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.
First time post, and I have to tell you all THANKS SO MUCH for being here! I've spent the better part of this afternoon reading and reading posts, and it has been so helpful!!! I can't tell you how much better I'm feeling now as a result.
I'm not really new to A-fib. I was diagnosed about 3 years ago. I'm down to having an episode every 6 months or so. Just when I think we have the med correct and it's gone, it rears it's ugly head again. Medication is helping, although I hate the fact that I have to take it. The hardest part for me is that I have NO IDEA when these episodes will happen. I know that cold drinks trigger it sometimes, but that's about it. Sometimes, it happens and I don't have the slightest idea why, and that's what has me stressed.
We just returned from a cruise in the southern Caribbean. I am extremely anxious to travel, but I refuse to stop for my husband's sake. The first day of our vacation on the ship in the middle of the ocean, I went into A-fib. I converted on my own after many hours (thank God....I was so afraid to go to the ship doctor for fear that he'd make me get off at the next port!), but it ruined the rest of the trip for me! Even though I was in NSR, I couldn't relax and enjoy our vacation for fear that it would happen again.
Now my anxiety level is really high for some reason. Knowing that I'm not alone really helps me. I just wanted to tell you all thanks for posting questions and answers that truly help others. I know I will spend lots of time here!
Dewey from IL
I'm not really new to A-fib. I was diagnosed about 3 years ago. I'm down to having an episode every 6 months or so. Just when I think we have the med correct and it's gone, it rears it's ugly head again. Medication is helping, although I hate the fact that I have to take it. The hardest part for me is that I have NO IDEA when these episodes will happen. I know that cold drinks trigger it sometimes, but that's about it. Sometimes, it happens and I don't have the slightest idea why, and that's what has me stressed.
We just returned from a cruise in the southern Caribbean. I am extremely anxious to travel, but I refuse to stop for my husband's sake. The first day of our vacation on the ship in the middle of the ocean, I went into A-fib. I converted on my own after many hours (thank God....I was so afraid to go to the ship doctor for fear that he'd make me get off at the next port!), but it ruined the rest of the trip for me! Even though I was in NSR, I couldn't relax and enjoy our vacation for fear that it would happen again.
Now my anxiety level is really high for some reason. Knowing that I'm not alone really helps me. I just wanted to tell you all thanks for posting questions and answers that truly help others. I know I will spend lots of time here!
Dewey from IL
Glad you are feeling somewhat better this is a very informed and heart lifting group of people. I just re-read some older posts today too and it made me feel better also. Somehow its good to know that you are not alone in what you are feeling or having to deal with.
So sorry about your vacation - what a rotten, lousy thing to have happen on a trip that should have been relaxing and fun! Thats the thing with a-fib; it can and will throw a surprise-party ANYTIME it wants!
All the doctors I have, although none know what it feels like to have a-fib, say it is a non-life threatening situation (only the stroke risk is!). There is no need to be anxious so do try not to be it will only make the day worse and could possibly bring on another attack. I too, just try to ignore it and get on with whatever I am doing (unless its any kind of physical activity then I HAVE TO slow down). A lot of people practice breathing techniques or yoga to help them relax and curb the anxiety Im sure they will be able to help you if you want to try something in that direction Just ask!
So, heres to hoping that your next vacation will be a complete success with or without a-fib!
Take care!
There is no rhyme or reason when afib will appear. It just happens. I try to live my life as if it is not going to come about, and when it does, I deal with it as best I can....it is part of my life now. But, it sure is frustrating when it happens. There are triggers which are unique to each of us have....mine are Wine and some Meds and a sudden scare in the middle of the night.
Please enjoy travel and vacations while you have the opportunity!!!!!!
I also use PIP....Pill in Pocket. It means I take a rate med. to slow my heart rate and/or an antiarrhythmic as soon as my afib appears.
3 Dr.s have assured me, as long as I have taken my anticoagulant, get my heart rate lowered, and have no symptoms such as fainting, chest pain or inability to breath......I will be just fine.
Arrhythmias are quite common, and afib is the most common one.
Great forum and some awesome sharing of info.
I agree with Petey about a supplemental 'scrip for Xanax or something similar.
Quite frankly, as I've posted umpteen times before. I firmly believe that this med. should be a staple add-on to an AFIBers' regiment of med.s.
Small dosages, as needed in only the most severe instances.
From my experiences with many different Dr.s it is an impossibility to get even a half dozen pills/dosages with a 'scrip like this (Xanax, Lorazepam, etc.)! Ridiculous.
All the best moving forward! ;)
Xanax really did help a lot during the worst days, although my doctor drilled home the high possibility of addiction, which I can easily understand.
Like to travel, and recently went to Europe for 3 weeks. Though I've been A Fib Free for 2+ years, always make a plan of what to do if A Fib ever showed up during a trip. This helps me feel that I'm somewhat in control.
Dewey, you are not alone.
Take care, and try not to worry.
D.
It truly does help to know I'm not alone. It does help to know that lots of people live with A-fib and lead normal lives. Sometimes, especially for a few weeks after an episode, it's hard for me to remember that. I've finally found a place where other's will help to remind me.
I do have a question, though, regarding a PIP treatment to a-fib. For those of you that take medication at the onset, do you NOT take medication (either rate lowering and/or anti-arrhythmic and blood thinners) on a regular, daily basis? Or do you take it daily and just increase during an episode? I take Atenolol, Multaq, and Xyzelto, and I'd love to get off of them on a daily basis. Any advice?
Thanks, again, for all of your help and encouragement.
I take metoprolol (beta blocker it slows down the heart rate but doesnt stop the irregular rhythm) and as a pip additional metoprolol. I may be wrong, but as far as I know anticoagulants arent used as pips.
I am to take additional Atenolol at the onset. My cardiologist has never referred to it as a PIP, so I was confused. Thanks for the clarification!
You must take your anticoagulant on the schedule recommended by your doctor. If you are on Coumadin (Warfarin) then get the blood work done on the schedule he recommends. AFIB won't kill you, but a stroke will make you very unhappy. Been there, done that. Screwing around with your anticoagulant medication is foolish and dangerous.
I would never stop my blood thinner without my doctors blessing, believe me! At the beginning, he would take me off of it after a few weeks after an episode. Now, it looks like I'm on it for life.