Digoxin as alternative to beta blockers?

[MarthaJ]

Hi

I'm just wondering if anyone has experience of. taking Digoxin as an alternative to beta blockers whichI don't get on with on a daily basis as they slow my heart rate too much and leaving me feeling unable to do much. I currently take Apixaban (paroxysmal AF) and Losartan and Felodopine for hypertension and then I use Metoprolol as a pill in the pocket when I have an AF episode. I've recently seen a new cardiologist who has not even taken a full medical history from me (different hospital from previous cardiologist and no access to medical records). He has suggested to my GP that I should start on Digoxin but having researched it I am not at all keen to start on it. I have concerns about the effect on my kidneys as have been told I have stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease. Sick sinus syndrome has also previously been suggested as a possibility, although not proved, again digoxin is not advised in this case.

If anyone has experience of using Digoxin in place of beta blockers I would be very grateful to hear from you.

Many thanks

[Desanthony]

It was the only medication that didn’t make me feel worse than the AF. The higher dose of 125 still made me feel I’ll but the lower dose of 62.5 seems OK. However after having my first successful cardioversion (CV) and staying in normal sinus rhythm for over a year on each of another 2 cardioversions I was never put back on them and now - am just on apixaban even though in permanent low rate AF. My rate rarely goes over 130 even during exercise and my resting rate is under 60 so my EP, cardiologist, GP and I agreed I didn’t need any medication for rate control.

[MarthaJ in reply to Desanthony]

Thanks Desanthony, the dose that has been suggested is 125 - I've got the surgery on my back over this, really pushy but am quite reluctant to start on it, especially as the frequency of my episodes has been much less over the past few months. One of my biggest triggers is stress and anxiety and I don't think further medication is the answer here.

[rosyG]

Post removed by Admin

[MarthaJ in reply to rosyG]

Thank you Rosy, useful to know as that's definitely not me, I I like to get out and about a lot!

[Jetcat in reply to rosyG]

Yes that’s true. It increases the force of the pump function of the heart.

[10gingercats]

Digoxin was not good for me. It made me feel quite ill and 'spacy'/vague so i found it difficult to focus. I was then prescribed Bisoprolol which works fine.It cancelled out all my Afib.

[Still_Breathing]

I was swapped to 0.0625 mg Digoxin, it did the trick for me, I was presiously on Amiodorone.I am also taking 5mg Bisoporol, I have never really felt my afib since starting the Digoxin however I do get it now and again when I check with ECG.

[ObiDyer]

I am in permanent AF and have been on bisoprolol and sotalol (separately) which both sucked all life out of me. I partially replaced both with digoxin at various times which gave me back so much more energy (ignore RosyG's uninformed comment).

I can't comment on the medical interactions but in terms of controlling my AF it's great

[rosyG in reply to ObiDyer]

That’s rather harsh obidysr my comment is informed by cardiologists who help our Af support group. Don’t be so quick to judge !!

[Chrissy7 in reply to rosyG]

Exactly…… I just spent a whole post reminding people not to make Pointed (negative) comments to one another on here…

But then it seems like I said something to out someone off myself… however we don’t need to make statements like the one above directed at another durum member .. especially when they are trying to be helpful..

You should apologize Obi!!

[rosyG in reply to ObiDyer]

Ps you also are breaking the guidelines Re personal remarks on the forum. If repeated I will report it!

[ObiDyer in reply to rosyG]

I note your original post has been removed by Admin...

[Fullofheart]

I am mid 40s and have been prescribed digoxin on top of dronedarone and apixaban. This is following 2nd ablation last week which initially restored NSR but only for a day. (But I have had AF for 18 years.)I then got readmitted to hospital as HR went crazy. Cardioversion and regular drugs did not reduce the HR so now trying digoxin....so far, so good and no ill effects...but early days. Still in AF but now "dynamically stable".

[Buffafly]

I take Diltiazem instead of a beta blocker. I had a big dose of digoxin in hospital a couple of times to slow my heart rate in an emergency but the doctor in A&E said it wouldn’t be suitable for me long term because I’m active, however from what others have said that’s out of date info. My friend who used to be a nurse said they were taught the effect of digoxin was SSS - slow, strong and steady! Maybe the slow can be a problem - I can’t raise my HR much through exercise because the Diltiazem seems to act as a brake in that event. I should give it a trial for a while because it is the only way to find out if it works for you - we are all different.

[Chrissy7 in reply to Buffafly]

I agree Buffaly.. and with Diltiazem being like a brake.. one which I’m so glad to have… without the fatigue it would be an almost perfect med for me!