So glad I found this site and all of you. I live in United States and have just been through fourth ER visit in seven years w/episodes of afib w/RVR and supraventricular tachycardia. I take metoprolol, and doc at hospital started me on Eliquis. Seeing my cardiologist Thursday morning.
This feels very scary, as I've spent lots of my life so far with family members who had major medical problems -- grandparents who raised me; parent with breast cancer; and first husband who died of a brain tumor. I've also had BC myself.
I sooo want to be healthy. Don't have other heart problems (as far as I know) or diabetes, but do carry a few extra pounds and have high cholesterol. Am starting on lifestyle changes including more exercise, more sleep, less caffeine and sugar, healthier eating and better stress management.
First quick question: Is anyone familiar with cardiac side effects -- including afib -- of tapering down off a benzodiazepine?
Thanks to all. Am already enjoying the great information and fellowship I see here!
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BraveHeartGirl
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Any stress on the system can trigger afib, including tapering off some drugs. That doesn't mean it will happen to you.
All the lifestyle changes you mention potentially will help your afib. However, unless you're really good at a total about face, the single most important change you can make if you're overweight, is to lose that weight. If you remain overweight, all the other stuff together may not work, so I would focus on that.
Second most important might be high blood pressure, if not under control. Cholesterol is important but be realistic. If you can't get it under control with diet, exercise and weight loss, then consider a statin. Fortunately losing weight might help both high blood pressure and cholesterol, but not always.
Sleep apnea is another trigger, so if you have any symptoms, get tested.
You also need a plan to handle afib without going to the ER.
In your case, your episodes are not that frequent, so you might be a good candidate for a pill in pocket approach (PIP. In your case, that might be taking more metoprolol at the onset of an episode or adding another drug like diltiazem. This is a rate control PIP strategy.
Another PIP strategy is rhythm control with a drug like Flecainide which can convert you in 1-4 hours.
Should your afib become more of a burden, some take daily anti-arrhythmics si and of course there is catheter ablation.
These are all things you might want to discuss with your cardiologist. If you get that blank look that sometimes give, then time to see an electrophysiologist (ep). At some point you may need one anyway as they are the most knowledgeable with afib.
Jim: Thank you for the great insight. There's so much to digest and learn, and I'm committed to that. Will take your good advice and get this weight off; I can do it. And I'll be sure to ask my cardiologist about the things you suggested. In past, I've gotten the blank look and even a comment that my afib is nothing compared to many people's cardiac struggles. I get that, absolutely, but it still doesn't feel good to hear it and it doesn't address my particular concerns. I have a friend who works for the American College of Cardiology, and she asked me a couple of years ago if I'd been to an EP yet. Will be back with more questions. Thank you again, ever so much.
Many cardiologists don't have experience with Afib - it sounds like it's time to consult with an Electro-physiologist who are cardiologists with a specialty in electrical problems in the heart. And while it's true that Afib is likely less of an issue than other cardiac problems, eventually it can make your life miserable and even kill you if you throw a clot from being in Afib too frequently and not on blood thinners.
Weight control is one thing but no one really knows what causes Afib. I was a ballet dancer for 17 years and Afib tends to strike athletes - I know, you'd think we'd have fewer heart issues, right?
There is also something called "Holiday Heart" from drinking - but from what I understand this tends to resolve itself pretty quickly.
I also recommend getting one of the watches that alert you when you go into AFib or if your heart rate goes way high. Many of them do a modified EKG and can save them to send to your cardiologist. Plus they may or may not give you some peace of mind- especially if you aren't checking it too frequently!
Anyway, get on an EP's calendar - they may put you on a PIP as mjames1 stated. Then you can take a pill and wait to see if the Afib resolves itself within a day. Much cheaper and less stressful than an ER visit. Plus if you eventually go into persistent Afib, you have an EP in your corner to help you make a good decision about meds, cardioversion or an ablation.
Just remember, this is not a death sentence (well unless you get my EP and team!).
Welcome Brave Heart - Only thing I would add to excellent advice above is that you put in place a strategy of managing anxiety before tapering down from Benzos such as taking up Tai Chi - AFA are doing a study in UK using Tai Chi for AF.
Whatever you do you need to cultivate a daily practice so that as or if AF strikes you can cope without going to the ER. You really can help limit the intensity of the episodes, the heart rate and the length of the episode, with breathing techniques that strategies such as Tai Chi and HeartMath teach.
Hi, just a few thoughts from the same side of the pond. Tapering off benzodiazapams should be done with the help of an experienced addiction physician. In the worst case this can cause seizures and severe complications. This can take months. As far as the afib goes, there are drugs available in the U.S. that are not available in the UK or Europe. I am currently taking one of them , Tikosyn or generically dofetilide, which has kept me in NSR for 4 years. Consult an Electrophysiologist and discuss all possible options. Your cardiologist should be able to refer you.
Wishing you the best trying to navigate our occasionally byzantine system..etheral
Sorry I don’t know about drug interaction however I have been on metropole & Eliquis for over 7 years & it works well for me. Mine is to treat a fib. I am careful about not drinking a lot of caffeine because too much could raise my heart rate. Just as reference I am 74 years old & it has not impacted my ability to travel or just enjoy life . Hope this helps
Welcome! You are in a friendly, knowledgable place. One of the first things my GP told me when I developed AFib (4 years ago) was, "Afib is life-altering but not life-threatening." My AF is fast and I quickly get very short of breath, so I don't have much time to get my PIP and collect what I call my "urgent care kit" and find a place to rest. I have frequent flutter and ectopics so I am reminded regularly, "I'm here and I'm not going anywhere!"
A few things I've found that helped:
I read to learn what the terms are and something about my flavor of AF.
I soon got an oximeter to see what my heart rate and rhythm pattern are when I suspect AF. Later on I got a 6 L Kardia because my cardiologist wanted hard data.
Intermittent fasting helped me lose weight. I didn't get to see an electrophysiologist until I needed an ablation (2 years ago) and he wanted me to lose five pounds. Eating only between 10-6pm or 11-7pm and eating my main meal in mid-day has helped me lose and maintain my weight. For me, it's doable; you may need more than that for a while. It's also one of the ways to stay healthier generally.
I take supplements and try not to depend on pharma any more than I have to.
I have spinal stenosis so it's very hard to exercise, even to walk. But I do as much as I can, especially to get some fresh air. I try to take Sundays off every week to give myself a wholesome rhythm, and I also like to spend time reading, praying and meditating. I'm not a laid-back person naturally so I have to be intentional in addressing anxiety and stress.
I've too have had "BC", I have a slow form of leukemia and I have an autoimmune condition. So it's possible to juggle various balls and keep them in the air. I'm blessed that the BC and leukemia are stable.
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