Afib stroke or bleed to death?

[cowgirlupgood]

At age 26 I was diagnosed with Atrial fibrilation. I have very mild symptoms. RIght when they found it they put me on the full dose of asprin and another medication. The asprin is causing problems because I am a trick rider! It is hard to avoid bruising when trick riding! I feel I need to get another opinion to make sure I really have afib as young as I am! My doctor was surprized to find that diagnosis.  I don't want to have give up my dream of trick riding! I have dreamed of trick riding since I was about 16 years old and was finaly able to trick ride for real a little over a year ago! I am excited to do my first big show this Feb!  Any ideas what I can do?? Has anyone my age EVER been diagnosed with this issue?? With trick riding I can't be on a blood thinner!  

[cowgirlupgood]

I have had the Thyroid checked. It was fine. :( Maybe it should be checked again. Thanks Michellepetkus

[cowgirlupgood]

I am on Verapamil 140 mg, and thats all. Also on Citalopram 40 MG.   My family doc thought I was having anxiety attacks... so that is why I am on Citalopram. Hate taking medications and would like to get off one or the other if one or both are not needed. I do knotice butterflies in my chest or palputation off and on. I know it is not perminant. I was having these weird moments that MAYBE the verapamil is helping... Ya I am waiting on a friend that is getting me hooked up with a good doctore to get a different opinion!! There is no way of better protecting myself with trick riding.. it is a hard and dangerous sport. :(  

[MichelleP_3811]

Hmm, I might suggest having your thyroid checked.  Hyperthyroidism can cause afib.  If you do indeed have it then you may be able to get it in check and alleviate your afib but I am not a cardiologist or an endocrinologist so you would have to get the clearance from them to stop any blood thinners.  A word of caution though, I do recommend going for a second opinion on the diagnosis but do not stop the blood thinners before you know for sure you are clear otherwise you will put yourself at risk of stroke.  But go to your GP and get the thyroid test to be sure because you do seem kind of young for afib but I am not an expert on afib.  Hopefully someone with more experience with the condition can jump on with some input.  Good luck.  I hope you can work it out so you can follow your dreams.  

[Jerry_NJ]

I am surprised an aspirin would make you much more susceptible to bruising.   Aspirin isn't a blood thinner, its clot reduction is accomplished by other mechanisms than coagulation blocking (like coumadin/warfarin).  If you are getting problem bruising from trick riding it may be you need more protection/padding.  

You didn't say what your other medication is, I assume not an anticoagulant.  You also didn't say if your AFib is permanent (unlikely) or once in a while... or if you have any symptoms you can feel.  

A young person with occasional periods of AFib may be able to get by with a low dose aspirin..talk with your doctor to see what your clot risk is if you take a reduced dose of aspirin.

If your AFib is causing serious symptoms, you should discuss measures to stop the AFib, such as ablation.