Hi all
Ive been on Bisoprolol now for several years and am on 10mg daily.I,m finding that this drug is now having a limited effect.The episodes are getting more frequent and lasting longer.I had an ablation in Dec 18 which unfortunately didn,t work.My arrythmia nurse is now recommending Dronedarone.Is anyone using this? Does it work? Are there any adverse side effects? Thanks for any advice given.
Thanks for your reply John. I'll report on here any outcome
It’s been recommended for me too but jury out - I’m waiting to see Dr Gupta in May then will decide. How frequent are your episodes?
I've had 3 episodes totalling 31 hours in the last 4 months, probably doesn't sound much but they had been about 6-8 months apart. So it would seem they're becoming more regular.
I can tell you’re very anxious about the regularity increasing, as anyone would be, but with less than 2 hours a week on average ( if I’m calculating correctly) should be put into perspective.Certainly report the coincidences to HQ and any attributing factors you think might activate or aggravate your symptoms.
Like most things lifestyle is your best ally.
Understanding yourself is the key to understanding more about AFib.
Collect info and wait patiently for a chance to advise a HCP you worries.
Good luck 🤞
My afib episodes increasd quite a lot last year. I had 6 and each one lasts between 8 and 12 hours. Maybe I am being cavalier but this has not worried me too much. Have you not considered a PIP like Flecainide?
Tried that a few years back unfortunately it didn't work
Did you have to get shocked back into normal rythem with the paddles those three times? My friend had to get herself paddled into nsr until she found an accupuncturist who could do the same thing for her. Maybe that would work for you. She needed up studying acupuncture and has helped me a lot too.
No I just wait it out
And do you know what triggers it? Do you have any mineral a imbalances? That seems to be what mine were caused by... Have to get my levels tested properly and iron etc. But I do now notice when I didn't take my magnesium or another day when I was dehydrated it came back...what do you do when you have an attack do you take anything or drink lots of water or electrolyte drinks ...does anything help ease it? Mine went away within hours of taking the magnesium and only came back when I stopped taking them for three days so I haven't stopped again. Another day when I was working in the heat and didn't really drink enough water it came back... But mien is only flutter I think. I don't know cos it didn't happen at the five minutes I was hooked up to the ECG machine so everything was normal.
You're lucky to get a face to face appointment all mine have been via telephone and not with the guy who did the first ablation, not ideal.
It’s not it’s telephone 🙄
My wife was prescribed it by her EP. After 1 month, she suddenly came out in a nasty all-over rash (literally head-to-foot). The problem was photosensitivity/sunlight-exposure. She was told to stop taking it immediately. It took a while to sort the rash out and, even now, after well over 5 years, she still gets a reaction, albeit mild, if she goes out in the sun which she tends to avoid. It's selling point is that it doesn't damage the thyroid (unlike Amiodarone). Anyone taking Amiodarone may have to take thyroxine for life afterwards. My guess is that anyone who, like my wife, has sensitive skin and tends to come out in rashes induced by the sun, food or other factors, would be wise to think twice about taking Dronedarone. I'd sound out your arrythmia nurse if you're prone to skin complaints. Amiodarone might be the better option even if it means having your TSH checked from time to time to see if your thyroid is being affected. My daughter-in-law has been on Amiodarone for several years now as it does help her condition, but she has had to go on to thyroxine.
What are your mineral levels like. Do you have regular testing for minerals? Do you have and deficiencies that cause afib that you haven't fully redressed yet and maybe are getting worse? What's the cause of your afib?
I've never been tested for anything. 99.9% recurring times I get an episode is just sitting down!!
Yeah mine was when lying down for bed at night or in the middle of the night. Would you not consider getting tested as so many things can cause all kinds of heart issues arythmias flutters afib etc. That would seem like a really important thing to do before getting treatment. I mean if it could be something simple like for me that a magnesium tablet can cure me in days after years of feeling unwell..I'm not 100% mind you but my energy and brain fog are clearing a lot now. But the heart stopped flabbering about the very night I took the magnesium. Only that a friend suggested it my doctor didn't say anything...even though I had high potassium which can cause it too and a high something else marker which how's dehydration and she never even said try drinking more water. Like if some people are just not drinking enough water every day of their life and then end up having surgery when an extra glass of water taken could sort it out. there must be lots of people who have heart defects etc but there must also be some people like me who just haven't been taking care of their diets ...I've also had low d levels which I don't think affects this but explains a lot and I would have had that since being a kid and nobody noticed it until a few years ago. and then I was taking a lot for vitamin d and no vitamin k which can raise calcium levels which along with magnesium deficiency can cause muscle spasms and heart flutters. And heart flutters can create afib after a time. So yeah horse shoe nail and all that. Would be worth getting a nutrient panel done. Its extensive though like 300pounds...probably more in USA.
Why does nobody talk about the causes of afib and their levels of things that a deficiency in can cause afib... Even hydration you people don't talk about monitoring that ....do you have any sense of what's going on beyond "doctor said take this pill." Seems irresponsible of you all to not be discussing the important causal and influencing factors associated with afib especially for those new to this.
I have been on every med in the book, I think, and none worked except amiodarone. I only took it for six weeks, but it stayed in my body for six months::no Afib in that time. But I felt like the walking dead. Dronedarone is in the same family, but with fewer side effects, so they say, but it did not work. Am now on half the minimum dose of flecainide, the only thing that has worked for me. I still feel exhausted always, but it is better than Afib, which was 24 hours every week or ten days. You can research it on line so you have your ducks in a row when you talk to your doctor. I wash you well, but remember everyone is different. Multaq (dronedarone) might work for you but if it doesn’t, don’t be afraid to say so.
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