Hello, I am new to the forum and would like advice/feedback please. I am in my 50s and I had a stroke last September and was diagnosed with paroxysmal AF a few weeks later. I was prescribed Bisoprolol and Rivaroxaban (initially on Clopidogrel) and advised I would be sent an appointment with cardiology. Very long story but the gist is that when I saw the cardiologist a few weeks ago after being on a 48 hour monitor, he told me I now had bradycardia and sick sinus syndrome probably caused by the Bisoprolol. I am now scheduled to have a pacemaker fitted. I asked about ablation but was told the pacemaker was the priority. I am still on the Bisoprolol! Has anyone had a similar experience and how are you after having the pacemaker fitted. The only information I have received relating to AF has been from personal research. There is no dedicated nurse at the hospital or at GP and I have found it difficult to get any advice from GP. I have googled my cardiologist and he specialises in pacing.
Thank you
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Beehive1
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Like they say, if you go to see a carpet salesman he will sell you a carpet. I think you answered your own question there with your final line.
For plenty of information on AF and treatment try AF Association main website. If you want your AF treated then ask to see an electrophysiologist. Different kind of carpet!
Perhaps the article I posted from Guys Hospital would help this member Bob
Hi my story different had few things and eventually had a pacemaker in 2014. For me it's given me a new lease of life. You need to find out more about your condition to help you make informed decisions. I agree with Bob check if your doc is an electro physicist. Mine is but he also does a few other things one being pacing. If you go down the pacemaker route any practical questions I may be able to help. Medical questions ask doc and read info on AF website
Thank you all for taking the time to respond. I have checked further on my cardio and his main area of interest is arrhythmias but I have been thinking of getting a second opinion. Having said that my heartbeat went as low as 28 overnight on the Holter.
CDreamer Glad to hear your husband is feeling better; is he still on beta blockers?
When your heart rate goes that low you are at risk and thats why this specialist in arrhythmia has recommended the Pacemaker, this was exactly the same as happened to me, my specialist told me quite bluntly that the A/F would not kill me but the other would and after the Pacemaker they can better medicate to alieve the stress and anxiety that A/F causes
In twenty four hours I had 70 pauses for up to 8 seconds . Decision to give heart chance to recover in January it didn't do Aug pacemaker 2014 not looked back
I was taking Propafenone and Diltiazem but I started to have pauses of up to 4 seconds and a generally slow HB. My cardiologist told me that a few years ago my only option would have been a pacemaker but he suggested I should have an ablation for PAF and Flutter to see if I could come off drugs altogether. My drugs (apart from Rivaroxaban) were stopped straight after the ablation and so far I have had one short episode of AF that I noticed and a very few slight dizzy moments so my cardiologist feels I am OK as I am, and I am delighted!
Hi, I had a pacemaker inserted October last year - transformed my life. I have permanent AF with infrahisian disease and became more bradycardic over time. I think this is different to what you describe though. I am under the care of an electro physiologist who has been great at explaining things.
Hi Beehive, I too have Paroxysmal A/F and have had it for 20 years and the best that has happened for me is the Pacemaker fitted two years ago. When this was fitted I still had some A/F symptoms so was put on to Bisoporal together with the Disopyramide I was also taking. The past two years have been brilliant, cant tell you how much it has turned my life around and I would recommend it for anyone who had been advised accordingly. Good luck
I have a pacemaker fitted three years ago. Before I had it fitted I was on Bisoprolol for PAF. The Bisoprolol worked well for three years and then I started to get very scary symptoms. My heart beat was going up to 150 and immediately plunging down to 26 and it was the worst sensation I have ever experienced. I called an ambulance and when in hospital they put me in cardiac arrest, which I did not have. But they immediately took me off Bisoprolol and fitted an emergency pacemaker. I get breathless now on exertion since having it fitted. But this need not be the pacemaker. They put me on Sotalol and gradually increased the dose. I am now on Sotalol 160mg twice a day. This has not stopped the AF . I think the next thing for me may be a AVablation. Scary thought. I have angina so am limited what drug can be offered. Pacemaker is good. Go for it.
Yes they can do an ablation with a pacemaker fitted. I asked that question to a cardiologist at the hospital. He said in fact it would be easier to do with a pacemaker in. Sotalol is a beta blocker used when they cannot use others because of blocked arteries which I have. This is used to control the heart beat, so I am told.
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