Guest guest Posted April 28, 2006 Report Share Posted April 28, 2006 wah wah wah! No your not a big ole baby. You took the initiative to find this support group. Welcome. We are the largest AF support group on the web and the official support group for the Atrial Fibrillation Foundation _www.affacts.org_ (http://www.affacts.org) . We are world wide, open 24 hours a day and no waiting lines. Your not alone and you've taken the first step to taming your AFib tiger. Educating yourself is key to your success in dealing with AF. Knowledge is power. Learn all you can, ask lots of questions and lend a hand when you can. Our group is not bashful, so ask away... Rich O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2006 Report Share Posted April 28, 2006 I just found this group yesterday and have been reading old messages. Briefly, my story. I had a couple 2 hour episodes before Christmas which I dubbed as caffeine flutters didn't know anything about AFB.. April 15 my older sister died and the next couple days I was running wide open getting things done for the funeral which was Tuesday April18. I was awaken at 3 am that morning with my heart trying to come out of my chect..when it had not stopped by 8 am I got my daughter to drive me into town to the doc who did an EKG and sent me straight to the emergency room who in turn sent me straight to ICU..they hooked me up to Iv's and started giving me shots of blood thinner in my stomach and put me on Lopressor, monitored me overnight and at 1 am the next day they did the shock thing twice and got me back into NSF. I came home later that day with prescription for Lopressor and bad paranoia everytime I lay down that is it going to start again. The nurses and hospital doc did not do a whole lot of explaining..just told me to come home and rest a few days and take the meds and see my regular doc in a couple weeks. I do have an appointment on Tuesday so maybe he can make me feel a little safer or something. But I do have a hard time going to sleep for fear it will happen again. I guess I am a big ole baby! -- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2006 Report Share Posted April 28, 2006 Sparrow - I've had afib for 5 years now, and dozens of events over that time. Monday I woke up in afib (I'm usually an " evening " fibber), had to go to the ER Tuesday morning, shocked back into rhythm Wednesday afternoon, and you better believe I was afraid to go to bed Wednesday night... so no.. you are not a big baby.. you are just normal One of the things that is good for the fibby heart is plenty of proper rest... I know.. double edged sword, huh? Stef Sparrow isparrow@...> wrote: I just found this group yesterday and have been reading old messages. Briefly, my story. I had a couple 2 hour episodes before Christmas which I dubbed as caffeine flutters didn't know anything about AFB.. April 15 my older sister died and the next couple days I was running wide open getting things done for the funeral which was Tuesday April18. I was awaken at 3 am that morning with my heart trying to come out of my chect..when it had not stopped by 8 am I got my daughter to drive me into town to the doc who did an EKG and sent me straight to the emergency room who in turn sent me straight to ICU..they hooked me up to Iv's and started giving me shots of blood thinner in my stomach and put me on Lopressor, monitored me overnight and at 1 am the next day they did the shock thing twice and got me back into NSF. I came home later that day with prescription for Lopressor and bad paranoia everytime I lay down that is it going to start again. The nurses and hospital doc did not do a whole lot of explaining..just told me to come home and rest a few days and take the meds and see my regular doc in a couple weeks. I do have an appointment on Tuesday so maybe he can make me feel a little safer or something. But I do have a hard time going to sleep for fear it will happen again. I guess I am a big ole baby! -- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2006 Report Share Posted April 28, 2006 Thank you for your reply...I just hope I can get to the other side of being afraid to go to sleep at night!! I read until I just get so sleepy I can't stay awake and I know I need more sleep. I am glad I found this group. Quarter Acre Orchids wrote: > Sparrow - I've had afib for 5 years now, and dozens of events over > that time. Monday I woke up in afib (I'm usually an " evening " > fibber), had to go to the ER Tuesday morning, shocked back into rhythm > Wednesday afternoon, and you better believe I was afraid to go to bed > Wednesday night... so no.. you are not a big baby.. you are just normal > > One of the things that is good for the fibby heart is plenty of > proper rest... I know.. double edged sword, huh? > > Stef > > Sparrow isparrow@...