Living with Atrial Fibrillation: What are Your Experiences?

I’m just a few years younger 73 . Life is short . Have a cup of coffee and a glass of Chardonnay or two Just make sure you take your meds if needed and exercise daily Now go brew a cup or pull the cork .

Huge "Thank You" For That Info.
(Once & DONE!)

My diagnosis occurred 4 years ago ... the next 2-1/2 years I was referred from one Dr. or Physician Assistant to another, each would either suggest a change of medication or some sort of test: ekg, cta, etc. One would talk with the urgency of my condition being Eminent - Life Threatening, the next like I had little more than a "wort on my toe"! 16 months ago "I'd Had It!" - I stopped going to Cardiologists all together, sorted thru of what I'd been told to do that seemed like 'the right thing', & got rid of All the Drugs.
Now 4 years from the Initial Diagnosis, I'm ready to 'start All Over'. I'd had 2-1/2 years of being batted around like a Ping-Pong Ball. Ready to try again, I called a Hospital/Clinic in a larger city 100+ miles away & booked an appointment with one of their Cardiologists whose specialty is treating my Specific Issue - A-Fib. Before the appointment I sent a copies of my large files with the tests (& results), Medications, etc. that had been prescribed + the serious side effects that resulted ... as much info. as I felt they would or Should be given.
When the appointment took place, he pulled all the 'loose ends' together, said all the medical people I'd seen went "Above & Beyond" what they needed to do, & gave me Good, Sound, Practical advice for the future. He made a few suggestions, re-assured me that where I am Now I'm not doing anything wrong, basically I was "Just Fine. Keep up Just what you're Doing.". Finally he asked if I'd Like to come back in 6 months just so we can 'stay on top of it'.
My take-away: Follow Your Own Best Judgment. Don't let Physician Assistants &/or Dr.'s rush you into doing something your 'gut feelings' or 'instincts' tell you 'Just Doesn't Feel Right', & If Necessary - Keep Looking for a Medical Professional who will look at you like a "Snowflake" (no 2 are alike). Be Aware, there Are Dr.'s out there who look at Patients as: "Another Deep Pocket Walking Thru Their Door." (I call them: "Ka-Ching, Ka-Ching Dr.'s = always looking out for ways to 'Hit Their Good-Ole' Cash Register'!)

I have been in persistent A fib
Since at least Feb 10. I take Eliquis and Cardizem. I had a cardioversion that put me back in a fib a few hours later. I am scheduled for an ablation May 28
I am a young 77, very active , still teach school part time. Miss my coffee and Chardonnay

I would consult with a cardiologist. With afib, you have an increased risk of stroke as the blood is not pumped efficiently out of the artria. There is also potential for heart damage over time. There are meds that work great for some folks. The response below regarding 160 as when to seek medical assistance might be okay if your cardiologist recommends it, but a visit to a cardiologist would be my recommendation.
I had afib for a number of years that was well controlled by meds; then I needed an ablation. ...lots of info on ablations on this site.

I reacted to the CT contrast like you. I have it on my medical record that I have an allergy to contrast medium, as my GP says the reaction gets worse if the contrast is used again. Apparently, they have alternatives.

amu45sin here.
Please get a CT Scan. That's how they found my bladder tumor, when they were only concerned about high blood pressure.
The CT Scan machine was almost completely open and not closed in. It was a very easy event.

My husband’s Apple Watch told him he was having AFibs. While he felt no chest symptoms, he had terrible fatigue and lack of appetite. He had ablations, and woke up hungry. It’s only been one week, and still having irregular heartbeats / afib, but so good to see him not fatigued and hungry. Fingers crossed that afibs will resolve in a few weeks, he’ll be off amiodarone, and still feel good.

Hi. My husband is 62 and started having Afib events about 8 years ago. The first 2 times he had Afib, he went to our local emergency department and was cardioverted. ( his normal heart rate was about 55 or 60; in Afib it went up to 180. ) The third time he had Aviv he stayed home and it resolved after several hours as he rested and relaxed. Our doctor told us some people live in Afib, and carry on as usual. My husband suggested you could seek medical attention at 160 or higher, if you're comfortable. Always ask your doctor.

Hi,
I’m relatively new to having afib. What am I supposed to do during an afib event? An event will usually last for a few hours with my heart rate up around 130 bpm or so. Should I carry on as normal? Is there a heart rate threshold that above it I should seek medical attention?