Linesteps1

[Linesteps]

hi all , just on holiday in Nerja , gorgeous , a little anxious as last night went into an episode of AF presumably from an ice cold drink ! No alcohol , it’s very hot 38/40c so have been drinking loads water with daily electrolyte replacement , HR is the usual 75 /90 resting HR usually 60/70 I have PIP bisoprolol but I’ve decided to wait it out , no real symptoms other than I’m a neurotic retired nurse , have been in AF for 12 hrs but slept through most of it , do you think this is the right decision? Just ignore and carry on ? Regardless

[BobD Volunteer]

Enjoy your holiday but please take you medication. That is why you have it.

[Linesteps in reply to BobD]

hi bobD

I always take my meds , I’m only on Apixaban , I’m just a bit wary of taken bisoprolol 1.25 for rate control when my rate is only 75/80 on my Kardia but I suppose it could be faster it’s just I’m on my own at present may take it later with friends thanks so much

[Tapanac in reply to Linesteps]

1.25 is very low and if doctor had given it to you he must know it’s ok for you to take. Be kind to your heart in that heat

I agree with Ben hall

Enjoy your holiday

[MWIC in reply to Linesteps]

hi - my HR is much lower and if very low I don’t take Bisoprolol as brings my HR adorn to 40’s - If your HR is 75 to 80 I would take the Bisoprolol as it may well help and shouldn’t bring your HR down too low - I’m also on just Apixaban and only recently back on Bisoprolol to use if necessary and if my HR is not too low so I use it and think it actually does help in stabilising /reducing the episodes of AF - Try not to worry and enjoy your holiday

[BenHall1]

Hiya Linesteps,

Look I'm gonna stick my neck out under the guillotine .......... OK so you have Bisoprolol as a PIP. Personally - I don't subscribe to the PIP approach. My belief is you have it regularly and let it do its job. None of this switch it on/switch it off again ... ridiculous ! If you can't tolerate as it may convert you into a zombie - well say so to your medical team. In the course of a normal day I bet you can't say - beyond doubt - precisely how often and how long you are in AF.

What if you are asymptomatic and your heart is banging away in AF regularly all day and you don't know it, have no symptoms at all. The way you are taking Bisoprolol is gonna do nothing to stabilise your HR.

I've been on 5mg continuously, regularly non stop for 13 years. Its been a bit up and down at times but I've stayed with it and now, along with diet changes, I'm fine. HR regularly at 64 to 67 bpm, sometimes lower and sometimes higher.

So, to answer your question. No ... wrong decision. (that'll bring screams from everywhere). Take your Bisop precisely as prescribed and as hopefully you've discussed with your medical team.

John 😱

[Linesteps in reply to BenHall1]

thanks John I’ve never taken bisoprolol just been given it as PIP normally I convert within 12/24 hrs and I agree not a great fan myself think because I’m away just panicking a bit , I actually feel fine just tired but that maybe sue to the extreme humidity here at the moment thanks hopefully the old ticker will start behaving soon xx

[BenHall1 in reply to Linesteps]

Good luck with it. Bisop is a drug that can be a bit tricky, and it impacts on all of us in different ways. You'd know more than I with your professional background. For me it and Warfarin are my best ever friends. I suppose if desperate when you grt home again you could ask if there is a more suitable drug to Bisop. Enjoy the heat 😃😃😃

John

[pusillanimous in reply to BenHall1]

I am asymptomatic and was given the choice of taking 1.25mg of Biso as a PIP ( I found that approach tricky as I do not have any fancy watches or gadgetry, I find they just increase my existing anxiety) so I had to constantly take my pulse to check my HR. By taking the low dose every day, my HR stays in the mid sixties except when I have eaten and it rises to late 70s or 80s. I just take my pulse morning and evening and on occasions when I'm bored !!!!!!!

[secondtry in reply to BenHall1]

I think my cardiologist would agree with you John. Ten years ago I did not want to take Flecainide daily but he persuaded me saying the heart does not respond well to a 'roller coaster', prefers stability.

[jeanjeannie50]

I think I would be a little cautious trying a new drug while on holiday, unless my heart rate was really high. I would be doing the same as you, but I can't say that it's the right thing to do and if I said do that you'll be fine and you had a heart attack or collapsed, well you wouldn't be pleased with my advice.

I'm in constant AF 24/7 and my heart rate flits between 60-90bpm. I take 1.25mg of Bisoprolol each evening. I'm pleased to say I feel really well.

Hope your heart rate soon goes back to normal. Oh remember, no more ice in your drinks!

Wishing you well.

