[New] 2 new heart groups: Aortic Aneurysms and Heart Rhythm Conditions

I have a fib and I am a 68 yr old woman. Please send all your data for people with atrial fib.

Hello. I also am a 68 year old women with afib, diagnosed in 2014. I take 12.5 mg Metropolol and also Xarelto daily. I don't seem to have any bad side effects from these medications although I generally do not like taking medications. If I take an extra Metropolol when in afib as doctor suggested, my blood pressure seems to drop too much so I don't take that extra very often. My afib comes and goes; it happens 2-3 times per week and I definitely feel terrible when it is happening. When I am in afib I have shortness of breath and am extremely fatigued. When it stops I feel much better. At the suggestion of a friend who has a homeopathic doctor, I am currently trying daily foot soaks with magnesium oil (magnesium chloride), along with 100 mg Ubiquinol daily, and am hoping that will help. A few months ago, my doctor was all set to put in a pacemaker which he said might relieve some of the symptoms but I am not sure I want to do that.

Hello @tigas,

Welcome to Connect. I’d like to introduce you to other members who have talked about a-fib here in the community, and who may be able to share their experiences. Please meet @martishka @twptrustrek @jhoffmanj @irishblueileen @billmichalski @success101 @nadine66 @carnes @jimana Mentor @hopeful33250, in addition to @karenatmayo who you’ve already met.

You may also wish to review the conversations in this discussion:
– AFib questions https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/good-morning-im-almost-66-years-old-with-infrequent-afib-and-on/

@tigas, what kind of a-fib data are you looking for? Do you have questions or concerns about the a-fib? Please feel free to ask away – the Connect community is listening.

Hello,
I hang out in the other parts of the Mayo Clinic Connect. Now, I'm over here because I was just told that I have Arrythmia's and 1 ascending and 1 descending aortic aneurysm. The largest one measuring 4.7 but that is going to be clarified as soon as I get my Cat scan report. My Cardiologist put me on Metoprolol and Eliquis after the results of my 7 day heart monitor. I knew I was having a few palpitations and PVC's but really didn't mention them because they were few and far between, so I thought. On day 2 of wearing the heart monitor, my heart started racing and I could hardly count the beats because the arrythmia was going so fast. I'm glad they were able to catch that episode. My heart was beating 150 rate lasting about 3-4 hours. I considered going to the ER but I hate going there. (I know, stubborn) so , I drank a lot of water and went to bed. I thought I was probably dehydrated. My heart settled down and I felt ok the next day. According to the report, I had more episodes than I realized I was having.
Having 2 aortic aneurysms and tachycardia and finding out there's a place for me in another area of the Mayo Clinic for both, If you don't mind, I'll be hanging out here for awhile. I can learn a lot from you folks in here just by sharing your story. I'm 69yrs old with a fairly amount of problems. But, right now this one is rearing it 's ugly head and I have questions. My Cardiologist put me on Metoprolol 25mg and Eliquis5mg X2 daily. The Metoprolol is making me lethargic but they say it gets better. To be honest , I'm feeling discouraged and that's ok as long as it doesn't go on and on. I'm having moments of sheer panic as to how my life will go from here. Having 2 aneurysms already was causing me stress and now it's something else. I'm not feeling sorry for myself, I just need to hear how others are coping. I just need time to get into acceptance. Educating myself as much as I can about the diagnosis's is going to give me important information that I need to know. I've got an appointment with my Cardio doc this Friday so that I can hear what he has to say. 4 days ago I spoke with the P.A. and I'm not sure she gave me all the information I need, I didn't know what to ask. Metoprolol is medicine that is a beta-blocker taken once daily to treat high blood pressure, manage long-term chest pain (angina), and improve survival and reduce hospitalization in heart failure. It works by slowing your heart rate and easing the heart's workload. I read this when I got home. My question to the doctor is which or all of these reasons is the reason why I'm taking this drug. I also read that once you are on this medicine, you have to take for the rest of your life. Thank you for "listening" to my story.
Jan A. so California

@janagain
Jan, welcome to this corner of Connect. I’m glad you found your way over here, although I’m sorry it took two new diagnoses to bring you. You’ve had a lot of information come at you very quickly, and I can understand needing some time to absorb it all.

It sounds like Friday’s appointment will be an important opportunity to get some of the pieces put together. I think your question about exactly why your cardiologist prescribed metoprolol is a good one. You might also ask whether they expect it to be long-term in your particular situation, what they want your heart rate and blood pressure to run, and what symptoms or heart-rate changes should mean calling the office or going in for urgent care.

You mentioned feeling lethargic since starting metoprolol. Be sure to tell your cardiologist that too, especially if it is interfering with your normal activities.

And I think you came to exactly the right place for the other thing you’re looking for - people who understand what it is like to receive a diagnosis like this and then figure out how to live with it.

For those of you living with an aortic aneurysm or an arrhythmia, what helped you most during those first weeks or months after diagnosis? Was there anything you wish you had known or asked your cardiologist at the beginning? What Connect discussion do you recommend @janagain peruse to learn and get plugged in?

Jan, after your appointment Friday, will you come back and let us know what you learn?