I am new here

[Spinbiker]

Hello this is just my 2nd post was diagnosed with AF some 6 weeks ago after complaining to gp of tiredness - was put on bisoprolo and 2x 5mg eliquis which made me feel even more tired- now on diltiazem 180mg plus same blood thinner dosage bp at moment 116/64/84 but I am still feeling pretty rough and foggy 6 week wait for cardiologist on NHS so this Wednesday I go private to see one and look forward to his findings ( already had echocardiogram for him to see) best wishes to all - spinbiker

[meadfoot]

I hope all goes well with your appointment. Ask lots of questions and ensure you get answers. It's a strange condition we are all dealing with and we seems to have a variety of symptoms. Here's to you getting the treatment you need, let us know how you get on. There is lots of support from kind folk on this forum, best wishes and hope you feel better very soon.

[Spinbiker in reply to meadfoot]

Many thanks for your thoughts

[secondtry]

Good move to get a private consultation that early extra advice reduces anxiety (a potential cause of AF itself) and you can discuss options e.g. Flecainide on its own and I suggest you talk to an experienced Naturopath on taking Mg Taurate and CoQ10. All that helped me (65yo Lone PAF, no known comorbidities) move from a very anxious NHS patient to feeling much better and AF free for 5+ years PS I also learnt over time my triggers and possible triggers and avoid those. Good luck.

[Spinbiker in reply to secondtry]

Many thanks for this info will take onboard

[Morzine]

Took me ages to feel on right path with my tablets.i think it’s the bisoprolol that’s the culprit......good you are seeing a cardio sooner as you will be feeling so vulnerable and as if this is never goung to end.....read up as much as you can so you’ve lots to ask.......sometimes bisoprolol doses can be adjusted....I was on 2.5 and then when it went to 1.25 I fekt a diferent person.....

Sue

[Auriculaire in reply to Morzine]

You could ask your cardiologist to try Nebivolol. I did at my last visit and he wrote to my GP to change from Bisoproplol. I feel much better on the Nebivolol even though I am taking a higher dose. Less lethargic and definitely less breathless.

[Spinbiker in reply to Auriculaire]

I have gone from bisoprolo to diltiazem 180mg and still feel “ running on empty” will mention nebivolo with cardiologist- many thanks

[Spinbiker in reply to Morzine]

Many thanks for your comments

[Spinbiker in reply to Morzine]

Was on 1.25 bisoprolo felt awful now 180 mg diltiazem and still feel like “ I am running on empty” hopefully cardiologist will change medication nebivolo has been mentioned successfully but maybe not for me - many thanks anyway

[Dodie117]

Is the cardiologist you are seeing an Electrophysiologist (EP). They are the ones who specialise in arrhythmias.

Read all the info on here and ask questions. You need to become your own expert.

Good luck🍀

[Spinbiker in reply to Dodie117]

Not sure but will find out on Wednesday-/thanks for your comments

[Hidden in reply to Spinbiker]

Don’t worry. I chose to see a Cardiologist & have been very happy on my treatment with Flecainide & Apixaban. EP’s are very good, but they are trained to do ablations & want to do ablations. I am happy to keep that route in reserve should my current treatment stop working at any point.

A cardiologist can always refer you on to an EP should the treatments they offer be more appropriate in your case.

My Cardiologist was keen to try drug control first, but said ablation could be necessary in the future. There is, I’m aware, a school of thought that says ablation should be the first line treatment to prevent AF progression. However, we are all different and, touching as much wood as I can find, the low dose of Flecainide (50mg twice daily) that I’m on suits me fine and I’ve had only the one major episode of AF a year ago when I was diagnosed in A&E and a couple of short 30 min episodes controlled by deep breathing. I haven’t had to resort to taking extra Flecainide as a PIP (pill in the pocket) to control an episode.

Others on here are much more symptomatic and have found ablation a godsend. Lots of ways to tame the beastie!

Good luck

Pat x

[Hidden]

I did the same last year as I was too anxious to wait & also as, in my area, there is a 2 tier service where AF patients are seen by a ‘specialist GP’ with additional cardiology training & I was keen to see a consultant Cardiologist.

My advice is to download and fill in the AF Checklist and the Patient and Primary Care Checklist from the AFA website. These will give the doctor a lot of info and free up consultation time for your questions to him/her.

Best wishes

Pat x

[Spinbiker in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for this information- I will do as you suggest - best wishes to you

[Spinbiker in reply to Hidden]

Hello again I just printed off both those checklists and they will be most useful- thank you so very much for the tip- best wishes again - michael x