Heart Rhythm Conditions – Welcome to the group

Hi....I am not new to Mayo Connect as I have been posting on Sleep Apnea for the past several weeks but I do have a question concerning AFib which the doctors have told me goes hand in hand with my Sleep Apnea.

I was diagnosed with AFib two months ago after my first episode lasting 7 hours. I converted on my own and was put on Metoporal and a low dose aspirin as I am only 1 on Chad. This past week I had my second episode lasting 18 hours. The cardiologist doubled my Metoporal dosage and put me on Eliquis. I self converted on my own again. The problem I am having is that I am living in fear of the next time. I know an ablation will be in my future because I am very drug sensitive and do not believe I can handle the heart rhythm drugs. I don't like the feeling of living in fear or wondering when the next episode will be. It's making me very anxious. My cardiologist said to "live my life" and relax. The Eliquis will protect me from stroke and an ablation is not something to be afraid of . Are there any words of advice as to how I can stop dwelling on "next time" and just relax?

CeCe55

Hello Cece! Sorry to hear about your episodes of AFib. Some years ago I suffered from constant AFib. The cardiologist had never seen a case as bad as mine apparently. I didn't have 3 steady beats in a row. I couldn't get enough air and I felt dizzy. I was put on a beta blocker. Unfortunately, the highest dose was required which the cardiologist said could stop my heart! He told me to try to get it down even just to 3 1/2 pills a day instead of 4. My heart would go haywire with any reduction in the dose. I had to remain at the high dose and the side effects made me feel 90 years old...at age 46! This went on for almost 2 years. I felt like an invalid and let my husband do any physical work. It was depressing!

I did some research and I learned a lot about arrhythmias. I learned to take responsibility for my condition and have some power over it myself instead of relying on medication alone. I never drank coffee, tea, alcohol or ate chocolate and I kept carbs to a minimum; all things that got my heart racing and going arrhythmic. I tried to keep stress to a minimum. Dental anaesthetics were a non stimulating kind. No cold meds for me. I was highly motivated to get off the beta blockers and followed the regimen religiously.

Doing my research I learned that exercise helps so I decided to join a gym and I went on the treadmill for 35 minutes 6 mornings a week for 4 months then tapered off a bit. Of course, on beta blockers my heart rate stayed at 80 bpm. After a week I reduced the beta blocker dose a bit. (One has to do it very gradually.) My heart rate stayed stable! At the end of a month, I was completely OFF the beta blockers.
I went to see the cardiologist and he said that my case was so extreme that the AFib would come back. Well, it is 24 years later and I have had blips when I had some coffee or chocolate which reminds me to stay away from those stimulants...and last year I had 1 day of unstable heart beats when I was under a lot of stress. Otherwise, my heart is stable.

I feel in control of my condition. And I hope that you can also gain similar control by taking charge of your Afib. Good luck!

Hi....I am not new to Mayo Connect as I have been posting on Sleep Apnea for the past several weeks but I do have a question concerning AFib which the doctors have told me goes hand in hand with my Sleep Apnea.

I was diagnosed with AFib two months ago after my first episode lasting 7 hours. I converted on my own and was put on Metoporal and a low dose aspirin as I am only 1 on Chad. This past week I had my second episode lasting 18 hours. The cardiologist doubled my Metoporal dosage and put me on Eliquis. I self converted on my own again. The problem I am having is that I am living in fear of the next time. I know an ablation will be in my future because I am very drug sensitive and do not believe I can handle the heart rhythm drugs. I don't like the feeling of living in fear or wondering when the next episode will be. It's making me very anxious. My cardiologist said to "live my life" and relax. The Eliquis will protect me from stroke and an ablation is not something to be afraid of . Are there any words of advice as to how I can stop dwelling on "next time" and just relax?

CeCe55

After 2.3 years on dofitilide, I was taken off of it since it is no longer working re afib. Cardiologist and I discussed the problem, and he put me on a small dose of metoporol. Just started it this morning. Feel alittle odd, but okay. Been working on taxes and my cognitive function is good, not sleepy, seems to be processing well. Thank God. He said the drugs to control afib are no longer working for me, and now the strategy is rate control. HR was about 100 resting, alittle too high. He's a young local doctor and doesn't mind that I take a handful of vitamins twice a day. My other functions are healthy. PRAY FOR SUCCESS!!

healtytoday, My cardiologist is young as well. When I approached him about supplements his response was , In your case, it is a good idea. He also asked me why I'd want to donate blood and my response was, It is the only natural blood thinner, helps my body make new blood and someone out there could use some help. His response was, I have no problem with you giving blood.

These younger cardiologists are into nutrition, supplements and exercise. BTW, when I first went to him he reminded me of Dougie Houser form th eTV and the others on staff called him Dr. Jimmy. I cracked dup. HJe's now needing to get th next size white coat cuz he's built himself a bit of muscles over th almost 4 years I've been seeing him.

Hi, my name is Dot and I have afib. I had a cardio version which helped for about six months. Recently I changed cardiologist and my new doctor has me doing a life style change. He wants me to lose 10 lbs. lost 6 pounds so far. My prior doctor was talking ablation, watchman or another cardio version. He put me on heart rhythm drugs which made me feel very weak, like my body was jelly. Hoping this life style change helps. Hate the fatigue and weak feelings.

Hello Cece! Sorry to hear about your episodes of AFib. Some years ago I suffered from constant AFib. The cardiologist had never seen a case as bad as mine apparently. I didn't have 3 steady beats in a row. I couldn't get enough air and I felt dizzy. I was put on a beta blocker. Unfortunately, the highest dose was required which the cardiologist said could stop my heart! He told me to try to get it down even just to 3 1/2 pills a day instead of 4. My heart would go haywire with any reduction in the dose. I had to remain at the high dose and the side effects made me feel 90 years old...at age 46! This went on for almost 2 years. I felt like an invalid and let my husband do any physical work. It was depressing!

I did some research and I learned a lot about arrhythmias. I learned to take responsibility for my condition and have some power over it myself instead of relying on medication alone. I never drank coffee, tea, alcohol or ate chocolate and I kept carbs to a minimum; all things that got my heart racing and going arrhythmic. I tried to keep stress to a minimum. Dental anaesthetics were a non stimulating kind. No cold meds for me. I was highly motivated to get off the beta blockers and followed the regimen religiously.

Doing my research I learned that exercise helps so I decided to join a gym and I went on the treadmill for 35 minutes 6 mornings a week for 4 months then tapered off a bit. Of course, on beta blockers my heart rate stayed at 80 bpm. After a week I reduced the beta blocker dose a bit. (One has to do it very gradually.) My heart rate stayed stable! At the end of a month, I was completely OFF the beta blockers.
I went to see the cardiologist and he said that my case was so extreme that the AFib would come back. Well, it is 24 years later and I have had blips when I had some coffee or chocolate which reminds me to stay away from those stimulants...and last year I had 1 day of unstable heart beats when I was under a lot of stress. Otherwise, my heart is stable.

I feel in control of my condition. And I hope that you can also gain similar control by taking charge of your Afib. Good luck!

What supplements do you take?