Stopped Digoxin but now have Bradycardia - an update.

[Apple88]

Hi,

I posted a couple of weeks again about a bad AF episode and being put on digoxin as well as my low dose of bisoprolol.

Things got worse in terms of the low HR so I called 111 for advice. They got me go go to see a primary care doctor, who decided that I needed to go to A&E because of my symptoms and low BP. I had 2 x ECGs and bloods taken. It showed low phosphates and 49 HR sinus bradycardia so they kept me in hospital. It was a Saturday - Sunday morning so when I saw the doc in the hospital he stopped the digoxin. I was relieved as I felt awful.

It’s now almost 2 weeks on from this. I still take 1.25mg bisoprolol daily but I’m really sad to say I’ve neither felt better nor had a rising of my HR.

I have daily drops to 45-48 bpm and it’s making me so dizzy and unwell. So I guess it wasn’t the digoxin.

I have managed to bring my cardiology appointment forward to this Saturday - he is an EP so I’m really hoping I’ll get some answers. I haven’t been to work for a month now since my AF episode. I’ve managed to get copies of the ECGs from the paramedics which show HRs of between 125 and 188.

I just don’t understand what’s happened to me since. Is it normal to be in bradycardia after an AF episode? I’m sending myself mad with all the worry.

Thank you for reading this again. Any advice or experience would be appreciated.

[jeanjeannie50]

Honestly, I'd ring your GP and tell him what's happening and ask if you can stop the Bisoprolol. You can always take it again if your heart rate goes back up.

I took Digoxin briefly - never again! It made me feel as though I was in a daze and one afternoon I wanted to just sit and weep - I'm not an emotional person and this was definitely not me. My neighbour made me aware of how I was when I was driving up a hill and suddenly stopped my car because I couldn't see in the sun, there was a car behind me who wasn't very pleased! So perhaps it gave me light sensitivity too. My AF nurse insisted I take it pre-cardioversion.

Have they given you something to higher your phosphates?

Jean

[Apple88 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jean.

Thanks for your reply. I completely agree about the digoxin. It was awful! I had light sensitivity too.

I had some drinks given when I spent the night in hospital to help with the phosphates so not sure if it’s worked or not.

I think that I might end up having to stop the bisoprolol. I’ve taken it for a year though and haven’t had these side effects before. Rather than call my GP again, I’m going to wait until I see my regular cardiologist on Saturday and see what he advises.

This low HR is making me really struggle though. I wouldn’t have thought such a low dose would have such an effect on me all of a sudden but maybe it has.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Apple88]

Is your BP still low too? If so try drinking some water to bring it up, that was a tip I was given by a nurse when I was in hospital with my heart playing up and BP low.

I'd also search online to see what natural foods contain phosphates. I believe sunflower and pumpkins seeds do and add them to my muesli each day.

Please let us know how you get on.

[wilsond]

Think I'd echo Jeans advice. Also it does take time for meds and effects to leave the body...best wishes xx

[Apple88]

Thank you both. Yes my blood pressure has been pretty low in general. Yesterday was 93/70. I’ve been drinking plenty of water too. I got the same advice from the nurse!

I just keep worrying about how low my HR drops. Even if I’ve just been doing something. Earlier today I emptied dishwasher and it was 120, sat down and within 5 mins it was 44. Surely that can’t be right. I’ve had PAF for about 18 months and this has never happened after an episode before.

Maybe I should just stop checking it. 😞

[Buffafly]

Probably but it's difficult not to if you feel poorly. I assume you don't take any other meds such as flecainide? I used to take propafenone (similar) but I was diagnosed with possible tachybrady syndrome (too slow HR alternating with too fast). The answer to that is a pacemaker if it is very bad but luckily having an ablation speeded my resting HR up so I am ok for now. I hope you get sorted soon 💜

[Apple88 in reply to Buffafly]

Hey. Thanks for your reply.

No I’ve never taken flecainide, just bisoprolol and then digoxin for the two weeks before they stopped it.

I’m glad your ablation helped you. That sounds like a possibility. Did you have any other symptoms with tachybrady syndrome like feeling unwell etc?

I’ve got a file of stuff ready to see doc on Saturday. Copies of paramedics ECGs as well as ones from my Kardia. I just hope I get some answers. It’s so frustrating. I know I’m probably really mild compared to people’s experiences on this site so I guess I should stop moaning!

Thanks again. 😊

[Buffafly]

I just felt really sluggish but only 50ish, 44 must be horrible for any length of time. The fast rate gave me chest pains and I had an angiogram to see if I had had a heart attack! The Kardia recordings should be very helpful, mine were.

Don't forget to update after your appointment 😊

[Apple88 in reply to Buffafly]

Thank you. I will.

I just feel like I’ve lost all of my ability to do normal things.

Hopefully tomorrow will be helpful.

[Shcldavies]

I had similar symptoms following an ablation, like you Doc took me off Digoxin and kept me on 1.25 Bisoprolol, after a few weeks of healthy eating and drinking plenty of water HR began to stabilise. I also took magnesium, eat a banana a day and an avocado twice a week, not sure what helped me improve but thankfully I did.

[Apple88 in reply to Shcldavies]

That sounds promising - thank you!

I’ve had a lot of time of my hands so have stopped what little alcohol I did drink and have made an effort to eat more healthily. I’ve just been unable to do much because of the lethargy and dizziness.

The magnesium might be worth a shot. I’ll see what happens tomorrow now.

Thank you for replying.