Digoxin fears

[Ssuegos]

Hello,am new to this forum, at mo feeling I am in the minority taking digoxin really feeling anxious about having to take prob have read Mr Google far too much I had an episode of AF was taken into a&e tried to right it by high dose of bisoprolol but had no affect, after 20 hrs erratic beats 140 to 160bpm they decided to give me load dose digoxin which after a couple of hours righted the af now am taking 62.5mg daily + bisoprolol +edoxaban, what are others experiences with this med ,or am i as I feel the only person taking it which makes me worry even more, thanks in advance.

[jeanjeannie50]

I have a friend who takes Digoxin who says it's really helped calm her heart.

[Cassag]

I have been taking digoxin 62.5 on and off as well as flecanide. I tried bisoprolol but it dropped my blood pressure too far. Both dig and bisop will lower your heart rate. I find when I spontaneously go back to sinus my heart rate drops to low 50s and so I have to stop taking it. It is a bit of a juggle really.

[Yachtsman]

Hi Digoxin worked well for me, no side effects. I do not tolerate beta blockers well, and a combination of Digoxin and Diltiazem worked well.

All the best Colin

[Cat04 in reply to Yachtsman]

That's what I take digoxin 125 and Tildiem 300 (diltiazem)

[riverside22]

I take digoxin, I'm not even sure why I was put on it originally, it was just added, on one of my visits to the cardiologists. I think he said something about 'strengthening the heart' I just take one in the morning, it doesn't seem to do anything, and the normal bisoprolol twice a day.

[DevonHubby1]

Wife was on Digoxin when in persistent AF in 2019. Had no issues. She self reverted so on her 3 month review they removed it as only required if in AF.

She's now back in AF, 16th day so once GP returns from his Easter break we'll be pushing for a referral to cardiology with a view to being put back on digoxin .

[Silvasava]

I've been on Digoxin for 3 years along with Nebivolol and the 4 pillars, no issues at all. HTH.

[ObiDyer]

I took it for several months after bisoprolol and sotalol proved ineffective with no problems what so ever.. Only stopped after a successful cardioversion.. Keep calm and carry on!

[javo123j]

Not on digoxin myself but my Mum who is 94 has been on it since her early 60s without any harm. Proof that with the right medication you can lead a normal life with afib.

[Dippy22]

the first time I was prescribed it in A&E the consultant said it was only for two weeks duration as it wasn’t for longterm use. THEN the cardiology dept prescribed it longterm - didn’t work, so I was taken off it after a month by another cardiologist. Have to say I had a few raised eyebrows from some medics when I said I was on digoxin - it seemed to have a VERY mixed reception.

I too was concerned when I read on Google it was primarily used for elderly people suffering from chronic heart failure etc, - neither of which is me!!

To be honest I was glad to get off it.

PS I too am like you in that no drugs had any effect - or the side effects meant I couldn’t take them.

[Desanthony]

Digoxin was the only one which worked for me but had to be low dose - they put me on a higher dose first and I didn't question it - in fact I thought it was the lower dose until we were going to stay with some friends of ours and we were worried we wouldn't get a repeat prescription through in time - the friend is a pharmacist and said she would get some and asked if I was on the low dose like her Dad and when she mentioned the dose I realised I was on the higher dose and it was beginning to make me feel poorly again - changed to the low dose and was fine. All other medication bisoprolol and verapamil and various others I tried - I think over about a year I tried about 9 different medications or combinations of medications which made me feel worse than just the AF. The cardiologist was surprised it worked for me as she said it is usually only used for older people who are not as active as I am - still go to the gym at least 4 times a week and walk possibly up to 5 miles a day - I was about 74 at the time. After my first successful cardioversion I was taken off it and even when AF came back was never put back on it again, but I never suffered any side effects that I know of.

[Ppiman]

In 2019, when I had atrial flutter with a fast rate, nothing helped at all until digoxin was finally prescribed. It caused me no side effects at all and worked well. Until relatively recently, with the coming of beta blockers, I suspect it might have been the most commonly prescribed cardiac drug.

Steve

[Dudtbin]

digoxin put me back into nsr with no side effects at all.

[Hidden]

I’m not medically trained but I would be interested to know if you are aware of treatments, such as an ablation, which can be successful in helping to control AF symptoms. Ablations are an invasive procedure and therefore there are associated risks. Within the medical field, they are considered minimal but nevertheless they need to be considered. AF is a progressive condition and as you seem to be increasing levels of medical, it might be worth considering. Talk to your GP and ask if you can be referred to an Electrophysiologist (a cardiologist who specialises in arrhythmias)……..

