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Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): How can I manage it?

Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: Jun 25, 2021 | Replies (84)
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@raybornh

I am an 84 year old male with better than average Health, I have high blood pressure and have been treated with medication for probably 20 years, recently having a huge loss of energy and just not feeling well I was diagnosed with A FIB, after a nuclear stress test, and a sonagram(MS), both were normal, I was given a cardio version, and was told I obtained normal Heart Rhythm on the first attempt, however two weeks later I was back in A FIB, after discussion with Cardiologist, I was given two options, do nothing stay on XARLTO, or take a rhythm drug AMIODAROBE for three weeks, then try Cardio Version again Dr was fairly optimistic that I could retain a normal Heart Rhythm, I am at this time short of energy, sleep more than usual but able to function somewhat normal albeit at a reduced level, no more 18 holes of golf but only 9 etc, I wold certainly like to hear from folks with similar symtons and any advice that will help me make a decision on witch path to try all comments are welcome. Harold Rayborn

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Replies to "I am an 84 year old male with better than average Health, I have high blood..."
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 4, 2018

Welcome to Connect, @raybornh
I moved your message to this existing discussion about AFib so you can meet other members like @fred66 @predictable @racerjon @grandmar @jigglejaws94 @frande @tresjur and more. I'm hoping that they may have experiences that are similar to yours and can share their thoughts with respect to AFib and loss of energy despite getting more sleep than usual and generally not feeling very well.

While we wait for others to join in, you may be interested in these discussions on Connect:
- Atrial fibrillation and medication side effects https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/side-efects/
- Xarelto https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/xarelto/
- AFib questions https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/good-morning-im-almost-66-years-old-with-infrequent-afib-and-on/
– Amiodarone for HCM https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ameodrion-for-hcm/

Harold, between the 2 medication choices recommended, Xarelto and Amiodarone, did your cardiologist outline pros and cons of each in your case?

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raybornh | @raybornh | Jul 4, 2018

I was under the impression that I would continue to take the XARLTO in addition to the Amiodarone, however I was to call him before starting the new Meds, Harold

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raybornh | @raybornh | Jul 4, 2018

Thank U for the additional info, hopefully I will get some feed back from others. Harold

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Martin Jensen, Volunteer Mentor | @predictable | Jul 4, 2018

Hi, @raybornh. Glad to make your acquaintance. You and I are similar in basic respects -- I'm almost 83, better than average health, high blood pressure treated with medications more than 20 years, and A-fib the last four years. But I haven't lost a lot of energy, and I've not undergone a cardioversion. Treatment of my A-fib is limited to Carvedilol to stabilize my heart rate and Coumadin (Warfarin) to keep blood from clotting in my heart. My cardiologist has not urged cardioversion, probably because my A-fib symptoms are unremarkable. I'm a cancer survivor for 10 years after removal of a tumor from the lining of my bladder, with no recurrence as documented in annual cystoscopies.

As I turn the corner into my 84th year, I realize that I have cut back on energy-consuming activities and started to recognize initial symptoms in a number of systems -- kidney, liver, thyroid, parathyroid, maybe adrenal gland, and motor nerves -- more than enough to make we want a clear, complete picture of my overall condition and prospects for living another 10 years. So I'm gearing up for a total examination and the full range of tests at the Mayo Clinic. It seems to me that similar comprehensive diagnoses are just good planning for people like you and me in our 80s. Could you see yourself going through such a total workup? Martin

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raybornh | @raybornh | Jul 4, 2018

Martin, thank U for your reply, I also had a cyst removed from my Bladder a few years back & my urologist saw me quarterly, then twice a year and now yearly. Yes I could see my self doing a full work up, and now plan to try and see a cardiologist at Mayo for a second opinion.

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