Atrial Fibrillation / Flutter :: Warfarin Or Ablation?
Nov 21, 2014
I have been diagnosed with AF today after a phone call from the hospital to say I need another ECG which I am having on Monday I was taken into hospital in the early hours of Thursday morning after waking up with palpitations and rapid heart beat. I was sent home after having tests and was told my blood tests was clear including troponin. Then came the the phone call today saying I have AF and might have to go on Warfarin.
When I was ready to go home from the hospital I stood up and felt awful, I told the nurse I felt faint and had nausea, clammy, blurred vision and felt really weak....
My hearing was reduced so couldn't hear properly and could barely talk. I had my blood pressure taken and it was 80/40. When it settled down my temperature was 35 so then I felt cold. I stayed in the hospital for another 3 hours before I went home...
I would like to know how others cope on warfarin or if anyone had the ablation op. I was in the same hospital in June this year for 10 days with the same symptoms but AF wasn't mentioned to me then only ectopic beats. I would like to add I have been suffering with this for over 30 years. I am going to ask about the ablation I don't fancy being on Warfarin....
Has anyone had low blood pressure like I had with this condition?
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I have recently been in hospital and diagnosed with the above. I have been prescribed Warfarin and am quite nervous about how this will affect my life now. Has anyone else recently been suffering
from the same and how do you feel? Did it take long to get the dose of Warfarin right, I only just
started it last Friday eve and take 5 mg at the mo, have another check tomorrow.
I am also very overweight and I understand that I shouldn't make any drastic changes to my diet without discussing it first with the clinic, any advice or help from anyone would be gratefully received.
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We all know the benefits of drinking adequate amounts of water during the day and I have also read that sufferers of arrhythmias would benefit from this because water adds volume to the blood which makes it less " sticky" and makes it easier for the heart to pump.
I've upped my consumption to around 2.5 litres per day which I'm hoping will help with my atrial fibrillation. I will try anything to be normal again.
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Just wondering what people's general opinions are? I was diagnosed with AF around 4 years ago and seem to have an episode every 12 months or so..
I don't consider myself to be a heavy drinker have had nights out though and drinking has never seemed to set off an episode.. However I do like a couple of drinks as a "nightcap" on a weekend as get up early for work during the week so like to relax a little at weekend.
However have seen people on here refer to "Holiday heart" and to say excessive drinking has sent them into AF.
My latest episode of AF started around 6 weeks ago and I am still having palpitations. Not being sure if some of my symptoms are actually been caused by new meds (another story another forum) I was feeling really down the other day after a particularly bad day with chest pain and palpitations and finding out the side effects of meds. So thought stuff it and had a drink to help me sleep.... I found it actually helped!! the palpitations stopped and the pain went felt the best I've done in weeks.
Now wondering if maybe some of it is stress? I am a known warrior If everything is going well I worry that something is going slap me round the face and spoil it all lol.
Sorry for long post I do tend to go on - just wondering if anyone else found Alcohol actually helps?
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I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation about a year ago and have been treated with Bisoprolol and Aspirin. This seems to be working for me but have been advised by my doctor to go onto warfarin as I am at medium risk of a stroke. I don't want to change anything at the moment whilst the present medication seems to be working because I have heard some negative reports of warfarin - not only the side effects of hair loss etc. and giving up various foods but also the fact that you have to tell your doctor about practically any changes in what you eat and where you go (holidays etc). This seems very restrictive. Could I please have your experiences of taking Warfarin.
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3 wks ago had to go to E.R. with extremely fast heart beat 185 beat per minute. I could not get it stopped with deep breathing, other things I have done in the past. I had eaten a big meal about 30 minutes before attack of A-Fib. I am on warfarin 5mg, metoprolol 50mg 2xday, kombiglyze 500mg for diabetes as well as Lisinopril-hctz amlodipine for Blood pressure., which is mostly well controlled. Sincer the episode I have been having regular flutters that I have stopped with rest or deep breathing. Cardiology put me on 100 mg of flecainide which drop my pulse rate to 38 and I couldn't even get up out of a chair and felt like I couldn't breathe. I then tried 50mg and had rapid heart beat. I don't think I can take it. What should I do in others opinion.
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i've had AF for 4 years now but a recent X-ray showed lung congestion which they think is being caused by the heart. I also get excessive facial sweating - does anyone else suffer these symptoms. Also I am breathless going uphills and stairs which is a new development although I can walk miles on the flat.
When is AF just AF & not a heart attack?
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I`m just wondering if anyone who has atrial fibrillation has had surgery of any kind and was it a problem at all?
