... told it was Atrial flutter. Have so many questions! HELP!
Atrial Fibrillation - I am looking for someone to talk to who has afib... my last trip to ER, I was?
Question posted by Gram1948 on 17 Oct 2011
Last updated on 10 April 2025
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12 Answers
Penni4488
13 Aug 2024
I too was diagnosed with Afib in the ER. I have since acquired a cardiologist that I see regularly. My Afib is getting worse by the week. I am on so many drugs because of other problems, I am wondering about drug interactions. I check these out each time I get a prescription. I have also started doing research online in the medical journal databases to see if there are new treatments, new drugs, etc. Most of the drugs prescribed for Afib are too costly for me, or they are not in my insurer's formulary. Most of the drug manufacturers will sponsor a prescription for several months, but even if the drug works, after the coupon runs out, the expense to remain on the drug starts. I don't get raises in my Medicare of $500 a month, so unless that happens, I will have to seek out older/other methods.
I bought a Kardia mobile, the six lead model, and in the 3 weeks I've had it, it has never given me one reading that isn't Afib.
I hope you find a medical professional to answer your questions, just know that there are others out here who understand your frustration.
sg32746
26 July 2013
I have been on several meds, bêta blockers ,Multaq , Amioderone and either they did not work or were so toxic they made a mess of other things, I am now on Tikosyn and so far so good, been 1 yr since I have had an episode. An EP has to have special training to prescribe this med and you have to be in hospital for a few days to be loaded with it. It can cause other complications that are immediately treatable this is why you have to be in hospital setting to start it. I was really scared but I am glad I tried it. For anyone not successful with other meds I would recommend you ask about it. I have no side effects from this med that cause me any grief. One should always make sure your potassium and magnesium levels are good, especially during the summer months when your body perspires allot, any amount of off balance can cause an episode. God bless and take care everyone.
Kacee 1939
10 April 2025
Completely agree regarding beta blockers - in my opinion they’re poison - have tried 3 different ones and the side effects are horendous.
Surely in this day and age they can find a suitable non beta type med that doesn’t give you these terrible side affects.
theswan
28 May 2013
Hello
I went to my local doctor and the nurse taking my pulse went out and got the EKG machine. My pulse was 163 and I had abnormal EKG reading. I was started on Inderal which I had taken before because I often had high pulse not this high though. I had very mild hallucinations on the Indeal (Propranolol) but to be honest it was only late at night when bed so the cardiologist put me on Cardizem (Diltaltizide?) I did get a cardio conversion but it lasted 10 days only. My pulse is now 82 but I skip beats and they said it is Afib. My worry now is my sleepiness because of the afib and nocturia because i get up 5-7 times a night. The psych doctor wants me to try Strattera but it is a stimulent. I am scared to take it but really need to get over this tired feeling.
Any suggestions?
Deewest 22
22 March 2013
Hi Gram
I'm a 54 year old female and I too have afib found out september of last year. (alone) afib. because I don't have any of the other problem that cause or accompany it like age , high blood pressure , diabetes , obesity. I'm being treated with diltiazam 30mg tabs 3x. day have had 4 ER. trips last one 2weeks ago my electrocardiolgist and I have discussed. a procedure. called pulmonary vain isolation. afib is in the left side of the atrial. you can look up the procedure on line. also back in 2001 I have a ablation. for svt. witch was the right side of the atrial. both have to do with the electricity of the heart misfiring. I chose to do the procedures. as the success. rates out weighted the medication success rates I'm seeing a specialist. at the university of minnesota. it's very important. you see a specialist too the sooner the better
malificent
25 Feb 2013
I had the catheter ablation done last month to correct My a-fib and it was a day surgery. I was not put completely under, just sedated and the doctors went to My heart via the vein in My groin. I had A Fibs with SVT for ten years before this and was given beta blockers once which did nothing but give Me very low BP so I went off them. I was then put on Verapamil which stopped the palps but of course did not find out the cause. The ablation I had just left Me with four pin prick size scars near My groin and I have not had any palpitations since. Before the surgery I was having constant palps and My heart rate was always 200+.
I would totally recommend the surgery. Mine was done in Boston at Beth Israel.
darthur1621
24 Feb 2013
Dear Gram,
I do not have atrial fibrillation, but I am a Cardiologist that cares for patients with A-fib. To clarify atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter are two distinct rhythm disturbances, although they may be associated with one another . It is not unusual in a patient with atrial fibrillation to also have a-flutter and vice versa. In the majority of patients with A-fib the problem originates in a structure of the heart called the pulmonary veins. In fact, this is the site where EP Doctors, cardiologist who specialize in treating patients with rhythm problems, try to ablate using specialized catheters. A-fib is also irregular rhythm and almost is never mistaken for a-flutter which is a regular rhythm in most cases. In addition, A-flutter is due to re-entry in the atrium a mechanism that is clearly different than a-fib. As a result, catheter ablation treatment is usually more successful in the long term for a-flutter.
Medical therapy is similar for both conditions, and includes rate control, rhythm control and most importantly protection against stroke. We now have much better ways of defining which patients are at risk for stroke. Although it is sometimes helpful to talk to people with similar problems, I think getting advice about treatment and so forth is best left to the experts. Reading some of the erroneous responses to the various questions about A-fib/A-flutter reinforces my advice to you. Atrial fibrillation is perhaps the most common rhythm disturbance seen in the average cardiology office and currently there are well defined guidelines to assist doctors in treating such patients. With this in mind you should be able to get expert advice locally where you reside. I hope this helps.
