Help with new medicine for a-fib

[Beemer11]

Hi i am new to a-fib just recently been in hospital three times and was cardio version and they put me on drondadrone (multaq ) i also have cardiomyopathy so already on carvedilol. This medicine makes me feel terrible. Im so tired and weak and nauseous sob . Does this improve or will i always be this way, i have to take breaks cooking because i just don't have the energy. I am a 62 year old women. Was pretty active walk and bike everyday, make sure i get my 30 minutes exercise everyday. I just can’t do it now. Been on medicine a week. Please advise??

[jeanjeannie50]

Are you able to tell us what your heart rate and pulse is? An attack of AF could leave me feeling exhausted for days afterwards. I don't think it will always be as it is right now for you.

[Padayn01 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jean how are you? Is your AF still under control?

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Padayn01]

Yes, I'm still fine thank you.

[Beemer11 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

My heart rate when in a-fib stayed mostly under 130 but as low as 40 , at least once a day it shoots up to 170 today was 167 high and 42 low. But according to my apple watch i haven't been in a-fib since i started dronedadrone. Does that answer your question.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Beemer11]

Thank you, yes it does answer my question. How long are you getting your rates up to 170? Most people, even those with no heart problems whatsoever, often have extra beats here and there. Is that what your Apple watch is recording or are your episodes longer?

I've had AF for 16 years and have been where you are and know how dreadfully draining our abnormal our heart rates can make us feel. For a period of time it was an effort for me to walk from my lounge to the kitchen . I was unaware at the time that I also had an underactive thyroid - have you had yours checked?

I've had three cardiac ablations, but what helped me most was changing my diet to a more plant based one, eating smaller meals and cutting out all food that contained artificial additives. I avoid alcohol and try to get some form of exercise each day, even if it's just cleaning the windows. I'm pleased to say that I can now walk our hilly coastal footpaths.

Don't give up hope, with the right medication you could soon feel better. If you still fail to feel better there are lots of other meds you can try. A lot of us here take Flecainide along with a beta blocker, for me it was the only drug that actually worked.

I'm afraid I know nothing about cardiomyopathy, so can't help re that.

Wishing you well, feel free to ask any questions I know how awful you are feeling at the moment and you have my sympathy.

Jean

[Beemer11]

Thank you, i will try to continue the se inky gave me a months worth. Until i see him on 08/31.

[Cavalierrubie]

Hi, I resonate with yourself and was very active until diagnosed with AF 3 years ago. I had an awful time with all the drugs and it took a long time to get some sort of quality of life. It was trial and error. I felt terribly ill for months and eventually the only anticoagulant I can tolerate is Warfarin. I have a pip of Bisoprolol but I try not to use this as it lowers my blood pressure too much. There are many different drugs so keep going back to the medics if you don't improve. It will get better. Anxiety is very high when first diagnosed which doesn't help. You will smile again - promise!

[john-boy-92]

Dronedarone is effectively amiodarone without the iodine element. Some people including me don't respond well to either of those drugs. What is your blood oxygen (SpO2) level and, was your baseline liver function test carried out before you were prescribed dronedarone?

[Beemer11 in reply to john-boy-92]

98-100 oxygen and yes the hospital sos liver function it was good they said

[cbsrbpm]

Sorry you are struggling, I have been taking Dronedarone since December last and felt very unwell to start with until my EP added Diltiazem for the rate, which was around 140 at the time. I am still suffering some stomach problems but unsure if this is due to Dronedarone or the Sertraline that I am now taking. They are keeping an eye on my liver function as last few bloods have been abnormal liver function. Am to stay on it for the time being as it does seem to be controlling the AF. I would stick with it for a while and hopefully things will get better. Good luck.

[REITIRED]

I have been on dronedarone and eliquis for a few weeks now and have had no side effects - but the last two days have had some skipped beats...no abnormal or rapid beats....but was not aware that I would still have some irregularities with the antiarrythmic rx

[Beemer11 in reply to REITIRED]

I went to heart dr and i also have skipped and missed beats so they lower my cardeviel which i take due to cardiomyopathy im on say mess as you, they said because my heart rate is slow could be why skipping beats, did the dr give you any anwsers

[REITIRED in reply to Beemer11]

I see doctor Aug 12....he's a fan of ablation, which I really wish not to have any invasive procedures at this time...hopefully he will give me positive feedback. My internal medicine physician reminded me that cardiologists are very aggressive with their treatments as the heart is mainly all they deal with. Thank goodness, she is not as aggressive and taking it slow as long as no emergency exists is best. Will post again soon.