Anyone diagnosed with Atrial Fibulation?

[GetX'd]

Just got released from 3 days of lockdown in the hospital. I won’t bore you with all the details but I left there with 2 totally unexpected random findings by the doctors. The first one was a spiked dangerously high potassium level. Apparently that can kill you if left unattended. Took them 2 days to bring it down in the normal range. Been checked many times a never had a bad reading in that category. Next totally u expected event was they said on the last day that I have Atrial Fibrillation. My blood pressure and heart rate was so low they did every test the book and came to that conclusion. Took me off all BP meds and put me on Eliquis a blood thinner for life. I’ve never had a bad ekg or any Afib events that I can recall. I’m very concerned and a bit confused. Of course I have follow up appts with my team of doctors but I’m wondering of others in FBBO that may have this issue.

Really appreciate any feedback and encouragement you may have. Thx

 

[kiwigtx]

I have only ever shared this with close friends until now....

I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation about 5 years ago. Put it down to the stress of a new job, drinking lots more coffee than normal, and working with a total asshole.
Didn't feel that flash one Friday morning at work...a bit light-headed, so I called my Dr for a checkup. They said they could fit me in that afternoon. I said, "No, I'm coming now" ....OK...so I drove there myself, and they asked why didn't I call for an ambulance.
My BP was high, and Pulse was high...I asked for an ECG, as I might have been suffering from delayed reaction to a =minor electric shock a couple of weeks earlier. That was all over the place.

Ended up being taken straight to hospital in an ambulance...with one of those real helpful type pricks reading out the side-effects of some meds I had been put on the month earlier. That filled me with all sorts of dread and worry. Hospital takes my BP & Pulse...160BPM....a bit high. Lots of discussion around me by about a dozen or so Dr's and Interns...mainly about what sort of sushi they were having for lunch that day. I was given a small blue pill to swallow...that brought things back to an acceptable level. Wife and Mother-in-law showed up....all worried....they thought I was going to die.

Spent the next 2 nights in a bed just outside the ICU...High Dependency Ward....desperately trying to hold my breath, calm myself and relax. I frightened the crap out of the night nurse when my machine when off....I had to go for a pee, and just unplugged all that crap and wandered off. I was fine. Had my blood taken every two hours....I hate needles.

Eventually discharged on the Sunday afternoon....thankfully (hospital food is crap) and was able to go home and be almost normal. I was put on a diet, and managed to lose around 10-12 kg in 3 weeks....no sugar, no breads, no nice foods. A few pills...and follow-up visits to the Dr. After nearly 3 years, I was pronounced as symptom free from the original condition - and a Specialist and my Dr both agreed I could wean off the meds. Been off them for over 2 years now, and I am fine. It was stress related....but when that sort of event happens, it has a lasting effect on your body. My only reminder now is that I do tire a little faster than I used to, but then I am 5 years older now. Perseverance gets me through work. I keep going until the job is done. Once I stop for a break....that kills my momentum and will to keep working.

Hope that helps Kevin...good luck, and I wish you well for a speedy recovery.

Saturday afternoon selfie in the hospital.

 

[GetX'd]

I have only ever shared this with close friends until now....

I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation about 5 years ago. Put it down to the stress of a new job, drinking lots more coffee than normal, and working with a total asshole.
Didn't feel that flash one Friday morning at work...a bit light-headed, so I called my Dr for a checkup. They said they could fit me in that afternoon. I said, "No, I'm coming now" ....OK...so I drove there myself, and they asked why didn't I call for an ambulance.
My BP was high, and Pulse was high...I asked for an ECG, as I might have been suffering from delayed reaction to a =minor electric shock a couple of weeks earlier. That was all over the place.

Ended up being taken straight to hospital in an ambulance...with one of those real helpful type pricks reading out the side-effects of some meds I had been put on the month earlier. That filled me with all sorts of dread and worry. Hospital takes my BP & Pulse...160BPM....a bit high. Lots of discussion around me by about a dozen or so Dr's and Interns...mainly about what sort of sushi they were having for lunch that day. I was given a small blue pill to swallow...that brought things back to an acceptable level. Wife and Mother-in-law showed up....all worried....they thought I was going to die.

