Should Afib medications stop Afib epi... - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

32,399 members38,733 posts

Should Afib medications stop Afib episodes completely?

Slattery profile image
8 Replies

I have been taking Diltiazem 120 mg for 1 year. I have had 7 Afib incidents lasting from 2 to5 hours, last Afib while having the flu with a bad cough and little sleep lasted 1 day and 1/2. I always return to normal rhythm on my own. Should this happen if the medication is working? I thought the medication would stop the Afib episodes completely.

Written by
Slattery profile image
Slattery
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
8 Replies
jennydog profile image
jennydog

Not completely unless you are very, very lucky.

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Ditiezem is a rate control drug not for rhythm control. I may help control episodes but not prevent them.

checkmypulse profile image
checkmypulse

In my experience most unlikely that medication will stop AF 'events.' I maybe wrong but with my medication of Bisoprolol and Flecanaide they never stopped AF coming. Whether they helped to stop or curtail 'my events' was also a 'grey' area as they could last 36-72 hours even before I was diagnosed.

in reply tocheckmypulse

On same meds and had cox maze procedure I'm better than I was but do still have AF and other arrythmias

Deeferdi profile image
Deeferdi

I take diltiazem and dronedarone and have been taking them since 8th May 2015. When I first started I didn't have any episodes for around 6 weeks then slowly they started creeping back, to the point where my EP thought the drugs really weren't having any effect so he put me forward for ablation. I'm still on the meds following my ablation but he said they will review this at my follow up appointment. All my meds seemed to do was stop me going over 200bpm and make the episodes shorter, lasting a couple of hours instead of 10 hours plus.

Di

maxred1 profile image
maxred1

As other have said, In short, NO.

RichMert profile image
RichMert

Amiodarone was the only drug that came close to stopping AF for me. I think you will find that most just take the edge off by reducing rate or frequency of episodes. I speak purely from personal experience.

NooNoo14 profile image
NooNoo14

I take diltiazem 120mg and Flecainide. I was AF free for a few weeks until I had 2 cold viruses, one just before Christmas and one just after. The cough associated with the viruses seemed to set off AF attacks. Since the one in January, I was AF free until last Monday when I developed either a stomach bug or food poisoning. Within three hours I was in AF. I strongly believe this is as a result of irritation of the vagal nerve. I doubt any drugs will be effective against that.

Netty

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Does a pacemaker stop afib episodes?

Hi all I'm still looking for way to control or stop recurring episodes of afib. According to...
DizzyD profile image

Rash From AFIB Medications

Hi, everyone this is my first time post. I thank you all for being so informative and helpful on...
NYCgal22 profile image

Post Ablation AFib episodes .. frustrating

I had my Ablation about 3 1/2 months ago. I did not have any AFib recurrence that I'm aware of...
Banquo profile image

7 Ways to Stop an AFib Attack - John Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9a54B-7oyE A useful video ( 7 mins) from the author of the...
Vince1001 profile image

Stress and afib episodes

Hi everyone. How many of you actually find stress a trigger for afib episodes? I have paroxysmal...

Moderation team

See all
Kelley-Admin profile image
Kelley-AdminAdministrator
jess-admin profile image
jess-adminAdministrator
Emily-Admin profile image
Emily-AdminAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.