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I had my first encounter with AF in September of 2013. I was put on Bisoprolol and Warfarin until I had a cardioversion in february the following year.
All has been well, until a few nights ago when I woke the morning after and found that I had gone back into AF.
I have been on a low dose of Bisoprolol (1.25mg) since the procedure. I also cut my alcohol intake to 2-3 drinks per week and kept exercising as I have always done.
I took myself to the local A&E department and was wired up which confirmed what I already knew. They didn't seem overly concerned that I was in AF and holding a heart rate of 80/90 bpm and told I was in controlled AF. I was then discharged and booked into my local GP later that morning.
The appointment didn't yield much movement apart from a referral to a specialist which would take approx 4 weeks.
He left me on my dose of Bisoprolol and told me to get back in touch if I felt any changes in the symptoms.
I have a feeling of been left in the dark, and as well as been quite worried that it all comes across a bit relaxed by the system when I myself am really worried!!!! Is it just me?
Has anybody felt similar?
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I have had a heart condition for 13 years now known as 1st and 2nd degree heart block. I have now started to suffer from Atrial Flutter and/or Atrial Fibrillation. A few months ago i bought some Taurine as i read it helps with the electrical functions of the heart. I have discovered that i can stop the flutter/fib in a matter of 10 mins by taking 3000mg of taurine. It has successfully stopped it on each occasion. Maybe try a lesser amount 1st then work up to the dose that works for you ? Please let me know if this has been of any help to you. It certainly has made the world of difference to me !
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I had AF for 2 years and 2 months before having a pulmonary vein ablation. I have always, when commenting on here stated my age, my lifestyle and about my diet. I notice that a lot of people here do not comment on these issues, so therefore others cannot make comparisons with their stories.
Maybe if people discuss more about these things, we could help one another, with comparisons. When we see cardiologists, they only look at our particular case and do not compare one person with another. Just a thought, maybe if we commented more on whether we have other underlying health problems that could contribute to AF., and whether our lifestyles and eating habits could be a contributing factor, we may better start to understand similar comparisons to one another's experiences with
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After experiencing some palpitations and breathlessness over the past week or so I went to see my GP. I had an ECG, was sent to A&E, admitted to hospital for further tests and diagnosed with AF. My heart rate was not particular fast.
I'm still in AF and have been given Bisoprolol to control my heart rate. I've had problems with palpitations and chest achiness for the past 2 years and have had numerous ECGs which have always been normal so this is a bit of a shock. I'm a bit confused as to what happens now really. I have got an apt with a consultant coming up, but does this mean my life style will have to change? How can I get back to normal heart rhythm? Can I still drink alcohol? I don’t drink a lot but enjoy a couple of glasses at the weekends and have some birthday parties coming up. Also, what about exercise? A month ago I was training for a charity cycle ride and was riding 20-25 miles a time. Where does this leave me? Since taking the Bisoprolol I have been getting headaches – will they subside in time?
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I've been on Bisoprolol 10mg for 3 months with no effect on my Paroxysmal AF episodes so was started on Digoxin, now at 187.5mcg also with minimal effect. My Cardiologist and GP are pushing me to take Amiodarone but reading stories of side effects I'm terrified. I live in NZ so don't have the choice of Dronedarone. Have others refused Amiodarone and if so what were they then put on? I feel backed into a corner with not many choices left.
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On the 18 May 2011, I had my normal day at work. I usually went to the gym at work each day, so I was very fit. I felt great from a very good session the day before. As I got there I felt a little under the weather but as you do you I continue. After about 10 mins I get worse but didn't know what was wrong so I stopped, after my shower I went back to work but my heart didn't slow down as it should have. 6 hours later it was still not right but me not wanting to upset anyone just drove the 1 hour to home. Oh I forgot to say I was due to have a back operation 4 weeks later. Over the next few weeks leading up to this op I had similar episodes but got a little worried but still didn't say anything until the pre op. Well when I told the nurse what was happening she started pressing lots of bells. It got worse when she couldn't find a pulse I either my left arm or in either of my feet. So over the next few days I had every test known to man. They finally said yes you have a problem but wouldn't say what. I had my back op and was doing very well, even managing to do 10 mile walks every day. When all of. Sudden one night. Yes you guessed it, heart went into overdrive. Luckily I stay very near a my hospital and it was still going on when I got there. When they finished all the usual tests they finally told me I had AF. They tried to get my heart to slow down but I was eventually put up into CCU. After more drugs it eventually slowed down. Over the next few months I tried lots of drugs in lauding Flecainide but they made me worse. Eventually I was told that I would need a Pacemaker as it was happening very often. So they told me I had Paroxysmal AF. When I went to see the surgeon from the Royal Brompton they said I was too young for that and I would have an oblation. This I had last June. It worked for a while. The funniest part was I had sensations in both my feet and right hand that I had not had for many years. So my circulation was better. When I got out I had 2 blackouts which were not very nice but I survived them, even hugging a tree at one point. For the next 6 weeks it was great with no symptoms at all. Then they started again, the upshot is I go in for my second one on Valentines Day, No jokes about massacres as I have already started that one, hopefully it works but I know of people who have had 4. I have even joined the AF association and I have attended their meetings. It's was very good. It does get you down and very tired. I'm now on the rat poison and dronedarone which helps to some extent. As I say to people yes we are all the same but different. Sorry for the rant
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Warning !!
