Reading about your symptoms....

Hello!

After scanning through some of your posts I feel a bit of a strange one

Some clearly monitor their AF episodes by feeling them as they happen and count your beats per min

I don’t feel mine .

When I go to the GP my heartbeat is checked occasionally which AF is detected.

I do struggle getting upstairs and walking on slight incline . I really do get short of breath.

I’m not under a cardiologist

The doctors have put on Bisoprolol 3.75

Amias 5mg And Apixaban 5mg

I get water retention really bad all over so the doc gave me furosemide 20mg warned me to avoid taking too much but 20mg is not helping

She’s not prescribing enough for me to take 40mg a day which is better than relying on 20mg

I’ve not been recalled for another heart scan . Last June I was diagnosed

[BobD Volunteer]

Firstly I think you MUST ask to be referred to a cardiologist or an Electrophysiologist in particular to assess your heart. Have you never seen a specialist? GPs are not the always fully trained in all the ways of AF so best to get another opinion.

Secondly are you permanently in AF? Most people who are feel very little in the way of synptoms and are called asymptomatic which in many ways makes it better for them as they do not suffer the regular events like those in paroxysmal AF where the sudden onset of an event is traumatic.

From you symptoms of water retention and exhaustion I would guess there is something else going on which needs to be investigated and since we are not medically trained here we should not offer ideas but you really do need to go bang some desks and get some action .

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob

I was seen by a cardiologist at the hospital last June following an X-Ray that I had which showed my heart was enlarged

I was at the hospital all day having a scan and ECG blood tests .

The concluded the AF and wanted I know why ??? I had it ?

The results were sent to my Rheumatologist because I was going on Biologic treatment for the RA . Hence the chest X-ray

The care was then sent to my GP who don’t ask me to go in for any test they rely on me going in with symptoms.

I’ve been suffering with water -Odema since January 2018

I get out of breath so easy it’s ridiculous

[Hidden]

First the important thing is that you are taking an anticoagulant which offers a good degree of protection against having a stroke which is the main problem with having AF. Because the symptoms for AF are almost the same as the side effects of some AF medication, it is very difficult to determine which is causing what but it is well known that for some, Bisoprolol side effects include breathlessness and a lack of energy. However, there are alternatives but as BobD suggests, you should insist on seeing a specialist because they are more aware of other betablockers or calcium channel blockers that might be more suitable for you. As far a monitoring is concerned, many with AF use a Kardia which in simple terms is a finger pad linked via an app to a smart phone or iPad which detects AF and tells you your heart rate. Many blood pressure monitors also detect an irregular heartbeat but you ought to have an ECG so accurately assess your hearts activity so tell your GP that you would like a referral to see a Cardiologist as soon as possible......

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks flapjack

I’m actually surprised the GP hasn’t sent me . I’ll mention it next time I go .

The water retention and breathlessness is really bothering me

[Hidden]

There’s more.......having seen some of your earlier posts, I see you are also a member of Thyroid UK. You probably already know, but there is a connection between AF and Thyroid issues so make sure this is discussed if you see a specialist.....

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Even the thyroid isn’t optimal. It’s absolutely shocking the way I’ve been treated .

With lack of knowledge on thyroid resistance . I’ll leave it there as my BP is ok . Don’t want to get hot and bothered by this . It does get my back up

[Paulbounce]

Hi Reiki.

I can only echo the thoughts of Flap and Bob. For sure your GP should have referred you to see a cardio.

I would contact your doctor first thing on Monday and get him to ramp things up a little and refer you. If you are going for another heart scan maybe they will do it then - however I read your post as saying it was June last year (2018) when you were diagnosed ?

Far to long to wait IMO.

Best,

Paul

edit - misread your post. You say you have NOT been referred for another scan. Contact your GP and ask to be referred to see a cardio

[Hidden in reply to Paulbounce]

You’d have thought GPs would be on the ball . This is crazy I’m definitely going to ring them . Thanks for all the helpn✨

[Becksagogo]

Hello. I'm sorry to hear that you aren't getting anywhere with your GP. Are you able to see another within your practice who may be more amenable?

