Living with Atrial Fibrillation: What are Your Experiences?

Hello
I have Afib and did have the conversion which did work-for a while!
It got me into a normal rythm but only lasted 4 months.
My heart racing was the reason I found out I had Afib. My family doctor sent me to the ER but first prescribed a beta blocker. In the ER my pulse had come down but was 168 beats per minute
I saw the cardio doctor and was put on warferen but eventually it was changed to Eliquis 20mg
What is important is yearly echocardiogram's It's been around 12 years and each yearly echo returns with little change which is good.
Afib can effect the heart so it is very important to do the checking.
So now I am on Eliquis and a beta blocker for my BP and racing heart. Metoperlol is the name of the beta blocker.
Yes you and I can live a long life as long as we take the medication plus try and be healthy.
I use a machine in the gym. I am 71
I still can have ablation but at my age and the fact that my symptoms are well controlled, I choose not to.
if it gets worse I will think about it.
BTW each person is different and Afib might also have degree's of "Bad and good"

Glen

Thanks so much for the encouraging words. I’ve been taking Metoprolol for a number of years to control my blood pressure. The AFib came on suddenly for no apparent reason but seems to be here to stay. Your experience with cardioversion seems to be common.

There are several beta blockers many doctors prescribe for Afib. One should have a complete electrocardiogram.
The process is quite simple. The cardiologist can show you your beating heart on the computer and measure the sizes of the atrium and/or ventricles. My atrium was slightly enlarged, but not out of the range of normal.

I have a modest case, meaning I never a problem with excessive heartbeating. I have been taking Pradaxa and Atenolon now since 2015. As most know, cardioversion (shock treatment) is often done to "set" the heart rate back to normal. Then, the most often option is the ablation process. Lots of subjective analysis with your doctor and best to seek more than one opinion. If you are near several of the best..like Mayo or Cleveland Clinic..do use their services in lieu of the doctor who refers you to another doctor in the "association".

My husband has been in AFib for over 2 years. He had 2 ablations and was cardioverted numerous times. He is on medication and lives a somewhat normal life.

Thanks for sharing. Is he on any medications that help the AFib? I feel palpitations much of the time. While it’s not painful, it can be uncomfortable and distracting.

I was diagnosed with A-fib in 2008. Had a ablation in 2009 it only lasted 8 months. Tried a lot of different medications most didn't work. Had another ablation in 2017 it only lasted 8 months. They cardioverted me and it put me back in rhythm. They put me on flecainide and it did the job for 7 years. Had a episode last may when I thought I was going to pass at that point they cardioverted me went back into A-fib the next day. They put me on amiodarone 800 mg for two weeks and cut me back to 200 mg a day. I was scheduled for another ablation but have had no problems since I also take Eliquis 5mg twice a day. Amiodarone is a bad medication because it can effect the liver and thyroid have to have blood tested every six months to make sure I'm doing ok. I have a friend that has chronic A-fib but he doesn't experience any side effects. He is just on a blood thinner he just retired from the mayo clinic. I wish I had his problem when I go into A-fib I lose 60% of my energy. If you don't have that problem I would just keep taking the blood thinner.

Are you consuming ANYTHING with caffeine even in small amounts??

Love coffee but I got afib in a time when I drank very little coffee.
My Afib is well controlled and i work out almost daily. BP is good as is my heart rate.
I just skip beats.
I have an echo scheduled next week. I get one every year and they have been pretty much the same each year.
If certain parameters change, we might discuss ablation but for now why rock the boat.
Heart goes: bump bump bump-butty-bump bump bump! I can live with that.
When I first got it wow! 168 beats and primary sent me right to the ER ( he also did EKG in the office)

Thanks for sharing your story. It’s very helpful to me. Because I have chronic AFib I have no energy most of the time. My quality of life has gone downhill. I am considering cardio version but my doctor wants me to have a CT scan first.

I drink one cup of decaf coffee every morning. That’s it.