Feeling very down after hospital visit - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Feeling very down after hospital visit

CDreamer profile image
39 Replies

Hi everyone, I said I would post re my eyesight, well it's got a lot worse and finding it really difficult to cope so went to my optician on Friday who gave me an immediate referral to the regional eye clinic who got me an appointment today (only saw the optician on Friday so test was obviously not good). This clinic only see people with double vison. after about an hour of testing they more or less confirmed that it is probably Myasthenia gravis. This mean I cannot drive, any movement makes it worse so I have to have one eye covered if I walk and even then I am swaying from side to side. The clinic found that although I thought it was just in one eye, my left, both are affected and the right eye is actually far more unstable than the left.

Evidently anti arrhythmic drugs and beta blockers are known to worsen the condition. So feel between the devil and the deep blue sea. At present I have no other muscles affected but the rate it is going who knows?

Still not heard from the neurologist but the girl I saw today, who was a star, said she will write to neurology and chase them as the sooner I get treated the better. In some ways it is good to know what this is, on the other side this is a very unpredictable disease (nothing new there then!) which could be far more life limiting than AF. SHIT!

The other thing is that having visited the Mg forum, they are not the supportive, friendly bunch you guys are, in fact they seem to be rather the opposite as no one has replied or even acknowledged my post sent 3 days a ago. Please can I stay with you guys?

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CDreamer profile image
CDreamer
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39 Replies
dedeottie profile image
dedeottie

Yes please please do. So sorry to hear this news. I don't know anything about this so can only offer moral support. It sounds quite frightening as anything to do with your eyes must be. It sounds as though you are having good treatment though. Are you on antiarhythmic drugs? Life is often quite unfair.x

Sorry to hear that. Can I ask what drugs you are on? I had funny vision last year. I was sat opposite my wife and then suddenly there were two of her and one was going round and round. I couldn't feel a thing and I talked to my wife and told her what was happening whilst it was happening. It only went on for about 2 minutes or so. I can't remember what drugs I was on then, but it would be rhythm control.

Someone suggested it might be an ocular migraine but without any headache, I haven't a clue though!

Good luck with it

Koll

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply to

Morning Koll, I am on Flecainide, which I know you can't tolerate. I really don't think it causes the condition but makes it worse. Your immune system creates antibodies which attack neuro-transmitters so messages don't get through to your muscles and they don't go where your brain tells them to, the results from yesterday indicated that my eyes are all over the place, very inconsistent. I think I have had this condition for some years but that the AF has masked it, I was thinking that as the heart is a muscle it wouldn't be out of the realms of possibility for the Mg to be a root cause of the AF?

My main indicator for this would be tiredness, especially later in the day, exercise intolerance resulting in muscle fatigue, develops quite quickly so never been able to build stamina. Mg improves with rest so exercise is not advised, am still doing my Pilates and swimming but more or less fall asleep for a couple of hours afterwards on a bad day. It's a bit like MS, can affect your whole body or stay limited to the eyes and it can go into spontaneous remission or get gradually worse.

I had thought I should have been feeling much more energetic by now but of course everyone here says it takes months to regain energies after ablation so just put it down to that whereas without the AF & meds I would have gone to GP earlier.

Just to reassure everyone here, this is a very rare condition 1 in 7-10,000 of population. You know me, got to read up on it, especially whilst I can.

Beancounter profile image
BeancounterVolunteer

Can you stay?

We demand it :)

((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))

Sorry to hear about all the troubles CDreamer, let's hope you get your neurology appointment soon

Ian

Rellim296 profile image
Rellim296

This sounds most unwelcome news and we feel for you. It does sound as if you are getting competent and prompt attention and let's hope that the situation will be one that can be treated and kept under control. Do keep us up to date. All good wishes.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

Hi CDreamer - I'm sorry to hear your news and hope you get to see the neurologist soon. You are part of our AF family so of course you can stay. As Beancounter says , we demand it. X

Jean

rosyG profile image
rosyG

Very sorry to hear your news and also glad you have someone pushing for early neurological help.

Are you in touch with AF specialists re Flecanide and possible alternatives if the former is said to worsen the condition?

I do hope you get some good treatment soon

best wishes

Rosemary

jennydog profile image
jennydog

What rotten bad luck! You have certainly had more than your fair share of problems. The AF alone is enough for anyone to cope with.

Please keep us informed about your progress.

Very best wishes.

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Please stay . As others have said, we demand it!. I am so sorry to read of your problems which only go to show that there are worst things than AF and we all tend to get wrapped up in our own problems a lot of the time and forget that. I really hope that you get some good treatment very soon and hope to read about it here.Group Hug. (((((((((((((-)))))))))))))).

Bob

Just thinking the same as Rosy. Can you go without Flecainide for a while, see what happens, or reduce the dose, or try something else altogether?

Koll

Hi CDreamer.....I am new here and this is my first post.....I have found the folk here to be incredibly supportive and clearly you have too!! Of course we want you to get the medical help you need so don't think about leaving us!!!

Of course! Of course! What a horrible thing... Sending big hugs, and hoping that they find some way to stabilise this. I don't know anything about it either but it is such a terrible shame... You take care of yourself!

Lis

porridgequeen profile image
porridgequeen

Sorry to hear this news. Come and talk as often as you need to, you know everyone here wants to help. Hope you get your treatment soon.

