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

Hello @rubywitch67. I'm glad to join your conversation with Teresa @hopeful33250. She is one of the most thoughtful and caring people you will ever encounter. I have four immediate comments: First, call your doctor and explain as accurately as you can what you experienced last night and ask for a special prescription at your local drug store. Second, if the doctor's not available to consult AND the A-fib heart beats are really disturbing, consider going to the emergency room. Third, don't be afraid of Xarelto (spelling!). It's an anticoagulant that prevents formation of blood clots in your atrium which rarely form in the upper chamber of your heart, but when they do can cause a stroke. Fourth, be sure you know the symptoms of stroke, and if you have any of them, call 911 for swift medical help in getting to the emergency room.

Here's some information on my experience; it might be helpful to you. My A-fib was diagnosed four years ago. I have been on an anticoagulant medication (Coumadin) since then. It involves regular blood tests to inhibit coagulation, and for me, that provides assurance that I'm on top of things. But I got careless a couple of months ago and didn't take care of my coagulation level, and after about three days, I had a stroke -- a "small stroke," the radiologist said, when she read results of my MRI. It made me a little shaky in the legs, but after a session with a neurologist and six sessions of a physical therapist, I'm almost back to normal. As proof, my bowling league resumed after the summer off, and I rolled a 237 game and a 565 series yesterday!

I hope my experience will help alleviate your stress over your diagnosis. Can you readily connect with your doctor when you feel you need to? Would you feel better if you had confirmation of A-fib rather than PVC in your recent events? Is emergency medical help available by calling 911 in the rare case that you need it?

Oh, @rubywitch67, I can understand your anxiety. Rapid heartbeats of any type or description are very intimidating and scary. If you are prone to anxiety and panic, it makes it that much worse.

My mother, age 92, has been taking Xarelto, for several years now with no ill effects. It has prevented strokes and that is the goal of that med.

You said your last episode started at 11:30 and lasted until 3 a.m. does sound quite long, however, while I have heart rate problems, Afib is not one that has been diagnosed. Even though your appointment for the cardiogram isn't until next week, you might consider calling your doctor and letting him know about the length of the episode. Perhaps he will see you sooner. I am going to tag another Member of Connect, Martin, @predictable. He has had many different heart problems and he will be glad to support you as well.

hopeful.....thank you SO much for emailing me. I am not the brightest crayon in the technology box and I fear I get myself lost quite often! Long story short, 8 years ago I had 2 heart stents placed as I have CAD they say was caused by having hypocholesteremia. After the stents, I developed PVC's and have spent these past 8 years learning to live with those and not be terrified. A couple weeks ago, I had 3 episodes of what I believed were PVC's that oddly began each night around 8-9 pm after I had eaten. They lasted about 3 hours and seemed to be one continues PVC! I also have panic disorder, so you can imagine the mess I got myself into! I called my cardiologist and he put me on a 72 hour event monitor. I felt like it was Murphy's Law, because during that 72 hours, I hardly pushed the button at all. For those 3 days I had less PVC's than normal. But this past Monday (the 10th) he called and told me I had AFIB!!!! He said he called in a prescription for Zerelto (sp) to my insurance company (I'm 67 and on Medicare and a supplemental plan) I am waiting for the meds to arrive, but have done some reading about these types of medications and now I'm scared to death to take them! I'm also sitting here waiting to drop dead from a stroke! I'm a mess. I will be going in for an echocardiogram in 2 weeks and seeing my cardio the next week. Can I assume that if he thought I was in imminent danger, he'd have me come in immediately? I live with my husband of 40 years and love him dearly, but he is not the most supportive person. I am so scared and feel so very alone. I had another episode last night. This one didn't start until around 11:30 pm while I was lying in bed reading and went on until almost 3 am. This one had a bit more of an "ebb and flow" feeling to it, but I had another major panic attack which I know just makes everything 10X worse. I'm sorry for rambling. Guess it's obvious I need someone to help me. Thank you, again. RubyWitch

Hello @rubywitch67 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect,

We are happy to have you posting. Afib can be a very intimidating disorder. We currently have an Afib discussions group, just click on this link and you can see other posts regarding Afib, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/a-fib/

As you read the posts of others, feel free to click on the "Reply" button and ask questions or comment on what others have posted. This is a very supportive community and I'm sure that you will find the support you need.

You said that you were just diagnosed. Have you been prescribed meds at this point? If so, how are they working for you?

