Drugs

[Cavalierrubie]

Morning everyone. I have been taking Apixaban and Digoxin now for 6 days only having my drugs changed. Does anyone know about this drug Digoxin or have taken it? I feel pretty rotten this morning. I know its early days yet, but getting anxious again. Thanks Christine.

[BobD Volunteer]

Digoxin is an old drug which has been used for treating AF and also heart failure for many years. Apixaban is an oral anticoagulant to help prevent stroke in AF patients. It may take a couple of weeks for your body to get used to new drug regimes and unfortunately this is all part and parcel of the great game that is having AF. Sorting out what works best for each of us may take time and this is quite normal so please don't worry. Discuss with your doctor(s) if things don't improve soon.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to BobD]

Thank you BobD I will give it a fortnight if it doesn,t get too unbearable. I am just starting this awful journey, and I appreciate your great experience. I was very active until end May now I am a wreck. I live alone which isn't ideal and I get panicky. This forum is keeping me going. Thank you so much. Christine.

[Hidden]

We are not medically trained therefore you need to seek professional guidance but it is my understanding that where AF is concerned, Digoxin is generally prescribed for patients who lead a sedentary lifestyle.

Many, including me, take Apixaban without any major problems.

[Kaz747 in reply to Hidden]

I’ve often read that Digoxin is mainly used in sedentary people but I’m far from sedentary. I’ve been on Digoxin since September. It was added to my other drugs to try and get things under control.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Hidden]

I can't understand that then! I was very active until end May. I am far from sedentary. I am a widow and have house and garden which I tend. I will have to ask. Thanks for info.

[Hidden in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Soon after I was diagnosed, I was put on it for a while prior to a cardioversion. I was, and hopefully still am far from sedentary but my heart was racing largely due to fear or the unknown and it was used in conjunction with Bisoprolol and Diltiazem to slow things down. Fortunately since the CV, a couple of ablations and a lot more knowledge and understanding things are so much better......

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Hidden]

Hi Flapjack. Yes, I dont think its the Apixaban thats the trouble, I think its Digoxin. Will have to go back yet again. My Dr. wont treat me says I have to go to hospital for them to sort it out. The nearest hospital is 25 miles away which makes this a hassle, and me very tired. I feel that this will never end, but with your help it makes me feel so much better. I really can't thank you all enough. Miracles do happen. Thanks.

[Peddling in reply to Cavalierrubie]

It is usual to give a ‘loading dose’ of digoxin when it is first prescribed, then reduced dosage to follow. I have been on it twice and this was my experience on both occasions. I was anticipating all kinds of problems with it, but six months down the line, seems to be OK. You will need to have a blood test to check kidneys etc. Mine was after three weeks. I also insist on blood check at six monthly intervals. You need to be firm about this and your surgery should do it. Btw. I do not lead a sedentary lifestyle, chance would be a fine thing. 😊

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Peddling]

Thanks for info very helpful. Yes they said something about blood test Seeing Dr. Tuesday so will check. I didn't have loading dose they have put me on 62.5 micrograms once a day. Strange. Thanks the more you know the better it is for us. All the best to you. Be back.

[Luludean in reply to Hidden]

Hi, I take Digoxin. I also take Xarelto snd Losartan. I frequently have to challenge the idea that Digoxin is trotted out only for the elderly! This simply is not true.

I have had mitral valve repair and have persistent AF.

I have taken Digoxin for years because my body does not tolerate

other arrhythmia drugs. Amioderone, Ramipril , Bisoprolol , Verapamil made me lose the will to live. But!!!!!!! We are all different in our response to drugs.

On Digoxin , I walk miles every day, do an enormous garden, grow vegetables paint( landscapes) , cook and travel ( New Zealand) I also look after two fairly rabid grandsons.

See how it goes, if no good ask for a change.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Luludean]

Bless you for your encourgement. I hope one day I can be OK like you. At the moment I can't see a light at the end of the tunnel. These drugs seem so powerful to me and have knocked me for six. Beta-blockers were not for me. Thanks so much for helping me at this awful time.

[Auriculaire in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Did you try Nebivolol. Though a beta blocker it is much better than Bisoproplol as far as side effects are concerned. I take a higher dose of Nebivolol than I did of Bisoprolol but feel much better - less lethargy and breathlessness.

[Buffafly]

You didn't say why your drugs were changed? I can't take Bisoprolol because of asthma but I take Diltiazem. When I went to A&E after several days in fast AF I was given a large dose of digoxin to try to slow my HR, also when in AF after an operation. The doc asked me if I was active, not very but do housework and gardening, so she said digoxin wouldn't be suitable as a regular medication.

A couple of my family had it in the days when it was the only drug for AF and hated it! I know the correct dose is very important so if you feel very unwell you should report it.

