Atrial Fibrillation - Breathless And Washed Out - Medication?
Aug 3, 2014
Does anyone suffer from this, and what medication do you have, I am 77. The only symptoms I seem to have is breathless at times and feeling washed out
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Aug 3, 2014
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Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms?
Diagnosed in January. Not constant and have felt fine for 2 weeks but today I am fluttering nearly all the time. I'm on warfarin and waiting to see a specialist. Had a heart scan and all is fine. Also lots of blood tests but there is no underlying cause. What are other people's symptoms? I'm 54.
Atrial Fibrillation - Flecainide For A-Fib?
Has anyone been prescribed flecainide for A-Fib.
I have not heard of this medication before and would like to discuss it with my doctor.
Atrial Fibrillation / Flutter :: Take More Water With It!
We all know the benefits of drinking adequate amounts of water during the day and I have also read that sufferers of arrhythmias would benefit from this because water adds volume to the blood which makes it less " sticky" and makes it easier for the heart to pump.
I've upped my consumption to around 2.5 litres per day which I'm hoping will help with my atrial fibrillation. I will try anything to be normal again.
Atrial Fibrillation / Flutter :: AF And Alcohol
Just wondering what people's general opinions are? I was diagnosed with AF around 4 years ago and seem to have an episode every 12 months or so..
I don't consider myself to be a heavy drinker have had nights out though and drinking has never seemed to set off an episode.. However I do like a couple of drinks as a "nightcap" on a weekend as get up early for work during the week so like to relax a little at weekend.
However have seen people on here refer to "Holiday heart" and to say excessive drinking has sent them into AF.
My latest episode of AF started around 6 weeks ago and I am still having palpitations. Not being sure if some of my symptoms are actually been caused by new meds (another story another forum) I was feeling really down the other day after a particularly bad day with chest pain and palpitations and finding out the side effects of meds. So thought stuff it and had a drink to help me sleep.... I found it actually helped!! the palpitations stopped and the pain went felt the best I've done in weeks.
Now wondering if maybe some of it is stress? I am a known warrior If everything is going well I worry that something is going slap me round the face and spoil it all lol.
Sorry for long post I do tend to go on - just wondering if anyone else found Alcohol actually helps?
Atrial Fibrillation - Cardioversion Feedback?
on the 22nd of august this year i was admitted into hospital.after not being able to breathe spent six days in cardiac ward then sent home.i have stopped smoking also drinking,my meds are warfarin flecainide also bisoprolol, last couple of days i have struggled with my breathing all seems to point to the beater blocker(not sure),this is what i've found out.on the 10,th of this month i am down for the cardioversion asked the hospital if it does not work what are the next move no answer.also asked about work i am a self employed painter & decorator so can not afford time off,but my breathing is so poor i am at home no energy also tired all the time.if anyone out there can give me a glimmer of hope after the cardioversion ,that i can return to my trade and go back painting new houses,or look for a new career,my inr,s in the past week ranged from 1.4,then 2 then todays 3.1,i am new to this af felt fine upto the 22 of august since then i have felt like a old man i am 52,who thought i was fairly fit.
View 20 RepliesAmlodipine Causing Atrial Fibrillation?
Does anyone know whether there is anything in the literature that definitely shows amlodipine to be a definite cause of atrial fibrillation in some people? The list of side effects mentions heart arrhythmias/palpitations but I am looking for some evidence of a definite link with atrial fibrillation.
View 3 RepliesAtrial Fibrillation And Warfarin - Experiences?
I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation about a year ago and have been treated with Bisoprolol and Aspirin. This seems to be working for me but have been advised by my doctor to go onto warfarin as I am at medium risk of a stroke. I don't want to change anything at the moment whilst the present medication seems to be working because I have heard some negative reports of warfarin - not only the side effects of hair loss etc. and giving up various foods but also the fact that you have to tell your doctor about practically any changes in what you eat and where you go (holidays etc). This seems very restrictive. Could I please have your experiences of taking Warfarin.
View 4 RepliesParoxysmal Atrial Fibrillation - My Experience
I am female and 61yrs old. My first experience of something not quite right namely PAF was in 1995 approx. 13 yrs ago. I had an unusual irregular thumping in my chest and felt quite faint. This came on just out of the blue in the Supermarket and felt so horrible I just had to lean over the trolley until it went off. It went away after a few minutes but did recur from time to time.
I went to the Dr's and was given an appointment to see a Consultant Cardiologist at my local hospital. They fitted me up with an early version Holter monitor that did not work too well. As a result they could not find anything unusual in my condition. I thought well what ever it is it will rear its ugly head again one day, perhaps then they will then know what is really wrong with me!
