Can’t figure this out

[Trotters70]

Hi Folks I am in a very confused state with my AF. I have been frequently in and out of fast AF up until my meds where changed. I was on the usual apixaban twice a day Flecainide 100 twice a day and Bisoprolol 2.5 once a day. The confusing things is that I had an angiogram nearly 4 weeks ago because of pain in chest during my AF episodes. Since then my cardiologist changed my meds to no apixaban because my score was zero and only use Flecainide as pip but keep taking Bisoprolol 2.5. I did this but found I was not breathless but felt like my lungs were full of cotton wool (I don’t know how to describe it) and found breathing at times hard. So I decided to reduce my Bisoprolol to 1.25 as I have read this may be the cause of my breathing difficulties. Made little difference for a week so I decided to half again. Low and behold breathing getting better but the big bit I can’t understand and so confused with is my resting heart rate is still in mid fifties and I have had no AF since the doc took away my meds. So now am wondering and it may sound crazy but I expected my resting heart rate to rise and at least 2 to 3 episodes of AF due to my form but nothing. I know this is a great thing and am so thankful but how come I am in better shape without meds than I was on them. So confused.

[Buffafly]

Many years before being diagnosed with asthma I complained to my GP that I felt as if I had fur in my lungs, unfortunately he thought I was being fanciful as a diagnosis would have saved me many years of ill health 🙁 So maybe a different medication would be better for you if you need it.

The HR is a puzzle, I'm sure others will have enlightening comments!

[Trotters70 in reply to Buffafly]

Thanks Buffafly am learning to be a strong advocate of my health by keeping a diary of symptoms then seeing my doctor with evidence and exploring with them the best possible treatment plan than I can get. If not I ask to see another doctor or put it in writing and the response is almost immediate with better investigations.

[Dinodog]

Flec can be pro rhythmic for some people so it’s possible that stopping it has improved your episodes. I hope you continue to feel better.

[Trotters70 in reply to Dinodog]

Thanks Dinodog That could be a possibility just thinking it really is,take it see what happens, go through all horrors of AF and the side effects and hope we eventually get the right meds with the right dose to lead some kind of quality of life worth living.

[Hidden]

I agree with Dinodog. Maybe your cardio thought you were getting atrial flutter due to the Flecainide. Bisoprolol 62.5 mgs is a small dose, maybe you could discuss stopping it with your GP.

Your heart rate in the fifties could be due to the beta blocker. Or are you very fit and exercise a lot. Maybe you have vagal AF.

[Trotters70]

Hi Oyster going to stop the Bisoprolol all together if I continue to feel this way, planning finishing a full week on the 62.5 then hopefully use PIP. For me being very fit lol I have a long way to go for that but I am feeling regular exercise a benefit. Walking and light jogging. As for vagal AF I haven’t heard of it but will research this. Knowledge is power. Thanks again

[vernaloliver]

Without going into great detail, I feel exactly the same as you , but am still on meds , but my AF seem to get worse , the more they put my bisop up , it is now being reduced , and hope to god the AF decides to go with it , lots of love x

[Hidden]

Interesting stuff.

I had complained about bisoprolol causing breathing difficulties but it fell on deaf ears. I did notice that my time to walk a mile would increase with each increase of bisoprolol, it felt like i was trying to walk through treacle. Even on a 1.25mg dose.

I had a holter monitor and it detected that my HR went down to the low 30's whilst I was asleep, which my GP was worried about. But I was taking bisop because I would get sudden peroids of tachy with HR into the 180s .

So, I was a bit confused as to what to do, eventually deciding to stop the bisop and "see what happens"

Well, my resting HR is now around 55 on a good day, and I haven't had the tachycardia since stopping the bisop. My fitness is getting better, currently I walk to work and back every day, that's about 5 miles, and I will often go for a 2 mile walk at lunch time.

When I was taking 5mg bisop my mile time was around 24 minutes, Last week I broke the 15 minute mile, my HR doesn't go anywhere near as high as when i was taking the Bisop, and i don't feel breathless.