[maxred1]

Well I empathise with your fears. If I told you that I have been on 312.5 mcg daily, alongside 10mg Bisoprolol, used to be 17.5mg, for the past 4 years. I am still here!! Took me a while but actually I have settled into a good QOL. I still get the odd strange experiences, but it is AF after all. Good luck...Note to always enquire if your meds can be moderated with your GP

[Junoesque]

Iwas put on digoxin as my A/Fib was getting more frequent. I am already on Nebivolol 5mg a day. It is only five weeks into taking it and it is working very well except I do get dizzy and lightheaded. The effect of digoxin usually takes a few weeks to get the true effects of the treatment. I will put up with the side effects I am experiencing because it is helping me so much with maintaining sinus rhythm. I am taking 62.5 mcg. Which is the low dose. Give it time and it may be the best drug for you.

[JaneFinn]

I know someone who has been on digoxin along with warfarin, Bisoprolol and BP meds for the last 10 years or so. He’s in permanent AF but the prescribed meds keep the heart rate at around 60-70 bpm at rest, and allow him to continue his active life. (Cycling, hill walking etc.) He has never had any issues with the digoxin, though he didn’t like the idea of being on it originally. Jx

[Crystalbowl]

I have been on 62.5 mcg digoxin for several years’ now plus Riveroxaban. I used to be on Bisoprolol but after several changes am now on Nebivolol. I also take Entresto, Dapagliflozin, Fuorsemide and Spironolactone. Seem to be OK on this cocktail. Permanent AF and HF.

[Shemac52]

hi I take 125mg Digoxin and 90mg SR Diltiazem every day with no problems

[ILowe]

Digoxin is growing in popularity. As I understand it, digoxin works best at night. 62.5mcg is the lowest amount. It increases Potassium levels. I see that on my annual blood checks, digoxin levels are supposed to be checked 6 hours after taking an oral dose.

[Ssuegos in reply to ILowe]

Thanks for reply I'm having bloods taken next week to check for toxicity, my normal time of taking med is 11am each day ,having bloods taken 9am, hoping this is OK time span as I know it must be at least 6hrs after taking your last dose.

[ILowe in reply to Ssuegos]

For your information, I quote now from my annual blood check results, which asked for a retest. "Target range in heart failure 0.5 to 1.0 microg/L. Target range refers to samples collected 6 hours post oral dose" for patients with a minimum of 7 days treatment. Digoxin also interacts with loads of other medicines and supplements. I take quercetin which decreases the level or effect.

[JudyMarieC]

I'm in permanent afib and have been on digoxin .125 mg. for about 2 years. I also did the google searches and and was afraid to take it, but I have to say that it's worked well to keep my heart rate at a comfortable level with no side effects. I actually feel better now than in the previous years of my afib journey which included an ablation, cardioversions and various other medications. I also have a pacemaker and take extended release metoprolol and Xarelto.

[BernardS]

This will not help one bit but I was on Digoxin and I had to see a heart consultant in India and when I told him that I was taking Digoxin he told me to stop taking it immediately (I won't say what he actually said about the doctors who prescribe it but it was very uncomplimentary.) I reported back to my GP and consultant who apparently concurred and no more was said.

[Gilli54]

I have been on it twice in the past. It did its job in correcting the heart rate along with bisoprolol. Was able to come off it slowly reducing the dose and currently don’t need it. It works well to reduce a fast heart rate when necessary. Just keep discussing with your doctors and review its use. Don’t worry about it too much. Just keep it under review. If you can’t come off completely ask if a lower dose would still be effective. 😊

[Ssuegos in reply to Gilli54]

Thank-you Gilli54 so good to read yours and all other comments, you always feel your the only one having to take this med ,that I admit I Google far far too much,will try not to worry ,good to read it helped you ,and it prob is me but its all the side affects that may or may not happen ,but will discuss over time with docs re maybe taking less ect,your reply +Al the others have helped a lot ,thankyou x

[Brianboru]

I have had no problems taking Digoxin ( my dose is only 125micrograms) at night. I do have a pacemaker which gives me a normal life. The other heart related meds I take obviously help things along

[mesally]

Hello there, I am also taking digoxin 62.5 mcg. It was increased to 125 mcg but this gave me too many side effects, so I am going back down to 62.5, which causes me no problems at all. At this level it really improved my a fib which, whilst permanent, became hardly noticeable. I take it alongside apixaban, candesartan and bisoprolol. So, for me digoxin is doing a good job, but not at the higher dose