AF medication

[Renault4]

Good morning,

I am new to healthunlocked and have been diagnosed with AF.I was due a cardio version but the amiodarone and Bisoprolol I was placed on seems to have restored sinus rhythm.Am now on bisoprolol, apixaban and flecainide 50mgs twice daily.Certainly felt much better on the amiodarone having now been taken off that and started the flecainide 6days ago I don't feel as well as I did on the other combo.Certainly feel more anxious and tired.I am a quite anxious and obsessional person so this might really be exacerbating my "normal" state.Has anyone had similar experiences and is 6 days too short to know whether things are likely to settle down?

[CTG99]

Hi Renault4,

As you say, you'll need to allow time for your body to get used to the meds. That said, there are alternatives if you do struggle with them having given them a good go. I first started on Bisoprolol and Flecainide but didn't get on with the Bisoprolol as it made me feel very lethargic so my EP (Electrophysiologist) switched me to Tildiem Retard a few years ago and I haven't had any problems with medication since. Other people get on better with other meds.

Over time you'll work out what works best for you. Would also be worth you looking at breathing exercises / yoga / meditation to help with the anxiety as that will also help to manage the AF.

Caroline

[Renault4 in reply to CTG99]

Thank you for your helpful reply.I guess I will need to give it time and see how as you say my body responds to the new medication.perhaps i am a little too impatient and have not given it enough time.I am 78 and diagnosed with first onset in November 2018 so maybe early days yet.Am certainly hoping to continue with exercise particularly cycling which i have done for many years. Do find walking good and will have ago at meditation and mindfulness.Will take each day as it comes.

[dachli12]

Hi Renault4.

I honestly think that anyone who has atrial fib/flutter is inclined to be a little anxious. It is a very scary sensation. I have had it several times and thankfully cardioversion always corrected it for me. But, i still can feel very anxious. sometimes i can get a little too anxious and I have to have a good talk with myself . I have to keep myself busy otherwise I could sit and dwell on things which is not good. I love to go for lovely walks with my dogs. I am also a member of a cardio gym which I find brilliant. It is not only good for exercise but also great to share experiences with people in the same position as me. finally, I do think beta blockers can add to your anxiety.

[Renault4 in reply to dachli12]

Many thanks for your response.I am hoping to return to cycling but am still a little wary, as i do agree exercise is really beneficial.I too have been walking most days and as i said will hopefully go back to riding my bike!

[Vincentian]

Hi R4,

I agree with those who suggest that one's body needs time to adjust to Amiodarone. I've been on it since 27th March, when I was rushed to hospital by ambulance with a heartbeat of more than 200bpm. I'm on pretty much the same drugs as you plus ibrutinib for lymphoma (one of the most expensive drugs, but keeps my cancer under control).

I could also describe myself as an anxious and obsessional person but not so today! Atrial fibrillation exacerbated that effect, but Amiodarone keeps me on a consistently low heartbeat, typically 45bpm. I saw GP about this and suggested the cocktail of medication should be adjusted, but he explained how each was necessary and if it keeps me on a knife-edge of tolerance at least I’m surviving. He didn’t put it in those terms of course, but suggested I must adjust myself to a “new normal”: that there will be things I can do and things I can’t. Which at the age of 77 is reasonable.

I wish you the very best and hope that your body does adjust and will benefit from Amiodarone as I seem to have done. I’ve never felt better in terms of general wellbeing. And I don’t know if you are M or F but my sex life has been restored from feeble impotence to very frequent. Where does that come from? I give thanks, and so does my wife. I hope you can take encouragement & look forward to a blossoming future.