Atrial Fibrillation. Is it really nothing?

[floridafam]

My Mom has had this for years.

She has frequent episodes where she just doesn't "Feel right"

She has had many trips to the ER over the years and she is always in A Fib when she gets there.

Her Doctors just say it's something she has to live with. Is this true?

She is winded all the time and is a shadow of her former self. She has had about 5 Pulmonary Function Tests in the last 2 years and hasn't "passed" any of them. Still, nobody seems to care.

Any advice? I try (and so do my siblings and Dad) to talk to her but she's not a big fan of opening up and often keeps things inside.

 

[cardaway]

Ever asked about the possibility of getting her an implantable defibrillator?

 

[C.Ann]

My Mom has had this for years.

She has frequent episodes where she just doesn't "Feel right"

She has had many trips to the ER over the years and she is always in A Fib when she gets there.

Her Doctors just say it's something she has to live with. Is this true?

She is winded all the time and is a shadow of her former self. She has had about 5 Pulmonary Function Tests in the last 2 years and hasn't "passed" any of them. Still, nobody seems to care.

Any advice? I try (and so do my siblings and Dad) to talk to her but she's not a big fan of opening up and often keeps things inside.

-----------------------------------

My late DH had that - along with cancer and a multitude of other serious health problems.. He was on medication for it and we were told there was some sort of "shock" therapy to the heart that they could do which sometimes reverses the condition but because of all of his other health problems he wasn't a candidate for it..

I would get a second opinion..

 

[roseprincess]

What I know about atrial fib is that it is something you live with, can be for a long time. It is usually controlled by heart meds. Has your mom seen her cardiologist recently? Maybe she needs a change in dosage of her meds? Has she had an EKG recently or/and an echocardiogram lately? If she hasn't had these tests lately, she should have them done so the Card doc knows how her heart looks lately.
Atrial fib is better to have than ventricular fib, (vfib).
What do the docs say about her results on the pulmonary function tests?

It is hard to deal with older family members about their health. Sometimes older people just don't know how to ask questions to their doctors,etc.

Just a thought, can you go with her to one of her doctor appts or have you done that with her recently? You may be able to ask the questions and get answers from the docs.
Best wishes about your mom's health.



Rosemarie

 

[floridafam]

She does see a Cardiologist on a regular basis.

I just can't go with her becasue I live in Florida and she is in Michigan.

She will hardly let my Dad go with her.

I think my Dad had the shock thing done-is it called a cardioversion or something. I remember being really nervous the day he had it.

My Mom was on Coumadin at one time and I think she is on something else now.

I just often wonder when the day will come that she can't get out of it.

I was reading an article on the news about the Army Women's basketball coach and some heart problem that caused her to die at age 28. That's what got me thinking about my Mom again.

She's so darn secretive.

 

[Patch'sD]

My wife has it. It showed up in an EKG for a pre surgery test. Her Heart was beating at about 140-180 bpm ( Her heart rate was doubled). Immediate visit to the Cardioligist. Her heart was only functioning at somewhere in the 20% range. They don't know how long she was in AFIB, but she would not have lived much longer. She was given Toprol, Digoxin (sp) and Commadin (Sp). Withing about Six Months her heart was back functioning aroung 60% and her heart was beating at about 70 bpm. She also took the advice of the Dr and laid off the fatty foods, Salt, Caffenine, and Alchol. She did the south beach diet lost 140 lbs and walks about four to six miles a day. Dr is impressed with her recovery. She may need a pacemaker in the future, but that is down the road. Even the Surgery was canceled and no long required, the weak heart was causing other problems.

 

[HaleyB]

It is a matter of degree. How often, how long does it last, how is her heart function otherwise. Do you know if she has done a stress test? Has she had a second opinion?

If I were you I would call her and very openly tell her your concern. Let her know that lack of information is causeing you stress and worry. My parents are the same way and it took a long time to get that message to them. But we need to know because not knowing is stressful.

 

[pumba]

my husband has been in a fib for the last two years......he has meds to regulate his heart beat and also coumadin ......he did have the shock thingie done a year and a half ago and each time his heart went back to a fib.....alot of people live the rest of their lives with it.....he takes his meds and goes for blood tests every month and all is well.....
His cardiologist said that he is basically healthy except for this and that he can live as long and as healthy with a fib as those who live long and healthy without afib...

 

[floridafam]

She is thin, doesn't drink and eats very healthy.

She does have high cholesterol, which must be hereditary because she does absolutely nothing that would warrant having high cholesterol.

I've tried to talk to her and I am met with her changing the subject and telling me it's nothing. She's weird like that. I felt sorry for her at first but now I just get angry. She can't see that her family cares for her.

I would say that it happens at least once a month. It has been happening more frequently lately.

She has had a stress test and she said she hated it but did okay. I don't know for sure how she did and either does my Dad.



Thank you for all of the information. I just have to trust that her Doctors know what they are talking about.