Spent the next 2 nights in a bed just outside the ICU...High Dependency Ward....desperately trying to hold my breath, calm myself and relax. I frightened the crap out of the night nurse when my machine when off....I had to go for a pee, and just unplugged all that crap and wandered off. I was fine. Had my blood taken every two hours....I hate needles.

Eventually discharged on the Sunday afternoon....thankfully (hospital food is crap) and was able to go home and be almost normal. I was put on a diet, and managed to lose around 10-12 kg in 3 weeks....no sugar, no breads, no nice foods. A few pills...and follow-up visits to the Dr. After nearly 3 years, I was pronounced as symptom free from the original condition - and a Specialist and my Dr both agreed I could wean off the meds. Been off them for over 2 years now, and I am fine. It was stress related....but when that sort of event happens, it has a lasting effect on your body. My only reminder now is that I do tire a little faster than I used to, but then I am 5 years older now. Perseverance gets me through work. I keep going until the job is done. Once I stop for a break....that kills my momentum and will to keep working.

Hope that helps Kevin...good luck, and I wish you well for a speedy recovery.



View attachment 1003199

Saturday afternoon selfie in the hospital.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience with me Kiwi. I’m pretty much at the stages of emotions you describe. But also not really convinced I have this Afib. Ever since I’ve been home - 2 days now - my BP and heart rate have been perfect and I’m not on the meds designed to control it. I’ve still much to do and second opinions to be had before I’m going to surrender to taking this med for ever. Part of the reason I’m deeply concerned is because my older brother had this and was on the med and died from brain bleeds and seizures 3 years ago. He was only 72 and I don’t want to accept this without further
proof. I still hope to get a reversal. In the meantime of course I’m taking the meds.
Again - Thx so much for sharing.

 

[Xp29h]

I wanted to chime in here to give you a couple of positive stories..

I do not have A-fib but I do know several people that do. The first one is 76 years old, had it for years does take meds but I don’t recall the name. He still works his own construction jobs, walks everyday while drinking about a 6 pack! I know it’s seems a little counterproductive but he does it! He hasn’t slowed down a bit.

Another friend living with A Fib walks every day, hunts with us drinks beer with us and he’s 73 this November. Doesn’t miss a thing. He’s also a cancer survivor.

Both have said, very scary at first, the unknown of what’s going to happen but in both cases they have gone on to manage it very well and think little of it at this point. I’m sure that doesn’t always happen but why not? You could end up just like em! Time will tell!

There are lots of people living with AFib it’s controllable with meds in some cases without many side effects. Second opinions are always the best! Ablations are procedures that can help too. That is where other docs can help out.

Hope the stories help ease the mind just a little! I’m sure more I’ll chime in too.

Stay positive and work your way through this methodically. Best wishes on speedy recovery !

 

[moparedtn]

Good Lord K, so sorry to read of your med issues...
If I may ask, how old are you now?

I can't say that afib has made it on my long laundry list of maladies, but there's been some
other recent weird-assed entries that I admittedly just find comical anymore (you get to my
level of mortality in this life, your sense of humor tends to run a bit towards morbid, trust me).
For example - they can't figure out why my sodium levels are zero on blood tests.
Not even kidding....wasn't there a Star Trek episode about some monster that drained all the
salt out of humans or something?
I literally cannot retain salt - it's apparently a combination of what's left of my kidneys filtering
it all out plus that stupid water pill they have me on.
I tell my wife I'm buying a salt block for deer and putting it next to me here at the desk.

Sorry, got off on a tangent there...thought a funny story might cheer you up a little, or at least
remind you these vessels we inhabit can tolerate a LOT of abuse and still function.

As far as BP and all that goes, my doc got me started on two different meds for that several years
ago that have resulted in my own BP being quite low - to the point of sometimes having little sugar
crashes at time.
He did so knowing my track record and knowing I wasn't likely to change lifestyle choices.
Probably saved my life doing so, if I'm honest.
Amlodipine is the mofo of the two - I know what happens when I forget that one. Within 24 hours,
I literally get pains in my chest and hypertension kicks in overdrive. Terrible withdrawal on that one....
but it's the one that keeps the BP down, too.
The other is the "lifetime" maintenance one, metoprolol 2x day.

