breathless on exertion.

[cali111]

By exertion I mean walking normally. I have an irregular heartbeat which is persistent. I take Digoxin125mcg which keeps my heat rate at an average of 75bpm, but I get very breathless when trying to do things or walking that needs moderate effort. Would oxygen therapy work for me at all? I haven`t asked my GP as I know they would pooh, pooh the idea, but I did consider just a blast every now and then to help things along. Has anyone tried this with good results as it takes three months to exchange a conversation with my EP, and the breathlessness drives me potty!

[Terjo]

I take digoxin and bisoprolol ( the bisoprolol has taken a long time to get used to) , deep breaths seem to help a lot if you can stop walking and just breathe deeply for a minute or two it seems to remind you to breath properly. Just saying what I've found helps me. Hope you feel better soon, Terry

[jeanjeannie50]

I'm just the same and it's horrid feeling breathless isn't it. I know that it's quite common with our condition, so don't feel that you are alone. Sometimes, even when I'm sat, I feel as though I'm breathing but not getting enough air into my lungs. I often wonder if I had a little oxygen inhaler to use when needed, if it would help. Oh dear, I just hate this feeling of being old before our time!

I sometimes wonder if I have a blockage in my nose and that's why I'm not breathing so well. Do you feel the same?

My life used to be about lovely long countryside walks, but there's been none of that for about seven weeks now as I'm in constant tachycardia and awaiting yet another cardioversion.

People who don't have this condition have no idea how debilitating it is do they?

Will be interested to see what other responses you get to your post.

Jean

[cali111 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Jean you are so right others don't know that when you say you have to stop and get your breath even after it leaves you so exhausted, so walking becomes a chore not a pleasure. I have finally come to the conclusion that I am not going to get much better and will have to adjust my life to it. By the time you recover from the treatments(that is if they work) times going on and you will miss out on so much life. Sorry if this is negative but at least it is realistic. I have now been living with this for 10yrs before it deteriorated last year and reluctance on the part of the EP to go further due to the risks involved as I am 71yrs old and the risk of stroke and heart attach is quite high.

The best I can say is that I am getting resigned to this and after reading various outcomes none speak of cure.

Sylvia

[sapphy]

I take bisoprolol and get very breathless climbing steep steps or going up hill. I was breathless all the time on digoxin and they took me off it once I had my cardioversion.

[HastyHeart]

Hello Everyone! Not posted for ages but still reading posts every day. Just been getting on with life as my PAF isn't too troublesome and for 9 months the 10mg daily dose Bisoprolol (plus 125mcg digoxin) seemed to keep "bad" episodes of Afib tamed for now. BUT, like Cali111, fed up with the breathlessness on any exertion and for me, a wheezy night time chest and cough, I went back to my GP recently, who has now started me on Slozem (calcium channel blocker?). I am down to 2.5mg Bisoprolol for another week alongside 125mg Slozem then stop the Bisoprolol completely. Just hope it works as I was hating being so lethargic and spending a wheezy, breathless 15 mins coughing after walking slightly uphill even short distances. Maybe trying Slozem would help you too, Cali111?

Lovely sunny day again, enjoy!

Sandra

[Barb1]

I have breathlessness just the same . During my 4th ablation pulmonary hypertension was found. Now I am seeing a respiratory consultant. I am having a right heart catheterisation on Tuesday. Then should be able to come up with a treatment plan. Might be worth checking out for yourself

[Hawkie147]

Hi Cali111.

Yes I feel exactly like you . Having been in paf for 14 years and taking flecainide and warfarin during these years my af became persistent in July and my consultant advised that the best measure for me was to accept this with a change of medication from flecainide to bisoprolol (5 mg).

Now I like you am always r tired and the least exertion makes me ver y out of breath. Now my initial instinct is to avoid any exertion but the consultant tells me that I must 'push' myself, but as you know it's not much fun.

Not sure if the bisoprolol makes me tired as does the af and I must mention that I am now 77 years old.

Never heard of oxygen therapy but will ask my Consultant next time I see him.

Don't get disheartened you aren't on your own.

