Digoxin : I was over medicated for... - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

32,387 members38,702 posts

Digoxin

Diver2 profile image
8 Replies

I was over medicated for years. Toprol xl, digoxin, and other medications for Afib, and flutters. I am 73 years old and they have reduced my digoxin to .125mg of digoxin…. From three times that amount. Since they have learned over the years that over medicating with digoxin above .125mg is a problem as we age. These medications all have side effects like fast or eradicate heartbeats. Some of the side effects can trigger Afib. I now need to have my digoxin looked at be cause my heart rate has increased during Afib….

We should all be checking our dosages as we age. Since new side effects are discovered and we become more sensitive to drugs.

Written by
Diver2 profile image
Diver2
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
8 Replies
10gingercats profile image
10gingercats

I always try and question what/why I am being prescribed a medication. I also take my spouse or son to appointments. even during Covid.I entirely agree with your sentiment.

etheral profile image
etheral

A simple serum dioxin level would be valuable. Your dose seems high and possibly unnecessary.

bassets profile image
bassets

Thank you for this heads up 🙂

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman

It sounds as if you have a poor doctor. Do you think he or she genuinely making errors and lazily treating you? Or was he maybe confounded by other issues, trying to get your tachycardia controlled against the odds in some way (with Afl, for example, tachycardia can be very hard to control with drugs) - even maybe faced with other heart issues, too?

I tend to have great respect for my own doctors, but maybe I have been lucky? I well remember an elderly late aunt whom the family all thought was in genuine and unstoppable decline and all her new doctor did was take her off most of her tablets and she fully recovered and went on to live to a very ripe old age indeed.

Steve

irene75359 profile image
irene75359 in reply toPpiman

Exactly the same thing happened to my mother - at 94. And in fact her new doctor found that some of the medication she had been given masked a condition she had been living with for some time (achalasia) and her last years could have been a lot more comfortable had she been properly treated for it earlier.

Diver2 profile image
Diver2 in reply toPpiman

No I have a very good doctor. The doctor who over medicated me…. Did it on purpose.. he is a world class doctor and was trying to stop the Afib. I was seen by a number of doctors over the years and No one has been able to permanently stop the Afib or the 3 flutters that were created by the 3 ablations I have had to stop the Afib. The over medicating was done during the first few years of diagnosis and once I turned 70 the doctors began to reduce the dosages because the side effects are more dangerous for my age and duration.Of these medications. The over medicating was also done after I was given ever other beta blocker and Chanel blocker and got a rash from all of them. Like they say we’re all different. I’m sure if we ever find the reason for my Afib it will turn out to be caused by a combo of medications I take or another health issue that results in Afib.

Crystalbowl profile image
Crystalbowl

I take 62.5 mcg which I assume is half the dose you take, Diver2. I also take Nebivolol, Entresto and several other meds. I don’t really know how to know if I am over medicated or not and, if so, which one(s) it would be.

Diver2 profile image
Diver2

Ask your doctor. My being over medicated was a decision between doctors when all else failed.,,

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Digoxin verdict ?

hi all so when I’m Af my heart goes up and down from 70. to 140bpm They have now told me to...
mjm1971 profile image

Switching from Sotalol to Flecainide and Digoxin

The consultant I saw at St Barts said that I should switch from Sotalol to Flecainide (I don’t...

Digoxin No Longer To Be Taken.

Hi All. Since I was diagnosed with AF in August I have been on 125Mg of Digoxin once a day and to...
dindy profile image

Digoxin with Bisoprol

Hi all, My dad is in persistent AFib. He was started on Digoxin 125mg after diagnosis of heart...
priya_uk profile image

Digoxin and A/F.

Hello everyone, my E.P. is trying me on Digoxin as well as the Bisoprolol and High...
Mikee profile image

Moderation team

See all
Kelley-Admin profile image
Kelley-AdminAdministrator
Emily-Admin profile image
Emily-AdminAdministrator
jess-admin profile image
jess-adminAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.