Is there any hope with afib?
Posted , 15 users are following.
Feeling very hopeless. I'm only 37 yo. I have three very young kids. They are only 8, 5 and 3. I had a very wonderful life and a pretty wife and a very good job.
I think I messed myself up by taking a vegan diet for two weeks before afib. I watched a damn film about how good vegan diet is, then I decided to try it for two weeks to see if I would feel great. I wasn't obese, my BMI was 26 before I took vegan diet. I did the vegan diet only in the hope of getting even more healthy and to avoid heart disease. Up to the point I had afib, I was very fit and healthy. And I was a man that always full of energy, creative, passionate, calm, confident and family oriented. I also had a strong mind that once I decided to do something, I would achieve it.
So I started the vegan diet and obviously I didn't eat enough. For the first few days, I felt very tired, and one the 3rd day, my heart skipped beats for four hours until I ate my dinner. I didn't link it to the diet but thought it was just caused by my anxiety. I also had diarrhea for the first few days. Then few days before my first afib, I started to have heavy sweating during sleep, then on the 14th day, I woke up at 2am with afib. My whole life changed on that day.
I was put on metoprolol after the first episode, and had another three episodes in the first three months, all happened during I was sleeping. I'm not exactly sure if the vegan diet put me into afib, or there's other things. Now I had stopped metoprolol and not taking any daily med and didn't have any episode for three months. I also notice when I lay on my right side, my heart rate would rise immediately and beat irregularly. I didn't notice this before afib. Not sure if afib changed my nerve so it acts like this now?
Any way, now I don't know how to live my life. I'm so scared not only the risk that afib brings to me, but the long term prognosis of afib. I know I'm doing good for now having an episode for three months, maybe I can even make it to three years? But even though, if I could live to 70 yo, I feel it's a true suffer to live in fear for the next 33 years.
Now I only want to sleep, and I don't feel like myself anymore. I'm not as active as before when I was with the kids, and I lost all my passion and hope for the future. I tried so hard to not think about afib and tried to live a normal life as before, but I can't really do it. The afib thing is always in my head 24/7. I'm so draining and feeling desperate.
I apologize for the rant/vent. Can you please tell me there's hope for afib? I really don't see any. Sorry, and thanks.
0 likes, 125 replies
sarah88339 li29885
Posted
AF is annoying but it does not kill you so get on with your life,have regular check ups and don't stress as this is the main trigger for AF. Go to a therapist to help you come to terms with this condition. I in 12 people develop AF so you are not alone.
John5006 li29885
Posted
Sorry to read of your dramas.
Firstly, AF ain't gonna kill you. Secondly you are young enough to get on top of it.
The causes of AF are many - could be genetic, could be a dysfunctional vagal nerve, could be posture, could be diet could be bloody bad luck.
If I had a £ (or a $) for everytime I read that ............. 'I was so fit and healthy etc etc ' and I got AF - then I'd be a very wealthy guy.
?Guess what - it doesn't count for a damn thing.
?I was 65 when diagnosed. I found food triggered my AF and eventually cut out food with gluten, wheat and oats and heaps more food items. But I carried on, eventually got it under control, carried on working. Been AF free for nearly 3 years until last Thursday when I went into AF due to my sleeping on my left side. Now back in NSR. I'm 73 now ( and fit and healthy :-) ) and with a controlled AF and I still work 30 or 40 hours a week - keeps me young.
?For a start the best thing in my view is to stopping asking Dr. Google questions - that's a receipe for insanity. AF is highly individualised - what's a good remedy for me may be poison for you, etc etc. At one time I thought AF was all things to all people ............. now I realise AF is just 'All things'.
?My daughter at 32 was diagnosed with it and it occurred when she was pregnant with both her kids. When she stopped breeding the AF stopped. Whether it comes back when she is as old as I am now remains to be seen.
?Keep calm, rest when you need to, get a consultation with an Electrophysiologist (an EP is a cardiac consultant who specialises in heart electronics) ............. and go back to your old, original and unhealthy diet, eat small portions, don't eat late in the day. Your digestive system has taken a king hit thanks to Dr. Vegan. Suggest you read up on the function of the Vagal Nerve - a nerve in the central nervous system which is a kinda information superhighway between the brain, the heart and the digestive system.
