Back on the dreaded Atenolol

[Matt40]

Hi all, it didn't last - back on the 25mg Atenolol. I managed a week but the heart rate didn't go down (115bpm) and blood pressure stayed high. On the plus side no AF just atrial tachy.

I'm going to try again though as i'm sure its the beta blocker that's making me feel so rough (slight ringing in ears, tired, off balance and cold) or could be the Apixaban as both have these side effects listed. I need to stay on the Apixaban for now though.

I saw cardiologist last week and he thinks that i have had a slight rebound to coming off of the meds and that i should try again though this time take 1x25mg every two days for a week then half every two days and see how that goes. That doesn't help the psychological aspect though of waiting for something to happen?...I feel so down and fed up with the whole thing at the moment i could i could throw my self under a bus, everyday is becoming such a slog and tiredness and fatigue is awful.

Just a query, someone may know, once you've had a successful ablation - as apparently i have, what's the likely outcome on symptoms of AF? Do you sill have AF but the Ablation masks the symptoms? or is it that the AF is terminated altogether...My cardio didn't know the answer - just - 'that if you've not had AF for a year then usually that's it - gone for now' (his words not mine)!!.....I'm putting feeling crappy and off down to the meds but could it be that behind the scenes i'm in AF and my Kardia isn't picking it up? I dunno...

Has anyone gone on to live a normal life again? I'm only 42 and the thought of having to live like this forever is very daunting - just need a little hope.

Thanks all - sorry to rant

Matt40

[BobD Volunteer]

Any and all tyreatment for AF is only ever about quality of life through managing symptoms. The underlying cause of AF has not been found or treated so yes it may return at some point in the future. I'm eleven years symptom free post my last AF ablation but other arrhythmias intruded over time. Enjoy what you have for now and don't over think it would be my advice.

[Matt40]

Thanks Bob - just fed up with it all now

[dani777 in reply to Matt40]

I don't personally think you were "over thinking" it purely because your post was longer than two sentences. I know full well how frustrating things can be regardless of where you're at in this, and also how beta blockers can make you so tired so much of the time. I was just out for two hours earlier with my son and I just felt as though I hadn't slept, when I had done. napping can help with the fatigue. and i'd be drinking coffee and regular diet coke for the caffeine to help combat the fatigue, were it not for the fact that these bring on heart palps x

[Matt40 in reply to dani777]

Hi thanks for the reply - it’s odd as I can eat what I want and pretty much drink what I want (Alcohol within reason) and I have all the way through this but I can’t get off these tablets - as far as I know i’ve not had Afib since Father’s Day 2018 and that was out of the blue but when I try and stop the bbs the Bpm goes up and stays up - maybe I need to give it more time and see how I go - scared that’s the problem

M

[wilsond]

I was tokd by my EP Proff Osman that ablation stops our brain recognising the signals and symptoms but af continues,hence the reason to stay on anticoagulants.

If you are very symptomatic,ablation seems to help many people if lifestyle and / or drugs dont work.

Try and remember AF is not life threatening in itself,take a good look at the rest of your health too as things like high blood pressure can aggravate AF. Check out your stroke risk to be on the safe side..,..

Its horrible to be faced with something like AFbut it can also be a weird blessing in disguise! Many of us,myself included, are much healthier now,years after diagnosis,because we are eating very good diets,not smoking,reduced alcohol,etc.

This is a great place for support, best wishes xx

[wilsond]

Sorry just realused you are on apixaban...doh!!!!

[Matt40 in reply to wilsond]

Thanks for the thoughts and advice