Atrial Fibrillation: What's it like to live with a-fib?

Did he put you on a blood thinner?

I am on Eliquis, a blood thinner, and was given 25 mg Meoprolol Tartrate to slow down my heart when it starts beating irregularly. It is low dose, fast acting, short living….so it is is my “pill in a pocket.” Within two hours it slows down the palpitations.

Best wishes, Eileen

Thanks for the information. I am not on a blood thinner. My doctor talked about it at out last phone call meeting. Right now I am recovering from COVID. I am very weak. I am taking Paxlovid for it right now. So far any "Episodes" are very short-lived. They quit about the time I think I should call an ambulance.
I was given a pacemaker because my heart rate was too slow. My frustration is that the technician raised the rate to 81 without confirming with my doctor first. This is higher than it was when I was a teenager!

My cardiologist put me on Eliquis about 5 years ago for AFib.
Eileen

I am 78 and about eight months ago I had an ablation at WakeMed in Raleigh North Carolina. That hospital is terrific for taking care of heart related problems. I also had mitral valve repair. I was able to go off of Eliquis about 3 months after that surgery and the ablation has been a success because my AFib was gone from the moment they took care of it in the hospital. I currently take only 12.5 mg of metoprolol and a 81 mg aspirin every morning. Everything is fine for me right now including my heart rate and blood pressure. I am grateful and I hope this helps you.

@elizaolson, in addition to the helpful messages posted by @saganjames and @eileen11108, you may also be interested in these related discussions:
- Afib - do I just live with it?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/afib-do-i-just-live-with-it/
- Is Afib ever cured?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/is-afib-ever-cured/
- Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): How can I manage it?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/a-fib/

What is an ablation? I am on one statin and I have a pacemaker. It was put in when I was 82. I can't believe that I'm that old! I am not taking aspirin. My cardiologist asked me if I was, but no has told me to take it.

So far... no fun..
I am used to a lot of "project activity", just finished building a unique motorhome.. working on a 35' crane barge...
My afib started last summer..getting a dr appointment? not easy..sooooo really got diagnosis in fall after few visits..We live in Bluffton SC.
Mine seems to be improving, but shortness of breath,LACK OF ENERGY are the big issues. Seeing 2 drs re ablation end of march yup took 3 months to get these appointments. Will advise outcome..
Hope you can get input faster than mine...Good luck.

How interesting about your comments about the length of time to get an appointment. That is a complaint heard all the time in Canada where we have public health. It is different in each province and territory. I am looking forward to hearing from you after your medical visits. I am improving from COVD. Yesterday I did my "almost" long walk. It was approx. 6 blocks. I think I could have gone longer except it was cold outside--near freezing and windy.