Hi does anyone taking digoxin have memory issues? My husband has been taking it for paroxysmal Af since december and his memory is getting worse. Hes 74 and convinced himself he is getting dementia. Hes fine with most things I tested him with an online test where he did quite well but his memory is definitely going downhill. I read online digoxin can have an affect on memory.
Thanks
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Janau
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Digoxin depletes Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorous, and Vitamin B1.
B1 deficiency can cause: depression, memory loss, muscle weakness, irritability (all according to same website).
Maybe a B1 supplement would be useful for your husband. Ask his doctor (although doctors rarely know anything about vitamins, it's just not in their wheelhouse.) That's what I would be looking into if it were me. Good luck!
My wife suffers from paroxymal AF and after a particular bad bout was put on Digoxin, in addition to her regular Bisoprolol, to control her heart rate when the hospital could not revert her back to sinus rhythm . Eventually she did self revert and at the 3 month follow up the Digoxin was stopped as the hospital said it was only if you're permanently in AF.
If you are concerned over the Digoxin then I'd suggest you check with your GP as to if the Digoxin is needed.
Nothing to do with memory but last year when in India my pulse dropped to 40 ish and I went to see a heart specialist who asked which drugs I was taking and when I told him Digoxin was one he told me to stop taking it immediately. He told me that Digoxin was one of the UK drugs prescribed by doctors as an automatic treatment for heart problems. I wont say what else he said about Digoxin!!! Upon returning to UK my GP informed the consultant who had prescribed Digoxin who in turn appeared to accept the Indian recommendation.
On Digoxin since when in hospital last November for the Whipple operation my HR was high so after they discussed with heart consultant I was put on it.
Apart from issues that arise from such surgery I have felt really good and in charge of the AF.
Digoxin gave me memory problems. I was on it for about 8 months (this was 6 years ago), I found I was forgetting names of people and well known celebs on the TV, often could remember their first or second name but not their full names. Caused a few awkward moments when greeting friends!!!! Often forgot why I had gone to the kitchen ect or where I had put something (I know we all get this as we get older) but it seem to have happened so quickly. I have AF and heart failure and I asked my HF nurse about it. She said it was probably the digoxin, it was not uncommon with this drug.
It was agreed that I stop it and all went back to normal with in a month. Instead of Digoxin I was prescribed Diltiazem, I also take Nebivolol and Ramipril and an anti coagulant.
This has come up before on the forum and there were other people with the same problem.
My GP was never happy with me being on it - when I first saw her after being diagnosed with AF and HF she said that it was normally prescribed for elderly patients who were not very mobile, I was 67 and very mobile.
Thank you so much. I wasn't with him when the consultant prescribed it oil had to work. I always ask questions and he dosent! As soon as I googled digoxin I wasnt happy. He is 74 but very active and I didnt think it was right. He is due a 48 hr holter monitor any day so I'm going to discuss then taking him off digoxin
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