Atrial Fibrillation

[panculture]

I have paroxysmal intermittant self-terminating a-fib I experience approx 8-12 episodes a YEAR
lasting approx 6-12 hours each(I've never needed cardioversion). I've tolerated these episodes exceptionally well as I am in good health and am physically active -plus my heart rate while in afib was in the 80's-90's range. I always know when afib starts and have always checked my pulse approx 3x a day anyway just to be sure.

I was self-monitering my condition and have NOT been seeing an MD or taken any meds for the afib until last week when I had an unique episode with a rate of approx 135-145 requiring an ER visit and hospitalization. Rate was controlled after 2 hours of a drip and it self-terminated 13 hours after onset.

I have now acquired a cardiologist She put me on betablockers for rate control and Coumadin. I don't mind betablockers, but I don't understand being anticoagulated 365 days a year when my afib presents on only 8-12 days a year and lasts less than 16 hours.

Given my situation why couldn't I self-inject Lovenox at the onset of an afib episode and repeat in 12 hours if not terminated. Onset and duration of Lovenox should be adequate shouldn't it? I had no problems self-injecting it at home for one week while the Coumadin levels stabilized. She was unclear why this therapy wasn't an option for me.

I play sports...I love dark veggies...I love cranberry juice
I hate my Coumadin lifestyle

Any thoughts???

[AnnetteG]

Hi!

From what I've been reading, on here and other sites, I am beginning to wonder if they are right in handing out scripts for coumadin so quickly. I am really beginning (?) to mistrust doctors and feel that like anything else, this is a business. Maybe I'm wrong, but I wonder about the incidence of stoke such as in your case with so few attacks. I feel like I am in AFib all the time.. and I am searching for answers..! My rate seems never to go above 60-70... I hate to go somewhere where I can't turn back.
Good luck!