New to Coping with Atrial Fibrillation

[D371ng45]

Hello I am new and a lady of 80 years who has recently been diagnosed with AF. I had a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in April 2017 which was successful. My doctor has prescribed Bisoprolol which lowered my heart rate to much, and then Nebivolol which made me feel awful. i am now on a low dose of Digoxin whilst waiting to see a Consultant. I feel very tired and can't do very much which is depressing as prior to becoming ill I led a very active life. Does anyone have any advice please as to the best way to cope with all this?

[Hidden]

Hello there. AF is more a condition than an illness and it's not a one size fits all thing. We all take different medications. Some may not be available to the GP, so let's hope your hospital appointment might bring some improvement.

The way you feel now doesn't have to be how it's going to be.

[doodle68]

Hello D371ng45 welcome. It sounds as though it is early days and you have yet to find medication which suits you, when that happens you should be able to resume an active life.

I take Nebivolol and it seems ok. It can take a little while for our bodies to get used to new meds.

Advice.... do what you can when you feel like it and try not to worry about anything.

[CDreamer]

Unfortunately, although the medications can make you feel tired - so will being in AF simply because your heart is not pumping as efficiently as it used to.

Adjusting to the new version of you takes time and requires a lot of pacing oneself and all I can say is that it is a process and of acceptance and adjustment of both mind and body.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to CDreamer]

Perfect reply!

[Hidden]

Hello, a TAVI at 79, wow, well done you!

Could you give us a timeline on your story, I'm not sure when you were last able to lead the very active life you mentioned. Presumably that must have been sometime before your TAVI. Did the new valve help? How much have things got worse since you were found to have AF? Does it come and go?Have the beta blockers made things worse?

Are you taking an anticoagulant? Sorry about all the questions. If we can get a picture of your individual heart and AF story we might be able to offer more tailored advice.

Can I ask where you had your TAVI?

[D371ng45 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your kind reply. I had a heart murmur and aortic stenosis for some years but prior to October 2016 had led a very active life. Driving my car I visited places of interest, saw friends, visited family in France, and lead a group in the U3A ,as well as doing all the housework and some gardening. In November 2016 I had a mini stroke TIA and AF. Admitted to hospital December with AF and Heart Valve Replacement was advised. TAVI in April 2017 at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals which was successful. AF continued and medication was Bisoprolol which slowed my heart rate too much, was then given Diltiazem which was quickly stopped as I developed a rash on both legs, which I had forgotten to mention had been swollen and puffy since first admission to hospital. During all this time i was prescribed Apixaban and Furosemide. The Cardiac specialist next prescribed Digoxin and Nebivolol which were too strong and made me feel awful. At present am taking the lowest dose of Digoxin and Furosemide, my legs are no longer swollen and I feel well in myself, but just can't walk far or do very much. Any advice as to how I can improve my general condition would be much appreciated.

[Dodie117]

Ask to see an electrophysiologist rather than a general cardiologist. They specialise in the electrics of the heart rather than the “plumbing”. Ask about ablation - not sure if there is an age limit or any other factors to rule it out but worth getting the information. Read on here about lifestyle changes. Good luck 🍀