Don!t let the ;:;:;:;:;: beat you.

Love Jean

[cali111 in reply to Hawkie147]

Thank you for that invigorating reply it makes me feel less isolated. I have started to push myself and I am improving sad to say I have to start over each day!

[Hidden]

Strangely I can become breathless just walking or going up the stairs, but don't have the same problem when I am exercising! I'm currently taking carbimazole for Grave's disease, amlodipine for high blood pressure and bisoprolol and rivaroxaban for AF!

[Kodaska]

Well, no kidding! You're taking a rate control drug so there's no surprise your circulation is impaired. I was on mitoprolol for a few months a couple of years ago and I would overheat while cutting my mostly-level lawn with a power mower. At 75*F (24*C). I quit the drug and - voila! - no more overheating. Funny thing, my toes stopped being swollen, I could ride my bike normally, and I could swim without risk of drowning.

My view is that you don't need oxygen therapy; you need to get off that drug.

[Hidden in reply to Kodaska]

Im considering going off the sotalol Ive been taking for 3 mo but havent got the courage up yet. It leaves me short of breath and tired. I was pit on it for a fib and havent had any further a fib. So the question is : is the sotalol keeping afib away or am I just not having any. Guess its trial and error time as I was a happy 63 yr old and now ai feel like Ive aged 20 yr. All my heart tests are normal so Im pretty sure its the drug making me feel so bad

[Kodaska in reply to Hidden]

There are drugs to control heart rate, and other drugs to control arrhythmia. Since you're on a rate control drug, I would think it wouldn't affect whether or not you have arrhythmias. My vote would be to go off the stuff and see what happens. What's the worst that could happen? You might want to ask a cardiologist that question. Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to Kodaska]

I asked him how long I need to take at last apot and he said "lets talk about it in 5 yr", I told him if I am afib free, Im not waiting that long. Im on very low dose but gerling big side effects so Im 99% sure Im going to stop it soon. Worse that can happen, an afib episode and will prob go on but will ask for diff med for sure. Thanks, helps to validate my thoughts with another person

[Kodaska in reply to Kodaska]

Five years? I hope he was able to give you a reason for that.

(pause for a moment of Internet research)

Aha, I see that sotalol is for maintaining steady heartbeat, i.e., to prevent arrhythmias. That makes the cardio's reply sensible. So, apparently it doesn't have the same effect as metoprolol, which depressed my heart rate. Given that, I'd guess that stopping it might put you at some risk of developing a-fib to some degree.

And yet, if sotalol keeps your heart from pumping fast enough to supply your body with adequate circulation, you may at least be due for a change of meds. I am totally incompetent in this area, so I'd suggest talking with your cardio, and/or getting another opinion about it.

Having said all that, if I were in your shoes, I'd be just dumb -or arrogant - enough to stop it and see what happens.

[cali111 in reply to Hidden]

I think you will find that Sotalol is a beta blocker and they all knock you out.

[JonathanPittsCrick]

Oxygen only helps if your blood isn't fully oxygenated already – this is pretty obvious because you go blue (cyanosed). If you are not cyanosed on walking then the problem is almost certainly reflex hyperventilation caused by your respiratory centre in your brain being upset by the irregular pulse. The treatment that really works is breathing training. If you would like to send me a message with your email address I can send you a description of how it's done.

[cali111 in reply to JonathanPittsCrick]

my email is [e-mail], I would very much like this

[audrey2543 in reply to JonathanPittsCrick]

I'm very interested in the benefits of breathing training.  Could you please include me in your sending of information?  

I am struggling with extreme breathlessness and fatigue and not sure whether it's the inevitable symptoms of AF or the bisoprolol 1.25 I'm on. 

Thanks for your input.

My email address is [e-mail]. 

[cali111 in reply to audrey2543]

I have not yet had a reply 

[audrey2543 in reply to cali111]

Mistake! I meant to send to PittsCrick. Now done so. 

Hope we end up with some help. Sure need it!

[JonathanPittsCrick in reply to cali111]

Sorry - I thought I had sent it – I now have!