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Atrial Fibrillation Support

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New to digoxin

Janau profile image
22 Replies

Hi all

My husband has a fib diagnosed in sept. First clinic to the cardiologist today. Been on xerelto since sept. Hes now given him digoxin as well. Googling it of course! Sounds awful! But reading posts on here it seems maybe ok. He is 74 but still working/driving consultant says hes extremely fit. So give it a go maybe! Cardioversion in the new year by the looks of it.

Now my question is he insists he was told to start it tomorrow morning one a day.

But the pharmacists label says take 2 immediately then one a day.

Is this right?

Thanks

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Janau profile image
Janau
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22 Replies
Bagrat profile image
Bagrat

It rather depends on the tablet strength. As he has been in this situation since September I would be inclined to check with pharmacist in the morning. Quite often with digoxin a " loading dose" is given either by mouth or sometimes intravenously and then you continue on a lower maintenance dose so pharmacist might be right.

Was the prescription fulfilled by the hospital pharmacy they are usually on the ball

Janau profile image
Janau in reply to Bagrat

Thank you! Yes it was the hospital pharmacy. Trouble is he doesn't listen properly. 🤔

Bagrat profile image
Bagrat in reply to Janau

I feel your pain. I have one like that!

sotolol profile image
sotolol in reply to Bagrat

Me too. Hearing aids don’t work either!

Janau profile image
Janau in reply to sotolol

Haha dont get me started on that. Hes deaf in one ear. When his af is under control that's next on my list! Get your ears sorted before I go barmy! 🤣

Janau profile image
Janau in reply to Bagrat

All men are the same! I couldn't get out of work to go with him

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman

I think it’s called a “loading dose”. It was the only drug that kept my heart rate down while I had atrial flutter. I had no noticeable side effects.

I wish your husband well.

Steve

Janau profile image
Janau in reply to Ppiman

Hi Steve. Thank you! So far so good 🤞😊

Yachtsman profile image
Yachtsman

Hi

I've been on Digoxin 125mg for about 6 months. Works really well at controlling heart rate. I have no noticeable side effects.

All the best

Colin

Janau profile image
Janau in reply to Yachtsman

Hi Colin thanks so much. I'm feeling a bit happier about him taking it with the help from all you lovely people 😊

christians2 profile image
christians2

I'm on digoxin no side effects really feel the benefits heart rate well controlled

Janau profile image
Janau in reply to christians2

Thank you so much 😊

sotolol profile image
sotolol

He has a wife setting on the hearing trumpets that’s says mute!!!

Janau profile image
Janau in reply to sotolol

🤣🤣🤣x

Kaz747 profile image
Kaz747

I was put on Digoxin last year when I was in hospital. It was added to my other meds to try and slow my heart. As Bagrat says, a loading dose is often given. My cardiologist said he was “marinating me in Digoxin”.

I’d definitely check back with his doctor or pharmacist to make sure he’s taking he right dose.

Janau profile image
Janau in reply to Kaz747

Thanks so much Kaz. 😊

DevonHubby1 profile image
DevonHubby1

Wife was put on Digoxin when her paroxymal AF became permanent. She was in hospital at the time so the loading dose was done under doctors supervision until they got the dose right to bring her heart rate down enough.

She then auto reverted out of AF so on a follow up appointment with the arrhythmia care nurse a few months later Digoxin was stopped.

3 weeks into her Digoxin taking she had a week of recurrent migraines. GP did tests but could not find any evidence Digoxin was cause and migraines stopped .

Personally I'd query exact reason why Digoxin prescribed so that if circumstances change you can request a review of the meds.

Good luck.

Janau profile image
Janau in reply to DevonHubby1

Hi. Thanks very much it's great to have some great advice. Best wishes to you and your wife 😊

Glad to hear it was initially given in a hospital setting. Don't they send you home with a fistful of discharge papers? Whenever we have been in the hospital, even if just the ER, we get a sheaf of papers with instructions on self care at home and very specific information about any drugs prescribed and how and when to take them.

I hope he has better luck with Digoxin than I had. It caused anxiety and I had headaches all the time while taking it. I also grew a nice pair of breasts that many women would be envious of. Sadly, the prescribing doctor never warned me about that. I was hoping it would go away when I stopped taking it, but it did not. I was advised the only way to fix it is to have a breast reduction.

Janau profile image
Janau in reply to

No not much info given unfortunately. It was at a routine follow up appointment at the cardiology dept. First visit after all the tests hes had over the last few weeks. 24 hour monitor x Ray's scans echocardiogram. People here in the UK mean about the NHS but I cannot fault them. Very thorough. And his consultant is a professor in the hospital and cardiff university. Very high up! Couldn't get better if we paid to go private. But no just a box of pills! I googled it and freaked out at the lists of side effects.

Oh blimey that's not good! Putting up with a fib and now that. 😠 I wish you well and thank you for replying 😊

cali111 profile image
cali111

This is usual to raise the level of Digoxin in the blood. I am sensitive to drugs and so didnot do that but got used to it in a week.

Janau profile image
Janau in reply to cali111

Thanks cali. Day 3 and all ok so far 🤞

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