaxed and confident soon and are able to enjoy life once more.

Suzie

At age 65 and female, you get at least 2 points using the CHA2DS2Vasc score. Check out this website:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHADS2_score

Don't panic about the score or stroke, you are not automatically have a stroke. Most people with afib don't have a stroke with afib when not anticoagulated anyway if you look at the annual risk. But I would confront your cardiologist with your CHA2DS2Vasc score (you can call it CHADS score) and the fact that the consensus statement, written by afib experts, at http://www.agingresearch.org/section/topic/atrialfibrillation/consensus statement ,no longer recommends aspirin for stroke prevention. Your doctor may have some reason, but my guess is he/she never read the consensus statement. Read the 2 websites thoroughly so you know what you are talking about. Bleed risk is the same for aspirin as with the anticoagulants, so that should not be an issue.

Stroke prevention of stroke is the number one concern with atrial fibrillation, followed by rate control to prevent fast heart rates that could lead to heart failure (the reversible type).

Symptoms don't kill you, they just feel like it. Afib itself doesn't kill you either. Stroke does.

petey

Forgot to mention, CHADS score determines stroke risk.

So many new people joining us lately......is the a fib in the water ????? Welcome.....and please dont go planning your funeral cause you will likely live a normal healthy life and you will learn to handle this annoying problem , in time you will become educated and confident and able to make decisions about all the different treatments that are available to you . I had episodes for awhile without any treatment or medication and when they came closer together my dr. said its time for you to do medication, and I fought it tooth and nail, the first time I took a Flecainide I stared at it for at least an hour before I took it as if doing that would change the outcome.....I am now on Flecainide for about 5 years and I have very very good health with it, no side effects and very good control....not everyone can say that for Flecainide BUT they can say it for something else or for a different treatment type you and your drs. just have to find the formula for what works for you . Wonderful wonderful people here will respond to you with thoughts and ideas.......
Now......to my friend petey.....I am very very proud of my CHAD score of zero and I am not happy that in a measurable period of time I am going to go from zero to 2 just based on reality....definitely female....and not far from 65 anymore :)
jan

Hi Shanny, It is such a Cunning and baffeling condition we have...our electrical system gone arye. But, although our stories vary as does our paths...we are all living our lives....as will you!

For me, it was trial and error with the meds, changing Dr.s,researching a lot, changing some habits...giving up some and adding others, heart felt decision to enjoy my life as it is, and hanging out with this group of very interesting characters, asking questions and sharing.

I hope today is Better for you!!!!!!! Namaste, Carol

.

Carole: Awry?

Jan: It's funny, by adding 3 more risk factors and points to the CHADS system, it has kicked in the use of anticoagulants for people that wouldn't have been considered. What was added:


V Vascular disease (e.g. peripheral artery disease, myocardial infarction, aortic plaque) 1

A Age 6574 years 1

Sc Sex category (i.e. female gender) 1

petey

Hi Shanny.

Indeed a very terrifying experience when you have a full blown "symptomatic" AF episode. Sadly, there's no magic elixir for thwarting the inevitable emotional discourse that goes along with the early stages of AF.

Ask alot of questions with your cardio and seek the advise of a good EP and a possible second opinion of another cardio as well.

You may find (in the future) that another medication could be better suited for your condition, but see how this one works for the time being, follow your Dr.'s instructions and also try to determine what may have set you off on this attack this time around.

Great group here and eventually you "will" find that things will get better. When I first got involved in this train-wreck mess, back in May of 2010, I was an emotional wreck and thought my life had ended. As time went on I realized it had not.

Best of luck and hang in there. ;) - Thomas

Hello Shanny and welcome to our group. You have come to a good place. We all care, and want to help you gain more knowledge and peace of mind concerning afib.

I was diagnosed about 6 months ago, and like you have had very anxious and fearful moments. One thing that has helped me is remembering that my cardiologist told me no-one has ever died from afib even though we feel like we might when we have an episode. The other thing that has helped me so much are the wonderful people in this group who have calmed my fears which has helped me to sleep better at night.

I take two medication. Metoprolol a beta blocker, and warfarin an anticoagulant. So far they have been doing the trick. I had one episode about 3 months ago, and took an extra dose like my cardio told me too, and converted in about 45 minutes. I, like you, didn't take any medications before afib, but am thankful that I have them now.

Hang in there Shanny, and all will be fine.

Mary Ann

I've had AFIB for ten years and am still kickin'. One thing that has always helped me is knowing I'm not alone and there are so many out there fighting this, waking up every day living their lives the best they can while they try and find relief. Stay strong and one day you will find yours.

Sorry that you had to go to the hospital with your last episode. Many of us know how miserable that can be!!
Have you consulted with an EP cardiologist?
Since we live in a rural area, I have to travel 5 hours to see an EP.
It helped me to find a Dr. who took the time to explain all my treatment options. This helped with the fear factor.
D.

I shanny!

Same day is right. for some reason we are having a lot of new members lately.

Sorry to hear about your a fib acting up. You have a lot of company on this site and many who are willing to share their experiences with you and give advice.

I agree with getting a good EP on board. I wasn't sure when you said cardiologist whether you meant a general cardio or EP. They really are a different breed.

When you described your heart, it seems you are someone who might have a good outcome from an ablation. I, myself, tried to avoid that like the plague. It's a very personal decision. I finally had one last March.

Get connected with an EP and maybe even a second one for another opinion to help you down this jagged road. One thing for sure, a fib is VERY unpredictable.

once you get on an anticoagulant, if your doc thinks that is appropriate, your risk of stroke decreases. Just take it one step at a time!!

thank u so much everyone for your replies..i live in australia so some thing might be different here...and not always for the best sometimes...i am going to see my GP today and ask for a referral to see another cardiologist and then a EP..im a bit worried now about my anticoagulation issue because the cardiologist here, who is about 70 and the only one in my town thinks that aspirin is enough..
had another bad night last night...woke up at midnight with my heart rate at about 99..just tried to relax and it dropped to about 80bpm...again thank you everyone for the warm welcome and advice..i felt very alone, now i dont feel so alone..im not generally a emotional mess but AF has certainly pushed me in that direction...again thank you, thank you...hugs to you all shanny..

Hi Shanny, one thing my husband was told by his cardiologist as well as his EP was that if an epsiode lasted more than 48 hours then an anticoagulant other than aspirin was recommended. At the end of October he had a 6 day straight asymptomatic episode. He was able to function fine, his heart rate wasn't high he just was out of rhythm. He went on Xarelto at day 2 of that episode and stayed on it until his ablation. Take care, Lisa

Shanny,

This a fib thing is so specific, you might consider a referral to an EP directly. I have found my general cardio can't answer many questions about ablations, etc. He has never done that procedure, so his answers consisted of, "I dont' know" frequently. He's a smart doc, just these rhythm things are not his specialty.

thank u again for replying everyone, saw my local Dr who has referred me to a cardiologist in the city, i live 3 hours away in the country..i am also going to ask the cardiologist for a referral to see a EP as ive been researching a few and i think ive found a good one...trying to be more positive and less negative about the whole AF situation...its hard but im going to keep trying...shanny