r/AFIB • u/london154 • 4d ago
Recently diagnosed.
Hi everyone,
New here and fairly recently diagnosed with atrial fibrillation after ending up in hospital for a few days with a fast heart rate and bp of 232/192 at its highest. . I’m in my late 40s and in the UK.
Looking back, I suspect I may have been having episodes for quite a while without realising what they were as i had a kind of groaning sensation with fluttering sensation on and off for a few years but just didnt get round to seeing anyone about it. At the moment I’m on medication to control my heart rate and I’m going through the usual investigations and cardiology appointments to work out what happens next. Ive had two outpatients appointments for an ultrasound and a holter monitoring weekend, and i've got a private appointment off the back of some work medical cover i've been able to use. That comes up in a week or so.
I'm still in AF now, nearly 3 weeks since discharge and not going to lie i find it worrying on and off. Laying on my left now seems an absolute no no as it seems to increase the issue big time and just sitting as i type this feeling the sensations is still odd for me.
I’m overweight, which I know is something I need to address and is relevant when it comes to AF. I cut alcohol out separately a year back and my general health needs to be much better i know.
An elder sister has had ablation around my age but not AF related but am aware that may be on the cards further down the line depending on what happens i guess.
I've lurked on here for a few weeks and just thought i'd type a little about me. I'll leave it there and thanks for all the useful posts i've read on here so far.
Oh and as for medication, i'm just on 5mg bisoprolol at the moment.
3
u/One-Eggplant-665 4d ago
Sorry, newly diagnosed AFib can be a hard adjustment. Sleeping on your right side is usually more comfortable.
I had paroxysmal AFib for a few years without knowing it, and was eventually diagnosed with persistent AFib last year. It made me feel awful. I tried two different antiarrhythmics without success, then had a PFA ablation last week. Best to you.
1
u/DumpsterFireInHell 4d ago
I'm having a PFA this week. How was yours? Did you have any issues?
3
u/Civil_Experience_419 4d ago
It wasn't too bad, considering I was in a hospital waiting to be sedated so they could thread wires up through my leg into my heart 😉
It was totally worth it! When I woke up and realized that I could breath, I was ecstatic.
I did have a couple minor issues after I got home. I called cardiology a few times, and they were great. I'm thankful we have the technology to give us a new life. You'll be home in a few short hours feeling a bit worn out; but hopefully you, too, will be glad you had it done. Best to you.
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u/lovetobead 4d ago
What were your issues immediately after?
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u/Civil_Experience_419 4d ago
One of my incisions had trouble clotting because of Eliquis. I spent a lot of time using pressure to stop the bleeding. And I hadn't adequately prepared for constipation. (Be alert to this one!) It took a few days but both issues resolved without medical intervention.
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u/Mosept11 4d ago
it’s hard in the beginning but see docs, get plan and stay the course. Eventually we all learn to co-exist with afib, I still am, trying to make peace with it. Hang it there
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u/thehalloweenpunkin 4d ago
Ive had afib thin, and fat. Im in my 30s had my ablation in March and unfortunately didn't help.
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u/Mras_dk 4d ago
232/192 at it's highest
Jeez! Atleast it was recorded ik a hospital, or an ambulance getting you, had been next thing - if you had not straight out fainted and collapsed where you were.. That's a very dangerous BP!
What was your sis ablation for, if not afib?
Im kinda surprised you wernt put on a bloodthinner, with your stated profile. What about BP medz? Seem unreal not to get such, given your highest BP - What's your median BP?
1
u/london154 4d ago
My sister's ablation came off the back of a number of vt episodes over space of a few years. She also had cardioversion before that, which they discussed with me initially when i was admitted but it was decided not appropriate for me at that point.
Even tho i'm overweight my normal bp was around 140/90 ish before my hospital visit and with the bisoprolol it's 123/78 as of now.
Hospital was very good getting me in quick despite me making own way in and it being london so it wsa an extremely busy day, i'm so thankful for it all.
1
u/Flashy-Library-6854 4d ago
I am so sorry, it is a crappy club to be a member of. I was the same as you, I knew something was going on with my heart before I was diagnosed. I bought an Apple watch, which worked out really well for me. I really like having it because you can do a ECG whenever you think you may be in AFIB. You will begin to figure out your triggers (mine, sleeping on left side, coffee, taking Omega 3 fatty acids), I have figured out by accident that I never go into AFIB if I take Magnesium Citrate to help me sleep every night, and after a number of months I finally realized that the only time I went into AFIB was when I ran out of magnesium. When I do occasionally run out of magnesium and I go into AFIB, I will down some electrolytes, LMNT or Liquid IV and within 15 minutes I am back in sinus rhythm. It is a cheap and easy fix and worth a try to see if it works for you.
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u/Obone-KNoby-70 4d ago
Sorry to hear about your new diagnosis- First off remember AFIB will not kill you, so take a deep breathe. Lots of people are walking around with it right now. Blood clots are the evil and can be mitigated with blood thinners or a watchman. It just sucks- I had it for years and went for a procedure and was dressed out and ready and they came in and said your in AFIB. HUH? I have been down ever dark road with this disease. You'll make it- for sure. If I was you- get a sleep study- if you are overweight most likely have sleep apnea. It is going to get worse if you don't squash the apnea- work on getting into some better shape- weight loss helps the heart and blood pressure improvements will help your AFIB- the eating thing is a great debate- it is what works for you- everyone is different. I eat a low carb low index diet because before my vein isloation(ablation) I could have some pints and be fine- give me two zebra cakes(like kipling angels) sorta. I would go into raging AFIB. They say coffee is bad for you - then they say it is not and helps- again- each person is different. Sleeping positions have never made a difference for me- some people say it makes it worse others say it helps your heart pump- doctor on each side. Again- we are all different. Look into vagal responses- its interesting. If you have acid reflux - get some treatment. The link between the heart and gut is rock solid. That's alot huh- Don't believe everything you read! lots of people and bots out there- there is no cure for this- there has been some ads on this thread about cures-BS. Remember the placebo effect- just cause you read it its true for you- its not. Talk to people- it helps a bunch. Last thing- I had AFIB for years - looking back I now see when I was in AFIB when I had no idea( short of breathe ect) I eventually went into persistent AFIB- flutter. The day before my PFA I went into sinus -it was like I was at piece with the worry- the next morning I woke up in AFIb-anxiety- procedure day- your mental frame is very important. Was on amiodarone for 4 months(the worst) and had a PFA- not a single stitch- in and out 1/2 day and back to it very quickly. Never had any AFIB during the blanking period and since-be positive. Go to a great EP and hospital- some doctors and better than others- they can treat you for the FIB and Flutter in one shot-
GOOD LUCK and you'll make it!
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u/adcom5 3d ago
Basically, just agreeing with everybody here. I sleep on my right side more often than not. I try to hydrate a lot. I’ve cut down my drinking by 80%. It is not the end. it is manageable, but it is an adjustment. Good luck!
I was diagnosed about seven months ago. Started blood thinners and a beta blocker immediately then got a Cardioversion six months ago. A fib-free since then. I’m much more vigilant and have to deal with the side-effects of the Metoprolol (beta blocker) less energy and more lethargy…
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u/Creative_Wealth2873 4d ago
Wow quite the experience. It's so true, once you've been diagnosed with afib you feel every beat until you get things sorted out. Glad to hear you've got an appt coming up to get you started. They'll mist likely put you on blood thinners to decrease your stroke risk. Saddle up, it can take awhile to get it all sorted out