I have AF, which was controlled until recently by Flecanaide. When my heart rhythm became irregular again my GP took me off Flecanaide and put me on Carvedilol. However, this made me very breathless so he took me off that and now I’m taking nothing for my heart condition except Apixaban. When I saw the GP again recently he found my rhythm, heart rate and BP to be normal, so there was nothing to correct in terms of heart medicine, except that I am constantly breathless at rest. I’m on the waiting list for an echocardiogram to try to diagnose the underlying problem but the wait for these is around three months where I live.
Does anyone have any suggestions for medicines that would at least relieve the breathlessness?
Many thanks.
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Lenathesinger
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Sounds like you're being well looked after then. Seventeen years ago, when first diagnosed with AF, I panicked thinking I could die before I got the NHS one and paid for one privately. I must admit I felt a bit foolish afterwards as all was ok. Apart from a slightly leaky mitral valve, which was of no concern. The trouble is when first diagnosed we're never told anything about AF, all we know is our heart isn't beating correctly. If someone just explained to us that we're most unlikely to die from this condition, then we could stay calm and get on with our lives.
Sounds like you need a chest xray and curious what your lungs sound like any crackles or wheezing? Carvedilol is a beta blocker that would exacerbate any asthma or COPD. While certainly helpful an echo should not be necessary to diagnose the reason for your breathlessness. Best, etheral
You don't say what amount of Flecainide you were on; I started on 100mgs which didn't work and requested an increase to 200mgs which stopped it dead. Also a bit weird that your GP is taking heart medication decisions, I would pay (if funds allow around £250) for a prompt private consultation with your cardiologist but ask to have any necessary tests on the NHS unless covered by insurance as usually very expensive.
Dear secondtry, Thank you so much for your reply. I was on 50 mg flecanaide previously but nothing now, only water pills to try and deal with the water on my lungs, caused, I think, by a heart that is too weak. The policy here in west Wales is for GPs to manage all AF patients, but where I lived before this was done by cardiology consultants. Seems they don’t have enough of those in this part of the world! I’ve been referred now to a specialist cardiac nurse, and depending what she says I might get referred on to a cardiologist. I would go private but not many options locally. Regards
my insurance can be confusing you must have a primary but I also have a cardiologist and EP. The last two work together well. Sometimes I feel my GP/primary should not be making choices about my heart luckily now I have doctors I can easily get to and see for my heart. It’s really confusing when there is more than one doctor because even two cardiologists may not agree. If you have a Cardiac nurse Hopefully she is working closely with a cardiologist and screens the questions. My EP has a incredible one. My Previous before I moved also had a great one who was a practical nurse. She was so good and had been through training that she could actually do procedures legally and probably on her way to be an AP/cardiologists I trusted her as I trusted my doctor. I hope you are in good hands like that. Being with a cardiac nurse you may already have a cardiologist and just not know it
if anyone has some medication for it it would be your doctor. I’m sure he doesn’t want you to feel awful. The more you worry the more you are going to feel things. I know that feeling I have it right now as I wait to have a cardioversion Tuesday and new medication given to me in the hospital first. I know how horrible it is to wait. I suffered and it was my fault. My friends in the UK like you unfortunately need to wait but I weighed it on my own I guess I wanted a miracle. I had a heart rate in the 150s for almost 6 months until I changed doctors. At least your rate is good. That means your heart is not being stressed like mine is. This is why my new doctor has several plans if one fails because my heart is just exhausted and before it gets worse he plans on making me better hopefully. As someone here in the US it hurts me to see all of you wait. If I needed an echo which I will on Tuesday, they do it and as long as it is all good no clots they will do my cardioversion following the echo same day. If God is watching over me within hours I am going to feel like a new person again. I’m not saying this to be a show off. I am just so baffled why this is done to good people. So many doctors out there. I know I sound like a child but I just want everything to be good for everyone.
saying prayers to all my a fib family because a fib sucks sorry my opinion
Dear Dawn, Thank you so much for your reply. The doctor gave me more water pills, and referred me to a specialist cardiac nurse. No difference so far but hoping the pills will eventually reduce the breathlessness. Regards
I hope they work but if they don’t speak up. They did the same to me about the water pills somewhat guessing as to the breathlessness. I am still having problems and I have had them since the end of April except for a break from my cardioversion in October for 3 1/2 weeks. That’s why I say speak up. I did not have fluid around my heart that is what they were thinking and why they gave me the pills. To be honest the last thing I needed were the fluid pills because the numerous trips exhausted me FYI I am a big water drinker and the more trips and more water I drink if you get my meaning 😊
Dear Dawn, Thanks for your reply, the water pills seem to be making some difference as I'm not gasping for breath all the time as I was before, though I still cough quite a bit, especially at night time. I'm seeing the GP again in a couple of days time so maybe he will tweak the medicines then. Still need the chocardiogram to find out what the real problem with my heart is. Best wishes, and I hope that your cardioversion has worked.
hi I’m glad that they are helping you a little bit. The best place to get the answers of course is your doctor. Unfortunately my cardioversion did not work they shocked me three times with no luck. I am on digoxin right now it has brought my heart rate way down in fact I’m waiting for a call from the nurse of my EP because I am down to 64 and she said if I hit 64 I am to go to the ER. I seem to be sleeping too much I am checking to see if I should adjust my metropolol. Best wishes thank you for yours
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