> wrote: > I just found this group yesterday and have been reading old messages. > Briefly, my story. I had a couple 2 hour episodes before Christmas which > I dubbed as caffeine flutters didn't know anything about AFB.. > April 15 my older sister died and the next couple days I was running > wide open getting things done for the funeral which was Tuesday April18. > I was awaken at 3 am that morning with my heart trying to come out of my > chect..when it had not stopped by 8 am I got my daughter to drive me > into town to the doc who did an EKG and sent me straight to the > emergency room who in turn sent me straight to ICU..they hooked me up to > Iv's and started giving me shots of blood thinner in my stomach and put > me on Lopressor, monitored me overnight and at 1 am the next day they > did the shock thing twice and got me back into NSF. I came home later > that day with prescription for Lopressor and bad paranoia everytime I > lay down that is it going to start again. The nurses and hospital doc > did not do a whole lot of explaining..just told me to come home and rest > a few days and take the meds and see my regular doc in a couple weeks. I > do have an appointment on Tuesday so maybe he can make me feel a little > safer or something. But I do have a hard time going to sleep for fear it > will happen again. I guess I am a big ole baby! > > -- > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2006 Report Share Posted April 28, 2006 Hi Sparrow - don't feel bad - you are not alone. I have 'mini' AFIB episodes every night. I am now taking 100 mg of Flecainide two times a day and the smallest does of Lanixon per day, plus an aspirin. I continue to have the night time AFIB, but it is much less bothersome since I started taking the meds. I suggest you seek out an EP (a special cardio dr). Mine gave me my life back. However, I am considering an ablation this coming January, because I do not think these strong meds are good to take for the long haul. Good luck - hang in there - get all the info you can - go see an EP - and I'll bet your life will get better! Debbie in Texas > >Reply-To: AFIBsupport >To: AFIBsupport >Subject: Newbie here >Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2006 10:39:33 -0400 > >I just found this group yesterday and have been reading old messages. >Briefly, my story. I had a couple 2 hour episodes before Christmas which >I dubbed as caffeine flutters didn't know anything about AFB.. >April 15 my older sister died and the next couple days I was running >wide open getting things done for the funeral which was Tuesday April18. >I was awaken at 3 am that morning with my heart trying to come out of my >chect..when it had not stopped by 8 am I got my daughter to drive me >into town to the doc who did an EKG and sent me straight to the >emergency room who in turn sent me straight to ICU..they hooked me up to >Iv's and started giving me shots of blood thinner in my stomach and put >me on Lopressor, monitored me overnight and at 1 am the next day they >did the shock thing twice and got me back into NSF. I came home later >that day with prescription for Lopressor and bad paranoia everytime I >lay down that is it going to start again. The nurses and hospital doc >did not do a whole lot of explaining..just told me to come home and rest >a few days and take the meds and see my regular doc in a couple weeks. I >do have an appointment on Tuesday so maybe he can make me feel a little >safer or something. But I do have a hard time going to sleep for fear it >will happen again. I guess I am a big ole baby! > >-- > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2006 Report Share Posted April 28, 2006 Sparrow - one more thing - laying on my left side is a " trigger " for me for an AFIB episode. Also coffee - sodas - tea - chocolate - exercise - some meds. Good luck again. Debbie in Texas > >Reply-To: AFIBsupport >To: AFIBsupport >Subject: Re: Newbie here >Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2006 13:29:41 -0400 > >Thank you for your reply...I just hope I can get to the other side of >being afraid to go to sleep at night!! I read until I just get so sleepy >I can't stay awake and I know I need more sleep. I am glad I found this >group. > >Quarter Acre Orchids wrote: > > > Sparrow - I've had afib for 5 years now, and dozens of events over > > that time. Monday I woke up in afib (I'm usually an " evening " > > fibber), had to go to the ER Tuesday morning, shocked back into rhythm > > Wednesday afternoon, and you better believe I was afraid to go to bed > > Wednesday night... so no.. you are not a big baby.. you are just normal > > > > > One of the things that is good for the fibby heart is plenty of > > proper rest... I know.. double edged sword, huh? > > > > Stef > > > > Sparrow isparrow@...> wrote: > > I just found this group yesterday and have been reading old messages. > > Briefly, my story. I had a couple 2 hour episodes before Christmas which > > I dubbed as caffeine flutters didn't know anything about AFB.. > > April 15 my older sister died and the next couple days I was running > > wide open getting things done for the funeral which was Tuesday April18. > > I was awaken at 3 am that morning with my heart trying to come out of my > > chect..when it had not stopped by 8 am I got my daughter to drive me > > into town to the doc who did an EKG and sent me straight to the > > emergency room who in turn sent me straight to ICU..they hooked me up to > > Iv's and started giving me shots of blood thinner in my stomach and put > > me on Lopressor, monitored me overnight and at 1 am the next day they > > did the shock thing twice and got me back into NSF. I came home later > > that day with prescription