← Return to New to group, wanted to share my arrhythmia story.

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I am absolutely shocked at your story. I can't imagine getting a Lexapro to manage a clearly described cardiac arrhythmia. The drug is usually an additive for treating MDD (major depressive disorder) and has black box warnings all over the place. In my humble opinion, from what I have read and heard from doctors, the longer the A-fib "survives" or "resurfaces" the harder it is to treat as it "spreads" and grows more aggressive with time. The message from some docs regarding A-fib: "it's very common and it won't kill you" is also not helpful. I am one year into this diagnosis and I am getting an ablation ASAP: I have very limited out breaks and I want it contained. I am much older than you, but my quality of life is what I care about. It isn't the time of my life, it is the life in the time I have that is important to me. Good luck, and I agree with others here--get a second opinion!

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Replies to "I am absolutely shocked at your story. I can't imagine getting a Lexapro to manage a..."

@sjm46 Thank you, yes suffice it to say I no longer see that doctor. That's exactly right as I told the doctor at the time, I am not depressed, just looking for whatever helps. I was naive, and eager and I think when we get in vulnerable states, we just want it to stop however that happens. It took me years to be my own advocate, ask questions, bring research papers with me. Some doctors like that...some hate it.

I have been called Dr. Google, on more than one occasion, where I quickly inform them of my sources and provide the documentation. Those doctors don't get a re-visit.

Anyhooo...yes, that is what I have heard as well that it can get worse over time. If my EP said I could get an ablation, I probably would.

I hope the ablation fixes it for you. I have had friends that have had them and most of the time they work perfectly.

You could not have said it any better: "It isn't the time of my life, it is the life in the time I have that is important to me." That is very powerful, thank you and I will have to tuck that into a pocket in my brain.

@sjm46 “ It’s very common, and won’t kill you!”, is a phrase I heard from 2 Doctor’s, a Nurse Practitioner, and a Medical Technician, who all work in the Cardiology, Electrophysiology Dept. of the Regional Hospital, where I live! This was after my first 2 episodes of A-fib, where I was literally scared, at how my heart flip flopped in my chest, and I couldn’t sense a heart beat after that, feeling faint, with pain radiating to my left shoulder! My anxiety was over the top, and my smart watch, after I took an ECG reading, stated that I was in A-fib, and it’s message was to get 911 help for me right away, and, also, for me to call my Dr. A.S.A.P. So, the next week an appointment was set up with a nurse practitioner, who explsined the risk of blood clots, forming in the atria area, and, potentially csusing strokes. We discussed possible solutions, down the road, to help, such as blood thinners, and / or devices etc. A time was set up for me to wear a heart monitor, for several weeks! I did have several A-fib episodes, as recorded by the monitor, some lasting 30 minutes, or so. After discussing the results, with a Nurse, and being told, that I had 5 times chances of having a stroke, as compared to other people, not afflicted with A-fib. I told the Cardiac Nurse, that I was anxious, because my family history was that my Dad died of a stroke, my Mom died of a severe stroke, and just a couple years ago, my sister died of s stroke! Then, they made an appointment for me, to come back in six months, saying that, should I have any episodes of A-fib, between now and then, thst I should call their office and someone would talk me through the episode, that it was not necessary to call 9-1-1, or go to ER. I have not been given any kind of preventative treatment. So, my anxiety has not been relieved, and I’m studying what the Mayo Clinic, and Cleveland Clinic Electrophysiologists recommend, to help alleviate triggers, that could start an A-fib episode. I live in a popular touristy area, where many ‘baby boomers’ have retired, which has overloaded the medical community’s only hospital, so, sometimes, I get the impression that I may not be receiving the medical care, I feel I need, at times! I am nearly 80 years old, over the hill, and just another complaining white hair, I sense, from some of the staff. So, anything I can do to inform myself, about diet, exercise, and preventing triggering an episode, of A-fib is to my benefit!