Digoxin and Verapamil

[DECILYN]

Is there anyone on this site that takes Digoxin and Verapamil together? I have had persistant AF for about a year now and have had one failed cardioversion. I am now waiting for an ablation.My EP has tried various medications, some of which didn't agree with me.

I have settled on Digoxin and Verapamil but having run out of Verapamil I haven't taken any for three days and I actually don't feel so short of breath or so tired. The AF is still there but I definitely feel a bit better.

Has anyone stopped a medication and felt an improvement. Should I stop the Verapamil or will it cause more harm?

Looking for some advice.

[mjames1]

Of course one one here can tell you whether to stop a medication, because we are not doctors nor know your complete medical history.

That said, if your rate and blood pressure are controlled without the Verapamil, I would definitely ask your doctor for a trial period off of it, especially since you are feeling better without.

Not unusual for medications to be piled on top of medications. Unfortunately, not as common, is for doctors to eliminate (or dose reduce) all but the necessary medications, often through experimentation, with the goal of finding the right balance of therapeutic control and quality of life.

Part of the problems is that many doctors treat the condition, not the person. The other issue is time. That's why it's up to us to challenge out doctors, every visit if need be, to keep working to find that right balance.

Jim

[Threecats]

Hi Decilyn

I’ve been in persistent AF since February and have tried a few drugs for rate/rhythm control that I’ve had to stop due to side effects. A registrar GP I saw most recently prescribed Digoxin to take in combination with the Bisoprolol I was already taking (3.75mg per day) That level of Bisoprolol was making me feel pretty wretched and still wasn’t controlling my heart rate well but with the Digoxin added the difference in rate control is notable and so I have gradually reduced the Bisoprolol myself, down to 0.625mg per day and feel a lot better for it. (Please note, I’m NOT advocating that anyone else should do this without consulting their doctor first! )

I’ve not tried Verapamil but did try another Calcium Channel Blocker which caused me breathing difficulties, so I’m not entirely surprised that you’re feeling better. Could you perhaps email your EP’s secretary to let them know of the change? I am not in any way medically qualified but my understanding is that CCBs are given for rate control, as is Digoxin, so, as long as your heart rate is ok on Digoxin alone I would personally be happy to wait and see what the EP says and, as Jim says, perhaps have a trial period without the Verapamil. I still take that tiny amount of Bisoprolol because I’ve found the Digoxin alone isn’t enough to control my heart rate when I’m active but we’re all different!

All the best to you, TC

[DECILYN in reply to Threecats]

Thank you Jim and TC for your comments. I will let my consultant know that I feel better without Verapamil and see what he says.

[kocoach]

Hope you're on an anticoagulant also.

[DECILYN in reply to kocoach]

Yes, I take Apixaban