Aa
A Fib Diagnosis
I was recently diagnosed with A Fib, and hospitalized for 3 days during from the episode, which had to be broken with a push of cardizem and then an IV drip of cardizem for a couple of hours.
They monitored me at the hospital, and then sent me home on Plavix, because I am highly allergic to aspirin. Since then I have been back to the ER one time for another episode, and they sent me home as soon as I went back into Sinus Rhythm.
I am constently checking my pulse, because I get short of breath and have really sharp chest pains. I have had a stress test, an EKO, and plenty of bloodwork done. My bloodwork shows my Lymphocites and Monocites are high, but nothing else. I haven't gotten the results of the stress test yet, and I am going for a sleep study on October 19th.
I just feel like noone else thinks that this stuff is important. I feel like I should be seeing the doctors quickly and figuring out why I am going through this at such a young age... (I did not mention that I am only 32 years old)
I am freaking out because my older sister just died this past January from Heart related issues, and her, my mother, and my aunt all have problems with their hearts. I am the youngest so far, but my sister was only 35 when she was diagnosed and 42 when she died... and it was sudden, she got up int he middle of the night to go to the bathroom, and my nephew found her on the bathroom floor the next morning, no warning, no nothing.
Needless to say I think I have every right to be worried, and I know this is a normal condition that many people live with, but the people in my family seem to not do to well with it... my mother is disabled with a plethura of medical ailments, and my aunt has had an ablasion and surgery so far at the age of 58.
I am just looking for some other people who may have been going through the same thing, that could give me some reassurance and possibly help me cope a little with this. I have already been taking the plavix as prescribed, and have cut caffeine entirly and most of my soium/salt out of my diet.
I am finding myself checking my pulse when my chest hurts, and it seems to go in between 80-100 BPM, I am not sure when I should worry, or when I should panic and go to the ER, or when I should just sit for a while and rest...etc...HELP!
They monitored me at the hospital, and then sent me home on Plavix, because I am highly allergic to aspirin. Since then I have been back to the ER one time for another episode, and they sent me home as soon as I went back into Sinus Rhythm.
I am constently checking my pulse, because I get short of breath and have really sharp chest pains. I have had a stress test, an EKO, and plenty of bloodwork done. My bloodwork shows my Lymphocites and Monocites are high, but nothing else. I haven't gotten the results of the stress test yet, and I am going for a sleep study on October 19th.
I just feel like noone else thinks that this stuff is important. I feel like I should be seeing the doctors quickly and figuring out why I am going through this at such a young age... (I did not mention that I am only 32 years old)
I am freaking out because my older sister just died this past January from Heart related issues, and her, my mother, and my aunt all have problems with their hearts. I am the youngest so far, but my sister was only 35 when she was diagnosed and 42 when she died... and it was sudden, she got up int he middle of the night to go to the bathroom, and my nephew found her on the bathroom floor the next morning, no warning, no nothing.
Needless to say I think I have every right to be worried, and I know this is a normal condition that many people live with, but the people in my family seem to not do to well with it... my mother is disabled with a plethura of medical ailments, and my aunt has had an ablasion and surgery so far at the age of 58.
I am just looking for some other people who may have been going through the same thing, that could give me some reassurance and possibly help me cope a little with this. I have already been taking the plavix as prescribed, and have cut caffeine entirly and most of my soium/salt out of my diet.
I am finding myself checking my pulse when my chest hurts, and it seems to go in between 80-100 BPM, I am not sure when I should worry, or when I should panic and go to the ER, or when I should just sit for a while and rest...etc...HELP!
Thanks, I have been in normal rhythm since 9-17. Some pac's and pvc's but no Afib. Your right, Afib is disturbing experience.
Thanks for your response!
I hope your ablation has been successful and you are back in normal rhythm for good!! That afib truly is a horrible feeling.
I hope your ablation has been successful and you are back in normal rhythm for good!! That afib truly is a horrible feeling.
I had several episodes a month after the first one in Sept of 09. In Oct of 09 I had an ablation for Aflutter. 10 days later, went into Afib. It would happen would happen several times a month. Lasting anywhere from 30 mins to 24 hrs. Due to insurance issues, it wasn't until Aug 29 of this year that I was able to have the PVI ablation. The cardiologist was using Flecanide and Metoprolol to control the episodes. If you have not had any more Afib episodes, I can understand your Dr.'s reluctance not to do an afib ablation.
I am scheduled to see a cardiologist on Oct. 13th. My heartrate is soo all over the place... saturday afternoon it was 112 after just sitting in the car for 30 minutes, and then later that night it was down in the 50's sitting on the couch.
It seems like whenever there is any kind of anxiety (I am very bad riding in the car) that is when it starts to go up. But I just still think it is weird for it to go up over 100 without any provocation or physical activity.
My biggest question is how do you know when you are having an a fib episode? I thought I was having an asthma attack the first time, and went to the hospital for breathing problems. When I got there my pulse rate was over 140 and they did an EKG which turned out to be A Fib. The second episode I was already watching my heart rate so as soon as it went up I went to the hospital.
Just wondering what if any other symptoms I should be watching for.
The plavix is so I do not throw clots, as there is a long history of Pulmomary Embolisms in my family, my mother and sister have had several, and have filters put in. As far as the regulators, They didn't say anything as far as taking something on a regular basis, but I haven't yet gone to the cardiologist either, just the 3 different cardio docs in the hospital while I was there.
It seems like whenever there is any kind of anxiety (I am very bad riding in the car) that is when it starts to go up. But I just still think it is weird for it to go up over 100 without any provocation or physical activity.
My biggest question is how do you know when you are having an a fib episode? I thought I was having an asthma attack the first time, and went to the hospital for breathing problems. When I got there my pulse rate was over 140 and they did an EKG which turned out to be A Fib. The second episode I was already watching my heart rate so as soon as it went up I went to the hospital.
Just wondering what if any other symptoms I should be watching for.
The plavix is so I do not throw clots, as there is a long history of Pulmomary Embolisms in my family, my mother and sister have had several, and have filters put in. As far as the regulators, They didn't say anything as far as taking something on a regular basis, but I haven't yet gone to the cardiologist either, just the 3 different cardio docs in the hospital while I was there.
Just curious.....Did you have the ablation after only the one afib episode back in September, or have you had more episodes since that first one a year ago? Just asking cause I had an afib episode in April of this year, but my EP (I had an ablation for SVT) said he would not attempt an afib ablation after only one episode.
I just had an ablation for afib 26 days ago. I am 54, was in pretty good health and was suprised by an afib episode a year ago Sept. I would highly recommend seeing a specialist that deals with arythmia issues. I found the whole thing very disturbing. You become hyper focused on your heart and heart beat. You start noticing every little beat that isn't normal. If there isn't any other underlying issues, afib can be successfully dealt with. But you need to see a specialist. Find out what the issues are and the options for treatment. As you can see by Jerry_NJ's post, you can live with Afib. Good luck.
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Given the family heart history and the death at a young age is a matter that should raise an "alarm" with the doctors. Still they seem from what you say to be somewhat passive. The only encouraging thing I can tell you is I am in Permanent AFib and I live with aspirin and warfarin to reduce clot/stroke risk and take a beta block and calcium channel blocker to lower my HR. My resting HR is in the 70-80 range with these medications... the good news is studies have indicated my risk of death caused by the AFib condition would not be improved if I had a successful intervention that stopped the AFib. My symptoms are mild, and I am much older than you, but the risk issue is the same and your age removes on risk I have from being over 65.