71 - Recent Mild AFIB and Blockage

Hi, I am also a late-in-life AF patient. Mine was a result of undetected severe sleep apnea. My heart simply wasn't getting the proper rest at night while I was in fight-or-flight mode all night, struggling to get oxygen.

I understand that you have hung onto this line of work, and maybe self-validation, for a while, but who could blame your for wanting to persist at something you enjoy and that yields rewards of one kind or another?

The LAD blockage ain't great, but neither is it a disaster just yet. It can be treated. Imagine if you'd found out 'the hard way', that it was closer to 90%! You're still on top of your game.

Your health care provider(s) should eventually suggest a statin, if not already, but also it might be wise, for now, to have a prescription for a NOAC (Novel oral anti-coagulant). There is a greater risk for stroke than about any other risk when in occasional or permanent AF. The NOAC greatly reduces that risk. They are easily tolerated pretty much universally, although the cost can be an obstacle for some. I am on Eliquis for life, it being a brand name for the NOAC 'apixaban', which is very commonly prescribed globally.

And, if you could stand an opinion about your statement of living life the fullest, this can be done in almost any 'doable' pursuit...photography, volunteering (shopping for shut-ins keeps you on your feet), driving dialysis patients to appointments (with compensation for mileage...usually), taking cancer patients to appointments who need the help, astronomy, birding, woodworking, fishing.....the list is endless. Learning a second or third language is really good for the brain, but that fills three hours a week.... Just don't feel defeated or that you are relinquishing all that defines you. You can be proud of achievement in any capacity or pursuit.

At some point, as it quite often the case across patient populations, your AF will evolve to the point where it becomes more intractable. You are urged, by most who have gone through much of the journey, to get treatment early...BEFORE it becomes truly unmanageable. The earlier you get onto medication, and/or the earlier you submit yourself for a catheter ablation, the easier your condition can be mitigated. There is no cure for AF, but catheter ablation can stem it with internal lesions to the atrial wall. The resultant scarring cannot pass the signals to beat that the atrium relies on, so you won't get the extra signals that comprise the impetus for the ectopic beats and chaos...and the anxiety and discomfort that follows.

Good luck.

Great words. My blood oxygen levels overnight are always 95%+ but I do snore (just ask my wife). I need to do a sleep study for the correct set up. Losing weight and hoping that will correct apnea. I’m not opposed to ablation procedure or any treatment for that matter. In terms of what to do if I give up my business all that you mentioned are available. Stress and anxiety are really what I want to eliminate. I’m active physically, gym, golf, etc. Thanks again.

Admiration is being sent here for your candid comments .. I expect many people in our age group are at those same cross roads.

Greetings,

This is my first post. Beginning in about 2014 I began to have wild sensations in my heart. Hard to describe, but felt like I was going up and over the top in a rollercoaster… while reading a book or other mild activities.
Saw a cardiologist…he put a heart monitor on me. Nothing happened. Looked completely normal. I felt foolish. Yet, off and on thru the years ever since I would have these increasingly worrisome sensations….I was sure my heart was racing. Yet, time and time again..heart monitor showed nothing. Days would go by, then it would happen again. Cannot tell you the number of doctors that smiled, patted me on the head and sent me home.

So…I went to the doc 3 weeks ago. With actually other issues, but also made a point to tell the doc about these sensations that seemed to be happening more often. You guessed it..heart monitor showed nothing.

I bought one of those finger monitors for heart rate. Decided I would find out for myself if it was real. And sure enough, I saw this happen on that little screen. Sitting reading a book my heart suddenly took off…from 68 to 172 in just a few seconds. It lasted about 4 minutes before back to 70.

I brought it with my to the doc…wanted to test it against the device they have in the office….I had an “episode” right in front of the Doc! EKG caught all of it. Now for the first time I was diagnosed with Afib. Never realized that the heart racing like that was Afib.

Well…now, Doc wants me on eliquis. Did you know that stuff is $600 A MONTH! I have Medicare part D…it covers only $100 the first month…then I will have to pay $175 per month till I hit the wall at $5200..after that I will pay full price till January. So..this is looking like a serious budget issue …..for the rest of my life? Because I have drug insurance (lousy as it is) I do not quality for any discounts of coupons from eliquis.

Can anyone give me some advice? I have a hard time believing this is an emergency since I have been dealing with this for 9 years, and been poo pooed by so many docs that whole time. Can I have Afib and not ever have this escalate? I am taking metoprolol now..it seems to have stopped it for now. I know the risk of blood clots is serious…but I cannot pay for eliquis for longer than about 6 months. Is there a alternative that is much cheaper but effective? Is there a drug plan out there that will really cut total cost by at least half?

katiekateny,

I found myself in your situation in March when I was diagnosed with persistent Afib. My Eliquis costs me $106 a month and I know several people with Medicare Part D who only pay $47 a month and my pharmacist told me $45 to $47 is what most on Part D pay. So, now that it is open enrollment, I am looking for a plan that pays better. I would recommend you do the same.
We have a senior center here with very experienced people who know the best plans based on your medications. Perhaps you can find help to find the best plan. I know it hits hard to see the cost of eliquis, but stroke is a serious risk. Good luck with finding that better plan.

Try Maple Leaf meds in Canada.
800-998-4016
http://www.mapleleafmeds.com
I email my prescription to them along with a voided check..
It takes a while to get the meds but It's a lot less expensive.