Wellness

[Mom2Dogs]

@Carmie   My husband's story is similar...his AFIB was discovered by the nurse pre op..and he was put in the hospital as well.  All kinds of machines were going off and on as he was in AFIB for quite a while.

Fast forward to now...his AFIB is under control..heart rate goes in an out maybe a couple time a month, especially if he is mowing/trimming the yard or sometimes for no reason.  He does take eliquis (be prepared, it's expensiv)...he may need to be on it long term to keep the blood thinned out.  He is also on another drug much cheeper that keeps the the  heart rate more normal...when he knows he is in AFIB, baby asprin would not help his condition nor would the device that gets implanted inside the body.

He has had two procedures where they shocked his heart but both times the AFIB came back with in days.

  From what I understand this is not an uncommon medical issue, especially as we age.  My husband had no idea he even had AFIB but when I told the nurse that after work my husband would sit in his recliner, and immediately fall asleep only to wake up long enough to have dinner and watch a small amount of TV, he would be asleep again and then to go bed and sleep all night, we figured he had been in AFIB longer than anyone knew - he never felt the flutter in his heart, but now that he is aware, he knows when he is in AFIB...he can feel it.

Sending good wishes to your husband, it's irritating when it takes so long to get into see the doctor.

[Carmie]

@jlkz   Thank you for responding.  I appreciate your advice.

I suppose I have some homework to do.  We have a lot of cardiologists in our area.

I suppose I have to see what course of treatment is recommended.

[Carmie]

@Mom2Dogs   He has already been prescribed eliguis and another drug that is also used for high BP, which is doesn't have.

He is so fed up he doesn't want to take the meds....He is sure is a handful and stubborn.

The worse problem in his lifetime he had before this was a bad case of poison ivy.  He never gets sick or has medical problems.

[Mom2Dogs]

@Carmie   My husband is also NEVER sick - the AFIB was a huge shock..but he MUST take the eliquis to keep his blood thin, or possibly face a stroke.  One of the side effect is bruised skin with the blood thinners - big problem as my husband still works (he is 84 this year) and every bump causes a bruise.

Flecainide is the other drug he takes - to keep the heart in rhythm.  Hmmm to the BP medication, I would not like him taking that drug if he does not have that issue.  My step daughter's derm perscribed a BP med for another issue and she ended up with kidney problems, it has taken quite a while to get her kidney function back to normal.

[ahoymate]

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@Janey2 wrote:

@Carmie @If the doctor cannot see him until Aug 1 can your primary doctor suggest another doctor that will see him immediately? Another suggestion ask your primary doctor to call the cardio doctor for an immediate appointment. Sometimes doctors will do that for you. Hope everything works out.

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ITA! Talk with your primary care MD. Cardiologist are very hard to see no matter how many there are in your area. Large cities, very, very, very hard. Talk with you primary care MD.

[bmorechick]

I have afib. Never knew I had it until I went to my primary about 5 years ago and he diagnosed it...I was referred to cardiology.  No intervention except Eliquis and Metopolol to slow down heart rate.  Still don't have any sx...I run maybe 12 to 15 miles a week, ride the peloton bike, lift weights,  do lots of yardwork.  I'm still working at 68 and got no plans to retire soon.  My afib was diagnosed as constant, so I never come out of it.  Exercising like I do is the best thing to keep my heart strong according to cardiologist, as long as I do not experience pain or SOB which amazingly, I do not.  Apparently, it affects everyone differently and there are different degrees.   It's not something I am worried about and I just keep doing my thing.

Also, I for some reason do not experience bruising, but if I cut myself I bleed like crazy.  Again we are all different and doc says eliquis doesn't affect everyone the same.

i have a friend who's husband had afib badly and he also had PVCs, so he had surgery and he's good now.  But he was not well before.  Now he's playing pickleball!

*edited to add my mom had afib for years.  She took blood thinners and beta blockers for maybe 20 years and never experienced bad side efx, except bruising and that wasn't until she entered her 90's when your skin becomes thinner.  Again, affects everyone differently.

[FranandZoe]

So sorry you and your husband are going thru this.  It's especially hard since your hubby has never had any medical problems.  Hope he gets to see a heart dr soon.  Good luck.

[I am still oxox]

I am in constant Afib, but have not had an episode since I started taking Xarelto over year ago. I have had it to long for surgical intervention

[PamfromCT]

@Carmie, Will be praying for you and your husband.  It is so hard when something happens "like a bolt from the blue."  It is actually a gift to find out something is wrong when there are ways to fix a problem.  Thirteen years ago, my DH had a "mild" heart attack.  Quite shocking, as he was very active, biking 10 miles at a clip, etc.  He did not need surgery, but we made changes in our diet and lifestyle.  He does take a med to keep his cholesterol low as possible, and has been doing fine ever since.  He is 83 and quite active.

When people have been healthy their entire life, having a medical problem is a major shock.  They don't know how to deal with it at first.  

Again, praying for you both.  
Pam

[meallen616]

@Carmie,