From then on the jumping & thumping in my chest went on and off. In Feb 2006 after a very stressful airport experience I awoke with a really bad jumping in my chest so bad I did not know what to do (I thought I was having a heart attack!) This went on for about 3 hours. My husband took me to the A & E where I waited for another 3 hours before I could get checked out, I thought I was going to die. They wired me up to an ECG machine where my pulse rate was 200 bpm. I was soon taken to another room where they injected me with some drug to slow my heart rate down. This was a rare experience as I felt my body go stiff for a few moments only. After that I was admitted for 5 days so they could keep an eye on me. I did feel much better after a couple of days however as they put me on 40mg Sotalol + Warfarin. I am convinced that the stress getting home from holiday triggered my episode.
In Sep 2007 I woke up one morning with a sharp pain in my chest which happened 3 times after each other. I was admitted again into hospital with a suspected heart attack. I had several tests done, Cardiac enzyme test, Holter monitor, Echocardiogram, Treadmill & Myoview scan. So all in all I had a very good M.O.T! End result NOT a heart attack just pain from AF.
I am now off the Warfarin (as I am considered low risk) and take 75mg of Aspirin & 120 mg Sotalol twice daily which suit me very well with no noticeable side effects. Having said that the other night I woke up at 4.am with bad AF wich lasted for just over an hour just as I was congratulating myself how well I have done now for 2 yrs! I tried everything to stop it Coughing, blowing into a bag & massaging one side of my neck but to no avail. The only thing that worries me now is that perhaps one day I will have to have an Ablation operation (it terrifies me!). The success rate is only about 70% so I will hang on until medical science has improved. I have been informed they will only do it on NHS up to the age of 70 so I have 9 years to think about it! I am now going to stop putting salt on my dinner and cut down on the alcohol to see if that will help me. I do drink decaffeinated coffee & tea.
Heart :: Symptoms Of Atrial Fibrillation...
I'm 27, male, generally healthy and skinny.
A while ago during my weekly tennis match, I felt a regular, but strong heartbeat in my chest. About 120-130 bpm which is normal due to the exercise, but I felt it really pounding in my chest as if I just had an very intensive workout or sprint done. It started already during the warm-up and lasted throughout the match. After I stopped sporting, this feeling stopped.
Because of this feeling, and my general paranoia regarding my heart, I kept measuring my heart rate (on neck artery) in between points. It was a stable rhythm all match, except for almost at the end I thought I felt 2 missed beats while I was measuring. No exact science here, but thought I felt it.
In the weeks before this, and after, I have not felt anything strange. No pounding heartbeats, except after a fast sprint or intensive moment.
For me to feel good again and confident about my (heart) health, I would like to know some things.
What could have caused those (stable) palpitations that day? Cafeine? Dehydration? Anything else?
And the last heart condition I'm trying to rule out is atrial fibrillation. Could that have been it? And might it be permanent? Whenever I measure my heart rate during the day it is stable and between 60-80 bpm. With atrial fibrillation it is impossible to have a low stable heart rate, not?
Bisoprolol :: Atrial Fibrillation And Extremely Tired
Was prescribed 5mg bisoprolol 5 days ago after admission to hospital with atrial fibrillation. It seems to be working in terms of getting the pulse under control, but I have been suffering really debilitating tiredness, to the point where I sometimes barely have the energy to walk from one room to another. The medics at the hospital told me that if I got "short of breath" then I should go back into hospital, but it isn't so much shortness of breath as feeling completely leaden, especially walking up stairs.
Something I don't understand is whether this is the effect of the drug, or the result of the underlying condition, ie that my heart has been working very inefficiently. (Why doesn't anybody tell us these things?). Degree of tiredness also seems to be influenced by things such as whether I have just slept or eaten, time of day, and anxiety/stress levels!
Does anyone else have any experiences they can share about this?
Atrial Fibrillation / Flutter :: 185 Beat Per Minute
3 wks ago had to go to E.R. with extremely fast heart beat 185 beat per minute. I could not get it stopped with deep breathing, other things I have done in the past. I had eaten a big meal about 30 minutes before attack of A-Fib. I am on warfarin 5mg, metoprolol 50mg 2xday, kombiglyze 500mg for diabetes as well as Lisinopril-hctz amlodipine for Blood pressure., which is mostly well controlled. Sincer the episode I have been having regular flutters that I have stopped with rest or deep breathing. Cardiology put me on 100 mg of flecainide which drop my pulse rate to 38 and I couldn't even get up out of a chair and felt like I couldn't breathe. I then tried 50mg and had rapid heart beat. I don't think I can take it. What should I do in others opinion.
