Treatment options

[ian16527]

Just seen my Cardiologist yesterday and discussed coming off Bisoprolol. My heart rate at the minute resting is around 50bpm.

I have only had 3 episodes of PAF in 6 years, 18 months since the last one. I think my Af is vagal as it comes on when I drop off to sleep and have read on here that Bisoprolol is not the best for this.

He has reduced it now to 2.5mg from 3.75mg (initilally 5mg) as my holter test showed HR down to 39bpm during the night.

He suggested amiodarone as a replacement which I don't think is a good option and certainly not as a long term treatment. Echo is normal.

I have long term symptoms which include chest/neck/back ache which is sharp if I twist or flex my chest, shortness of breath,ectopics and generally feeling yuck. These have always come on together and I have often wondered if this is an autoimune condition such as fibromyalgia type. It can last for months(6 at present) as has been on and off since 1995.

I have read Fibro can cause arythmias. Anyone on here suffer form this as well or am I getting to much of diagnosis by google lol

[BobD Volunteer]

Firstly amiodarone is the drug of last resort. No doubt an old school GP who suggested this?

Secondly there is growing suspicion amongst medics that AF is not a condition in its own right but a symptom of some other greater problem. Inflammation of any kind can be linked so anything which causes inflammation can cause AF be that gut problems (very common) or nerve inflammation. Many auto immune problems can result in AF as a side dish for example.

[ian16527 in reply to BobD]

I have autoimune problems namely crohn's and have had major surgery for this 32 years ago hence gut connection.

When i had this surgery i had a central line in too far which caused my heart to go into vf but never arrested luckily but have had ectopics ever since.

The cardio who is old school so i will discuss this with my gp next week.

I

[Sam72-]

Good luck 👍🏼 I have jumped off today off my 2.5 as my heart rate is going into the high 40s to low for me and comes with ectopic beats been here before so I have took it on myself to stop today until I see EP next week and this morning heart rate is up to 58 👍🏼

[ian16527 in reply to Sam72-]

Be carefull as your bp might jump up with stopping the beta blockers

[Sam72- in reply to ian16527]

I am monitoring that to 👍🏼 have my blood pressure machine so Keeping an eye on everything ✅

[EngMac in reply to Sam72-]

Look for Dr. John Bergman videos on YouTube on all these subjects. From my personal experience, my guess, and that is a guess only, you likely have neck and back subluxations for which a chiropractor may have suggestions. Since this does not involve surgery or drugs, getting a chiropractor's opinion might be an option. You don't have to do what the chiropractor says if you don't want to do so.

[Zezee in reply to Sam72-]

Hi Sam like you I have reduced my 5mg bisoporlol cut it in half... off my own doing and have found heart rate up a bit also like you monitoring BP which I find a bit low

have done over the last week just good to feel a little normal due to see cardiologist EP 25th this month I have HF along with permanent A/F common sense I believe adjusting tabs as long as we monitor...all the best to you...

[Sam72- in reply to Zezee]

Thanks 😊👍🏼have been shaky today heart rate has come up a bit and BP is ok it’s raised slightly but still in normal range up to now , fingers 🤞🏼🤞🏼and all the best to you to good luck 😉 💖

[Gaygay45]

Amiodarone gets a bad press but not everyone suffers side-effects. I have been on it for over 10 years and have had no ill-effects at all and my PAF has been

well-controlled. I saw my cardiologist recently and he is happy for me to stay on it indefinitely. I do have blood tests every 6 months and I use sun lotion factor 30 everyday as a precaution.

Hope you get sorted

[tony85]

I Would have thought that amiodarone is only for very severe AF and given as a last resort when other medicine have failed. I was given It when I first was diagnosed with AF and it was very Effective. The side-effects are scary. I think it is okay to take it for up to 6 months maximum. Longer term no. I started having lung and eye problems After four months and then stopped. I now have mild AF coming and going and it doesn't worry me. I take no medicine for it