Best wishes

mumknowsbest profile image
mumknowsbestVolunteer

Hi

Nursed patients with mg more years ago than I car to remember but do not remember it affecting their heart muscle. Will look it up for you and post back

Lots of hugs

Eileen

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply tomumknowsbest

Thank you!

Barb1 profile image
Barb1

How awful for you. I can offer nothing but sympathy and a virtual hug. Hope you have family and/or friends support.

Mrspat profile image
Mrspat

So sorry to hear this. I've no personal experience of MG, except that my aunt had it. I think it affected her mobility but not her eyesight.

Re conflicting medications - wouldn't you just love to lock all of the doctors involved in a room and not let them out until they came up with a plan?!

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply toMrspat

YES!

Dodie117 profile image
Dodie117

Sorry to hear this. Sounds awful but hopefully you will find a solution.

Just a thought -when I had my ablation in November I was taken off all meds the next day (except warfarin) and taken nothing since. If you think meds are contributing to this condition perhaps you could as ep asbout stopping meds??

Best of luck

Bagrat profile image
Bagrat

Just wanted to add my good wishes and hope the docs sort out a plan for you. And I have the nerve to moan about all my floaters and dry eyes - never again.

maryjc profile image
maryjc

Keep in touch. This is such a supportive group, don't be afraid to talk about other things then Afib. Thinking of you MaryC

Buffafly profile image
Buffafly

Speechless XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX not something I could kiss better but sending the thought

Hi CDreamer,sorry to hear about your eye problem,hope things soon improve,and go on then we,ll let you stay with us guys.

Langara profile image
Langara

So sorry to learn about your mg/eye problems. Sending you love with fervent hope that things will get better very soon. x

Just read your post CDreamer, how absolutely awful for you. Hope you get to see your neurologist really soon & that things will not be so bad as you fear.

Sandra

paolina profile image
paolina

Very sorry to hear about your problems. A friend of my daughter was diagnosed at a very young age (14) after a long time and just by chance as the consultant had been to a conference the week before & her mother just happened to mention that she could no longer whistle! She was told that she would never be able to have a child probably due to all the medication she had to take, at the age of almost 40 she had a lovely baby boy after a very difficult pregnancy and with lots of medical care. She has always been determined to live a normal life despite having crises where she threatened to throw all her tablets away, she is a lovely young woman who has always worked. Unfortunately myasthenia gravis affects all muscles which of course includes the heart. All the best. Pauline

cbsrbpm profile image
cbsrbpm

Hi Cdreamer,

Please do not despair, as I said in my last post my husband had exactly the same symptoms. Once diagnosed they had his vision back to normal very quickly. The drug therapy is very heavy but very successful. Eight years down the line his drugs have been drastically reduced and he is playing squash 3 times a week. You need to get to see your neurologist so you know exactly what is going on as this is only diagnosed by a blood test that takes about 3 weeks so maybe your GP could get this in motion as the culture has to grow. All the best.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply tocbsrbpm

Thanks, I understand that the blood test is only conclusive in about 60% of people so they diagnosis on symptoms. I guess I will have to be patient as I don't think the appointment will come through before the blood tests, which I had 2 weeks ago,

Results are in. I am feeling a bit more philosophical today, trying to play the Polyanna 'thankful' game! Thanks for your support it really helps knowing there is hope.

sann profile image
sann in reply toCDreamer

Sooooo sorry about your recent problems, hope it can all be sorted out,at least i am praying that it will take care.Sann

Peddling profile image
Peddling

Don't you even think of leaving this site. I have so valued your wise and reasoned posts, since I joined. Just couldn't do without you. I'm crossing everything for you.

Best wishes,

Peddling

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply toPeddling

Aaaaah...... Thanks.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

Many, many thanks for all your wonderful support which has really lifted me!

I have reduced my meds, saw my GP who recommended halving the dose of Flec, which I have done, monitor apeffects and then the Biso (which I halved last week.) No ill effects re the AF since doing so. Hopefully I will stop them next week after I have an appointment with my EP in London.

Interestingly I lost the ability to whistle about 20 years ago. I wasn't asked that question, just if my voice faded. Where there is breath there is life so onwards and upwards and thanks again everyone who replied to me.... Love you all xx

mumknowsbest profile image
mumknowsbestVolunteer

Having looked it up, seems to affect skeletal muscles, particularly eyes and face. Can find no record of heart being affected

Regards

Eileen

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply tomumknowsbest

Thanks, my understanding is that it effects any voluntary muscles not the automatic functioning so thinking about it I think you are probably correct, but things seem to change all the time so I will keep asking. Thank you for taking the trouble to look it up. best wishes.

mumknowsbest profile image
mumknowsbestVolunteer

Take care, will be thinking of you

Eileen

Loo53 profile image
Loo53

Hi only just seen this and other posts because my notifications stopped...I have noticed recently that my close sight has suddenly got worse since I've been on Flecanide my eyes have definitely been affected by this drug and I'm taking as little of it as I can get away with I've had to go slightly stronger in my reading glasses from. + 2.50 to 3.00.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

Well got an offer of appointment - bear in mind this is an URGENT GP & triage unit referral 22nd Sept!

Mrspat profile image
Mrspat in reply toCDreamer

Has your post just arrived? Ours doesn't get here until lunch time!

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply toMrspat

No, we have a very converluted system called DART where medical secretaries aren't involved, external company send you a letter, received Thurs, asking you to call them so they can tell you what appointments are available in which centres so at least you can have a conversation about who, when & where the appointment will be.

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