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.
Background: I've had AFIB for decades, diagnosed about six years ago. Metoprolol for five years. Stroke last December, ablation April 7, 2014. NSR for the next four months. Beginning in August I started having events again, although not as debilitating as last year. Now I take metoprolol PIP and the event stops with 1/2 hour. I have copies of my blood work going back to 2001, never had thyroid issues.
In mid September I saw my PCP for my 'Welcome to Medicare' visit. My TSH was 0.048 (acceptable range of 0.45-4.5) not good. The TSH is one of those reverse indicators (low means hyper). My PCP sent me to an endocrinologist (who specializes in thyroid and worked at the Cleveland Clinic ... guess she knows AFIB). She did a battery of blood work, and guess what, I came back hyperthyroid. So next I need to go for an Iodine Uptake Test at the hospital. Then decide on a course of treatment.
The good thing is that thyroid problems are readily treatable (hyper a little more difficult that hypo). Also, we all know the hyperthyroid is directly related to AFIB (and anxiety ... thought I should just throw that in). So maybe this can explain the return of my AFIB after the ablation. Just looking on the bright side.
On another bright note, my implant when in this morning, only a little pain and minimal blood. Sitting here with an ice pack. I six months the new tooth goes on the implant.
In mid September I saw my PCP for my 'Welcome to Medicare' visit. My TSH was 0.048 (acceptable range of 0.45-4.5) not good. The TSH is one of those reverse indicators (low means hyper). My PCP sent me to an endocrinologist (who specializes in thyroid and worked at the Cleveland Clinic ... guess she knows AFIB). She did a battery of blood work, and guess what, I came back hyperthyroid. So next I need to go for an Iodine Uptake Test at the hospital. Then decide on a course of treatment.
The good thing is that thyroid problems are readily treatable (hyper a little more difficult that hypo). Also, we all know the hyperthyroid is directly related to AFIB (and anxiety ... thought I should just throw that in). So maybe this can explain the return of my AFIB after the ablation. Just looking on the bright side.
On another bright note, my implant when in this morning, only a little pain and minimal blood. Sitting here with an ice pack. I six months the new tooth goes on the implant.
This condition is most likely treatable with a thyroid suppression drug (methimazole). When I asked her about liver issues with this drug, she said they are minor, she has had people of this drug for ten years with no issues, however we will follow the liver enzymes closely to make sure. My currently high liver enzymes may clear up with this drug. I start tomorrow. Since we are both cautious about drugs, she recommended that I put off my conversion from Coumadin to Eliquis until I have my blood work (thyroid, liver, white blood cell) checked again in four weeks to she how my body is responding to this drug. If everything looks good, I can then convert to Eliquis.
I guess this is good news, I get to keep my thyroid (no zapping with radiation for now). I hope this works. Maybe I can clear up my heart and liver and get some sleep!
Take care,
atp
I'm still in the gym 3 hours 3x/week and walk 3 miles 3x/week (not bad for a 65 year old dude). I also worked 6 days so far this quarter building a data center expansion for a new stock exchange. The new equipment should start arriving early next year, then its 3-5 days a week for a few months. I feel strong enough, piece of cake!
Good exercise Routine, I have found harder since all this Afib started but it is getting better. Doing pilates, yoga and walking the dogs, but hope to try the gym this week.
laurab
All the best,
atp
I worked 14 days in November/December, enough to pay for my new implanted tooth. The project I'm working on is ramping up, I may be able to get 50-60 days of work in the first half of 2015. My body is getting used to working again. I'm still working evenings because I'm working on production trading equipment (it's against SEC rules for me to be near hardware when the market is open ... it's like 'those hands are a weapon'). I'll be able to go on days once we start building out the new area.
Will switch from Coumadin to Eliquis shortly. One year anniversary of my stroke coming up in a few weeks and all the parts seem to be working well enough.
All in all, things are looking up!
Sorry to read about your thyroid problems and do hope you can get it all straightened out. My first attack of afib was in March 2014 and this is when my thyroid (hypo) started. They had me apparently on amiodorane drip, along with others and sent me home to take the Amiodorone for a month - gradually decreasing the dosage. My thyroid was well tihin the normal limits when I entered the hospital and within three weeks for 7.3 and kept rising until it was at the highest 14. I read about the side effects of this nastry drug and how it stays in your body. I refused to take any pills and my Dr. agreed and said let us see if it will come down by itself. It did so gradually and ended up just under 5. So, I am not taking anything for it. It truly is amazing how a-fib can cause extra problems. I am TRULY scared of meds. and on not on an heart rate control med any more - the sotalol caused me to have long QT intervals. So I aam on Carvediol (Coreg twice daily), lisinopril, sertralline (which I don't like), warfarin (want to take Eliquis but can't afford it). I had the one week stay in the hospital here in Fl. over a monmth ago now, as many of you know. They overdosed me somehow or wrong mixture of drugs and my heart almost stopped and BP so low. They called "Rapid Response" and everyone came running and put me in ICU with one male nurse taking care of me all day. He had to sit and monitor me and the dopomine that he injected. By the next day I was some better. But, all the staff and Drs. say someone made a pharmaceutical error. They are investigating it.
Happty New Year to you all and NSR, God bless. By the way I have Flec. as a PIP - he doesn't want me to take it all the time and am NOT in afib all the time - a few skipped heart beats. Have only had to take one. He said Flec. can change your rythmn also. These are the opinions of my PCP, Cardiologist, and EP.
Hugs to everyone,
Christine