Living with Atrial Fibrillation: What are Your Experiences?

He knows he is in AFib all the time. They have tried the gamut of medications and none have worked. He was on Flecainide for quite a number of years which seemed successful however, after about eight years, he had some side effects so they took him off of that. He was on different medication’s, including amiodarone which did not keep him in rhythm. I hate to say this, but after the Covid shot is when his Afib got out of control.

I would have a problem even with decaf. There is some caffeine in it. Chocolate? Sweets and processed foods?

HI,
Thanks for sharing your story. Everyone is different so work with your cardiologist to find what works for you. I got AFib, cardioverted once, asymtomatic since on Metoprolol and Eliquis. I am lucky and hope it holds out. Best wishes to you.

Yeb,
You say you have chronic Afib. Is that how the doctor described it? There are actually three types of Afib: Paroxysmal which occurs off and on, Persistent which lasts longer than seven days, and Permanent which needs to last longer than a year. So, if you are newly diagnosed you should be able to get help managing it. I, too, was in persistent Afib when diagnosed. Afib with RVR was my diagnosis. My heart rate was high. Since I see a cardiologist in the HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) Clinic at the Mayo Clinic, I contacted him and he wanted me to see an EP at their heart rhythm clinic. Of course that took a while to get in. So to make a long story short, I spent last summer on sever rate control drugs which didn't work. Saw the EP in July and we decided to try medication befor ablation. So, in September I spent three days in hospital to load with antiarrhythmic drug Dofetilide (Tikosyn). Neede a cardioversion to regain sinus rhythm. It has now been almost a year and except for one short breakthrough I have been Afib free. I am 80 years old and very active and feel great on this drug. If it fails, I will then probably have an ablation. There is definitely treatment if you haven't been in Afib for years. Find a good electric physiologist and travel if you need to. It is important to treat it as soon as possible. I can't say enough good about Mayo, but if you are closer to another large center, get a second opion there. Good luck and keep us posted.

Sorry for all the spelling mistakes on my post. New computer and I must not hit the keys hard enough.

Order the A-Fib Cure on Amazon. It helped me understand the issues I am facing with my a-fib at 82 years old.
A-Fib never gets better, a-fib begets a-fib, as it states in the book. I learned my issues and better understand my options. Medication and cardio-version are usually not long term solutions. Both have drawbacks and have serious side effects. I am pursuing a pacemaker with AV Node ablation. I hope this helps everyone. A-fib is a terrible disease that can ruin / end your life prematurely. Good luck to everyone!

Thanks so much for all this information. I guess I have Persistent AFib since it is a constant companion. I'm new to all this--never had AFib before, just high blood pressure which is controlled by medication. I will inquire about antiarrhythmic drugs and EPs. I'm treated at UCLA in Los Angeles. Wish we had Mayo here!

My mother had permanent afib and lived to almost 96 with Coumadin, blood pressure meds and diuretic.

The book "The Afib Cure" by Bunch and Day actually says, as I remember, that afib does not get worse over time, if you make certain lifestyle changes, address triggers, lose weight, control blood pressure etc. etc. I drink low sodium V-8 for potassium, magnesium, don't eat late, don't recline after eating, try to keep stress down (the hardest) and so far things haven't gotten worse after ten years of once a year or once every two years episodes with rapid ventricular response (very rapid!). I don't know what is going to happen! I have pill in a pocket diltiazem and finally got pill in a pocket Eliquis for use as needed- if ever. Things may get worse of course. I am 73 and they are going to want me on anticoagulants due to age and gender alone.

I had Afib while sleeping when I was in the hospital after a 20' fall, cracked my head open and unknown until later, had bleeding ulcers resulting in a loss of 1/2 of my hemoglobin. With only one Afib event the cardiologist gave me 400 mg of Amiodarone and 250 mg. of Dilitazem. If you are prescribed Amiodarone talk to you doctor at length. The side effects are pretty bad and after 11 months the drug was discontinued since my levels of thyroid, liver and heart were more and more elevated after every blood test. After 11 months the drugs were discontinued, my liver and heart levels were down but my thyroid was damaged. In January 2024 I was prescribed levothyroxine since my thyroid would not recover. A side effect of the Amiodarone caused hypothyroidism which is one of the many side effects. So, just advice from my own experience. Every drug your doctor prescribes make him discuss every detail with you so you have the information. I did not until recently, when I saw my blood tests through a portal that was sent to me by the diagnostic company. It shocked me to read the results as my organ levels climbed and although, it was too late, I learned now that doctors overprescribe, don't follow-up in a timely fashion, do not discuss the issues you may be experiencing and dismiss your concerns. I had advocates for me during this time frame, but one thing we all did that went found was totally wrong. We accepted the doctors decisions and not one of us questioned the mediations. I mean, why would we? We thought he would do "no harm" and trusted him as we do all the doctors that he knows what he's doing so to question the toxicity and side effects of the mediations prescribed never entered our minds.

Thanks so much for this important advice!