AF and fluid retention

[Tickerprobs]

Hello fellow sufferers. My name is Stewart and have had AF for 6 years. Do any of you think that fluid retention and discolouration of the legs, also leg ache, is an AF phenomenon.

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Tickerprobs, welcome to the forum.

I have heard of some AF medication causing fluid retention in the legs. I feel sure those members that have had that problem will be along here soon to answer your question.

Guess they're all out enjoying the sunshine!

What medication are you taking?

Jean

[Tickerprobs in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi JJ50...Appreciate your reply.

I take the mandatory rat poison (warfarin).

5mg BISOPROLOL.

10mg CETIRIZINE.

10mg LISINOPRIL.

5mg AMLODIPINE.

10mg Atorvastatin.

400microgram TAMSULOSIN.

I’ve read that amlodipine can be an issue.

[baba in reply to Tickerprobs]

Leg/ankle swelling is a known side effect of AMLODIPINE, read patient information leaflet.

[Tickerprobs in reply to baba]

CHEERS baba.

What about discolouration and aching legs, related to AF.

[wilsond in reply to Tickerprobs]

I get aching legs sometimes and put it down to Bisoprolol.

Also reddish discolouration ,think it's apixaban ( anti coagulation)

How long have you been taking Biso? I found my side effects wore off a lot after a while.

[Tickerprobs in reply to wilsond]

Hi Wilsond...thanks for your response. I’ve been on Bisoprolol for five or six years (when AF was diagnosed). Just as a side issue; I was helping my son in the garden and just barely broke the skin on my right shin area and it has taken months to heal. Just about ok now. I think circulation, as with a lot of issues, is a major factor.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Tickerprobs]

With this information people will be able to advise you more.

Hope you get sorted.

Jean

[Tickerprobs in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thankyou kindly Jean.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Tickerprobs]

Amlodopine is the one. I can't take it if I want to weaar shoes!

[Catlady56]

I also have discoloured /aching legs, but that began before the afib was ever diagnosed. I also had swollen feet and ankles. I take Amlodipine too and yes it is a listed side effect of that and I was warned about it in hospital. I wear compression knee high socks which helps with both conditions. My afib is constant.

[Tickerprobs in reply to Catlady56]

Yes Catty; I also had aching legs, after walking a mile or two, before I developed permanent AF. I believe that was a precondition, possibly PAD, to the onset of AF.

I think the discoloured legs and orange peel skin is down to poor circulation, which is exacerbated by this sole destroying AF.

[Buffafly in reply to Tickerprobs]

Do not ignore the problem please, especially after your remark about slow healing. You should have regular Doppler scans and wear support socks/stockings if no change of meds is possible. I speak from sad and bitter experience - though not mine personally.

[Tickerprobs in reply to Buffafly]

Thanks Buff. Apparently shins aren’t good healing areas at the best of times. I’m going to have a Doppler test shortly, when my slight wound is fully healed. I’m also going to ask for a meds’ review. CHEERS.

[Alessa69 in reply to Tickerprobs]

I would get that slow wound healing checked sooner than later please! Lower shins are notoriously slow to heal, but as mentioned above you should have a Doppler to check circulation. I speak from dire personal experience ! Took early retirement in May 2009, was looking forward to a relaxing Summer, came off my mountain bike , end of May, I fell awkwardly, large haematoma to lower shin ,no skin broken, various GP’s said watch & wait( found out to my cost DONT ever do that on lower legs injuries) I eventually ended up in skilled hands of Practise Nurse with a necrotic would, tissue dying off beneath surface , had to have larvae therapy, which resulted in a large gaping hole in my shin, which took many months to heal, I was lucky to not lose my lower limb . Please get it all checked .