for Lopressor and bad paranoia everytime I > > lay down that is it going to start again. The nurses and hospital doc > > did not do a whole lot of explaining..just told me to come home and rest > > a few days and take the meds and see my regular doc in a couple weeks. I > > do have an appointment on Tuesday so maybe he can make me feel a little > > safer or something. But I do have a hard time going to sleep for fear it > > will happen again. I guess I am a big ole baby! > > > > -- > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2006 Report Share Posted April 28, 2006 O.k so once you have Artrial Fibrillation you can expect it to keep happening? The hospital staff had me convinced that if they shocked me back in rythem and I took the meds I would be fine... I am taking Metoprolol which is generic for Lopressor 200 MG a day...100 at 9 am and 100 at 9 pm.. From reading back on old messages here I see nobody that says it hasn't happened to them again????? Quarter Acre Orchids wrote: > Sparrow - I've had afib for 5 years now, and dozens of events over > that time. Monday I woke up in afib (I'm usually an " evening " > fibber), had to go to the ER Tuesday morning, shocked back into rhythm > Wednesday afternoon, and you better believe I was afraid to go to bed > Wednesday night... so no.. you are not a big baby.. you are just normal > > One of the things that is good for the fibby heart is plenty of > proper rest... I know.. double edged sword, huh? > > Stef > > Sparrow isparrow@...> wrote: > I just found this group yesterday and have been reading old messages. > Briefly, my story. I had a couple 2 hour episodes before Christmas which > I dubbed as caffeine flutters didn't know anything about AFB.. > April 15 my older sister died and the next couple days I was running > wide open getting things done for the funeral which was Tuesday April18. > I was awaken at 3 am that morning with my heart trying to come out of my > chect..when it had not stopped by 8 am I got my daughter to drive me > into town to the doc who did an EKG and sent me straight to the > emergency room who in turn sent me straight to ICU..they hooked me up to > Iv's and started giving me shots of blood thinner in my stomach and put > me on Lopressor, monitored me overnight and at 1 am the next day they > did the shock thing twice and got me back into NSF. I came home later > that day with prescription for Lopressor and bad paranoia everytime I > lay down that is it going to start again. The nurses and hospital doc > did not do a whole lot of explaining..just told me to come home and rest > a few days and take the meds and see my regular doc in a couple weeks. I > do have an appointment on Tuesday so maybe he can make me feel a little > safer or something. But I do have a hard time going to sleep for fear it > will happen again. I guess I am a big ole baby! > > -- > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2006 Report Share Posted April 28, 2006 the answer to this is " not always " ... you have to look at why you have it in the first place. There are some bodily events, such as a potassium imbalance, dehydration, or an event of heavy alcohol consumption that can cause a " one time " afib. I'm sure there are others, and then there are the lucky people who only ever have one event for no identifiable reason, or the guy here recently who had just 4 events in 12 years. But for the majority of us here on this list, afib has happened more than once, unfortunately. It's getting more identifiable overall, so control rates are perhaps improving, but it CAN be a progressive condition.. not necessarily though. It can also often be controlled though medication, life style change (more sleep, better foods, less booze, no smokes), stress relief, and surgery. So please don't worry.. it's bad for your heart anyway.... just be aware of it and prepared for it, and if it does happen again, at least you'll know what it is and what to do! stef Sparrow isparrow@...> wrote: O.k so once you have Artrial Fibrillation you can expect it to keep happening? The hospital staff had me convinced that if they shocked me back in rythem and I took the meds I would be fine... I am taking Metoprolol which is generic for Lopressor 200 MG a day...100 at 9 am and 100 at 9 pm.. From reading back on old messages here I see nobody that says it hasn't happened to them again????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2006 Report Share Posted April 28, 2006 They had no business " convincing " you that you would have no further problems. No one can predict who will have reoccurances and how frequently they will occur. Sparrow isparrow@...> wrote: O.k so once you have Artrial Fibrillation you can expect it to keep happening? The hospital staff had me convinced that if they shocked me back in rythem and I took the meds I would be fine... I am taking Metoprolol which is generic for Lopressor 200 MG a day...100 at 9 am and 100 at 9 pm.. From reading back on old messages here I see nobody that says it hasn't happened to them again????? Quarter Acre Orchids wrote: > Sparrow - I've had afib for 5 years now, and dozens of events over > that time. Monday I woke up in afib (I'm usually an " evening " > fibber), had to go to the ER Tuesday morning, shocked back into rhythm > Wednesday afternoon, and you better believe I was afraid to go to bed > Wednesday night... so no.. you are not a big baby.. you are just normal > > One of the things that is good for the fibby heart is plenty of > proper rest... I know.. double edged sword, huh? > > Stef > > Sparrow isparrow@...