All that means BP is not an issue for me anymore, but the side effects are the usual as kiwi described:
The gas runs out of my own tank quicker than it used to and I can't do 100 yard dashes anymore (beta
blockers don't let your heart ramp up under demand), but the hyper and chest pains are gone.

This may be you've reached your first early warning alert here - we ALL get one sooner or later, part of
getting older - and if you're able to walk away from it with minor changes and maybe a new prescription
or two, consider yourself blessed.
I pray you get the best of news!
Ed

 

[493 Mike]

I had/still have afib. It was originally diagnosed/described as "Holiday Heart" as the docs see this commonly after partying. It became more common as the years went by (I was "converted"/put back into normal rhythm many times in the ER) and I was referred to a heart specialist. After monitoring and tests, he recommended a ablation procedure. I had it (when I woke after the procedure it was no different than rising from a nap, no pain at all) and for the most part I am normal. I still get a series of rapid heart beats in the evening when I am tired but, a quick 4 "thumps" and it goes right back to normal rhythm. I am now taking Amlodipine daily as prescribed by my regular MD to lower my BP. I have lost weight since and BP is quite low now.
The ablation is scary if you dwell on the fact that the heart wall is perforated and they inflate a balloon with liquid nitrogen inside your body to "freeze burn" heart tissue! But, they do it every day. Good luck! I hope you come out great!
Mike

 

[boltupal]

I had A-Fib 10 years ago mainly do to stress. The wife, money problems , and beer. So I got rid of the wife, the money problem left with her. No my life is great!

 

[w.Hudson]

I have it.

Best advise that I can give is find a great heart doctor and do what he says. I did not do that. I have a great doctor but didn't listen.
Two years ago on September 27th I went into cardiac arrest. Luckily my wife was able to do CPR until the paramedics arrived.
Doc said "You have to have a pacemaker or you will be dead before you hit the floor" Being hard headed, I did not get one.
I got one now. They put it in before I left the hospital.

One of my good friends was going to wait to get his Pacemaker because the co-pay was $900. He went into cardiac arrest while hunting and didn't make it.
Left behind 3 kids and a wife.

 

[1967coronet]

Myself no, but my mother at 86 has had
A fib for years.
She tried getting shocked back into rythem at least 3 times, after a few days she is back in Afib
Now she just takes her medication and blood thinner and keeps on truckin.
Lives on her own, kicks the dog at least once a day and gives me and my brother hell.

 

[hemi71x]

Ya, i got that too, along with other heart problems.
Enlarged heart, a "bad valve" an artery or two that needs some work.
Some other technical word, that escapes me right now.
I'll be going in for surgery in a few weeks from now, in October.

These heart doctors these days, are so confident in what they do.

Good luck to you in your diagnosis, and what they want to do with your treatment.
Lots of us are in the same situation as you, and worse.

 

[copper67sat]

My wife has a-fib.

She had an episode of v-tach, torsades des pointes specifically which is normally deadly, that sent her to the ER. Long story short, her heart went in/out of this arrhythmia for 2 days in the ICU and she was defibbed 20+ times. Ended up with a pacemaker/defibrillator implanted in her chest. Subsequent visits to her cardiac Dr revealed that her "box" as she calls it was recording a-fib events, but it does not do anything about them.

Dr advised her to do a sleep study because most were occurring overnight. Turns out she has sleep apnea which can cause a-fib. She now sleeps with a Bi-PAP and the instances of a-fib have decreased significantly and we both sleep better because she's not snoring anymore. They also keep her on a blood thinner to reduce the risk heart attack or stroke.

 

[GetX'd]

Good Lord K, so sorry to read of your med issues...
If I may ask, how old are you now?

I can't say that afib has made it on my long laundry list of maladies, but there's been some
other recent weird-assed entries that I admittedly just find comical anymore (you get to my
level of mortality in this life, your sense of humor tends to run a bit towards morbid, trust me).
For example - they can't figure out why my sodium levels are zero on blood tests.
Not even kidding....wasn't there a Star Trek episode about some monster that drained all the
salt out of humans or something?
I literally cannot retain salt - it's apparently a combination of what's left of my kidneys filtering
it all out plus that stupid water pill they have me on.
I tell my wife I'm buying a salt block for deer and putting it next to me here at the desk.

