Hi @frank4848. Welcome to Connect! We are so glad to have you here.

Welcome aboard, @frank4848. Your reference to anxiety attacks renews a previous conversation that some of us "newbies" weren't around for. Can you tell us more about what you experienced from anxiety? Has your doctor suggested that Xarelto made your AFIB better, or do you think something else (beyond controlling stress) has steadied your pulse rate?
Martin

Yes

Back in 2005, my primary doctor did ekg on me and he then discovered my irregular heart beat and referred me cardiologists. They ran some test me and discovered that I have AFIB. The funny thing about it I notice back in 2000 I started to experience quite alot anxiety attacks at work, while driving, flying, even riding the elevator. My doctor asked me if I wanted to be on medication and I told him no. I tried to manage it on my own all those years plus the daily stress I've notice trigger my anxiety attacks.. I'm currently taking Benazepril, Atorvastatin, Xarelto. About two months ago my cardiologist took me off Atenolol because of my slow heart beat. If my heart beat stays slow heart beat, I probably going to have a pacemaker. Now that I am retired I don't experience as much anxiety attacks.

@frank4848, when my second-opinion cardiologist reviewed my Coumadin prescription, he explained about Xarelto and Pradaxa, saying the three drugs are essentially preventive in purpose -- guarding against formation of clots in the upper atrium chambers that were at least partly immobilized by Atrial Fibrillation. He said we would have to look for other medications to relieve the A-Fib itself. I have been on a beta-blocker for the past month, chosen because of its two-pronged benefits: first, alleviating hypertension and, second, adjusting my heart function (including slowing its pulse rate). If you're not taking a third medication (as I am), I'd sure appreciate knowing what your secret is for alleviating the symptoms of A-Fib.

I'm interested in the fact that so many have had good results with Xarelto. I was unable to manage with Xarelto because of the dizziness.So I'm on Warfarin and Solitol. I have checkups with the coag lab every 2-4 weeks, depending on the results. So far, so good. I know that Xarelto has an antidote if ;you should have a massive bleed. For along time they did not have one and that's why there are so many lawsuits, mostly group suits. (advertised regularly here on TV). Goes to show that not everyone is the same and there is no one size fits all.

I had to jump in regarding the discussion of Anxiety Attacks. Mine started well over 20 years ago and I tried to deal with them on my own and I was to the point I had enough episodes that I was crossing things off my list of fun things I liked doing and no longer could do. I finally went & saw a Psychiatrist who prescribed 1 mg of Klonopin and that has got me over the hump that I am now able to drive over brides or on freeways, fly on planes and generally have a peace of mind. I now take the generic form called Clonaspam. Other than a headache like I missed a cup of coffee if I miss, it has been a miracle drug for me.

Hi @thankful. I'm so glad you jumped in here with your experience and successful management of your anxiety. So many people are reluctant to share that they manage anxiety with medication. What a huge turn-around for you from being "grounded" by fear to being able to fly again - both in terms of going on airplanes to enjoying life.

Thank you Colleen! I have dealt with Anxiety for many years and I am amazed how much more prevalent this deliberating thing is with many folks. I have found that not a lot of people are willing to talk about it, but I am very open about what it did to me robbing me of many things for years until I got the help I needed. I find the more I talk about it, the more people open up and it also helps me in a healthy way express that you don't have to become a shut-in and live in fear.

I fell a year ago and fractured my hip. I found out then that i have afib.i am 81and had always been active and healthy. Now i am on a walker and dont ger arround to well. I take eliquis.So far no problems with it. My left ankle started swelling and found i had dvt. That's why I was given eliquis. I tire very easy so not much exercise. I have also been very depressed and dont like to be alone. Any advice?