Newly Diagnosed with AF

Hi Clair, I had the exactly the same thing happen two years ago, thing is not to get too stressed out, easier said than done,  the blood thinners just stop the blood clotting and the risk of having a stroke,  they give them out to everyone who has AF.  I have been on warfarin for two years and the inconvenience is having to go for INR tests and you may have to watch your diet.  It sounds as your problem has been found early which is really good especially having the 2 girls.  So don't worry it can all be managed.  If you are not sure of anything make sure you ask questions.

Clair

i too am awaiting my anti-coagulant prescription, but am going on one of the two new alternatives to Warfarin. They do away with the frequent blood testing but do have other side effects for some folk

Worth asking about.

My bigger issue is coping with the Beta Blocker I am on. Taking it first thing leaves me shattered so I am rotating to taking it at night.

Maybe that will be less of a problem.

Hi Clair

just seen yours and Moria's posts, I was going to say pretty much what Moria's said, I too was diagnosed 2 years ago at 48 and put on thinners you get used to the regular blood tests and to be honest I've had no problems with thinners at all. Once you get over the initial shock of the diagnosis and get on the correct medication you will feel much better.

Take care and try not to worry 

Best wishes Debbie

Hi Clare I was also diagnosed two years ago, and understand your fear very well. I opted to take the newer type of anticoagulant Eloquis and to date have been fine. Do research the newer ones before making a decision. I have come to the conclusion that we have to find a way of living with this condition. For me it totally destroyed my confidence, thought I was going to die at any minute and to top it all I am a nurse!! Over time with help from research doctors and forums like this I am much better and so will you be. I do hope this has gone some way to reassure you.

Hi. I've been taking rivaroxaban for the past 6 days. Had a rough weekend - probably as my body gets used to it, but starting to feel a bit better tonight. Due to have an ablation early December, so have had to go onto a thinner for that. Its all a lot to take in, but I have found this forum useful for experiences of others. One thing ive tried to do, is make sure I'm balancing my reactions with what I read. That is, compare you self to similar, or you can scare yourself!! I'm 52, was perfectly healthy up to 3 yrs ago when PAF started, and with no other health issues. I've got thinners now as above. I take verapamil since April. Nothing else. so far, I've never been cardioverted but have been admitted twice for obs due to very high pulse. Beta blockers pulled it down. Read up, get knowledge but dont panic. You'll be fine , and keep in touch with us like minded to share and ask.

Hi Clair

Don't let it worry you; AF is quite common.

By having the cardiologist place you on tablets will make your life easier and under control.  I'm on atenolol and cartia - I don't have any side  effects from these, whereas I normally can't take medication of any kind.  My heart beat is lower on medication and with this medication, unlike others, you don't need to have regular blood tests; so it's pretty easy. 

I had an attack of AF in August which landed me in hospital. I found it very frightening at the time as my heart was going very fast and felt like it was trying to escape from my chest. I was put on bisoprolol 5mg and an AVK blood thinner. My GP reduced the biso by three quarters when I went to see him a week after the hospital discharge as I felt so awful on the higher dose. He first did an ECG and when I went to see my regular cardiologist ( not the hospital one) he was happy with the reduced dose. After ordering a 24 hour haltor test he said my heart was normal and I could come off the blood thinner. I did not find the blood tests that bothersome but I did think the blood thinner reduced my appetite. The biso is a bigger problem for me but the cardio says I can come off that too in a few months if all remains normal.

Sorry about your diagnosis.

you're one of the AF sufferers that fascinate me. When I'm in it-boy do I know I'm in it. Some people say I'm too cardiac conscious but-the sensation is so massive-I dont have to be too cardiac aware, to feel two hummingbirds fighting it out under my ribcage.

So-you have no palpitations at all?