Started my medication

[Griffin9]

I started my medication on Saturday. Flecainide, Rivaroxaban and Bisoprolol.

So far, so good. I've not had any symptoms while sleeping and just a tiny flutter one day. I haven't noticed any side effects either.

My doctor made things difficult by only issuing a prescription for bisoprolol. Then sent me for a blood test before issuing Flecainide and still refused to issue rivaroxoban. My cardiologist gave me a private prescription for the last one.

I'm booked in to have a 24hr monitor next week and then I can discuss next steps with the cardiologist.

[BobD Volunteer]

If I were you I would change my GP.

[Finvola]

Oh my. what a palavar to have to go through. Certainly, Bob's advice is good - get to someone who actually delivers health care.

I wish you well with Flecainide - I've been taking it for 7 years and it has really turned my life around - just wonderful to be free of AF! Best wishes for an NSR future.

[jeanjeannie50]

Welcome to the forum Griffin.

Unless the rules have changed GP's are not usually allowed to prescribe Flecainide, it has to be authorised first by a cardiologist or EP. It also sounds to me like your GP was wise to want the blood test first.

As for not prescribing Rivaroxaban I'm wondering if that was because he thought you too young to be on anticoagulants?

Just some thoughts, will look forward to your reply

Jean

[Griffin9 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jean

My cardiologist wrote to my GP explaining the position and asked for the medication to be prescribed.

I didn't mind having a blood test, although I got the usual letter saying my cholesterol was too high. It's 5.3 and they say it should be 4.0. I've been told elsewhere that 5.3 is fairly average. I think the surgery like to put people over 50 on statins.

In the last 10 years I've been to my doctors less than a dozen times and never seen the same one twice.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Griffin9]

My cholesterol would have to be way higher than that before I agreed to take statins. There's a doctor, think its John Bergman who has done a YouTube talk in which he says we need higher cholesterol as we grow older.

I've seen the stress and pain that statins can cause some people to have.

Are you under 65, that may be why your GP wasn't too keen to start you on Rivaroxaban?

Jean

[Griffin9 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jean. I'm 58

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Griffin9]

Ah that my have been the reason then.

[Hidden]

Welcome Griffin, once the dust has settled, click on the link below and you will be able to access lots of useful information about AF, treatments and how to live with the condition.....

healthunlocked.com/afassoci.........

If you have any problems, just shout, there will always be someone to help....

[Rubymurray25]

A friend is East Sussex was on Rivaroxaban and when he moved to Devon his new Doctor changed the drug which he instantly didn't get on with, the Doctor changed him back reluctantly....all about Budgets!! I have been on Rivaroxaban since I was 60 and all good. Wishing you well on the AF path.

[Snookersteve]

Hi, I was in hospital last June when AF started and the hospital doctors wanted to prescribe me rivaroxaban. However, they would not start this until my INR (a type of blood test) was within the correct limits. I had to have an infusion of vitamin K to correct the INR level and then I started the anticoagulant. This may be one reason why your GP was hesitant ie they may not have known if it was safe for you to start anticoagulation?

[wypdum]

I'm 58 and been on Rivaroxaban for 5 years. Much easier than Warfarin and associated frequent INRs. No side effects and even occasional bleeds when I bash myself in DIY settle down - twice as long to clot as previously but not alarming. All success to you.

[2000RedRose]

Hi Griffin 9- I’ve been on 20 mgs of Rivaroxaban for 3 years now and last week my Medical centre phoned to say my annual blood test had shown a slightly higher reading on my kidneys so they have changed the dose to 15 mgs.—Re :side effects- as I’m also taking Verapamil and Perindopil ,and my side effects are mainly breathlessness, dizziness ,and occasionally off balance and constipation. The constipation when I started on the Verapamil. The other problems could just be from the Afib. and not necessarily any of the medications.— Hope that may help .It's just being between a rock and a hard stone as we really MUST take an anti- coagulant. I’m really surprised at it NOT being prescribed for you!All the best, RedRose 2000🌹

[haltemprice]

Hi Griffin , i have taken Rivaroxaban but im now on Apixaban , they are both safe and unlike the Warfrin i was taking for several years there is no need for constant blood tests, just a comment on your Bisoprolol i used to take that but i had a problem with my hands going white and cold so the cardiologist changed mine to Zemtard , hope everthing goe,s ok take care .

[Griffin9]

20 days into my medication and had my first symptoms last night. I usually have AF every 4 weeks, but it's been 6 weeks since my last episode.

This time it felt different. It started with a few ectopic beats every 5 to 10 seconds and then nothing for half an hour as I was keeping still on my back in bed. Once I moved, the AF started, but it was much weaker than normal, and sometimes hardly noticeable at all. It still lasted for the usual 5 hours though.