Still panicking

[Deb1838]

Hi all still in Af but today my calf’s are swelling. Should I be worried or does this happen sometimes. Many thanks Deb

[Supernerogirl]

I would call your GP or cardiology nurses to get checked out

[Deb1838 in reply to Supernerogirl]

I don’t have a cardiologist yet but I will try the gp

[Supernerogirl in reply to Deb1838]

Awww bless you don’t panic just relax and breath panic make you feel worse . Just call Gp do you have a blood pressure monitor ? Check your BP and give readings also. Good luck just relax 🙏

[Deb1838 in reply to Supernerogirl]

Yes I do have bp monitor but it does not always register because of af. Thank you for reply

[Jalia]

Certainly give your GP a call, particularly if this is not normal for you

[BobD Volunteer]

Many drugs can cause this. Remind me what you are on.

[Deb1838 in reply to BobD]

Hi bob I am on bisoporol 5mg, rivoroxiban, artovastatin, metformin an jardinance( diabetic drug which makes you pee out the sugar. Sorry for graphic description

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Deb1838]

Bisoprolol and other first three shouldn't cause it but no idea about the others. I can't take calcium channel blockers like diltiazem if I ever want to get my shoes on!

[Deb1838 in reply to BobD]

Forgot to mention rampril

[Deb1838 in reply to Deb1838]

I think I will try and get appointment at gp tomorrow. Panicking because my mum died of heart failure and I remember her swelling up.

[Buffafly in reply to Deb1838]

Good idea, catch the problem quickly. I understand your feelings because both of my parents had leg problems for some time before they died. Good luck for tomorrow 💜

[Deb1838 in reply to Buffafly]

Thank you buffafly

[Luludean]

Hope gp sorted you, surely with AF you should have been seen by a hospital and therefore have a cardiologist?

I am learning that you really have to

become a bit demanding these days.

[Deb1838 in reply to Luludean]

Was under a cardiologist 2 years ago, they discharged me over a year ago and now waiting till end of November to see a different cardiologist or member of his team

[Luludean]

Well if GP does not help today!!!! Take yourself into A and E. Unless swelling has gone completely.

You need to be reassured.

Hope all goes well.

[Janelr]

Hi deb1838 I’m new to af beginning of September put me on diltizem and rivaoxaban frusomide . I went to see asthma nurse who rang arythmia nurse as been referred to in October to say I was struggling and he agreed see me next day and he doubled diltizem , my legs and feet so swollen and coughing so he wants me back Friday to check and change to digoxin.

Keep pushing I am, may like me just need to change meds.

Ps I’m not seeing cardiologist till December but since had a letter cancelling so probably Not till next year now !

[Deb1838 in reply to Janelr]

That’s good to know. Hope it works for you

[Deb1838 in reply to Deb1838]

I just find this so scary and no one wants to take responsibility for me. The gps send me to a and e. Hospital say what are you doing here 😡

[Janelr in reply to Deb1838]

Feel the same thank goodness the af nurse got back to me yesterday or would have had to wait a week for gp appointment he said swelling is either drugs or heart not working properly.

Like you I’m scared my mum had a massive stroke after having af 20 year ago been told a lot has changed since then due to the way they do things now 🤞

[Deb1838 in reply to Janelr]

Oh Jane I am so scared. I know they will send me to hospital. I think it is my heart as I can feel gurgling.

Trouble is I am now having panic attack which is not helping

[Janelr in reply to Deb1838]

I try to take walks round block even though breathless just fresh air does world of good

[Deb1838 in reply to Janelr]

I don’t think I can

[inezelsie in reply to Janelr]

I had the same problem when I was on diltiazem. I couldn't even get my shoes on! My cardio said I can't take calcium channel blockers. There are two other classes of BP meds so your doc should be able to give you something that will lower your BP without the swelling.

[DevonHubby1]

Definitely see the GP. Wife was recently admitted into hospital due to AF and they made point of checking for swelling in legs due to water retention. They said that when heart not functioning correctly then fluid can build up.

[Deb1838]

I have an appointment with gp this afternoon at 3.40

[Becksagogo in reply to Deb1838]

That's good. Your GP will put your mind at rest. I take diuretics because I suffer with water retention which causes my ankles and calves to swell so it may just be something like this.

Hope all goes well. Please let us know how you get on.

[Deb1838 in reply to Becksagogo]

Thank you but I think it is more than that as I can’t get my breath

[Deb1838]

You can’t get it fixed if you are not anticoagulated. They wouldn’t give me any drugs as they would have to admit me. Been in permanent af for over a month now and have to wait till end of nov for appointment with cardiologist

[Deb1838]

Well just seen gp checked my feet back lungs heart and bp. Seems to think fluid it’s more down to sitting at desk for too long. Breathing is my anxiety and tuning into the negative. Think I am on the nutter list.

[inezelsie]

That's terrible. I had the same thing happen last year, and spent a week in the hospital. I went to the ER because I couldn't breathe when I was lying down. It was very scary. They cardioverted me, doing the transesophageal thing first to be sure there were no blood clots because I'd only been on Eliquis for 3 weeks. The cardioversion worked for only 12 hours, so then I was on Amiodarone which got my heart back to normal in about four days. I was also started on a diuretic, furosemide. I still have to keep my sodium intake low, and still take furosemide every day.

[Deb1838 in reply to inezelsie]

I asked about a diuretic but he said I didn’t need it

[Crystalbowl]

Hi Deb. I have had quite a lot of problems with my legs swelling and in my case, it seems it is due to fluid retention as others have mentioned. I have AF which is probably permanent now and also moderate heart failure and I think it is the heart failure which is the cause of the fluid retention as my heart is not pumping sufficiently well to keep things flowing properly. The worst thing about this is the effect on my breathing and not been not able to get my breath which can be quite scary. I have ended up in hospital on several occasions because of this. I try to keep on top of it now including weighing myself daily to try to see if the fluid is building up which might be indicated by a sudden increase in weight. Large doses of diuretics seem to sort this then a more maintenance dose. I take Furosemide 40mg (but it has been as high as 120mg) plus Spironolactone 25 mg (but has been 50mg) and I am also on Bisoprolol, Riveroxaban and Candesartan. I have an appointment to see a Cardiac Consultant next Tuesday which I think is to discuss possibly fitting a CRT-P (Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy Pacemaker) which will hopefully help. I have ended up in hospital on several occasions because of the breathing issue. Hope you have managed to get a GP appointment although this not easy these days, at least where I live in the NW UK. I have sometimes gone to A&E and other times via 111 and Urgent Treatment depending on how bad I thought it was. Good luck to you and I hope you get some satisfaction soon.

[Deb1838 in reply to Crystalbowl]

I think this is the same problem as me but he doesn’t think it is anything to worry about. I am not so convinced so I will keep an eye on things and if I have to I will go to hospital. Thank you for taking the time to answer

[bonogomo]

You will all be in my prayers. God Bless

[Deb1838 in reply to bonogomo]

Thank you 🙏

[Deb1838 in reply to Deb1838]

In fact when I was in a and e 4 weeks ago the church volunteers asked me if they could say a prayer and I asked for some peace from these symptoms, perhaps they took that the wrong way 😜

[10Snut]

Deb it does happen. they can put you on water pill have you limit fluid intake. Remember muscles in legs are like pumps what aid in returning blood to heart. It happened to me and I have been dealing with for six months.

[Deb1838 in reply to 10Snut]

Hi they have been a lot better last two days. They haven’t given me any advice or water tablets, if they are still swelling Monday I will go back and see a different go. Thank you for your reply