Flu

[gwyn53]

Feeling rubbish.

I can hear my heartbeat.Got flu.

Can I take anything? Like lemsips??

Not sure what we can take!

Thank you

[Finvola]

Poor you - flu is a total misery. I had flu a few winters back before my AF was diagnosed and found that Paracetamol lowered my temperature and helped with the joint pains and shivers. Doctor advised dosing 2 tabs x 3 times daily.

With AF, Apixaban, Bisoprolol and Flecainide, paracetamol and co-codamol are the only pain killers my doctor has recommended - no aspirin in any form, so do check if Lemsip is paracetamol or aspirin based.

Drink plenty of fluids and pamper yourself - and keep under the maximum dose of paracetamol. I found it easy to get confused as to how many tablets I had taken when I felt rotten.

I hope you feel better soon and can get some sleep.

PS just checked - Lemsip has paracetamol

Best wishes

[gwyn53 in reply to Finvola]

Thank you.

I just don't want to take anything that could bring me into AF again if I can help but.

Still just don't know enough about AF.

It's only been five months since first one and being diagnosed.

Thank you so much.☺

[Eliza1 in reply to Finvola]

Are there any triggers for afib in medicines or at the dentist or any other doctors? I am always thinking that these triggers are everywhere and that I find myself questioning EVERYTHING.......a bit neurotic I would say but scared. Does ginger trigger?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Eliza1]

Triggers are just triggers not the cause of AF . IF you find something that affects you badly then avoid it but one man's meat is another's poison since we are all different and this condition is such a mongrel.

Ibuprophen is bad as it has been linked to the onset of AF and all such drugs can affect INR. Caffeine affects probably more people than not and alcohol about 50% so best avoid in case. Vasoconstricor drugs such as phenalpherine (? spelling) used in most cold remedies can affect blood pressure. hence the advice to avoid if you have hypertension. Many cough remedies specifically warn against use if you have any heart condition as quite a few can raise heart rate so the moral is ask your pharmacist.

[Finvola in reply to Eliza1]

Also, some people - self included - have problems with adrenaline in local anaesthetics, so I always ask my dentist to use an adrenaline-free injection.

[Musetta]

Hi Gwyn,

I believe lemsip has panadol in it but also an ingredient (can't recall the name)

which isn't suitable for people with hypertension. If you do have high blood pressure maybe a warm honey and lemon drink coupled with two panadol will do the trick. Hope your aching bones and flu pass quickly.

Be well,

Musetta

[gwyn53 in reply to Musetta]

Thanks Musetta.

For now I think I will try the old methods.

Hot drinks hot water bottle ect.

Bones and neck ache, but still have to go to work this morning.

Ah well!

Thank you for the advice.☺

[BobD Volunteer]

Paracetamol OK. Ibuprophen very bad. Echinacea good. plus lots of Vit C.Stay warm and drink lots and lots of fluid but of course not coffee or tea unless it is decaff.

[Eliza1 in reply to BobD]

Is there any lists of ingredients we afibbers need to watch out for? Advil?????

[pirnough6]

Boots do their own lem sip which is safe to use for all heart patients. It is very cheap only about 70p for a number of sachets. It is often difficult to find so ask the pharmacist or assistant for it.

[gwyn53]

Thank you.

As always everyone is there to help and advise.

What a great site.

Thanks again.

[cassie46]

I had a flu about a month ago, knocked me for six and stirred up the AF. I could only take co-codamol, but if you do get a cough try Pholcodine cough mixture it is suitable for people with AF and heart conditions, my Dr and pharmasist recommended. I always keep a bottle in the cupboard now. It is very cheap in Tesco £1.20 but about £2 or more in Boots and Lloyds.

Cassie