?Good luck,
John
li29885 John5006
Posted
jimjames li29885
Posted
EP's almost always suggest ablation. It's what they do. It's what pays for their kids college. You want your afib fixed, this is what they can uniquely offer. I'm not against ablation, but there are other less invasive options to explore, especially early on.
After my last episode, I walked into a new EP's office, and the ablation promo was already on the computer screen!!! No surprise when the first question his fellow asked was "Have I ever considered ablation", and he hadn't even done my history!
I saw my cardiologist a few weeks later. He didn't think I needed ablation. I asked him, when does he recommend ablation to a patient". His answer was that longevity figures are the same, so he only does ablation if the patient asks for it"! Two different attitudes from two different cardiologists. Same teaching hospital.
Jim
Hotrodda li29885
Posted
I now take magnesium and potassium each day but not sure if it’s the tabs or the ablation that’s working.
Are you on blood thinner.
You need to just get on with life so take the tabs only one 250 magnesium and potassium and enjoy life. Good luck.
Okapis li29885
Posted
Whoa! I take it youre in the USA? Paroxysmal AF is not a death sentence, nor will it need a change in life style. Here in the UK a "chemical" cardioversion would be tried first before leaping to cardioversion. There's a cascade of treatment depending on the severity, length and frequency of the episodes. Its likely something is triggering the episodes, maybe the change in diet or simply coffee! With careful thought you can probably identify them. It need not be just one.
I started AF when I was 29, passed through the various stages of treatment until I reached 63 when I needed a cardiac ablation. I lived my life normally until near the very end when it became difficult. Everyone is of course different but the good news is that if your episodes are self terminating.Stop what youre doing and go to sleep if you have an episode - great for calming cardiac things down!
Suggest you talk to a cardiologist who can explain the likely pattern of AF, how it can be treated over the years while keeping your life style on an even keel. There's really no need for such anxiety. Easy to say I know but its a well known condition and can be treated very effectively over a very long time. I'm now AF free and enjoying me retirement..
The forum is a good place to rant and rave. Its good to get what you think off your chest and hear about other peoples experiences. It puts matters into perspective and allows one to move forwards.
And yes, AF is the pits! But not something that need slow you down!
li29885 Okapis
Posted
Okapis li29885
Posted
Its far too early to see an EP! But your system in the States is so different. Its too early for an ablation too! What you need is a common or garden specialist in Afib..who can educate you on what to expect.
How many episodes have you had and for how long? Doesnt sound like a lone afib. There are probaly triggers to your AF episodes that you can identify. Dont try and find a cause unless youre a molecular geneticist. Why it happened? So what, its happening and you need to learn how to live with it. If you hadn't tried the Vegan diet it might have been something else so dont beat ypourse;lf up about that..
Find cardiologist specialising in AF. The best treatment I had was operating a pill in the pocket strategy with flecainide. Anyone suggested this to you?
li29885 Okapis
Posted
I was referred to EP right after the first episode. I know what to expect regarding afib. I've done tons of research and know what might be going to happen to me.
I have had four episodes that happened in the first three months (last August through November). Then I haven't had one since then. None of my cardiologist, EP or family doctor care to find out the cause of my afib. After I went through the stress test, ultrasound, etc, they just said it's lone afib. However, in the first two episodes that I went to ER, I noticed in the blood test that my potassium level was at the lower end of the normal range, it was 3.6 and 3.5 (normal 3.5-5.2). I guess that might play a role in it. But no one has raised the question.
I think the vegan diet messed up my electrolyte balance. Before I tried the vegan diet, I had never had a skip beat or palpitation. But then two days after the vegan diet, I had skip beats for the first time and it lasted for four hours until I ate my dinner. I should have stopped the vegan diet at that point and it might have avoided afib all together. But I didn't link it to the diet and was stubborn to try it for two weeks.
jimjames Okapis
Posted
Hi Okapis,
You make some good points. In the states, especially if you go to the ER, you will be shuttled to an EP, often even before a cardiologist. EP's really don't seem all that interested in management or triggers, etc, they basically just want to ablate, or to enroll you in whatever study they may be participating in. So ironically, if you really want to get a well rounded "expert" view on your afib, in many cases you're better off seeing a cardiologist as opposed to an EP. Unfortunately, and quite naturally, many people think EPs are the last word, but they're not. Of course, if you end up deciding you want to ablate, then you will want to see an EP. Until then, don't let them get hold of you! Of course there may be exceptions out there, but not with the four or five EPs I've talked to.
