Return to Afib with a vengeance

[Golfer60UK]

Had two ablations the last one September 2020. Have taken Apixaban and 1.25mg Bisoprolol after reduction from 2.5mg. About December/January i stopped taking any Bisoprolol and after maybe 6/8 weeks I noticed when taking my BP I missed a heart beat every 30 or so. Instead of discussing with the Cardiologist I thought 'oh just a blip'.

Playing golf last Friday, after 4 holes I began to feel very dizzy and extremely tired, Told the guys i was playing with I would walk back to the car park, next thing I can remember was lying on the ground as I had passed out, probably a few seconds. Managed to get back home took my BP and my pulse rate was so erratic I was advised to go to A&E ASAP.

As it was Bank Holiday it was hectic but eventually I was admitted to the Assement and Medical Ward where I was fitted with a monitor. I was given a 1.25mg of Bisoprolol which after a short time put my heart back into sinus rhythm with pulse very steady with no missed beats. Then moved to a regular ward for a 24 hour with regular checks, all ok. Was then discharged but have to go back to A&E for a 48 monitor to see 'whats going on'.

Last night (Sunday) a few missed beats but this morning all back to normal.

If I have learned anything it was please don't leave it if anything begins to change with Heart Beat or BP, go seek advice, asap.

I would like to thank Weston Super Mare General for their professionalism and care, the Doctors and Nurses were simply superb.

Dave - Golfer60

[jeanjeannie50]

Don't beat yourself up Dave, I've done the same thing more than once i.e. stopped pills. Did you take yourself off the pills or was it under medical advice? I think I've got it into my thick head not to try that any more, far better to stay on a lower dose than stop totally.

It's good to hear that you had superb service at hospital and I hope you stay well now.

Jean

[Golfer60UK in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you Jean, probably my own fault as requested to come off as it was giving me other problems like tiredness. Certainly wont be doing it again.

[Padayn01]

How you feeling now must have been awful

[Golfer60UK in reply to Padayn01]

Much better thank you, hope it stays that way too

[JaneFinn]

That sounds rough, Dave - and all the worse when it seemed to be kicked to the kerb after your latest ablation

My guess is that if you’d said you were noticing missed beats, the cardiologist might have said nothing to worry about (as they tend to with ectopics) though as you say, just checking is always good in case they have meds advice or concerns. We always hope it’s ok, don’t we? (And don’t want to bother anyone unnecessarily!)

I’m v glad you had great medical care, and that you’re getting a monitor to wear. If nothing happens in the 48 hours recorded, i’d def recommend pushing for longer testing to get to the bottom of that event. Keep us posted, won’t you? Jx

[Golfer60UK in reply to JaneFinn]

Many thanks Jane, you are quite right, missing beats started and then went chaotic. However stable now and will keep posted.

[Chrissy7]

Glad to hear you’re feeling better. I kept trying to go off the pills not understanding that the dizziness and fatigue could return even if the AFib didn’t. I take a very low dose to combat the episodes and am not that tired on this dose age - 12.5 mg atenolol ... which is the third one I’ve tried. Sometimes lower does the trick...take care. I want to play golf again soon as well.

[Golfer60UK in reply to Chrissy7]

Thanks Chrissy, I'm on Apixaban and now back on Bisoprolol started on 1.25mg but I think it will have to go to 2.5mg. I did become use to the effects of them so hopefully will again. Where do you play golf? What do you think of the new handicapping system? Many thanks for your comments

Dave

[Chrissy7]

I am in Canada ... and I’m just A novice so no idea about the new handicap system LOL sorry

Don’t be afraid to try new medications… I had to be stubborn and keep giving up when the side effects were too much.

Glad I did… So far this one is working for me with very few side effects

[The_Lord_is_with_Us]

I'd get the book THE AFIB CURE by EP John Day. Good for all AFIB sufferers.

Sounds like you might be headed for another ablation. I had my 4th right after you on OCT 22. I'm 67. I flew down to Los Angeles. I could have had it done locally, but instead I sought out a world-class EP that I had to travel to. The procedure was first-class. Much improved from the ones I had 10+ years ago. Recovering nicely.

My second ablation (that failed in AUG 2020) gave me 10 years of peaceful bliss. The best EP's do complex arrhythmia with success all the time. You're outcome is directly proportional to the skill of the EP.

My EP's nurse told me that there are many doing ablations today .... who don't have 'top-tier' skills; therefore, their ablations don't hold up very well.

The book noted above will lay out all your options going forward. It's a positive book. I think you'll enjoy it. Comes in audio addition, too. I wish you the best as I'm sure you will get it under control very soon . . .

[Golfer60UK in reply to The_Lord_is_with_Us]

Many thanks, I will certainly get hold of the book sounds good. The Consultant I see is a youngish lady and has an extremely good reputation. I will have a furtherconsultation and see what's on offer.

Best of luck with your recovery, I am 76 now but my mind does not think I am !!!

[The_Lord_is_with_Us in reply to Golfer60UK]

Got nothing against youth .... but I went with the old guy EP (60) who's done it all and seen it all .......

[cuore]

I too have tried to come off drugs (Propfenone) after my third ablation --twice. both times I went back into AF. This last time has been very hard whereby I had to have a cardioversion (a 34 days wait in persistent). Now I get some normal episode and and definitely AF. I'm trying hard not to go into persistent AF again. Not eating helps, so the only good outcome so far is I've lost 5 pounds in 6 days. What a nightmare this battle is unless one chooses to give up. I'm not there yet.

[Golfer60UK in reply to cuore]

I do understand, but hey the fight can be fruitful too, never give up. The one thing about drugs for AF is they do work, some much better than others. Today I have to return a heart monitor which will tell the Consultant the next steps.

I wish you well in your battle, it can be won I'm sure, best of luck

Dave