Managing A-Fib while waiting for an appointment with cardiologist

Posted by blanche123 @blanche123, Jun 1, 2022

I had my first episode of AFib (very active 63 y/o female with no cardiac history)with RVR and
Left axis disfunction. They couldn’t give me Cardizem because of a warning on the computer they had never seen before. By the time they figured that out and we’re ready to give it my heart converted on its own.

They sent me home with no meds. 5 days later at Panera it happened again. I really didn’t want to go back to the ER so I was bearing down hard and eventually it passed. I can’t get into see a cardiologist for 2 months. Do I need to be worried? They just said come back if you have more trouble. I don’t want to keep running to the ER. Just a little concerned about the RVR part.

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@blanche123

They told me not to take aspirin when I asked about it. They said I don’t need anything. I have had 3 episodes of AFib since the ER. They didn’t last long and got shorter each time. I was able to stop them with maneuvers and breathing.

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I find the following can help: extending neck by jutting chin forward; forcing burps - inhale air into mouth and the burp it out; sit rather than lie back - if you want to lean back use a wedge shape foam pillow to keep head & neck upright

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I was diagnosed with AFIB in 2019, age 75 years old in ER and they got it to stop and made an appointment with Cardiologist and had to wait 2.5 months.. I was put on Medication the 2 nd time back in ER and then the Doctor put me on two more meds. They costs me hundreds $$ per month and I have good insurance. They controlled my AFIF for almost 18 months and then I had to go to ER for Cardiofversions 3 times. The medications made me tired and I felt generally horrible. When I was in ER the Doctor told me to get an Ablation Surgery….the Doctor in my town had 40% success rate and told me most people have 2 or 3 Ablation Surgeries! So I went to Mayo Clinic (they have a higher success rate) and two Doctors did my Ablation Surgery two years ago and I have been 100% free of ABIB and no more meds except blood thinners. My point is that I found the ER Doctors more helpful then my 2 Cardiologists in my town.

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@blanche123

They said I am at almost zero risk from a blood clot because I am in very good shape and my labs are good.

I called my GP and she ordered a 30 day event monitor. I also am getting a Fit bit versa elite that I can wear in the water when I swim. She also gave me parameters of when to go to the ER so now I’m feeling better about it all.

Thank you for your reply!

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I think if you trust your doctor and with the new info that you are going to be alright waiting however, if it were me, I would do what another poster suggested (Not a doctor nor am I offering advice) I myself would take low dose aspirin and a multi vit.
Best of luck

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