Diagnosed 14 April

Taking 1 2.5 Bisopropol and 2 Apixaban daily and AF constant. Wakes me 2 or 3 times in night and hard to get back to sleep. Uncomfortable laying /sleeping in any position except semi-propped up. Chest pain/back pain, pain in windpipe /oesophagus no appetite. Subscribed to AFib iPhone Ap on day of diagnosis (which reminds me to take two tests every day ) and every reading since shows significant AF plus (recently) bradycardia. Spoke to surgery who just said to keep taking meds (Bisopropol ran out yesterday and chemist says no repeat prescription set up.) I’m also long term hypothyroid and if my surgery’s mis-management of that is anything to go by then I’m very concerned about my heart health.

[Stainsby01]

Hi, so sorry you are feeling so bad. I would call 111 if you are in UK. I'm sure they will help. Take care.

[Hidden in reply to Stainsby01]

Good advice thanks

[BobD Volunteer]

If you are in UK you have the right to see an arrhythmia specialists if your GP is unable to control your condition within a month so I suggest that as well as reading all you can about this condition on AF Association main website, you insist on a referral to a cardiologist or arrrythmia specialist.

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

That’s very helpful info and a light at the end of a tunnel thankyou!

[Paulbounce]

Hi Loaf.

Cute dog for your picture - looks like a sweety pie

"Bisopropol ran out yesterday and chemist says no repeat prescription set up"

Sorry but not good enough - I would suggest calling you doc's first thing in the morning and ask for this right away. They can send an electronic request to your pharmacist so you can pick it up asap.

You also wrote

"That’s very helpful info and a light at the end of a tunnel thankyou"

For sure - ask your doc for a referral to see a heart specialist. You are quite within your rights to this and I think you should. Ask for this and remember the old mantra 'he who shouts loudest'. You'll have your ups and downs but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm going through it a little myself at the moment but I just know better days are ahead - they will be for you too. For sure they will.

Call your GP first thing in the morning Loaf. Check out the Bisopropol and ask to be referred.

Have a great Sunday and rest assured better days are ahead. I know to well you don't feel like it at the time but there is light at the end of the tunnel. I look at it this like this - we are the lucky one's as we know we have the condition and treatments can / will help. Many don't know they have afib and are a ticking time bomb.

You'll get there even though you may not feel like it at the moment. I'll wager you will Want a tenner on that - who ever comes off worse from the bet can send the 10 quid to HUL.

Enjoy your day and take it easy. Give your dog a pat on the head from me and know things will sort themselves out. Not nice at the time I know but things will improve - you'll see.

Paul

[Hidden in reply to Paulbounce]

Thankyou so much Paul for your very reassuring and uplifting words of advice. I will be standing my ground tomorrow to get a referral. Phoebe is the name of the sweet girl in the photo - she’s 14 and has a lot more energy than me!

[Hidden in reply to Paulbounce]

PS I hope you will get through whatever is giving you concerns at the moment and appreciate that you took the time to help me.

[Paulbounce in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Loaf. Tell Phoebe Paul sends his love

Paul

[Hidden]

Would also add that there is a connection between the thyroid and AF and most AF medics would encourage you to have your thyroid brought into range before treating the AF. Sorry to hear that you lack confidence in your surgery but you need, politely to stand your ground and insist that you get the treatment you need......best wishes.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou that’s a good point and I shall ask the surgery to check my Thyroid as well.

[CakeMaker70]

I had something like this in my early days of AF (I was diagnosed by the hospital after being admitted to A&E). They kept tweaking my medication until they got a best fit - I’m on same as you plus digoxin. Where I am, you cannot get a doctors appointment. If you are having a particularly bad episode, there is always the option of aa&E. I was told by the heart nurses that if I’m in AF and feel unwell with it, to call 999, which I have had done on a couple of occasions, I’ve been assessed by the paramedics and then carted off to hospital. Hope you get the medication sorted. Take care.

[Hidden in reply to CakeMaker70]

Hi , thankyou for the response. Something wrong at the heart of the NHS - I remember the good old days and sad that because the system can’t now cope so many of us have to put up with inadequate care so that the really sick (with cancer etc) can be looked after.

[DevonHubby1]

CakeMaker70 has covered it well. If youre in permanent AF then would have expected (from wife's treatment) more than just Bisoprolol at its lowest dose.

[Hidden in reply to DevonHubby1]

Thanks for your support - research has shown me that the county I live is one of the worst performers in healthcare in the UK. Of course it’s patchy and there are pockets of excellence but overall a bad place to live if you are unlucky enough to have a chronic condition that relies on the quality of GP services. After ringing GP (9th in queue at 8.15) I explained all to receptionist and now awaiting GP to call (currently 9.40 and heart going ten to the dozen).

[DevonHubby1 in reply to Hidden]

When my wife was first diagnosed we had a bumpy 3 months waiting for tests the cardiology referral needed and getting the doses of the initial meds right. Things did improve after that although this is a progressive condition so adjustments can be expected later as well. Generally QoL is now good for the Mrs although she does miss the odd tipple.

[Hidden in reply to DevonHubby1]

Oh there is light at the end of the tunnel! That’s good to know - fortunately I don’t drink so don’t have to make that sacrifice!

[bassets]

You do need to make yourself heard. You shouldn't have been simply left to get on with it. I hope you will be feeling much better soon and can get the help you need. Keep well and keep your chin up! 👍

[Hidden in reply to bassets]

Thanks for support bassets. I really do need to get in front of a doctor urgently and said so - and explained why - but must accept a telephone consultation first. They will stick to their ‘system’ whatever !

[bassets]

Mine are the same. But stick to your guns. This is not a rehearsal! Good luck x

[Hidden in reply to bassets]

Just had a doctor ring me and arranged appointment at midday.

[bassets]

Excellent! Good for you. Make sure her or she hears you and let us know? 👍

[ATSF]

Got exactly the same sleeping problems adn nightly after effects, my Doctor says that it is almost certainly the Bisopropol but I must keep taking it.

[Hidden in reply to ATSF]

Thanks I’ll see what the doc says about Bisopropol side effects too.

[ATSF in reply to Hidden]

My wife also takes it and as no side effects at all. But that is the norm. She as very rarely any effects form anything. While I’m just the opposite I’m effected by every medication I take.

[Peony4575 in reply to ATSF]

Me too. I sympathise

[Dee5165]

I HAD SIMILAR EFFECTS BUT CAUSE WAS BETA BLOCKER, NOT ALL FROM AFIB. ASK YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU CAN TAKE MAGNESIUM. MAGNESIUM IS KNOWN TO REDUCE PALPITATIONS AND ANXIETY BOTH OF WHICH FEELS WORSE WITH AFIB. IT WORKED FOR ME.

[Hidden in reply to Dee5165]

Thanks for this. The Doc took me off the beta blocker and it feels better without it. I haven’t taken magnesium before so will look into taking that.

[Lavelle1]

I’ve been taking sotalol and apixaban for some years now. Latterly I’m always woken a couple of hours into my sleep with a feeling of uncomfortableness. I have to get up for 5 mins to ‘readjust’ before I can resume my sleep.

[Hidden]

It’s really awful feeling so wretched in the middle of the night. I’m relieved the doctor listened and is sending me to a sleep apnea consultant after I told her the details (I have narrow nostrils do perhaps not getting sufficient oxygen when I’m asleep