View 3 RepliesAmiodarone 200 Mg For Atrial Fibrillation - Marginal Improvement
I have taking Amiodarone 200mg for about 35 days for my AF .However, I still get irregular occasional especially after taking hot food. The improvement to my condition is marginal. Can anyone advise me if I should continue with Amiodarone. Also,I have been on warfarin for the past 3 years . Due to the interaction of Amiodarone with Warfarin, my doctor has reduced my Warfarin dosage from 4.5 to 3.5 to maintain my INR between 2 to 3.
View 7 RepliesHeart :: First Episode Of Atrial Fibrillation - Overmedicated?
I'm a 51 y.o. female. I had my first (and hopefully only) episode of atrial fibrillation 2 1/2 days ago, very early Monday morning. I had my husband take me to the ER where I was diagnosed, then admitted for treatment. I was given calcium channel blockers, and I converted back to sinus rhythm about 3 hours later. I was also given a shot of a blood thinner. Upon discharge, I was given prescriptions for baby aspirin (81 mg 1x day), and 50 mg metoprolol (a beta blocker) 2x day and told that I would probably be on the meds for 3+ months at least.
Before I continue, here is some more about my overall condition. I am generally in v. good health. I am 5' 6" and weigh 116 lbs. I do not smoke, or drink alcohol or consume caffeine in any form. At a minimum, I walk briskly for about 1 hour a day; but I also add between 10-30 minutes of more intense aerobic exercise 3x a week. I have a low stress lifestyle -- retired early, no financial concerns, great marriage, lots of friends, love my life.
My blood pressure when tested in the ER was 117/70; all the tests came back normal. Lipids: Cholesterol 143; HDL 57; LDL 76. Thyroid -- on the high side of normal, but still w/i normal range.
My pulse rate (with the beta blockers) is currently 68 and my blood pressure is 100/70.
Anyway, about 3 weeks ago, I suffered sudden sensorineural hearing loss in one ear and was put on an 18 day high dose, tapering course of Prednisone. My attack of atrial fibrillation occurred about 3 hours after what would have been my next dose of Prednisone, but wasn't because I had finished the course. So, in my mind, it is highly likely that this attack was precipitated by Prednisone withdrawal. Too much of a coincidence otherwise, no? My cardiologist agreed that it was likely, but still thought I should be on beta blockers at least medium term.
But here's the thing. I am just not doing well on the beta blockers. I feel like sh*t. I actually feel worse than when I was in a fib. I am so tired and I cannot focus on anything. I feel basically like a nonfunctional zombie. How on earth can I live like this for 3 months? Why should I?
I realize you shouldn't just stop beta blockers cold turkey. But I am going to see the cardiologist on Friday and I am just going to beg him to help me get off them and not put me on anymore more meds at all (except maybe the baby aspirin I can deal with).
Does this make sense to those who know about a fib? Yes, if I keep having episodes, it makes sense to help get medication for them. But for crying out loud, I just had one episode in usual circumstances. Couldn't I just wait and see if I have more so I don't have to spend 3 months as a vegetable?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica Linked To Atrial Fibrillation?
Does anyone know of any links with PMR and atrial fibrillation.I was diagnosed with both of these conditions at the same time.I know that I did not have atrial fibrillation prior to PMR because I had had an ECG two weeks before diagnosis and my heart was ok at this point.I would appreciate if anyone could let me know if they have heard of any links between these conditions?
View 4 RepliesAtrial Fibrillation / Flutter :: Right Dose Of Warfarin?
I have recently been in hospital and diagnosed with the above. I have been prescribed Warfarin and am quite nervous about how this will affect my life now. Has anyone else recently been suffering
from the same and how do you feel? Did it take long to get the dose of Warfarin right, I only just
started it last Friday eve and take 5 mg at the mo, have another check tomorrow.
I am also very overweight and I understand that I shouldn't make any drastic changes to my diet without discussing it first with the clinic, any advice or help from anyone would be gratefully received.
Atrial Fibrillation - Flecainide, Pacemaker Or Ablation?
