Digoxin again (and again)

[jd2004]

Long story but after being on digoxin for just under a fortnight I began to feel ill : violent palpitations, high heart rate, diarrhoea ( frequent) and generally feeling terrible. Consulted gp who told me it was a bug but he’d write to cardiologist and if I didn’t hear anything after ten days to phone back. As you can imagine I wasn’t happy. By Thursday of this week things hadn’t improved. Phoned surgery. Closed early due to bank holidays. On Friday I didn’t take the digoxin, just Bisoprolol and apixaban. Phoned NHS 111 ( Scotland). Advised to attend A and E. Was there for five hours. Had bloods and ecg which was fine possibly because I hadn’t taken digoxin and I was symptomless. Eventually was spoken to by a nurse practitioner. I told her I thought digoxin was poisoning me. She left me for 40 minutes. Came back and said she had spoken to cardiologist whose advice was to take half a digoxin as this was clearly the problem but it was unfortunate because it was dealing with flutter well. It wasn’t. Now, trying to half a tiny tab is difficult but I managed and guess what? AFib kicked in in the middle of last night. I’m venting here but since April I have contacted gp and a and e multiple times and I have yet to see a doctor face to face. Not sure how to proceed but I’m logging everything. Does anyone know any cardiologists I could see privately (Scotland) so that I could actually discuss this with a real live qualified person and improve my quality of life? Thanks for reading but I’m ill and I’m p***^* off.

[jd2004]

Replying to my own post but here goes: I should also have said that my HR was down to 30 and up to 152 in the space of 10 minutes.

[mrgwair567 in reply to jd2004]

Oh ! Poor you!Something’s not right. I know it’s difficult but try and get a private consultation with an EP.

[mjames1]

Sorry what's going on. The digoxin issue really has to be addressed by a cardiologist. Even the half dose may not be right for you.

If you don't get a name of a local cardiolgist, maybe try a private televisit. I came across this site but there are probably others. Don't have any personal experience with them but hopefully this will be helpful.

topdoctors.co.uk/

Jim

[jd2004 in reply to mjames1]

Thanks. I’d rather see someone face to face as their would be more benefit to my peace of mind and feeling of trust. Thanks anyway.

[Gillybean123]

Hi there, how are you feeling now. I was on digoxin many years ago well about 10 years it was one of the first pills they gave me. It affected my eyesight. I could follow a big yellow ring all the way around my eyes. I came off that and went on amiodarone, which was amazing but you can’t stop on them long. How long have you had AF? Our surgery is pretty good I am in AF as we speak. Will call doctors or message tomorrow and they will get me in for ecg and see a doctor. I’m hoping it goes off soon. I have been on bisoprolol not good now I am on Verapamil which has been amazing but I am still having a bout of AF. Tell them you want to come off Digoxin and ask to be put on something else. It’s your body at the end of the day. It takes a long time to find the right medication and you can still have the odd bout. Wishing you all the very best. Xx

[rosyG]

HiIf you ring the AF association they will be able to give you the names of suitable cardiologists near you- you need a proper opinion as others have said good luck!

[Kennyb1968]

Sent you a DM bud

[jd2004 in reply to Kennyb1968]

Saw you had ordered a Kardia. I’ve just discovered I can print all of my ecg’s from it as I’m seeing Dr. Wright this week. Handy to know

[Kennyb1968 in reply to jd2004]

That's good mate - he's a top bloke

[jd2004]

It was fine for the first ten days. Yes I did check for contraindications. Problem is that now it’s in my system it could be even more dangerous to stop abruptly which is why I’m looking for recommendations for a private consultation as NHS is too backed up, always.

[ETHEL103]

Morning.I was in this position last year so I had a private cardio and also private ep appointment as no contact with anyone to help.Expensive but very helpful.

[jd2004 in reply to ETHEL103]

Thanks. I’ve to speak to my GP about my visit to A and E on Friday but there’s no point in trying today. I’ll phone tomorrow but I have the name of a private consultant and can be seen next week, or earlier if I choose someone else.