> wrote: > I just found this group yesterday and have been reading old messages. > Briefly, my story. I had a couple 2 hour episodes before Christmas which > I dubbed as caffeine flutters didn't know anything about AFB.. > April 15 my older sister died and the next couple days I was running > wide open getting things done for the funeral which was Tuesday April18. > I was awaken at 3 am that morning with my heart trying to come out of my > chect..when it had not stopped by 8 am I got my daughter to drive me > into town to the doc who did an EKG and sent me straight to the > emergency room who in turn sent me straight to ICU..they hooked me up to > Iv's and started giving me shots of blood thinner in my stomach and put > me on Lopressor, monitored me overnight and at 1 am the next day they > did the shock thing twice and got me back into NSF. I came home later > that day with prescription for Lopressor and bad paranoia everytime I > lay down that is it going to start again. The nurses and hospital doc > did not do a whole lot of explaining..just told me to come home and rest > a few days and take the meds and see my regular doc in a couple weeks. I > do have an appointment on Tuesday so maybe he can make me feel a little > safer or something. But I do have a hard time going to sleep for fear it > will happen again. I guess I am a big ole baby! > > -- > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 29, 2006 Report Share Posted April 29, 2006 hi mate bummer ain`t it!!!!!!!!!!! when i am woken by AF, usually happens about 30 mins after i fall asleep, i just lay nice and calm, tell myself i`m not going to die, (easy to say i know)and then lay on my front, with my elbows propping me up. After just a few minutes of laying calm, it usually subsides and i go to sleep on my right. Maybe worth a try if it happens again > > > I just found this group yesterday and have been reading old messages. > > > Briefly, my story. I had a couple 2 hour episodes before Christmas which > > > I dubbed as caffeine flutters didn't know anything about AFB.. > > > April 15 my older sister died and the next couple days I was running > > > wide open getting things done for the funeral which was Tuesday April18. > > > I was awaken at 3 am that morning with my heart trying to come out of my > > > chect..when it had not stopped by 8 am I got my daughter to drive me > > > into town to the doc who did an EKG and sent me straight to the > > > emergency room who in turn sent me straight to ICU..they hooked me up to > > > Iv's and started giving me shots of blood thinner in my stomach and put > > > me on Lopressor, monitored me overnight and at 1 am the next day they > > > did the shock thing twice and got me back into NSF. I came home later > > > that day with prescription for Lopressor and bad paranoia everytime I > > > lay down that is it going to start again. The nurses and hospital doc > > > did not do a whole lot of explaining..just told me to come home and rest > > > a few days and take the meds and see my regular doc in a couple weeks. I > > > do have an appointment on Tuesday so maybe he can make me feel a little > > > safer or something. But I do have a hard time going to sleep for fear it > > > will happen again. I guess I am a big ole baby! > > > > > > -- > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 Sparrow, in reply to a later post of yours I asked about how long you have had AF and about your meds. All the info I needed is here. Someone suggested, I think it was , that you go on a holter monitor. An at home ekg monitor, which you carry with you in a pouch or with clipped to your belt. This would be the best way to find out what rhythms you're having. You mentioned that they gave you shots of blood thinner in the hospital, probably heparin, but did the doc prescribe a regular blood thinner such as aspirine or on coumadin. If your having episodes of AF, you should be on a blood thinner because one risk of AF is the development of clots, and clots can cause strokes. So a blood thinner is a way to minimize any risks with that. Definately it would be very helpful to be on a monitor to see whats still happening, and it is important that your are on some form of blood thinner. I suggest that you call your doc and ask for a monitor, make sure you on some kind of blood thinner, and ask the doc what is the plan if or when your heart goes flippity flipflop flip. When this happens what should you do, when should you call him, and consider if you need an rx for Xanax. I'd appreciate it if you could give us info about this stuff and let us know how your are doing. Hang tough, Sparrow isparrow@...