Hi everyone and good day to all

[Tomred]

has anyone ever reduced or completely stopped meds for af and noticed a reduction or cessation of episodes, im not advocating just querying.

[CDreamer]

Which meds in particular are you referring to? I take no Heart rate nor Rhythm drugs and haven’t since 2014 but always anticoagulant. Made no difference to the severity nor the frequency of episodes but I just felt a whole lot better.

[Tomred in reply to CDreamer]

hi CD , any of the meds given for af , are you not afraid of enlargement or other problems .

[CDreamer in reply to Tomred]

No, I have no problems as my AF is mostly controlled with the Pacemaker, as is HR.

I stopped meds in 2014 - Pacemaker implanted 2018 because AF episodes were becoming more frequent again.

Many people live with AF are in persistent AF and as long as you are well monitored and rate controlled, you are otherwise fit and well there seems to be little evidence that I have seen that shows there WILL be atria enlargement but everyone is unique and hence the need for regular monitoring.

[mjames1 in reply to Tomred]

There are basically two categories of "afb meds". Rhythm drugs and rate drugs. As explained by my ep, it's possible to wean off of rhythm drugs and cross your fingers that the afib is gone, but usually it will come back. Rate drugs, like bisoprolol, are another story. Since they are very weak anti-arrythmics, it's posible they aren't doing anything at all except causing side effects which may increase your afib burden. So coming off those drugs could conceivably help, but no guarantee. Best thing is to have a partnership with you doctor, where you share these issues and decisions, because you often have to experiment a bit to find out what works best for you.

Jim

[BenHall1]

Hi Tomred,

I take Bisoprolol 5mg for heart rate control .... this will change this week to Nebivolol when my Pharmacy supplies it. Either way ... no I would not stop it or reduce it. Why, 'cos I know damn well what my heart would do !! .... it'd get to warp speed faster than Starship Enterprise.

My AF episodes have reduced themselves over the years to give me no trouble anymore. It was a result of taking my meds as prescribed and adopting a more healthy diet. The reason for my forthcoming change from Bisop to Nebiv is to address ( and hopefully overcome ) the extreme tiredness I now have caused by Bisop. Even so, that is a pretty poor reason for stopping and/or reducing the drugs altogether.

I also take Warfarin .... no way would I stop or mess about with that - I self test for my INR.

I must also say that I now have an Echocardiogram every 2 years which tells my GP exactly how my heart is now structured and performs. Last time I asked the guy doing the 'gram how it was .... under pressure - he reluctantly admitted it wasn't in great shape ... to which I said well what do you expect after 78 years, 13 of which have carried the AF label.

John

[BobD Volunteer]

Only after several ablations.

[Hidden]

I have not stopped the medication - I have never started taking them... Had the luck to be with mild symptoms, had the symptoms for several years, without understanding what was going on. Than, one day, I discovered this forum and, after having read thousands of posts, have concluded that I also am with AF, almost every night. Never wanted to take drugs, so let the things develop from themselves and followed where they were heading.

The result, after about 15 years with AF - still have bouts almost every night, but the symptoms have got reduced, so now I feel almost nothing when in AF. My idea is that, after so many years, the heart has "remodeled" in the way to be more successful when pumping in AF regime. Hence no symptoms...

Have also increased BP (in the early spring, my BP used to be 180/80), but also refuse the medication and explore where it may lead in the future. Now, after having been very active during the summer, my BP is at the level 150/70, which I am quite satisfied with. Felt OK with 180/80 and feel well with 150/70. Just listen to your body, it will tell you if it has problems.

I know that you wan't believe me, but it is quite possible to live without drugs, lol! Not suggesting the same to others, but it may be interesting to know about such one case. Cheers!

[kitenski]

yes - healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

[secondtry]

Good question! It seems most people, judging by posts on this board, only reduce medication when there is a problem or alternative treatment carried out; usually to switch to a drug with less side effects or after an ablation or pacemaker implanted.

It would be great to have more proactive info on the lines you suggest.

My own experience: relied on Flecainide for 10 years whilst implementing many hopefully better lifestyle choices. However, despite being tempted by excellent QOL possibly a sign that drugs are no longer required, I have not got the bottle to even reduce the dose at present, especially due to no support from my cardiologist. Every time I think about it I conclude due to social and work commitments this would not be the right time.

So I guess at present I fall into the majority category and will only reduce if the drug affects my kidneys, thyroid or another side effect 😖.