Sorry, got off on a tangent there...thought a funny story might cheer you up a little, or at least
remind you these vessels we inhabit can tolerate a LOT of abuse and still function.

As far as BP and all that goes, my doc got me started on two different meds for that several years
ago that have resulted in my own BP being quite low - to the point of sometimes having little sugar
crashes at time.
He did so knowing my track record and knowing I wasn't likely to change lifestyle choices.
Probably saved my life doing so, if I'm honest.
Amlodipine is the mofo of the two - I know what happens when I forget that one. Within 24 hours,
I literally get pains in my chest and hypertension kicks in overdrive. Terrible withdrawal on that one....
but it's the one that keeps the BP down, too.
The other is the "lifetime" maintenance one, metoprolol 2x day.

All that means BP is not an issue for me anymore, but the side effects are the usual as kiwi described:
The gas runs out of my own tank quicker than it used to and I can't do 100 yard dashes anymore (beta
blockers don't let your heart ramp up under demand), but the hyper and chest pains are gone.

This may be you've reached your first early warning alert here - we ALL get one sooner or later, part of
getting older - and if you're able to walk away from it with minor changes and maybe a new prescription
or two, consider yourself blessed.
I pray you get the best of news!
Ed

Thx for the positive feedback Ed. I’ll be 67 in 3 weeks. The strange thing is I’ve never had a Afib episode. It was in the hospital that my BP and heart rate were abnormally low. I don’t even think my ekgs were off except the low heart rate. When I was in the hospital and the 3 days I’ve been home I’ve been on no BP meds at all. The last 3 days my BP and heart rate have been perfect. I don’t even know what an Afib episode feels like. I’m fol.owing doctors orders with the meds - but I just feel I need more actual proof that I have this malady before totally buying it. The blood pressure meds I was taking thru me completely out of kilter with terribly swollen legs and feet, red rash on them and pain. That’s why I went to the ER. They I come out with a series of new diagnosis. I’m just not convinced.

Thx again for the well wishes and I’ll post up after I’ve seen my doctors in a more calm setting next week.

 

[NJRR]

My older brother (73) and father-in-law (83) both have it. They are on blood thinners and also Amiodarone, which controls it. My brother also had a cardio-version, where they shock your heart back into sinus. He said it was painless (done under anesthesia).

 

[Budnicks]

@GetX'd , I hope all works out well for you...

What were your signs of AF problems ?

---------------------------------------------------

My dad did,
before he had his quadruple bypass surgery
his was brought on by Cardioalcoholmoropothy (spelling)

I don't have any heart issues of yet, 61 y/o knock on wood

I was at one time on High-BP meds too
but my BP was way low on them, too low
I started feeling like **** after & for a while
tired weak shortness of breath I didn't ever have before...
(I had since switched dr.'s & Med. Insurance)
& the new cardiologist said;
"they (Kaiser) had misdiagnosed me, to begin with,
that I shouldn't have ever been on the BP pills"
New Dr. he took me off them, I'm great now
been back several times & still no issues, at all

I was worried at one time
(I had an uncle that died at 39 from that stuff)
& like most, I hate going to the Dr.'s
I hate even being near a hospital (long story, my phobia )

I think the day I had the org. bad diagnosis (at Kaiser),
was possibly/probably (?) because
I was stressed, was really having a bad day & too much coffee (?)
running around like a chicken with my head cut off
I was really busy & pissed that even being the hospital
(Kaiser there's another rant, for a different day) even just for a check-up,
I didn't really have time for, but was due, much needed...

 

[GetX'd]

@GetX'd , I hope all works out well for you...

What were your signs of AF problems ?

