PAF and Antidepressants

[Nerja2012]

Hi All. I feel inbetween a Rock and a Hard Place ! Depression has reared its ugly head again and I know I need help. I have taken Citalopram in the past with a good result but that was before my AF. Im now told its not adviced becacause theres an increased Bleeding risk when taken with Apixaban. I tried Amitriptyline which didnt suit ither as my heart went crackers. The Anxiety and Depression is affecting my overall health and I really need some help. I carnt be the only one with AF and depression out there. GP as good as a snowball in hell. Any advice for fellow sufferers would be greatly appreciated.

[Barny12]

Plenty of fellow anxiety/depression sufferers here - kind of goes with the AF territory, I guess!

Lots of good advice re therapy/stress relief/SSRIs on here if you do a search on the forum for "anxiety". You'll need to speak to your GP or a psychiatrist for definitive info on any anti depressants which won't interfere with Apixaban - though I know many people on here swear by Sertraline.

[Nerja2012 in reply to Barny12]

Thank you for that Barny12 . Setraline does come up a lot . Therapy I would imagine would be a long wait in todays climate . I will follow up on what you have said. It all helps.

[Karendeena in reply to Barny12]

Barny12 I couldn't take sertraline it made me so nauseous I couldn't face even a piece if toast, they also stopped me passing urine and ai ended up in A & E

[Barny12 in reply to Karendeena]

Wow, that sounds like a serious reaction. Hope you found something that suited you better.

[Karendeena in reply to Barny12]

This ESCitalopram but I haven't started it yet, trying CBT and yoga first. I did feel better on citalopram but don't want to risk the afib getting worse as I hate the episodes , my heart goes up to 150+ beats per minute and usually lasts around 48 hours non stop.

[Nerja2012 in reply to Karendeena]

Karendeena. It seems that Antidepressants ither make your AF worse or as with Cytalopram increase the Bleed risk. Thats my dilemma and my Rock and a Hard place. Its not an easy choice .

[Karendeena in reply to Nerja2012]

Nerja2012, I wasn't told about bleed risk, my EP (who's a Professor in his field) just said they can interfere with heart arrhythmias. Who told you about bleed risk?

[Nerja2012 in reply to Karendeena]

Karendeena. I was taking Citalopram when I was diagnosed with PAF then when I started taking Apixaban the GPs Pharmacist rang to tell me that I was at risk of a stomach bleed so to stop taking them. If you arent taking an anticoagulant it wont apply.

[10gingercats]

I was prescribed Mirtazapine for depression/anxiety related to heart issues .It also helps with insomnia as you take it at bedtime. You have to take for at least a year or so I was advsied.

[Nerja2012 in reply to 10gingercats]

Thanks for that. Ill write the names of the Antidepressants down that fellow sufferers take for when I speak to my GP .

[irene75359]

I am also on Mirtazapine which has helped me enormously.

[Nerja2012 in reply to irene75359]

Thanks Irene. Going to look them up.

[secondtry]

At the outset of AF I was borderline depressive and certainly (and still am) too anxious. I am afraid I don't do pills but sorted it with a combination of mindfullness, spiritual (religion & Nature) & taking up new activities.

[Nerja2012 in reply to secondtry]

Thanks for that secondtry .

[TraceyAD]

Hi Nerja, I also suffer with anxiety and depression and I take Mirtazapine which also helps me get to sleep. I take apixaban aswell and have had no trouble with taking these meds. Hope this helps.

[Nerja2012 in reply to TraceyAD]

ThanksTracy AD . Going to check that out with my GP.

[Karendeena]

Hi Nerja2012, I am in the same situation as you. Plagued with severe depression and anxiety. I used to be on citalopram but when I was diagnosed with afib my EP wanted me off them as he says SSRIs can interfere with arrhythmia. I came off them gradually, but boy did I suffer. Now a period of struggling with Polymyalgia and steroids have sent my anxieties through the roof! My EP has suggested a new citalopram with less side effects called ESCitalopram but he's still not keen and says it down to me and my GP. I haven't started them either, too scared

[Nerja2012]

My GP said the same that the decision was mine 🤔 just want to feel better.

[Sportfix]

Sorry, no; I was put on Apixaban after I had a foot operation. It was recommended after I had a bleed behind my kneecap after a foot op and I had been on Riveroxaban. However , it didn’t suit me & my specialist changed me to Edoxaban. That’s fine and I take a 30mg dose per day as I am under 60 kgs. Hope you get sorted out.

[Bernie9927]

I can't help you about depression but I can tell you about my experience with Apixaban.

Firstly, I am male aged 88 and was first diagnosed with AF about two years ago, just before I had a major heart operation. I have of course, recovered from the op, but I have bled from the backside on and off every month for over a year now and although I have had the usual tests for rectal bleeding which have proved negative, I am told by my GP this is due to the Apixaban and that I either put up with the bleeding or discontinue the medication and run the risk of having a stroke due to AF. I chose to continue with the Apixaban.

All I can say is that in my case, this medication is definitely the cause of my external bleeding but I have no other after effects that I am aware of. I would add that I have had a small haemorroid for many years without problem but this all changed when I started taking Apixaban. I hope this helps.

[Nerja2012 in reply to Bernie9927]

Thank you Bernie. You sound like you have been through thw Mill. Hope everything improves for you.