Hi all,
I've recently been diagnosed with AF after a recent trip to a&e. I'm now on 2.5mg Bisoprolol every morning (initially it was 5mg). I've read lots on the web but I'd like to hear from you guys what having AF means to you, how it makes you feel etc.
I'm only 35 and I now feel exhausted and dizzy all the time. I'd like to think I'll be able to live an active life?
Thanks in advance.
Al.
Hello Alip 
welcome. What kind of AF do you have , is it intermittent or do you have it all the time .
There is a wealth of information here including the different types of AF ...
heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...
Hi there ☺
My discharge letter simply said 'fast af'. My heart rate went to a comfortable rate after a few hours. I've not had it since, and that was 2 weeks ago. I've had another ECG a week ago. It was regular beat with the odd irregular beat. They reduced my Bisoprolol from 5 to 2.5mg. However, I'm forever tired now.
I would like to start exercising again but I'm scared.
Thankyou for the link. The other people's stories has given me a lot of reassurance.
Al.
Hello Al and welcome to the place you would rather not be! Doodle is right, it pays to find out as much as you can about AF so that you can work with the doctors to establish the best way forward for you. You might also find the series of videos on YouTube produced by Dr Sanjay Gupta helpful as they cover a wide range of issues all relating to AF.
A couple of things which might also help. Bisoprolol is the most common beta-blocker prescribed by medics and for many, it works very well at reducing heart rate. Unfortunately, it can also produce the kind of side effects you describe which are also similar to the side effects of AF. There are a number of alternative medications available, but generally they need to be recommended by a cardiologist before your GP can prescribe them.
You are very young and if I were you, I would be seeking a referral to see a cardiologist or preferably an EP (cardiologist who specialises in arrhythmias (Electrophysiologist) as they are able to work with you to produce a treatment plan best suited for your condition. Appointments through the NHS may take time, but there is always the option to have a private consultation but be mindful some of the tests normally used are quite expensive, but the consultation should cost around £250/£300.
Please find out what you can about AF and feel free to ask any questions, there is a wealth of knowledge and experience available from the many folk on this forum.....best of luck.
Ps. Reference exercise, the general view is that "normal" exercise is fine, but if you are into extreme sports, you need to be a bit more cautious. Listen to your body, it will generally make you aware if you are pushing yourself too hard.
Many thanks for the reply, lots of info there to go off. Ive got an appointment to have 24h ecg in the post today, I hope that will reveal more too. I've also just youtubed Dr Sanjay Gupter and we'll.... He's amazing! So much info.
Many thanks.
Al.
Hi
Like you recently diagnosed in Sept 2017 ! I do plenty of exercise but no extreme stuff just five a side footy , gym classes and hill walking ! What getting this thing has made me so is assess my lifestyle , diet, sleep and stress so I would suggest if you want to have a positive impact on it have a look at those things ! Would also advise a magnesium supplement as well.
All the best
Andy
Hi andy,
Same here. I've cut out all the junk food and I'm trying to get more active (when I'm not tired out by the bisoprolol). I wonder would it be worth me buying a fitbit or similar? has the magnesium helped you?
Many thanks.
Al
Hi Al
I don't have a fitbit so couldn't comment on them, but I do think the magnesium helps me sleep and is generally good for the heart. Have a look at Dr sanjay gupta's You tube channel lots of tips on there.
Andy
I have been in Bisoprolol 3.75 mgs for approx four yrs, I am in the process of slowly trying to get the dose down as it has finally sunk in that the pills are causing rather a lot of side affects. Breathlessness, bad cough to the point of being sick, can’t even do up my shoes without being breathless and coughing. Sometimes extreme tiredness not all the time, low pulse sometimes as low as 42, and lately dizziness on getting up or just standing. Worried about driving.
However I haven’t gone into AF for sometime but do have an irregular pulse with ectopics. I have thought about changing pills but they do all appear to have different side affects, it seems all a bit hit and miss and is just down to what suits you.
It can also get somewhat confusing because as one gets older, other things start cropping up which may or may not be caused by pills. I have very mild COPD, allergic rhinitis and a weak bladder which I have just read can also be not helped by some of the drugs.
Sorry to be prophet of doom, but a lot of people cope very well and I still push myself hard walking a lot, trying to do yoga, not good ha ha, and resting if and when neccesary. One other thing, sometime it is difficult to make other people understand how you are feeling especially if you look fit and healthy so just stand your ground. Good luck
I also take 2.5 bisoprolol daily. It reduces my heart rate from about 80 to 65. As my AF sometimes starts in the night I take my bisoprolol just before bed time. I know that others on this site do the same in an effort to reduce breathlessness and fatigue.
What does AF mean to me? It's a damned nuisance. I can never guarantee to feel really well. I need to avoid stress. I need to improve my lifestyle which means watching my weight. And I need to take the medication without fail.
Check out ablation. My EP gave me this option rather than medication right at the beginning. I had one in November 2013 and after 5 months of various bumps/arrhythmias all went quiet and no more AF.
May not be right for you but definitely worth checking out.
Hi Al. Sorry to hear this from you, age 35 is unusually young (but not unknown) to have P-AF. No, a Fitbit won't necessarily help you. Mine shows a higher than expected heart rate, but the wrong numbers when I'm in AF. It gave a resting reading of 76 when my Kardia was showing AF at 158bpm. The problem with pulse monitors is that while you are in AF, not all the heart beats generate an actual pulse of blood pressure. You are best to learn to feel your own pulse to see if it is erratic. The lack of rhythm will tell you what's going on.
I rushed to buy a Kardia device after my first time in AF, as I was so very frightened by what had happened to me. With hindsight, and two more attacks and a year later, I perhaps should have waited to see if it happened again first, but I was lucky enough to have the funds available and at age 67 this seemed very serious for me. I'm sure you are in the same place, but it will get easier.
As others have said, read all you can both here in the forum, and on the AFA website. There's lots to be gained from understanding what is happening, and how it is not immediately life threatening. (I wouldn't go rock climbing through, or anything similar).
Hi Alip, I was told I would be on Bisoprlol for life, I reduced my 5mg, to 2.5mg, then 1.25mg, then slowly to nothing, drug free 6 years now, I have Fleckanide (pill in a pocket) and only used twice in 6 years. Bisoprlol drains you. Avoid Caffeine, fizzy drinks,anything cold on an empty stomach, try not to get stressed out with life, relax more, walks, champneys treat days.
Hi,
It's funny you mention the pill in the pocket. The AF nurse said it may be an option for me providing I don't have any more attacks (fingers crossed)
I will ask her about magnesium to see if that will benefit me (as suggested in a previous reply). On a positive, I managed to do a long walk this morning without getting dizzy.
Thank you all for the kind advice ☺
This means a lot to you at such age. I'm 37, and got afib last year (36), I know it too well. It's been nine months since my first episode, and I've had 8 episodes as of two days ago. Don't have much advice as I'm still dealing with it emotionally and physically. But just to let you know someone here knows exactly what you're going through.
Thanks for your reply li17. It's scary isn't it? I thought I was fit and healthy otherwise, then AF comes along. I've only ever had the 1 episode 3 weeks ago. It's like I'm waiting for it to happen again.
Al
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