On the 18 May 2011, I had my normal day at work. I usually went to the gym at work each day, so I was very fit. I felt great from a very good session the day before. As I got there I felt a little under the weather but as you do you I continue. After about 10 mins I get worse but didn't know what was wrong so I stopped, after my shower I went back to work but my heart didn't slow down as it should have. 6 hours later it was still not right but me not wanting to upset anyone just drove the 1 hour to home. Oh I forgot to say I was due to have a back operation 4 weeks later. Over the next few weeks leading up to this op I had similar episodes but got a little worried but still didn't say anything until the pre op. Well when I told the nurse what was happening she started pressing lots of bells. It got worse when she couldn't find a pulse I either my left arm or in either of my feet. So over the next few days I had every test known to man. They finally said yes you have a problem but wouldn't say what. I had my back op and was doing very well, even managing to do 10 mile walks every day. When all of. Sudden one night. Yes you guessed it, heart went into overdrive. Luckily I stay very near a my hospital and it was still going on when I got there. When they finished all the usual tests they finally told me I had AF. They tried to get my heart to slow down but I was eventually put up into CCU. After more drugs it eventually slowed down. Over the next few months I tried lots of drugs in lauding Flecainide but they made me worse. Eventually I was told that I would need a Pacemaker as it was happening very often. So they told me I had Paroxysmal AF. When I went to see the surgeon from the Royal Brompton they said I was too young for that and I would have an oblation. This I had last June. It worked for a while. The funniest part was I had sensations in both my feet and right hand that I had not had for many years. So my circulation was better. When I got out I had 2 blackouts which were not very nice but I survived them, even hugging a tree at one point. For the next 6 weeks it was great with no symptoms at all. Then they started again, the upshot is I go in for my second one on Valentines Day, No jokes about massacres as I have already started that one, hopefully it works but I know of people who have had 4. I have even joined the AF association and I have attended their meetings. It's was very good. It does get you down and very tired. I'm now on the rat poison and dronedarone which helps to some extent. As I say to people yes we are all the same but different. Sorry for the rant
View 5 RepliesAtrial Fibrillation :: Sleep Issues And Cycling
I started with a really fast and irregular pulse and heartbeat last Wednesday night and took myself off to A&E. I spent the night wired up to a monitor and had a saline drip with some other medication to try to bring down the rapid heart rate. During the night I had an injection of a warfarin type medicine (claxon?) and beta blockers. The following day I was taken to the Coronary Care unit where I was given a further injection and more beta blockers, bisoprolol fumarate. I met with the cardiologist she explained that I had Atrial Fibrillation, although my heart rate had come down the irregular beat was still there. Further treatment a couple of months down the line were explained to me but now, one week after discharge I have a few questions I would like to ask fellow sufferers who have permanent atrial fibrillation. Oh, I am currently on 5mg of bisoprolol fumarate and 3 mg Warfarin.
1. Do people have any tips for getting off to sleep, I can't seem to settle at all with a banging heart even though my pulse is sort of normal, (with a few missing beats).
2. I have just come back from a cycling holiday and usually walk about 4 miles a day, after a very slow walk today I am exhausted, any tips on getting back to normal.
3. I saw my own GP yesterday and he said that I should get back to 'normal' cycling etc, I did ask if I could have a glass of wine or beer, he said that's fine, however I have read that this can make the AF worse. Any thoughts?
Lungs Congestion Due To Atrial Fibrillation / Flutter
i've had AF for 4 years now but a recent X-ray showed lung congestion which they think is being caused by the heart. I also get excessive facial sweating - does anyone else suffer these symptoms. Also I am breathless going uphills and stairs which is a new development although I can walk miles on the flat.
When is AF just AF & not a heart attack?
General Surgery While Having Atrial Fibrillation / Flutter ?
I`m just wondering if anyone who has atrial fibrillation has had surgery of any kind and was it a problem at all?
View 31 RepliesAtrial Fibrillation - How Long? Bisoprolol And Warfarin
I had my first encounter with AF in September of 2013. I was put on Bisoprolol and Warfarin until I had a cardioversion in february the following year.
All has been well, until a few nights ago when I woke the morning after and found that I had gone back into AF.
I have been on a low dose of Bisoprolol (1.25mg) since the procedure. I also cut my alcohol intake to 2-3 drinks per week and kept exercising as I have always done.
I took myself to the local A&E department and was wired up which confirmed what I already knew. They didn't seem overly concerned that I was in AF and holding a heart rate of 80/90 bpm and told I was in controlled AF. I was then discharged and booked into my local GP later that morning.
The appointment didn't yield much movement apart from a referral to a specialist which would take approx 4 weeks.
He left me on my dose of Bisoprolol and told me to get back in touch if I felt any changes in the symptoms.
I have a feeling of been left in the dark, and as well as been quite worried that it all comes across a bit relaxed by the system when I myself am really worried!!!! Is it just me?
Has anybody felt similar?