propranol

[Jctga]

I’ve been on carvedilol and Flecanide for Afib for about 3 years. Ablation 2 years ago and no known Afib since but EP said I “might want to” stay on them since I have lots of PVCs, PACsand some SVT. I’ve gotten increasingly fatigued and out of breath with very little exertion so I’m getting little exercise anymore and feeling worse. I’ve asked to stop carvedilol and go on propranolol 20 mg/day (very low dose I know but what I’ve taken in the past before Afib). I am on 6.25 mg carvedilol twice daily and 50 mg Flecanide in pm/ 25 mg am. I was told not to taper carvedilol but just make the switch. I’m apprehensive about changing but need to do something. I have no faith in my cardiologist or EP as they are never available to discuss anything and I have to deal with overworked nurses. Any thoughts? I currently have an appointment with a new EP for late October.

[jeanjeannie50]

I used to sing the praises of Flecainide at one time, but my cardiologist took a look at my ECG late last year and said to come off of it because it was causing more problems than helping. I was changed to Bisoprolol and I feel alive again.

I've had AF for 18 years, three ablations and am now in constant low AF 60-90bpm. I'm well and feel totally normal.

Jean

[Jctga in reply to jeanjeannie50]

thanks so much for the reply. When I see the new cardiologist I’ll ask to try bisoprolol. Somehow they think my problem is carvedilol. I don’t think they know what they’re doing and that’s why I’m seeing someone else in October. I appreciate your input.

[RichMert in reply to Jctga]

Hi,

Glad I saw your Bisoprolol response. I had 2 ablations for PAF 9 years ago and Afib free since. Ectopics became more regular and Propanolol although goodish for Anxiety, not so great for Ectopics. I am now on a small dose of Bisoprolol 1.25mg which, I knew I could tolerate. Ectopics now back to a minimum so, do not feel tight chested. Only advice I can give regards Bisoprolol is to very slowly reduce the dosage if you need to come off of them otherwise you will struggle to sleep and will be climbing the walls. Half the dose then every other day over a period of 2 weeks. Good luck

[DawnTX in reply to Jctga]

you are very smart seeing another doctor. That’s the first thing I say to people is, if you do not feel you are getting the proper attention you need to change because you are putting your life in their hands. With everything I’ve had done the last 2 1/2 years. I have never been apprehensive going into the OR. Getting my pacemaker attached made me a little bit shaky but all I have to do is see my doctor and it’s like taking some type of calming medication. That’s how good I feel with him and he has not let me down. I have a pacemaker wired like no one else has, which hopefully that will soon change. My doctor had to devise some thing just for me. All this time I thought it was the actual pacemaker, but it is the HIS pace bundling wiring because of my unique problems and heart. My doctor thinks outside of the box and does not give up. He also does not put those of us who are a bit older in any box willing to do the same things over and over again instead of truly helping us. He is amazing to me, and he pays attention to all of you. Not just your heart. I started having problems about six weeks ago. He ran every test you could think of necessary, but all along he felt it was my anxiety and panic attacks even though I said I wasn’t having them. I just started a new med for that shortly before I had my problem. They had not kicked in yet and meanwhile , I had a horrible event. Actually we ended up with two. My two tiny kittens were killed in while playing by a pack of wild dogs in front of our porch then a daddy cat was killed a week later. I have been having nightmares. I’m doing everything to get another mommy and babies in the house. FYI they are feral, but starting to trust me. I need to see them. My EP was the first to diagnose me and my GP put me on the new medication. If you internalize things you don’t realize what you’re doing to your body.

Be good to yourself you only get one heart

[Ppiman]

Beta blockers all do a similar thing from what I have read, with propranolol being an older and less specific drug that affects more than just the cardiac beta receptors. Bisoprolol is the most commonly prescribed type in the UK as that is more specific.

I would ask my GP to check things, looking at the exercise intolerance more closely.

Steve

[Jctga in reply to Ppiman]

thanks. I will. Good information.