---------------------------------------------------

My dad did,
before he had his quadruple bypass surgery
his was brought on by Cardioalcoholmoropothy (spelling)

I don't have any heart issues of yet, 61 y/o knock on wood

I was at one time on High-BP meds too
but my BP was way low on them, too low
I started feeling like **** after & for a while
tired weak shortness of breath I didn't ever have before...
(I had since switched dr.'s & Med. Insurance)
& the new cardiologist said;
"they (Kaiser) had misdiagnosed me, to begin with,
that I shouldn't have ever been on the BP pills"
New Dr. he took me off them, I'm great now
been back several times & still no issues, at all

I was worried at one time
(I had an uncle that died at 39 from that stuff)
& like most, I hate going to the Dr.'s
I hate even being near a hospital (long story, my phobia )

I think the day I had the org. bad diagnosis (at Kaiser),
was possibly/probably (?) because
I was stressed, was really having a bad day & too much coffee (?)
running around like a chicken with my head cut off
I was really busy & pissed that even being the hospital
(Kaiser there's another rant, for a different day) even just for a check-up,
I didn't really have time for, but was due, much needed...

Bud - Thx for the note. I think my supposed symptoms of Afib were simply low BP and low heart rate. My BP meds were all screwed up and we’re causing me issues. Now that I e been off of all of them for about 5 days my BP and heart rate have returned to normal. The BP May go up again but if it does they only want me to take one half of one of the meds I was taking. I’ve never had an irregular heart beat or any evidence of arithmia. My ekg has always been normal. I had a heart attack 11 years ago but have had no issues with it since then - I just saw my cardio.ogist two weeks ago and he said life was good. I’m completely mystified as to what’s going on here. Never had an Afib event.

 

[Cranky]

Oh man, the human body is sooo strange! Some abuse it to the max and some take care of it to the max but some abusers live long and hardy while some care takers have all kinds of problems. It goes both ways and it baffles the snot out of me!! I just hope and pray that things go well for y'all!

 

[Nate S]

I had Afib. Lots of different flavors to be had. In my case I raced bicycles for years and really over did it. At first it was palpitations, then afib. Got to be worse over time. This came on at the age of 42. For a long time it was under control with metoprolol and Flecainide. It would come and go on it’s own. No other issues, good weight, diet, blood pressure, no diabetes etc. Eventually it got a bit worse. Went to the best cardiologist for this stuff in New England down at Yale New Haven. Finally had a catheter ablation done, worked for a couple months then didn’t. Had it done again and now I’m good to go. No afib. If I were to go nuts on the bike again it would come right back but by being reasonable there’s no issue. No medicine at all now either. Good luck with this. Do a lot of reading. Understand it and ask questions. It’s not going to kill you today or tomorrow. Blood clots are your enemy. You have time to talk to doctors and learn. Make sure you get a good cardiologist. Research them too. Not all the same.

 

[GetX'd]

I really appreciate all the guys that posted up with their stories and encouragement. I’ve reread them a number of times. I’ve been in denial about this Afib diagnosis from the beginning. But my wife is a cardio nurse And deals with this stuff everyday. She says the reason it was never picked up before is because I’ve never been on a heart monitor for an extended period of time since my heart attack 11 years ago. She says some people don’t necessarily feel it and when I was on the monitor for 3 days in the hospital they must have been observing Afib events that I wasn’t feeling and have never felt. She says the BP doesn’t have much to do with it. They are rarely picked up on ekgs because those tests only last a couple of minutes where a consistent tele monitor in the hospital is 24/7 for a long as you’re there. That’s when they find it. With her experience in the field I’m more resigned that I really do have Afib and have to stay on this med. I see both my doctors next Friday and I’m pretty sure they’re going to tell me the same thing.

The good news so far is I’ve been off all BP meds for 6 days and my BP and heart rate have been perfect. While in the hospital they were both extremely low and they were talking pacemaker if that wasn’t resolved. I don’t know if it’s resolved in this short time but it sure as hell is better than when I was on medication. I’m fully aware that folks have worse things to deal with and I shouldn’t complain. But it’s just that EVERYONE in my family dies of heart disease or stroke so it kind of freaks me out. I’ll post up after I’ve seen my docs next week. But again really appreciate all the guys that chipped in.

 

[493 Mike]

I would like to add that I also was taking Flecainide for a period (my wife is currently) but, I can feel my heart beat/rhythm any time I sit still, so I could always know if I was in Afib. Everyone is different.
Mike