Has anyone got permanent afib? My heart sounds
all the time. I am on Apixaban and have been since
diagnosed Oct. 2018. I'm also very depressed so my GP
wants me to try to resolve this. Lost my hearing about the
same time which l find very isolating. Anyone put there
who is similar?
Hello there, I don’t have permanent AFib but I just wanted to say hello. It sounds like you aren’t feeling too good and have been having a rough time you poor thing.
Has your doctor referred you to a cardiologist or even better to an electrophysiologist to see what they can do about your AFib?
I can’t image how difficult it must be losing your hearing too, are you getting any kind of support with any of this?
You have definitely come to the right place, this forum has been a real life line to me and everyone is so helpful and friendly.
Take good care and sending you good wishes 😊
Many here, myself included, have permanent AF and lead active lives. I'm 70, take a betablocker and apixaban, and still exercise.
How does your AF affect you?
Thank you for your reply...this makes me feel
much better as you are coping well. I must try to
get on with living as you are.
I forgot to say about feeling tired all the time and l've
become very aware of itchy eyes and hair loss
I was tired at first after developing permanent AF. I put that down to loss of fitness combined with taking too much betablocker. Now I walk a lot, go to the gym and take half the dose of betablocker. Quite a way to go, but improving.
Is your BMI ok?
Hi I am in AFib.all the time. Am taking Bisoprolol 5mg am and 2.5 evening. Plus Apixaban twice a day. I get out of breath and cannot get upstairs so cannot exercise. I am 76. I would love to lead an active life like I used to.
Hi Lovetopaint-12
A couple of thoughts. Was there any decision taken about the CRT-P therapy you mentioned in BHF forum? Biventricular pacing can help sometimes if breathlessness is due to heart failure.
And the Bisoprolol. Quite a large dose. Some here report it makes breathlessness worse, so maybe your GP might review that? Are you still under review at the hospital? With the NHS cash strapped, we older patients have to fight our corner more. Is your GP on your side, and seeing you regularly?
Hopefully you have been referred to a cardiologist who will offer a cardioversion. If that does not fix it then request referral to an EP (electrophysiologist) who understand AF and may offer an ablation.
This all takes time if you are in the UK but can be speeded up if you can afford a private consultation (about £200] with an EP then return to NHS for treatment.
That is the route I took. Diagnosed in April, 2 cardioversions then a successful ablation in January. I feel so much better without persistent AF.
Hi
Welcome to permanent!
Like this a few years now
Cardioversions only lasted a while so decided just to go down the drug route.
I have Asthma, Bronchiectasis high BP, fast heart and a few other issues
I get a bit tiered by end of day but won’t let it get me down
Will be off on school run soon with grandkids following up with a 3 mile walk
I have to force myself to do it but seems to help.
I hit 70 next week
Keep up the fight
Hello
Sorry to hear of your troubles. I have been in permanent AF for about three years now but only feel it with strong exercise or first thing in morning when meds are due at breakfast time
I take digoxin dilitiazem olmesartan and xarelto
My cardio says these first three control my heart rate so I don’t feel much thumping but doesn’t control with exercise However as I am 79 only do walking and tai chi now.
Goodness, my heart (!) goes out to you. I have had AF for 13 years, diagnosed when I was, as I thought a very fit 60 year old person, Sailing oceans etc.,
It has been a long journey, changing medications from time to time. Cardioversion, ablation made no difference. Last autumn I hit an all time low, AF permanently, with flutter, could barely walk up the stairs in my Cottage as I felt so breathless. Felt as though I had concrete blocks on my feet, and other minor irritations. I changed my Consultant, partly because I had moved, but felt another opinion would do no harm. The new Consultant did all the usual tests and decided to go down a new route.
The result, the culprit, betablockers. He put me on Diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker, and within less than a week I was a new person. I am still in permanent AF but with none of the side effects. I am still feeling good four months later. I exercise, walk my dog, garden and more so don’t give up hope, I do think we sometimes have to be prepared to challenge the effectiveness of some drugs and make changes.
I hope this gives you hope in that we can live very good lives even with AF.
I blame Bisoprolol for making me depressed but, like you, a switch to Diltiazem made a huge difference. I've been in permanent AF for nearly 5 years but it no longer slows me down anything like as much. My EP declined to do an ablation because he said it probably wouldn't work and I probably wouldn't notice any difference. It felt like a death sentence at the time but I'm happy with his decision now.
I am on Apixaban and have been since diagnosed Oct. 2018. I'm also very depressed so my GP wants me to try to resolve this.
Have you been offered a cardioversion . I had permanent AF diagnosed in 2010 and have had quite a few cardioversions all successful just took a long time for the medication to be as successful. Need to find one that works the best for you and as Heartfelt46 has found 'a change of specialist can change your life'.
Even although you have had cardioversion do you still
need medications afterwards? What do you take?
Thank you for replying
My Hospital cardiologist had me on Sotalol 80mg for 5 years , I found it of no real use as all it did was slow my heart below 48 which made me extremely tired , somewhat nauseous and never stopped me slipping out of sinus rhythm . I had enough of the side effects of sotalol and didnt seem to be making any progress with the Hospital Cardiologist ( take Sotalol and see you in 12 months ) so I paid to see a private specialist who changed my meds to Flecainide 50mg x 2 and Diltiazem CD 240mg.
I am on Xarelto 20mg as well.
Three and a half years later I havent had a single missed beat so much so that my Cardiologist has signed me off . Which means any lapse just ring him and he will see me that week otherwise no yearly check ups required besides what my GP does.
Depending on the outcome of a cardioversion you may only need to take an anticoagulant afterwards with a PIP - pill in the pocket . My cardiologist doesnt think that is the course I should take , but you will find a large range of opinions either way.
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