Jean

[Linesteps in reply to jeanjeannie50]

thanks Jane , heart reverted shortly after I messaged on forum , your messages obviously calmed me and the old ticker behaved thanks , still hot and no !!! No ice 😂😎

[Lbeat796 in reply to Linesteps]

Am glad you are back to normal. It’s always such a relief especially if away from home. If I take a tachycardia episode I find that a hefty does of magnesium cuts down length of attack. Sometimes not always. Enjoy your holiday. Linda

[Bagrat]

As another "to much info, retired nurse" I was on bisoprolol regularly years ago for a month or two for paroxysmal af. It dropped my pulse to 48-50 so was, eventually, stopped but apart from making me tired I survived. Assume you've tried slowing breaths right down, splashing icy water on face and swallowing crushed ice. Weird that the cold thing can put you into AF and stop it

[Hidden]

Hi Linesteps

You say you're a retired nurse so you are entirely capable of knowing what your HR is and I'm with you on Bisoprolol front. If your HR is, as you say, 75-80 then I'm not sure what the Biso will do. Of course, I'm not a doctor so just expressing an opinion because I, too, experience AF with a HR in that sort of ballpark and I've learned from experience that if I take a Bisoprolol 1.25 I will at some point end up feeling very unsteady and green around the gills, because my HR drops and quite possibly my blood pressure also.

Only you know how it usally affects you. I'm not surprised the AF got triggered in those temperatures which can stress the body when not used to it. And ice cold drinks are a no no for me too. Whatever you decide, I hope you can relax and have a wonderful rest of your hol!

[Linesteps in reply to Hidden]

thanks , after all the deliberations in what to do my heart decided to play ball and flipped back into SR which it normally does at this moment in time so no meds taken , so just trying to replace fluid , having a great time

[Singwell in reply to Linesteps]

So pleased to hear this. Was about to add my thoughts suggesting you cut the pill in half and see if that does the trick. Have to say, with those temperatures I suspect it's just your heart responding to that change. I get really dodgy in heat excess of 35 these days... gone are the days of walking down the Grand Canyon in full heat!

[Jetcat in reply to Singwell]

I came back from almeria Spain last week and it was red hot 🔥. I drank plenty of water mixed with electrolytes and slept in a aircon bedroom and had a lovely steady week. 2 days after being back home I had afib for 2 hours in the early hours for two days on the trot, both were self terminating and didn’t alarm me really so I just went to sleep. I looked on my Fitbit to see how long each episode lasted. Its a weird thing is our afib I must admit.!!!

[Linesteps in reply to Jetcat]

your so right AF the very weird disease !! I’m sure it was the ice cols cos it happened straight away , I’ve always been convinced my af is vagal related as I have no other heart disease or structural issues but still AF the blighter 🥴it defo has its own mind x

[Jetcat in reply to Linesteps]

Iv actually knocked myself back into sinus rhythm by drinking ice cold water.!!! But oddly enough it hasn’t worked on every attempt.😢 I’d have thought if it works once it will work all the time.? After all these years Iv realised that I’ll never get any sense from this afib.😳

I can dig a garden all day long for example and never get it. But yet I can be reading a book all relaxed and start with it.!!😡

[Windlepoons]

I just go to bed, take my meds as ususal, and most times sleep through it. My episodes are usually around 12 hours too. I am usually a bit tired the next day but take it easy. I gave up going to a & e years ago as they just usually pretty much ignored me and the place is so stressful. Nothing I couldn't do for myself at home and it's much more conducive to recovery. Glad you are back in rythmn.

[Linesteps in reply to Windlepoons]

hi me too don’t go to a/e now did at first and was just left in a cubicle

With water till reverted back have been in PAF for 10yrs now controlled by lifestyle weight loss and mindfulness let’s hope it continues oh do take apixaban x

[Jetcat in reply to Linesteps]

me too,same as you.👍 Iv read of people staying paroxysmal for decades. I hope we’re one of those.? 🙏

[Nerja2012]

Can't resist this message, as you see my Forum name is Nerja. Spent 20 years there, your right it's beautiful. Have a lovely time Linesteps .

[Lilypocket]

Hi Just wondered why you only have a rate control med and not a PIP rhythm med ( like Flecainide) instead. As you say your normal resting HR is very acceptable and not very high in Afib . Of course for the moment you are on top of the situation and medically trained so what you are doing works for you. I was just interested in what reason your Dr gave for prescribing a beta- blocker ( but absolutely not questioning his decision of course!)

Have a great holiday and next time you are in Afib pop onto the forum as that seems to sort it 😄

[ninks01]

just returned from a 4 night, son in laws 50th birthday bash in Benidorm......very hot, 40+ in day and 28 at midnight .I had one low level episode but stayed the course, stay in the shade , lots of water, no big meals, no alcohol, dont get too tired and keep to the meds routine ..........the is AF curse is so random but you have to try to have a life or it dominates.. One surprising factor...Benidorm had a larger choice of 0 alcohol beers than the uk .