Have others experienced grief/depression from Atrial Fibrillation?
Posted , 7 users are following.
My AF has increased to an episode most days - Doctors still fiddling with my medications to control it. I'm 67 and retired last year from Hospice nursing, I'm in a new relationship and was looking forward to travelling with my new partner and having a new, fulfilling life. I love playing table tennis twice a week, walking, gardening, had even bought a folding bike to begin a new activity etc but now AF seems to have robbed me of all that - either I'm tired with the medications or an episode is triggered by the slightest of physical activity. Again this morning I tried getting ready for table tennis but just preparing breafast put me into debilitating palpitations and dizziness. I feel great grief that the life I had expected has been snatched away - and like many the message from doctors seems to be 'Lots of people have it, you'll just have to live with it, try not getting so anxious!!!' All of which makes me feel patronised and not taken seriously. Sorry folks, am feeling bit down this morning after yet again making plans to have a little exercise only to be dashed.
0 likes, 11 replies
Susan maggie34838
Posted
We are all different, and I never got any dizzyness with mine so would still forge ahead with whatever exercise I was doing at the time and 9 times out of 10 the AF would subside and I could once again enjoy exercising.
I do know how you feel, grieving for a life that you used to have - I have a bit of that now but from another health problem, but I think in your case you will either get used to it and cope with it much better once the anxiety is taken out of the picture or they will be great at controlling your AF with meds - have you been offered an ablation yet? just wondering how long you have been living with AF, all the best..
maggie34838 Susan
Posted
robin71805 maggie34838
Posted
Sorry to read your situation, so much AF is debilitating. I have had dizziness, breathlessness as well and AF is now more evident despite increasing the Flecainide to 200mg a day. I am 64, otherwise fit and healthy and as the medication is not controlling the episodes I have been offered the ablation which I will undergo in about 8-10 weeks in St Thomas's. It is worth serious consideration if offered as it would mean getting quality of life back and the risks are quite minimal. You should be offered the op if the med doesn't do the trick! All the best Robin
maggie34838 robin71805
Posted
heartsparks maggie34838
Posted
maggie34838 heartsparks
Posted
Great to hear from another kiwi (although I was born in UK, came to NZ in 1972) I live in Nelson. Your message was very positive and I thank you for your affirming words. Maybe my symptoms will settle in time. Is Amiodorone more toxic than Flecainide? Another friend in Christchurch recommended Ian Crozier, he did her an ablation 10yrs ago. She now goes to Clive Low, I have thought about getting a second opinion from him and asking what my risk of an ablation would be. Once more thanks for your support. Cheers Maggie
derek76 maggie34838
Posted
Google The History of Amiodarone. It's scary but it's true.
It gave me eye problems, a tremor and an unsteady gait that led to loss of equilibrium and probably others that I did not associate with it.
I stopped it each time I was back in sinus rhythm after cardioversion.
When in AF last time I was threatened that if I did not take it for 8 or 9 weeks that I would not get my cardioversion.
heartsparks maggie34838
Posted
derek76 heartsparks
Posted
robin71805 maggie34838
Posted
maggie34838
Posted