For the last five years my mother has been told by her doctor that the symtoms she described were caused by severe panic attacks and depression. She was presrcibed drugs accordingly.
During the last six months these so called panic attacks (lasting up to six to ten hours even with meds), breathing difficulties, dizziness, crippling tiredness, aching joints etc got so bad that she managed to get a new doctor at the practice to finally run tests.
This resulted in her going to see a consultant at the hospital who diagnosed after scans, xrays and monitoring that she has atrial fibrillation and enlargement of the heart.
I know from what I have read that this is not life threatening and is treatable. But even with a change of drugs she is still suffering on an almost daily basis for hours at a time, feelings of dizziness to the point of almost fainting and acute discomfort. She is becoming reclusive and withdrawn as she is now afraid to drive/go out in case she does faint.
Was wondering if there is anyone who actually has (or knows someone with) this condition and could help with following …
Advice about living with it on a day to day basis.
Any ‘‘non-medical’’ ways they have found helpful in dealing with symptoms.
What can/should be expected medically in the way of relief from symtoms…
Whether what I descibed above is usual and normal for people to go through AFTER they have been prescribed treatment.
I would be very grateful for anything that might help … because at the moment my mum is slowly disappearing and is being replaced by someone extremely sad and afraid.
First and foremost, the medical team (which includes your mom and you!) needs to get the atrial fib under control. If she is still having the symptoms she had prior to treatment, it isn’t controlled. You need to stay in touch with your health care provider.
She and/or you, must be advocates for her well being. The symptoms you describe are not to be taken lightly or at all. Call her doctor daily, if necessary. If he doesn’t step up, get a new doctor. I’m assuming she is being followed and treated by a cardiologist.
Uncontrolled atrial fib does have potentially serious consequences, such as stroke or heart attack. The irregular beat causes turbulence in the blood as it passes through the heart. This will cause abnormal clotting. Also, when the atrial fib is rapid, or very slow, it can cause other, more immediately life threatening arrhythmias.
Drugs are the first line of defense, however, they can have unpleasant side effects. It’s very important to determine if the symptoms she’s having are from the drugs or the disease. either way, the doctor can and should do something about it.
With rhythms that don’t respond to drug therapy, a permanent pacemaker may be needed.
dave316 the atrial fib *causes * the sleep apnea, not the other way around. I doubt too, that the pacemaker your father will get is external.
External pacemakers are used in emergencies.
There are temporary pacers that are inserted via a blood vessel with a control device that is external. That seems more likely, since external pacers are not the best option for planned trials. They are actually some what painful.
I’m not trying to beat up on you. I know how stressful this whole process is. Its very easy to get a little confused. And doctors don’t always remember to speak human.
Write any questions you have down , and remind the doc that your dad is the consumer and that clear and complete explainations are in everyone’s best interest. In fact, for procedures, like placing a pacemaker, informed consent is the law. So, have him or her explain until you understand.
A doctor’s time, is not, as many would have you believe, more important than yours.
Good luck to you both.
Was tired and stressed out when I wrote the OP re-reading it I realise it could have been clearer.
Yes she is going back to the hospital in January to see the consultant and after reading your post will make sure that she makes an appointment to talk to her doctor next week and lets me go with her.
I am clear on what is happening physically and why it is important to keep it monitored, so I do appreciate what you are saying. But I suppose I feel a bit out of my depth. My usual ’ find out as much as you can’ way of dealing with things seemed to be giving me more questions than answers. So I thought I’d post on the off chance that someone might be able to offer advice on how they cope with it on a practcial day to day level and find out if there were known side effects to the treatment. Some of those things you have answered for me thank you.
dave316 … hope all works out well for you and your family.
Most of the people with drug controlled A Fib that I’ve taken care of, say they don’t have the stamina the did before, some have poor energy reserves. Even these gets better over time. She should not be dizzy or light headed. If its the drug, its lowering her blood pressure too much. You also mentioned “acute discomfort,” of what sort? If she’s having chest pain, she needs to be in the hospital. All in all, if her treatment is working she should have few if any symptoms with-in a few months.
Some cases of A Fib are aminable to surgery. Your mom probably had a cardiac catherization? The surgeon or cardiologist can some times go in with the fiberoptic camera and a cautery and ablate the sensitive area. It isn’t for evenyone but its worth talking to the cardiologist about.
I’d suggest checking with the cardiologist on Monday. Her primary doc may not be able or willing to change her meds. If she has a number, call the cardiologist first. I know some insurances make you jump through burning hoops, but a phone call doesn’t cost anything.
Keep your thread alive, I’d like to know how it all works out. Remember, she is the consumer and this is* her* life , not the doc’s. Even the cardiologist’s time is not more important than your mom’s life.
The most important thing is to get the A fib under control first. However, you also want to consider if this is really the only diagnosis.
And A fib causing the sleep apnea??? No, I think it was right the first time, sleep apnea causing the A fib. I fail to see from a physiologic standpoint how A fib could cause sleep apnea.