I found myself in a similar situation when diagnosed with AF. It seemed that once the diagnosis was given that was the end of it as far as the GP was concerned.

With the help of this forum I found a Cardiologist and EP through the private sector and paid for a couple of consultations with most tests being done on the NHS. These consultations discovered the reasons for my shortness of breath and water retention. Follow up treatment was done on the NHS by the same surgeons!

A year later and my health is much improved.

[Hidden in reply to Becksagogo]

Hi

Apologies for my late reply

I have a medical review coming up. I going to mention everything I feel sure there’s more going on here than I’ve been told

I’m fed up . X

[Hidden]

Do let us all know how you get on. I think far too many people are left to the care of GP’s who are not always on the ball with AF.

I have a friend who is still merrily taking daily aspirin & Sotalol 5 years post diagnosis. I have given her BHF & AFA leaflets & even printed off NICE guidelines explaining that aspirin is NOT an anticoagulant and no longer has a place in the management of AF, but she trusts in her GP! She, too, is not under Cardiology or EP care & I so worry that she is at risk of a stroke.

Take care

Pat x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Pat

I’ll let you know

Doctors are definitely not on the ball i completely agree with you

Crazy to hear about your friend that doctor definitely needs a real life check X

[Jlaine]

When I am in ad in I know by my breathing. Short of breath when doing any walking! Also sometimes feel tired. Try to elevate feet as mmm such as possible too. Best of luck to you. You should have a cardiologist as we well.

[Hidden in reply to Jlaine]

Thanks 💜

[Xerxes8840]

Fluid retention can be a symptom of congestive heart failure- also side effect of some drugs- you should see a cardiologist.

[Khatpi]

Reiki, Everyone here is giving you recommendation to make an appointment with a cardiologist. You have a major consensus but we are all not qualified to diagnose your issues. Please call today to start the ball rolling and let us know what they recommend after you’ve seen them. Being short of breath is unsatisfactory and you can and need help with your symptoms. Best of luck! Sarah

[inezelsie]

When I first learned I had AF in the ER I asked my GP to refer me to a cardiologist, and she told me she didn't think it was necessary. Fortunately, the local cardiology practice didn't require a referral so I called and was able to get into the EP right away, and learn more about AF from him. Last year I was admitted into the hospital for a week because I was so short of breath and it turned out I had a form of heart failure, which included significant edema. I still take Furosemide several times a week, and monitor my sodium intake, but I would have had no idea that my heart was in such bad shape if I hadn't had an echocardiogram. I didn't have any significant shortness of breath, except when I lay down and when it got to the point that I couldn't sleep because I couldn't breathe, I went to the ER. I had an echocardiogram in the ER and learn that my ejection fraction was only 25%, when normal is 65%! You probably should try to get into emergency care if you can't get a regular appointment with a cardiologist.

[Hidden in reply to inezelsie]

ThN you for your help

How long had you been diagnosed with AF

I’m suspecting the worse case scenario

I’m seeing the doc soon

X

[Hidden in reply to inezelsie]

I went for a medical review on Monday I’d had some bloods done on last Friday .

I mentioned he Odema in my legs and stomach the doctor looked at my feet and said that I don’t have heart failure , if I did I’d struggle to get my breath walking and struggle to breathe laying down . I said I Did !

So he’s now referred me to get another heart scan I’d do another post to show how huge my ankles are right now .

X

[Hidden]

I have one 😊 it’s always reporting AF

[Hidden]

I’ve not been offered it

[Hidden]

Yup your right xx

[inezelsie]

it just makes you wonder about some of these doctors! When I had heart failure, my only symptom was shortness of breath when lying down. I couldn't sleep because of it. When I had an Echo cardiogram it showed my ejection fraction was 25%, when normal is 65%. I was in the hospital a week being treated with amiodarone. Fortunately it worked and I was able to stop taking it, but now, 6 months later, I'm back in AFib.