Jim
li29885 jimjames
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patrick45945 jimjames
Posted
Also, on my 2 week followup visit with him after the electro Cardioversion, I asked if ablation could get me off blood thinners as I had read on this forum and he indicated that I was not a candidate for ablation and made my next appointment in 6 months.
While I am happy with his treatment so far, I am interested in feedback from any who have switched from Pradaxa to Eliquis which is about a third of the cost. My EP said he prescribed Pradaxa as he was concerned with a fall on my daily 30 mile bike rides (I have never been down *knock on wood*) and Pradaxa is the only one of the new thinners that is reversible. Having said that, he acknowledged that none of his patients on the new thinners had an issue in this regard and he would switch me to Eliquis if I wanted.
So, is Pradaxa worth the extra cost?
jimjames li29885
Posted
Li29,
That's an EP for you. When my mother had an afib episode in the hospital, the EP told her that if she didn't ablate and havd a pace maker she wouldn't last two weeks at home without another afib episode. Two years later, not episode. When I saw my ep several months ago after I naturally cardioverted the day after a failed electro cardioversion, he shook his head and told me it's not going to last! How's that for bedside manner! Stay away from EPs completely until the time should it come when YOU decide you want to ablate. They don't care about types of afib,they don't believe in lifestyle and diet changes, they don't believe in drugs, they just ablate.
Jim
jimjames patrick45945
Posted
Glad you had a good EP experience. Actually, I found them comforting in my rush to the ER days prior to electro cardioversion. I found them less comforting in how they view the condition as a whole and in their treatment recommendations. Curious, why did he say you weren't a candidate for ablation? I thought they would ablate a phone book if it didn't object
I was temporarily on Xerelto after my last episode, but some online research pointed me toward Eliquis. I switched to Eliquis and the same day I started to feel very anxious to the point where my bp went up, which is not typical with me. My guess is the two weren't related, but given the fact that I was only going to be on it for another couple of weeks, I went back to Xerelto to be safe. As to Pradaxa being safer, I've read that as well, but the EP said that he could reverse bleeding with any of the thinners. I think he preferred either Xerelto or Pradaxa because of how fast it clears the system. The drug companies are rushing for better reversal agents for all these drugs, so hopefully it won't be long before they come up with fast acting ones. Coumadin is still the safest in that regard, with Vitamin K being the reversal agent. Lots of reasons it isn't prescribed much, some financial and some in terms of maintenance. However, if you're the type of person who basically eats the same type of food every day, Coumadin should be seriously considered. It's only when you vary your diet a lot that your INR changes requiring Coumadin dosage change.
Jim
jimjames
Posted
correction: meant to say in 2nd paragraph: "I think he preferred either Xerelto or Eliquis to Pradaxa because..."
patrick45945 jimjames
Posted
Jim,
While the EP didn’t elaborate on why I was not a candidate for ablation, I assumed it was because I was a “newbie” to AF and the electro Cardioversion had been successful.
To be honest, the ablation seems relatively severe and I was almost relieved when he said it wasn’t for me, at least at this point in my AF adventure. 😨
Patrick
jimjames patrick45945
Posted
Like I said, my ep had the ablation promo on his computer screen when I walked into the room
Glad to see that your fellow isn't as agressive on ablation but be prepared for "the talk" should you go back into it again. I completely agree with your assessment that ablation is a bit severe at your point. Seems to make the most sense after someone's tried various other non surgical strategies such as "pill in the pocket" or longer term rhythm or rate drugs. It's not like there's a rush to ablate, it's always there as an option and hopefully they will learn more about it in coming years and have newer techniques with better success rates. You realize they don't really know why ablation works for some and not for others or what the actual mechanism behind afib really is. Interesting discussion on twitter recently where one cardiolgoist suggested the placebo effect may be partially at play with ablation not to mention the fact that people often go ain and out of afib so sometimes a successful ablation may be just a coincidence. This doctor was obviously not an ep 
Jim