> wrote: I just found this group yesterday and have been reading old messages. Briefly, my story. I had a couple 2 hour episodes before Christmas which I dubbed as caffeine flutters didn't know anything about AFB.. April 15 my older sister died and the next couple days I was running wide open getting things done for the funeral which was Tuesday April18. I was awaken at 3 am that morning with my heart trying to come out of my chect..when it had not stopped by 8 am I got my daughter to drive me into town to the doc who did an EKG and sent me straight to the emergency room who in turn sent me straight to ICU..they hooked me up to Iv's and started giving me shots of blood thinner in my stomach and put me on Lopressor, monitored me overnight and at 1 am the next day they did the shock thing twice and got me back into NSF. I came home later that day with prescription for Lopressor and bad paranoia everytime I lay down that is it going to start again. The nurses and hospital doc did not do a whole lot of explaining..just told me to come home and rest a few days and take the meds and see my regular doc in a couple weeks. I do have an appointment on Tuesday so maybe he can make me feel a little safer or something. But I do have a hard time going to sleep for fear it will happen again. I guess I am a big ole baby! -- Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com List owner: AFIBsupport-owner For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 I have been on an adult asprin a day for about 6 years. I am now on the Genric fo Lopressor 100mg twice a day. I had a few short episodes about 7 years ago which my doc said was too much caffeine.so I stopped caffeine and only had very brief 3 second episodes about every 6 months until December of 2005..in which I had 2 spells that lasted about 2 hours each and was 3 weeks apart. again I was thinking I ate too much chocolate or someone gave me regular coffee instead of decaff..then on April 18 I woke up at 3 am with my heart doing flip flops and it just went on and on so after 5 hours of it I got my daughter to drive me into town to the doc and he sent me to hospital..they put me on lopressor, fluids, the blood thinnner shots in my stomach and hooked me up to iv's and all sorts of monitors overnight and then did the electrical Cardioversion about 11 the next day. I was under a lot of stress for 6 weeks prior to this because my sister was dieing of cancer and I was trying to help look after her and work too..well she died April 15 and of course that multiplied the stress...she was burried on the 18, needless to say I did not get to attend the funeral. After they did the Cardioversion ( am I spelling that wrong?) I was fine for 10 days then wham, here we go again.. but It is nothing like the big one..it doesn't last as long and is not as intense. I have an appointment with my doctor tomrrow afternoon so I have a list of questions for him. Van Deusen wrote: > Sparrow, in reply to a later post of yours I asked about how long you > have had AF and about your meds. All the info I needed is here. > Someone suggested, I think it was , that you go on a holter > monitor. An at home ekg monitor, which you carry with you in a pouch > or with clipped to your belt. This would be the best way to find out > what rhythms you're having. You mentioned that they gave you shots of > blood thinner in the hospital, probably heparin, but did the doc > prescribe a regular blood thinner such as aspirine or on coumadin. If > your having episodes of AF, you should be on a blood thinner because > one risk of AF is the development of clots, and clots can cause > strokes. So a blood thinner is a way to minimize any risks with that. > > Definately it would be very helpful to be on a monitor to see whats > still happening, and it is important that your are on some form of > blood thinner. I suggest that you call your doc and ask for a > monitor, make sure you on some kind of blood thinner, and ask the doc > what is the plan if or when your heart goes flippity flipflop flip. > When this happens what should you do, when should you call him, and > consider if you need an rx for Xanax. > > I'd appreciate it if you could give us info about this stuff and let > us know how your are doing. Hang tough, > > Sparrow isparrow@...> wrote: > I just found this group yesterday and have been reading old messages. > Briefly, my story. I had a couple 2 hour episodes before Christmas which > I dubbed as caffeine flutters didn't know anything about AFB.. > April 15 my older sister died and the next couple days I was running > wide open getting things done for the funeral which was Tuesday April18. > I was awaken at 3 am that morning with my heart trying to come out of my > chect..when it had not stopped by 8 am I got my daughter to drive me > into town to the doc who did an EKG and sent me straight to the > emergency room who in turn sent me straight to ICU..they hooked me up to > Iv's and started giving me shots of blood thinner in my stomach and put > me on Lopressor, monitored me overnight and at 1 am the next day they > did the shock thing twice and got me back into NSF. I came home later > that day with prescription for Lopressor and bad paranoia everytime I > lay down that is it going to start again. The nurses and hospital doc > did not do a whole lot of explaining..just told me to come home and rest > a few days and take the meds and see my regular doc in a couple weeks. I > do have an appointment on Tuesday so maybe he can make me feel a little > safer or something. But I do have a hard time going to sleep for fear it > will happen again. I guess I am a big ole baby! > > -- > > > > > > Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com > List owner: AFIBsupport-owner > For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, > send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help > > Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or > should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 Sparrow, you sure have been going through a lot of difficult things. Maybe your rhythm will return back to what it was, once the stess subsides. I hope so. Glad to hear that you're seeing your doc. It sounds like, in spite of your difficulties, you are on track. Please let us know how it goes with your doctors visit. Best wishes, Sparrow isparrow@...