12 months of a/f

[tullowman]

I have had a/f for just over ayear I was seen by the heart unit twice and put on digoxin and warfarin and discharged it has settled but im co0ncerned that if it flares up well over a hundred is all I have a/e asap what treatments are there in the pipe line at the moment my inr is 2.2 regular so only go to the clinic every 6 weeks any thoughts on my condition or am I lucky to be as I am i like too be aware of whats open to me and not rely on others except of course my fellow sufferers many thanks to the site its great

[TheStand]

tullowman,

Welcome to the forum.

First, it is great that they actually put you on an anticoagulant. We see so many here which are just told to take aspirin which does not help stop strokes in AF patients.

Now, I take it theat you are asking about available treatments for AF. There are many....

There are many good websites that have all of the info that you need for understanding AF and it's treatments.

Check out the main AFA website : atrialfibrillation.org.uk/

and

the Stop AFib website: stopafib.org

From what you posted, you are taking Digoxin. It is a basic "Rate Control Drug" which lowers the heart rate so that when you have an attack, your heart rate does not go as high. This can make the AF more tolerable but does not stop the AF from happening. It has the same purpose as both Beta Blockers and Calcium Channel Blockers. Just slow down the heart.

There is also meds that are classed as "Rhythm Control Drugs". They attempt to hold or keep the heart in rhythm which stops AF from happening. As with all drugs, they are not 100% affective and do not work for some. Many find that they have very few or no attacks while taking this class drug. But they have side effects.

There are also procedures that can be done to stop AF from happening. There are different type but the most common is the Ablation. Some may have to have these done a few times to be completely successful. Don't confuse the ablation with the AV Node ablation with Pacemaker (called the Pace and Ablate method).

Many of the drugs used to control AF have a limited time of being useful. Since over time AF get worse and more frequent you will probably need to switch to stronger meds as time goes on and eventually they may not work at all. For some it is better to try out one of the procedure.

Your BEST results will come from reading, understanding and knowing the information about AF and it's treatments. Make yourself a list of questions and take it with you to your next appt. Know enough about this and question when something you are told that doesn't really line up with what you now know. So.... Learn, Learn and then Learn more about AF!

Again, Welcome to the forum and Jump in and ask questions. There are many here who have been exactly where you are now and are ready and willing to pass on what they have learned.

Tim

[tullowman in reply to TheStand]

thanks for taking the time to leave a reply I talked to a retired consultant who said don't worry to much digoxin will last u 20 years im 66

[TheStand in reply to tullowman]

tullowman, Sorry... I didn't clear it up more. The drugs that have the limited time are most of the rhythm control meds. The rate control will continue to work but may have to be increased as the AF gets worse. If you can tolerate the slower heart rate then rate control may be ok for you. The problem most have is that it slows your heart all of the time and not only when having an AF attack. It leaves many very tired most of the time.

Tim

[tullowman in reply to TheStand]

thanks tim always glad to get any info so far so good

bill