Hi hopeful, thank you for replying so quickly. Rapid heartbeats are fine if you're playing a rousing game of tennis, but when they come out of nowhere while you're laying in bed doing nothing does make them VERY intimidating! That your mother, who is 92, bless her heart, has been on Xarelto for 2 YEARS (I had no idea it had been out that long) and has done just fine on it, has given me a slight nudge toward calming down. Thank you for that. However, I had no idea that 3 hours was considered somewhat freaky for an episode of AFIB and now I'm really scared again. I wonder if my panic and all that adrenaline being dumped into my system is not prolonging them? When I had those 3 episodes before calling my cardio, I DID tell his triage nurse how long they lasted. Perhaps that's why he ordered a 72 hour event monitor? He told me on the phone the monitor had picked up a 6 hour episode! What's scary is that I didn't think I was having very many PVC's while wearing it.....maybe 10-20 all day! How could I have not felt 6 HOURS worth? If I can't tell if I'm in AFIB, how do I know to go to the ER? Oh dear...…..I'm REALLY scaring myself now. I would truly appreciate you talking to Martin. I will gladly take all the support and advice I can get! I can't thank you enough for reaching out to me. I'm still very, very scared but at least I don't feel so alone anymore. Linda

I want to respond right away, Linda (@rubywitch67), so you'll know that your messaging is getting through. Then I'll take some time to pull together some references to help you sort out your concerns about A-fib and PVC and the antiarrhythmic medications prescribed to suppress wayward blood clots from forming when blood pools with the heart. I'll have more later this evening. I'll also send you a private message with contact information on me. Martin

Hello Martin I am SO glad my posts are getting through to you. I was more worried than you can imagine. I think I may have gotten something mixed up in my post to you this morning. When my cardio ordered the Xeralto, I looked up side effects for ANTIARRYTHMICS, which do carry more side effects, but now I realize the Xeralto is an ANTICOAGULANT and all I've found for side effects of those are some concerns with bleeding. I'm not real crazy about THAT either, but I am no longer terrified of taking the Xeralto. I will look forward to hearing from you when you have time to find me hiding under my bed. Linda

I have supra ventricular tachycardia or SVT. It feels like my premature atrial complexes or PACs when it is happening. I also have very bad Anxiety and panic. I get scared because I am 72 years old and I wonder what's going to happen to me. I really need to get the anxiety and panic under control. When it's better, my heart feels better.

Hi, @anniegk. Glad to have you on this discussion with us. Hope you have had a chance to review other postings in this discussion, including mine of 3 days ago when I posted a Mayo Clinic web site link that you may find very helpful in giving you some assurances: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-and-totally-lost/?pg=1#comment-125372. If you can check that out, we'll be glad to know what you think of the information it provides.

to Rubywitch67 - been reading your posts from late March. Perhaps you have gotten some help by now ? In case not, I wanted to offer some of my experience with Afib. First, my cardo, whom I like, was reccomending the anti-arrhythmic drugs. Like you, did my research on side effects, success rates and finally concluded wanted to go with an Ablation. If successful, might get off the meds and maybe even the blood thinner. Consider: Ablation is not a cure but may be a fix for several years? Drugs are not a cure either and stats show them less successful than Ablation. 2) Have been on Xarelto now for over a year. No problems. Bleeding can be an issue, so need to be careful. But unlike comudin, no dietary restrictions and no blood samplings. Once a day sold me over others like Eliquis. Expensive but can get a coupon from mfg if qualified. I now pay $10 for 3 months supply.
3) Stress and anxiety are highly rated triggers for Afib. As a natural worrier, this has been a major challenge for me - not easy - but finally have under control without meds. Sleeping so much better. A real mind challenge but can be done. I had to develop a kinda "couldn't care less" attitude; if not something I can control, forget it. I have a Karido Moble and was using it frequently - like daily. Keeping me in suspense and anxiety. My Ablation provider counseled : "I am not treating your Karido. I am not treating your brain. I am treating your heart"..... You need to throw the Karido away, don't take constant pulse ratings - forget it. Put it behind you.... De stress. Following his advice has been very helpful. Can you find the formula for you to relieve your stress?
Please see a Mayo electrophysoligist, if possible, and discuss Ablation as a remedy. Not for everyone but you need to have that discussion. Again, find a way to eliminate that stress, anxiety.
I wish you the best Ruby