> wrote: I have been on an adult asprin a day for about 6 years. I am now on the Genric fo Lopressor 100mg twice a day. I had a few short episodes about 7 years ago which my doc said was too much caffeine.so I stopped caffeine and only had very brief 3 second episodes about every 6 months until December of 2005..in which I had 2 spells that lasted about 2 hours each and was 3 weeks apart. again I was thinking I ate too much chocolate or someone gave me regular coffee instead of decaff..then on April 18 I woke up at 3 am with my heart doing flip flops and it just went on and on so after 5 hours of it I got my daughter to drive me into town to the doc and he sent me to hospital..they put me on lopressor, fluids, the blood thinnner shots in my stomach and hooked me up to iv's and all sorts of monitors overnight and then did the electrical Cardioversion about 11 the next day. I was under a lot of stress for 6 weeks prior to this because my sister was dieing of cancer and I was trying to help look after her and work too..well she died April 15 and of course that multiplied the stress...she was burried on the 18, needless to say I did not get to attend the funeral. After they did the Cardioversion ( am I spelling that wrong?) I was fine for 10 days then wham, here we go again.. but It is nothing like the big one..it doesn't last as long and is not as intense. I have an appointment with my doctor tomrrow afternoon so I have a list of questions for him. Van Deusen wrote: > Sparrow, in reply to a later post of yours I asked about how long you > have had AF and about your meds. All the info I needed is here. > Someone suggested, I think it was , that you go on a holter > monitor. An at home ekg monitor, which you carry with you in a pouch > or with clipped to your belt. This would be the best way to find out > what rhythms you're having. You mentioned that they gave you shots of > blood thinner in the hospital, probably heparin, but did the doc > prescribe a regular blood thinner such as aspirine or on coumadin. If > your having episodes of AF, you should be on a blood thinner because > one risk of AF is the development of clots, and clots can cause > strokes. So a blood thinner is a way to minimize any risks with that. > > Definately it would be very helpful to be on a monitor to see whats > still happening, and it is important that your are on some form of > blood thinner. I suggest that you call your doc and ask for a > monitor, make sure you on some kind of blood thinner, and ask the doc > what is the plan if or when your heart goes flippity flipflop flip. > When this happens what should you do, when should you call him, and > consider if you need an rx for Xanax. > > I'd appreciate it if you could give us info about this stuff and let > us know how your are doing. Hang tough, > > Sparrow isparrow@...> wrote: > I just found this group yesterday and have been reading old messages. > Briefly, my story. I had a couple 2 hour episodes before Christmas which > I dubbed as caffeine flutters didn't know anything about AFB.. > April 15 my older sister died and the next couple days I was running > wide open getting things done for the funeral which was Tuesday April18. > I was awaken at 3 am that morning with my heart trying to come out of my > chect..when it had not stopped by 8 am I got my daughter to drive me > into town to the doc who did an EKG and sent me straight to the > emergency room who in turn sent me straight to ICU..they hooked me up to > Iv's and started giving me shots of blood thinner in my stomach and put > me on Lopressor, monitored me overnight and at 1 am the next day they > did the shock thing twice and got me back into NSF. I came home later > that day with prescription for Lopressor and bad paranoia everytime I > lay down that is it going to start again. The nurses and hospital doc > did not do a whole lot of explaining..just told me to come home and rest > a few days and take the meds and see my regular doc in a couple weeks. I > do have an appointment on Tuesday so maybe he can make me feel a little > safer or something. But I do have a hard time going to sleep for fear it > will happen again. I guess I am a big ole baby! > > -- > > > > > > Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com > List owner: AFIBsupport-owner > For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, > send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help > > Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or > should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 Sparrow, I forgot to say that maybe if you were on a home ekg monitor for a while it would be easier to consider if you need some kind of antiarrhytmic or not. If your just having some PACs it would not be needed, or maybe your having some AF that may resolve when your stress burden lightens. The monitor could give you important info to decide if an antiarrhythmic is needed. Of course, theantiarrhymic meds all do have some down sides, but sometimes they may be helpful in spite of the down sides. I think your decision would be informed better with some time on a monitor. Please keep us posted. Good luck, Sparrow isparrow@...