Well, afib differs a lot, In my case (and for a lot of men) they don't even know they are in it. For women, they have very strong symptoms and can feel it right away and it is scary. (Obviously this is a generalization - but I have talked to a lot of nurses, etc, and this seems to be the pattern).

What I did when I found out was call my best connection in a big city and asked for a referral for the best surgeon I could find. I figured that the key thing if I ended up in surgery (which I haven't yet) was to get the best surgeon I could find.

The best are at the Mayo Clinic (big surprise) but there are very good ones in all the major cities. Afib is a big money maker - which is good for all of us who have it. Then, I made the commitment to start with this doc and travel to him (for me about 90 minute drive). Then I started reading all about it. I recommend the Framington Heart data site. Here is a link to get you started:

http://www.framinghamheartstudy.org/risk/atrial.html

In my case, since I am tall and athletic, it was easy to find out lots of info about people like me with afib. Once you teach yourself about this problem, you will begin to feel more in control and less adrift. There is a lot of info on the web, you just have to dig in and spend the time.

The good news is that since is it a relatively common thing, and money to be made, there are a lot of treatments and pretty good consensus about what to do. I have a friend who has a very rare form of cancer and he is in a very rough spot - everything is experimental and the docs contradict each other almost every day regarding treatment.

the key here is you need to be proactive; ask the doc questions, if you do not understand or are not comfortable with the answer, ask again. do research and keep looking for other sites that have Afib info or forums. I had a kidney removed (cancer) and when I was prescribed Multaq, I looked up the drug & one of the side effects was that it was not too gentle on the kidneys. fortunately, I have a doc that listens and we made changes. everyone is different and there does seem to be a whole range of meds that folks on this site are using. I have the advantage of being on Medicare (age does have its privileges) and have more flexibility in dealing with providers.
hope this helps, be well, good luck. Rich (72, very active, diagnosed 8/2009)

It is scary to be told you have heart trouble. Least it sure was for me. I drove my self to the ER at the local new hospital as could not get a Dr appointment till late that day. I had had a real bad night and I had not been sick before that. I made in to the building and told the ladies at the counter I needed ER. The woman standing back was there from the office where she worked. She aasked if could walk or needed a wheel chair. I said I could walk a little but not very far. I had it by them I know. She said hang on and she gt me a wheel chair. She knew who I was and she took me back to ER. The two nurses had me striped to the waait and knew it was heart real fast. I was put on oxygen and then heart drip. Docotr from the practise that I had called came in and checked me. Then he decided I needed to be hosptialized. He said he wanted me to go the big one in the big city here. I do not want go there but I said okay. Nurse insisted she had to call my family. They called my son and got DIL and told her I was going on to the big hospital. By time they could get here I would be moved. They called the fire dept rescue squad abulance to transport me. While I was laying there waiting the woman from office came back and I looked up and she is going through my purse. Nutse said she needs you med card. I told her where it was and she got it and came back with it. They had to wait for a paramedic that could ride with me in case. This is small town. Rge came and took me in. They ha to use it astheheart drip is down by a pump and had to be able run it. I am sitting as can not breathe laying down. Room was ready for me and all when they got there. I have glad congestive heart failure, atrial, pneumonia. Warfarin shots in the tummy and the next day I liked to have died from the heart drip medicine. B/P bottomed ou and they could nto get a reading. I had been teling them for hour or so I was burning up. I told them I could vomit they got me a pan and something. Asked if I hurt,yes acrss my tummy. They had the lung guy in and exray guy and plu amy son and DIL had can back from lunch was there. Lug guy and extra guy yanged my jeans off. I had on a gown but still had jeans on. He toldme not to try and help get out they would pull them. They did. The exray my lungs again and this time my tummy. I finally told the nurse medicine some times makes me sick. Part I do not remember. Son said I was awake through it all but I doubt it. They stop the heart drip and start coming out of it. They had given me shots in the IV as on the bill. I had IV in each arm by then. They had to try and get heart rate down by pills. I was there 7 days . 7 wafarin shots in the tummy one each day. Said it best way to get that in me and working. Another of the doctors from group practise here came in and told me to get up and walk and not lay there. My heart stillis not beating rigt when I leave there. I walked out there that 8th morning. Kids walked on each side of me in case but I made it okay. Nurse said I could walk out or use a wheel chair. I had to be on a 24 hours heart monitor which the local hospital does not have. When docotr go back from his vacation I am stillin the hospital and he is angry I could tell. I finally told I had not bee sick all befoire then. He admitted it could come on fast. I had a heart attack the tests showed some time before this. One doctor said I would need therapy and mine said walking is good. I do what he says and take the pills. I was sick and my heart I think now he cut the pills beats okay. He says my heary sound good. I can do anything I want. Take the pills. My first week of knowing I had heart trouble I was in the hospital. I did come home and lived alone. I could fix me something to eat and try to walk. It was Xmas before I started walking a mile at 9ne time. It took time to get stronger. I was scared to try and do things but I slow found it was okay to do it. I pusher the lawn mower and it did not hurt me. First time smaller amount and then got to more. He says I can till and I have asked several times to be sure. I am 79, female.