DArthur 1621
Kaysi
10 June 2019
Thank you, doctor for your input!
dwrdokeefe
20 Jan 2013
Ask away ive had this for a long time been on 90% of all meds 9 ablations 30procedures feel free to ask anything I will answer what ever question you have about. I have a-fib a-flutter SVT ANRVT.you name I'll be 100% honest. Ed...
Cuore di Vita
22 Oct 2019
What have you found to be the best anticoagulant?
Kassie1
29 July 2012
I was just diagnosed with A-Fib a few months ago. I am in pretty good health otherwise except for high blood pressure. I am 66, was born in 45. I get so anxious when the a-fib starts that I am sure it raises my blood pressure. I was put on Multaq last week and so far I have been fine except today I have been running to the bathroom. I am curious to know if anyone else is taking Multaq and how it is working. I shouldn't read the side effects because that makes me anxious too. Vicious circle!
torontoafibguy
30 March 2012
Much experienced advice. aFib is nothing to be messed around with and requires a top notch cardiologist/electrophysiologist specializing in afib and dealing with hundreds or thousands of cases annually in a facility (hospital) that has cutting edge equipment. Anything less and you are just messing about.
Good luck.
honda1
18 Dec 2011
I have Atrial Fibrillation. Found out 5 months ago. On warferain - blood thinner. AF is when your heart flutters. I am doing just fine. Get tired easly and have to watch vit k foods. I am 73 yrs. old and still working full time. Good Luck, I am praying for you.
rcca
22 Oct 2011
afib--- now that i have the wolf minimaze procedure i don't know what that is any more. thank God.
no more meds and no more afib.
please, if you have insurance, check out the wolf minimaze procedure. i went to cinn, ohio and it was worth the 300 miles.
if you don't have too many other complications please please check it out!
noone else in the country does this procedure. it won't hurt to ask.
you will not be sorry --- but tell them arcey sent you. west chester hospital in cinn, ohio
torontoafibguy
30 March 2012
There are many that do the minimaze procedure. I would consider a catheter ablation before the minimaze which is much more invasive and reports only marginally better results these days. They key is the best MD and the best facility. Period.
Out of curiousity any reason you went for the mini maze and not ablation?
Catlover3
21 June 2012
I didn't have the minimaze, I had the full open heart maze in December of '08, thaught it would fix me, not, oh well, I have been battleing A-fib, A-flutter, SVT for about 10 years now, don't know what causes it, have been on almost every med out there for it, had many ablations, cardiac caths, and cardioversions, I go sinus for a little bit, and I mean a little bit and then whoop right back into this darn A-fib, I was just cardioverted yet again a few days ago, so will see what happens, this A-fib issue is got ahold of me, instead of me having ahold of it, I am young, only 45, been dealing with this since I was about 35, I have been told that it is not to common in such young people, it mostly affects older individuals. I had my surgery at Loyola, and have some of the best cardiologists/electrophysiologists, they just don't know what to do with me anymore, we have tried different combinations of meds, different procedures etc., they tell me I am a difficult case, rare, lol. Any ideas ?
Cuore di Vita
22 Oct 2019
You can try lowering your insulin spikes, going more kept as Afib is associated with insulin resistance. Also the sun you need to be in the sun more. I had less A-fib at lower latitude, the reason being as it increases Hormone D but also charges your ATPase: basically give your heart beat more energy!
lazylar
17 Oct 2011
Hi Gram! I'm guessing that 1948 has to do with, perhaps, a birth year. If that's the case, I might be Gramp1944, but on here I'm lazylar... or Larry.
I developed AF after colon surgery a year ago. Never a heart issue before, but this took me for a ride, which I'm still dealing with. Bystolic has been very good to me, but I think the surgery simplly "aged" me... like a good wine becoming, uh, finer. Feel free to write back. Chin up, Larry
Gram1948
22 Oct 2011
Thank you for the response. I have not heard of Bystolic. I am on Multaq and Metoprolol. I am scared and just live each day waiting for the next trip to the hospital. I am not sure what the difference is between Afib and Atrial flutter... but they shocked my heart while in ER this last time. It was such a scary thing. My cardiologist said the shock was not necessary and if he had been there he would not have done that. But the ER dr did... my heart rate was 227... I was in ICU for three days. Now I am scared to death. I just wonder if this is the way it will be from now on... Just needing someone to chat with about afib. Thanks. I hope to hear from you again. Is there somewhere to go to talk to others with afib? Thanks.
Sharon
lazylar
22 Oct 2011
Hi Sharon (my dear daughter's name too),
Bystolic is a beta blocker, in my case for low blood pressure. I was told that A.Fib is the same as "flutter". In fact, when I first went to doctor about my situation I described it as like a butterfly fluttering in my chest. They ran all the tests and found that my heart was beating too fast. Much better now, but must continue with blocker or I get off-balance (physically!) and risk tripping or falling.
About.com has lots of forums where you can chat with AF people and others, as well as learn things from doctors/nurses. Best of luck!
Larry
lee vitello
14 Dec 2019
I'm surprised that neither poster with AFib isn't taking diltiazem which manages heart rate?
Related topics
atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter
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