I'm learning to take life easier now.

I have had 'A-Fib' for 4 & 1/2 years and was put on Diltiazem once a day, I have had maybe 4 attacks of A- Fib during that time.
I have always been a type A personality (Hyper) very independent, always on the go. do what I want when I want, no one to answer too. just go, go, go, push, push, push.

Then on January 21st I was on my way to my eye Doctor, I wasnt feeling all that great, but just couldnt put my finger on to why. I made a few errand stops along the way, and as soon as the doctor appointment was over I was going by the store to pick up some things for dinner the next night, as my son's were coming over.
I told my eye doctor I wasnt feeling good, and he took my blood pressure, told me I was in 'A-Fib' called 911, was taken to the ER they were trying to get my heart rate down, and I 'Flat lined' twice within a half hour.......they admitted me to the hospital I had many test done the next day, and on January 23rd I had a pace maker put in.
I came home the next day, I have done everything the doctor has told me to do, and everything I have read in the book they gave me. do not lift the left arm above my head, do not drive, etc.etc. for 6 to 8 weeks.
I have a nurse that comes in & checks the incision, a nurses aide that helps me with my shower & washes my hair, until the 6 to 8 weeks are up.
each day I feel I am getting stronger & stronger, some days are better than others tho.........some days I get so tired & when I do I go and lay down. I listen to my body.

I have learned in the past 4 weeks to slow down,
'There is no place I have to go to in a hurry, 'Life is short enough as it is, I am learning to take my time now, to enjoy life, to stop & smell the roses ~ I found this site and it has been helpful to me.
and I wish you all a wonderful recovery.

2 Comments

Smart

by Orba615 - 2014-02-23 05:02:37

Good for you! Ii was diagnosed with Afib ten years ago during a routine physical. Had pacemaker implanted, no problems related to the Afib Since that time, but battery wore out and I just got a new one two weeks ago. I, too am a typical A personality, push, push push. We must learn to slow down. I feel sure my personalit and all my frantic striving over the years contributed to or caused the A fib. Slow down and enjoy your life.zj

Hang in there

by Theknotguy - 2014-02-23 10:02:37

I'm one of the people who push also. It's really hard to "take it easy" when you've always had to go, go, go.

If you continue to have problems with a-fib check with your EP and see if they can turn on APP (Atrial Preference Pacing). As my EP said, "It may not help, but it won't hurt."

For me, APP has been a help. It seems to have prevented several sessions of a-fib. However, Duke999 who also posts on this forum says it hasn't helped him.
But it's something to consider.

At about 90 days, they'll reduce the voltage in your PM. Not to worry, I was sitting in the chair watching my PM tech do it. Didn't feel a thing and everything went on as normal. Reducing the voltage will help cut down on the pounding you sometimes feel.

You might also want to see if your cardio guy will make some alternative suggestions about rate or rhythm control for a-fib now that you have the PM. Rhythm control didn't work for me so they switched to rate control.

Rate control is where they give you meds to slow your heart during a-fib. Before the PM they had to be careful as to how much medication they could use because my heart would go too slow to keep me alive. Post PM they can give me higher doses of meds and let the PM keep the heart rate up.

Hope they can do some things for you and you continue to feel better.

Theknotguy

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