[Tickerprobs in reply to Alessa69]

Thanks for that Alessa. I think my injury, which is almost gone, sounds a great deal less than your episode. As I’ve said, I’m going for a Doppler test when the wound has gone, as it’s in the area of the testing site. CHEERS and take care. X

[smn100]

When I first had AF I also had heart failure and one of the signs of that is fluid retention. Go and checked out just in case

[DevonHubby1]

Hi, last time my wife was admitted with bad AF the doctor on MAU checked for water retention as it was a common symptom with a poorly performing heart. In her case she was not showing this symptom.

[Sals100]

Hi. I had fluid retention when i had AF and was hoping once i had my ablation done it would help with that as well as the AF. The ablation has helped with the AF and touch wood i have not had it since but i still had the fluid retention. I came off Amlodipine and was just on lisinopril and Apixaban and that seemed to help so i do think Amlodipine can cause fluid retention, i only occasionally get it now and that seems to be when my blood pressure is higher than it normally is (normal for me is 140/70) . My doctor did say fluid retention is also a symptom of the heart not working properly so it will be worth getting it checked out.

[Tickerprobs in reply to Sals100]

Thanks Sals...Yes the puffy legs can also be caused by the inefficiency of the valves in the blood vessels in the leg, or so I’m informed.

[Tapanac]

Unfortunately yes I get fluid retention in my feet, ankles and lower legs. It is much worse in the hot weather as we are having at the moment, likewise going on a plane even a short journey, a train journey and also sitting a fair time in a restaurant with friends. Every time I sit down I do try to put my feet up and at one time over night they would go down, but during this hot spell no luck. At the moment my right foot I can't get my shoes on. My legs are also bluish veins (sooooo attractive) and I have put this all down to bad circulations and, of course, heart not working properly.

[Tickerprobs in reply to Tapanac]

Thanks for that Tapanac. Yes it’s hard to determine what is the root of the circulation problem. Is it the Afib, is it the ‘slow down medication’ or a combination of the two and maybe PAD also thrown into the mix.

[willec49]

Hello Stewart. I am sorry you are experiencing these symptoms. I was diagnosed with Paroxysmal Afib about two years ago for which I have been taking Flecainide (150 mg) and Metoprolol. About six months ago I started noticing fluid retention in my feet and possibly to a lesser extent in my legs. These symptoms may be a sign of heart failure as the heart may not be transporting blood and other fluids as efficiently as before. Also, Flecainide has been shown to cause heart failure in some cases. Perhaps this happens over long-term use as I didn't have this retention the first year-and-a-half. My heart rate was in the 40's on these meds so my Cardiologist suggested stopping the Metoprolol which does slow the heart. That didn't eliminate the retention so I am still taking it (12.5 mg) at night but not during the day. My heart rate did increase to the 50's which gave me more energy. Now I am scheduled for a repeat Echo Cardiogram and had a B-Type Natuiuretic Peptide (BNP) blood test which showed my value to be 201 pg/ml. Normal is below 99 so this value indicates "possible" heart failure. However, this value rises to about 400 and even in the 1000's in some people so mine hopefully isn't that bad. My Echo Cardiogram on Aug. 24 will provide a second essential piece of information in evaluating the condition of my heart at present. I hope this long exposition provides some helpful information. All the best to you.

[Tickerprobs in reply to willec49]

Thanks so much for your in depth response Will. I take Bisoprolol (5mg) and my heart rate is generally around the upper 70 bpm mark but very irregular, obviously. Have you ever been offered surgery or other interventions ❓

[willec49]

Tickerprobs, you are very welcome. No. I am not a candidate for an Ablation, etc. at this time. My Cardiologist wants to wait and see the results of my new Echo Cardiogram on Aug. 24 before moving forward. He said that we don't need to change anything right now. How about you?

[Tickerprobs in reply to willec49]

Right...No I’ve had no procedures performed to date. Maybe the ‘Afib Gods’ don’t think I’m worth the effort 🤣

[Tickerprobs in reply to Tickerprobs]

Hope your cardio results are promising, in August.

[willec49]

Thanks and all the best to you too!