I forgot about this site and ran across it today. Apparently I was here from 2009 -2011 in my 60s. A lot has changed. I was able to convert on my own for years. From 2009 to April 2017. Im 75 now and diagnosed with persistant Afib. That means medication no longer works only Cardioversion. (shock) ive had 2
The first was May 16 2017 and the second was 6 days ago July 26, 2017.
I can't get an Ablation unless I stay in normal sinus for 3 months? I couldn't
Promise that before, when I was able to convert. So left with no alternatives, I don't know what to do.
My cardiologist said people can live normal lives with persistant Afib, no more Afib medication, just Atenolol for heart rate. It's a option. Normal life? Define normal. I will be tired again, short of breath again limitations to what ever I do. My blood pressure and heart rate is really good, as long as I am idle! I was in Afib before this recent conversion for 51 days. During that time I was on
Loaded Amiodarone. 800mg a day for one week, then 400mg a day for one week, then 200mg to present day.
I was taken off Flecinide which I trusted for 8 years. You can't stay on Amiodarone for ever. It's toxic. I have stage 3 Kidney disease. Stage 4 is dialysis. I have to eat healthy and no pain meds
So I'm pretty depressed this afliction is never going away. I was at the gym 2 days a week before April 2017 and a 3rd day of water aerobics. Now I have to watch my heart rate and I'm gaining weight.
On April 28 2017, my grandson, who was 29 years old, had a cardiac arrest. This is when the Afib took over my life. Last month I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. If you have Afib you may have sleep apnea. So after trying 5 masks I thought I was doing well, sleeping better, in normal heart rhythm, until 3am this morning.
I really try to count my blessings. I don't have cancer, I'm not blind or in a wheel chair, but my life is forever changed nevertheless.
Kalifornia Kitty
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