To anyone with AF who is thinking of having ablation surgery
I have some very important info' for this group. I am an AF sufferer since 2008.in 2010 i had my first catheter ablation the new "Arctic front Ablation" [cryo/freezing method] it worked for around 18months but then the AF returned., i put up with it for a couple of years, but I was then recommended another ablation called Point to Point catheter ablation which is the usual or common ablation technique, which burns the problem areas. This was supposed to be "very Low risk minimal invasion Day surgery" with few complications & i was told nothing to worry about we can deal with the complications should any arise. So i went in for the surgery a few ago. During the ablation the procedure the surgeon pierced a hole in the wall of my heart & he could not stop the bleeding, i was rushed to another theatre [unconscious] where another team had to open my chest, Put me on a bypass machine to enable them to repair the hole & stop the bleeding, i was in theatre a total of around 7 hours, i had to have a transfusion, i was then kept in a comma & put on a life support machine for 24 hours, following that i was in intensive care for a further 48 hours. several weeks on I am still recovering from this Nightmare.. Also whilst i was in hospital i spoke to another AF ablation patient who had suffered the same heart puncture during the ablation, but he was a bit luckier than me, they managed to stop his bleed without opening his chest. I have had several different operations over the years & i have never had an issue with bleeding before
My advice to anyone with AF thinking of having an ablation,THINK VERY CAREFULLY, IT IS A DANGEROUS PROCEDURE!
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I am dealing with some health issues called Atrial Fibrillation. I am sure many of you know about it. I am possibly facing the Ablation Procedure. Can anyone on the board tell me anything about their A-Fib or the Ablation Procedure?
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I was first diagnosed with PAF ( paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) in 2011. Having spent a spell in CCU atrial flutter was also found. I was referred to the EP to discuss ablation but having heard the risks attached to this procedure decided against having it for the moment as I feel I have not explored all the medical treatments available yet. I currently take Bisoprolol 3.75 mgs and Eliquis 5mgs with no probs until last night. Last night I had a prolonged episode of AF which causes me to pass copious amounts of urine. I just wondered if this happens to anyone else. I have to say these attacks do freak me out somewhat, but try to stay calm. My trigger factors are caffeine, lying on my left side stress, and drinking cold drinks, is anyone else the same
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Diagnosed in January. Not constant and have felt fine for 2 weeks but today I am fluttering nearly all the time. I'm on warfarin and waiting to see a specialist. Had a heart scan and all is fine. Also lots of blood tests but there is no underlying cause. What are other people's symptoms? I'm 54.
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Has anyone been prescribed flecainide for A-Fib.
I have not heard of this medication before and would like to discuss it with my doctor.
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on the 22nd of august this year i was admitted into hospital.after not being able to breathe spent six days in cardiac ward then sent home.i have stopped smoking also drinking,my meds are warfarin flecainide also bisoprolol, last couple of days i have struggled with my breathing all seems to point to the beater blocker(not sure),this is what i've found out.on the 10,th of this month i am down for the cardioversion asked the hospital if it does not work what are the next move no answer.also asked about work i am a self employed painter & decorator so can not afford time off,but my breathing is so poor i am at home no energy also tired all the time.if anyone out there can give me a glimmer of hope after the cardioversion ,that i can return to my trade and go back painting new houses,or look for a new career,my inr,s in the past week ranged from 1.4,then 2 then todays 3.1,i am new to this af felt fine upto the 22 of august since then i have felt like a old man i am 52,who thought i was fairly fit.
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Does anyone know whether there is anything in the literature that definitely shows amlodipine to be a definite cause of atrial fibrillation in some people? The list of side effects mentions heart arrhythmias/palpitations but I am looking for some evidence of a definite link with atrial fibrillation.
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