> wrote: I have been on an adult asprin a day for about 6 years. I am now on the Genric fo Lopressor 100mg twice a day. I had a few short episodes about 7 years ago which my doc said was too much caffeine.so I stopped caffeine and only had very brief 3 second episodes about every 6 months until December of 2005..in which I had 2 spells that lasted about 2 hours each and was 3 weeks apart. again I was thinking I ate too much chocolate or someone gave me regular coffee instead of decaff..then on April 18 I woke up at 3 am with my heart doing flip flops and it just went on and on so after 5 hours of it I got my daughter to drive me into town to the doc and he sent me to hospital..they put me on lopressor, fluids, the blood thinnner shots in my stomach and hooked me up to iv's and all sorts of monitors overnight and then did the electrical Cardioversion about 11 the next day. I was under a lot of stress for 6 weeks prior to this because my sister was dieing of cancer and I was trying to help look after her and work too..well she died April 15 and of course that multiplied the stress...she was burried on the 18, needless to say I did not get to attend the funeral. After they did the Cardioversion ( am I spelling that wrong?) I was fine for 10 days then wham, here we go again.. but It is nothing like the big one..it doesn't last as long and is not as intense. I have an appointment with my doctor tomrrow afternoon so I have a list of questions for him. Van Deusen wrote: > Sparrow, in reply to a later post of yours I asked about how long you > have had AF and about your meds. All the info I needed is here. > Someone suggested, I think it was , that you go on a holter > monitor. An at home ekg monitor, which you carry with you in a pouch > or with clipped to your belt. This would be the best way to find out > what rhythms you're having. You mentioned that they gave you shots of > blood thinner in the hospital, probably heparin, but did the doc > prescribe a regular blood thinner such as aspirine or on coumadin. If > your having episodes of AF, you should be on a blood thinner because > one risk of AF is the development of clots, and clots can cause > strokes. So a blood thinner is a way to minimize any risks with that. > > Definately it would be very helpful to be on a monitor to see whats > still happening, and it is important that your are on some form of > blood thinner. I suggest that you call your doc and ask for a > monitor, make sure you on some kind of blood thinner, and ask the doc > what is the plan if or when your heart goes flippity flipflop flip. > When this happens what should you do, when should you call him, and > consider if you need an rx for Xanax. > > I'd appreciate it if you could give us info about this stuff and let > us know how your are doing. Hang tough, > > Sparrow isparrow@...> wrote: > I just found this group yesterday and have been reading old messages. > Briefly, my story. I had a couple 2 hour episodes before Christmas which > I dubbed as caffeine flutters didn't know anything about AFB.. > April 15 my older sister died and the next couple days I was running > wide open getting things done for the funeral which was Tuesday April18. > I was awaken at 3 am that morning with my heart trying to come out of my > chect..when it had not stopped by 8 am I got my daughter to drive me > into town to the doc who did an EKG and sent me straight to the > emergency room who in turn sent me straight to ICU..they hooked me up to > Iv's and started giving me shots of blood thinner in my stomach and put > me on Lopressor, monitored me overnight and at 1 am the next day they > did the shock thing twice and got me back into NSF. I came home later > that day with prescription for Lopressor and bad paranoia everytime I > lay down that is it going to start again. The nurses and hospital doc > did not do a whole lot of explaining..just told me to come home and rest > a few days and take the meds and see my regular doc in a couple weeks. I > do have an appointment on Tuesday so maybe he can make me feel a little > safer or something. But I do have a hard time going to sleep for fear it > will happen again. I guess I am a big ole baby! > > -- > > > > > > Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com > List owner: AFIBsupport-owner > For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, > send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help > > Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or > should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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