permanent af

[edallasdallas]

does my "controlled" atrial fib affect by ability to walk?  I can walk but often have to stop.  I also have a grossly enlarged heart and I thought maybe this was the reason.  

[DeltaDawn23]

I have lived years with this diagnosed as panic attacks. the diagnosis didn't seem to fit, but  I went to a shrink, had anti-depressants pushed at me.  Finally learned after being on this board and getting info from the hospital, that my symptoms are normal for Afib.  the meds I am taking help, but will not stop a full-blown Afib attack.  My atria are also enlarged and that may make some of my problems worse and mean that my chances of an ablation working are less.

[edallasdallas]

It's reassuring that "it's not in my head" because I have often thought that if I just tried harder and exercised more often that I would be able to walk without using a snail pace or stop so often.  Yes, your comment helped.  Thanks, edallasedallas

[DeltaDawn23]

My Afib makes me dizzy at times and like I might faint.  The Atenolol I take has dizziness as a side effect, plus I take Xanax to keep the adrenaline in check, and it can make one dizzy.  I often have to stop too.  I use an umbrella as a cane (too vain to admit I need a cane I guess), and take my husband's arm, or watch for places to rest or lean against as I walk.

A co-worker of mine has an enlarged heart and she has to stop frequently walking into work.  So I think it is common.

  Hope this helps.  Good luck.