Sadness over diagnosis

Thank you for telling us your story. My goodness. You have been through the wringer, and you didn't let it stop you! I like your advice. I am still attempting my restart. Spring helps though. Made it through another winter!! I have not found any support groups here that fit my needs, but have found that walking and hiking help me feel better. I kind of needed to hear from you today though--it gives me some motivation to try harder to deal with this.

Plus, I'm all alone. I want it that way, but it makes dealing with serious issues harder I think. I have a couple friends here, but they have issues and lives of their own. My family lives quite a ways away and they're all spread out, but they call to check in. I have joined a church and there are nice folks there, but they aren't like family or close friends. I didn't realize before I got afib and became a little more fragile how beneficial strong and healthy relationships could be. People who have a good family and friend support network are very lucky.

Keep going strong! Get out on beautiful days in the sunshine, it has been a long winter (at least here in NY) I used to drive to a park that had a lake. Bring a book and enjoy nature. It has a very calming effect if you let yourself absorb it all.
I had a hard time finding a support group. I reached out to various therapist offices and finally found mine. Don’t give up!
If you have time and money, perhaps visit with a family member

Also, you said you were alone and wanted it that way. I felt that way for 3 years. It wasn’t until after I started to fight back and get moving, that I realized that even short little conversations with family and even strangers I meet, help to make you feel alive! Please try to connect with others. Share your health issues with some, others just laugh with. Interaction with others is very important! If your church has functions, try joining them if your well enough, even if it is something you wouldn’t normally do. Praying you feel better!

Catmom I want to share my story with PVC'S. Last year at my physical in June at Mayo Clinic in Rochester my doctor asked, did you know you are getting a lot of PVC'S, which I didn't know. The 24 hour halter monitor showed 25% of the time which is not good. I was asked by the heart doctor what I was taking that could cause this, nothing I could think of. I had been taking Miralax for over ten years and it had been giving me diarrhea somedays so I quit taking it to see if it was the culprit. I did a lot of on-line research and read Miralax could cause this and it may take 6 months to get better. At the end of December they were all gone!!! The cause was the Miralax!!!!!! I can't wait for my physical now in June to share my story with my Mayo doctors. I did read on-line about a guy with AFIB that found his were caused by tyramine in foods and when he quit eating these foods his AFIB was gone as well. Take a really good look at what you are putting in your mouth, eating and taking over the counter, maybe even medicine. Hope this helps someone. Good luck Catmom! Mac

I've never taken Miralax, but am glad you found your culprit. I think my afib is caused by a perfect storm of problems. First, my dad was a smoker and I've had compromised bronchial tubes since childhood. I used to get really sick when I was a kid, and have struggled on & off with bronchitis my entire life. If I get a cold, there is a good chance it will turn into bronchitis and I'll cough for six weeks, but about a year and a half ago I got a cold from a client and it turned into really bad bronchitis. I coughed for months. Then in December the cough showed up again and I was unable to get rid of it. On top of that I've had intermittent acid reflux for the past couple years. Also, I drank between six and eight ounces of wine (1.5 glasses) every night with dinner, which now I know can cause the heart to work harder and may even interrupt its electrical activity. Also, I have a ACES score of six, which means I have an increased likelihood of developing serious illness and means my life will probably be shortened by a few years (the average is 13 yrs). Additionally I've had a very stressful life between jobs, money issues, and abusive husbands/boyfriends (I am permanently single now). But, in December all this came together and I started not feeling well, then in February had a few heart flutters but I didn't take them seriously because I didn't know what was going on. Then March 8th the proverbial *&^% hit the fan and I wound up going to the ER by ambulance where I was diagnosed with paroxysmal afib/tachycardia. Now I'm struggling to stay ahead of the afib with the help of Diltiazem. I've found that getting even a little bit dehydrated can bring it on, and so can getting very tired. If I get very anxious or stressed that brings it on too.
But otherwise, I've been a lifelong health freak. I eat healthier than almost anyone I know. I'm average weight, my heart is perfect (the docs told me this), I keep active--so my culprit is my breathing issues mainly, followed by the other factors I mentioned.

But, thanks for the input. I wonder what it was in Miralax that set yours off. Maybe it caused you to become dehydrated or have an electrolyte imbalance? I've been drinking low-sodium V8 juice most days now to help with my electrolytes. I think it does help. After I was diagnosed the docs told me to drink lots of fluids, but I overdid it and wound up in the hospital AGAIN!!! This time from a sodium level of 127 when it's supposed to be between 136 and 144. So, I have to be careful with hydration too!

@ninimurphy
Thank you for sharing your story.
Your attitude is nothing short of remarkable!
I have no doubt that you are going to be able to accomplish ANYTHING you want in your life.
You are so right DO NOT LET YOUR ILLNESS DEFINE YOUR LIFE!
That, is something I am trying VERY hard to do!

Thank you again and keep on going on.....
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

I am going to be visiting family this summer. I have grandchildren and miss them. But, I do connect with family via phone and text. I will keep looking for ways to interact more with people. I know it's important. I've read that loneliness is as much a killer as heart disease. Ironic that I'm both lonely and have heart issues now. But, I've always felt a little lonely, even when I was married. My 2nd marriage was the about as lonely as I could get. He was very distance and not supportive at all. I am a shy and quiet introvert. But, like you, I enjoy nature. I go on hikes every now and then.

You sound so sad. I’m sorry. I’m an introvert, too, and quiet, just like you. Have you ever thought about finding a walking group thru the recreation center or the senior center? When I first moved here, I found a walking group and it was great! Also, use yourself to help others. Be a once a week visitor at a nursing home. Or maybe volunteer to be a dog walker at the humane society. Good luck and take care of yourself. Becky

PLEASE DON'T LET SADNESS TAKE OVER YOUR LIFE....TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME AND TRY TO ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF IT.....THERE ARE THINGS SO MUCH WORSE THAN WHAT YOU HAVE.. I TOO HAVE AFIB, AM ON XERALTO DAILY, HAVE STENOSIS IN MY BACK, DEAL WITH ACHING LEGS AND OSTEOPOROSIS EVERY DAY AND AM TAKING CARE OF MY HUSBAND WHO HAS ALS. I AM 87 YRS OLD AND I THANK GOD I AM ALIVE. DON'T DWELL ON THE NEGATIVE, AND BE THANKFUL THAT YOU ARE STILL HERE . WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING TO DEAL WITH, SO TOUGHEN UP AND ENJOY YOUR TIME HERE ON EARTH EVEN THO YOU HAVE SOME BAD DAYS...………..ALLEGRO