I hope you feel better soon 💜

[Jill13]

I am in my late 70’s. But not sedentary - do all my own housework and walk every day. I have been on Digoxin same dose as you and Diltiazem 360 mg for over two years with no problems. I feel better and less tired than when on betablockers. But it is important to have 6 monthly liver and kidney blood tests. Every body is different and what suits one may not suit another, sometimes takes a while to sort out which drug is best for you.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Jill13]

Its reassuring to know you are on same dose etc. Can you tell me please how long it took you to adjust to them. I have been on it a week. I have more energy but feel nausea particularly in morning, and bit wobbly. I am also tearful but its early days. Thanks for taking the time to help much appreciated.

[Luludean in reply to Cavalierrubie]

I take 125 Digoxin daily. When I had a nasty urine infection they upped dose by 62.

This did not last long.

It takes time to adjust. We all feel wobbly at times. Tears are part of the course of that !

Talk to friends!!!!!! Go out for walks , cinema ,try a new recipe.

Don’t get obsessed with this site!!!!!! It can make one more anxious. There is life beyond AF!

But, if you get a bigger wobble see GP don’t dwell on it or , phone your Arrhythmia nurse.

Wonderful pragmatic people!

[Jill13 in reply to Cavalierrubie]

I adjusted fairly quickly but it is important I think to take it with food. I take mine in the morning with breakfast but I know some people take with evening meal.

[Luludean in reply to Jill13]

I totally agree with you!!!!!!

I bet we aren’t sedentary!!!

[Hidden]

Don't rule out the Apixaban, it is well tolerated by most people, but, I can't take it because of the side effects I had when taking it

[Ppiman]

I think digoxin is generally considered a safe drug. Side effects will depend upon the dose, I’d guess. I was taking 125mcg once a day and it was the only drug that worked to control my heart rate when I had persistent atrial flutter, so I was more than grateful for that.

I didn’t notice any bad side effects - but they would’ve been hard to separate from the awful debilitating effects of the arrhythmia itself.

I had an ablation a fortnight ago and I’m still recovering but - after a terrible first week - the last few days have been good.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks for your message. I hope you soon feel well again. I am finding the drugs difficult to tolerate. They have changed them twice already. I just have to keep going on until I find right ones for me I suppose, but its a long time feeling like this while they do it and I feel very low. Thanks for taking the time to speak. Take care of yourself and hope you will soon feel on top of the world.

[Ppiman in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Hi again. When you say you feel "pretty rotten" - what are those feelings? Is it the nausea that makes you feel low? I have a hiatus hernia, too, and when nausea strikes - not often - it is my worst symptom, so I can appreciate your feelings. Also, you say you feel "wobbly". Do you have a blood pressure monitor? Wobbliness is usually low heart rate and blood pressure, and that can be at its lowest early morning.

I'm only taking an anticoagulant (rivaroxaban 20mg) and a beta-blocker (bisoprolol 2.5mg) now, but the bisoprolol is potent, bringing my resting heart rate down to the high 40s, with blood pressure sometimes as low as 95/55 (but 115/63 at present). When I had the Afl, I was as you describe yourself to be - very poorly indeed.

Steve

[Cavalierrubie]

Hi Pipman I have not felt at all myself since I have been taking these drugs. I know they are needed, and the hospital have been very good in helping me. I never have got on with meds. my body always seems to reject them. At the moment I have times when I come over with jelly legs and feel weak and wobbly, along with light-headness. It is passing after a while since on these new ones, so I am hoping my body will adjust eventually. If not have to go back to hospital. I couldn't take bisprolol made me "float" or calcium blocker Verapamil made me paranoid. I take Lanzoprazole for hiatus hernia which manage that quite well, but can't eat large or rich meals. My resting pulse at moment is in 60's my blood pressure is highest in mornings, but normal, and goes down in the day sometimes like yours. My pulse rate is the culprit. If I get stressed it goes up, but these drugs seem to be controlling it ok at the moment. I am a very anxious person and this hasn't helped! I worry about most things unecessarily really but that's the way God made me I am afraid. My mother was anxious too and apologised that I take after her! I do wish you well and think you are very brave. I think you may have been a lot worse than I have, but now you should get well soon, and enjoy the rest of the summer. Keep in touch.

[Ppiman in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Good to read - but I’m sorry you suffer. I’m a very anxious person, too - and, yes, it’s from my mother.

I have found over this whole episode (2-3 months all up) that, on reflection, I can’t fully separate the anxiety response from the other physical symptoms, nor even from some of the drugs’ effects. I accept that some - maybe a good deal - of what I have suffered has been down to my anxiety at the chest and other symptoms, but I can’t say how much.

Anxiety is a curse.

Steve

[Cavalierrubie]

Morning Steve, You are absolutely right. I sometimes think mine is all stress and anxiety. I have Dr's appointment this morning and my anxiety is very high. Since my diagnosis I am a complete wreck. Screaming inside is how I describe it. It is very difficult to live with. I think over the years the anxiety has probably caused our heart problems. It has had a lot to deal with. By the grace of God we carry on. It looks like being a good day weather wise. Hope you get out in the sun - good medicine vitamin A & D. , and that you have a good day and feel well. Christine.