When is atrial fibrillation not TMS?

Not asking for myself (I use the forum for my own TMS issues of mainly back pain). I'm asking for my mother, who is in her early 70s. I've tried to approach the idea of TMS with her in the past, but she is very reluctant to believe. Her past issues (which I think are all TMS) are back pain, neck pain, frozen shoulder, allergies, hives, food sensitivities, etc. She has also had colon cancer.

Her current issue is atrial fibrillation. She was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse many years ago. The A-fib keeps coming on and she is starting to think that it is connected with digestion (from having part of her intestine removed during surgery for colon cancer 10 years ago). It can come on after she eats, and now she's getting fearful of what she eats.

What is a good source for understanding truly medical causes of A-fib? (Or is it always TMS?) The doctors keep sending her home with a heart monitor, which I think might be their way of saying that they can't find a cause and wanting to appease her somehow.

 

Hi Pemberley,

My wife 72 had a major stroke February 2018; she is doing better than most due to quick intervention and the administering of the wonder drug TPA.

The repercussions have been ongoing visits to Neurologists, GPs, Heart doctors and even several visits to a stroke victim support group.

The most recent issue has been suspected A-fib and she is under the care of a heart doctor with the salubrious title: “Electro physiologist” (the rhythm of the heart). He stated A-fib is particularly difficult to detect and comprises of the two upper chambers misfiring. It is very illusive, but considered serious, especially in stroke recoveries. My heart warmed when he voluntary mentioned the subterraneous processes that make the heart function. In essence he recognized TMS.

In order to detect a possible A-fib contraction, as well as other heart characteristics, she had an implant monitor inserted several months ago. So far no detection, she will have this until the battery runs out in three years. My wife has her life back, we value every day, she does water aerobics and we plan to travel again this year. She has peace of mind.

I do not think your mother was given a heart monitor to appease and get rid of her. I sense you both distrust the doctors, (sometimes understandably), but they should be the source for questions about A-fib, have you considered changing doctors, my wife’s doctor is a lovely man who emits positivity and understanding.

Your suffering mother needs all the support she can get. So perhaps doctors may not know whether A-fib is TMS or not, they do know it can lead to serious consequences, why take the chance. I’m sure she has TMS with the list of issues you mention, we all do, but our aging bodies get the point of needing TMS help in the form of gentle care giving and understanding.

I hope this helps.

 

Thanks, Andy -- I really appreciate your response (especially quoted above). My mother and I have a strained relationship, and I've had to go through periods of low-contact with her. But I do care about her comfort and want to point her in the right direction here. She has been seeing the same cardiologist, who has a terrible bed-side manner (acts annoyed when anyone questions him). So I have already encouraged her to find another doctor. But I don't have knowledge about A-fib, so it's great to know the type of doctor your wife saw and her experiences.

I'm happy for you that your wife found the right support and care. Thanks for your response!

 

Hi Pemberley, thank you for your reply,

I have a term “Reading the Doctor”, you are basically interviewing them. I am an engineering type and jot down bullet notes. When I return home I immediately rewrite what actually happened and what was said. The TMS mind only wants to hear what we believe already, so this is quite important.

I take Dr Sarno’s repression theory further for I believe we repress what we don’t understand or already have views on and forgetting something is the easy alternative. Over the top perhaps, but this stands you in good stead when the Dr gives you unpleasant information.

You are not looking for a Dr that is an egotistical syrupy sweet salesman type; he needs to be confident, Informative, patient with his patients (pun intended).

Good luck