Its Baaack!

[Samazeuilh2]

Woke at 0430 and went to the loo. On the way, I noticed that I was slightly unsteady on my feet. Sometimes this happens for a few seconds on standing up but quickly passes; this time it continued. On getting back to bed the penny dropped; a quick Kardia confirmed that I was in AF. This is the first AF I’ve had for just over a year- quite slow at the moment (80bpm). The last AF in Dec 2022 followed a bypass. I’m on 10mg of Bisoprolol and-unlike when I was on Sotalol -have not been instructed to take extra. Slight pain in left upper arm. I’m waiting for the result of an MRI which I did on the 14th December; this follows possible unstable angina. All this spells trouble in my view.

[Rainfern]

I hope you’re feeling better and a bit stronger on your feet now. I think if that was me I’d be seeking medical advice now rather than waiting for test results. I had an ambulance out once for rapid HR and pains down left arm that turned out to be postural in origin, but no one thought ill of me or suggested I was time wasting. Listen in to what you need, maybe contact your GP today?

[Samazeuilh2 in reply to Rainfern]

Yes, I think you are right. I’ll call the GP and see what the advice is. I’m almost certain they’ll say to go to A and E.

[Rainfern in reply to Samazeuilh2]

Good luck and let us know how it goes

[Jalia in reply to Samazeuilh2]

I think you would be wise to do that now ! Hope all goes well for you.

[JaneFinn in reply to Samazeuilh2]

How are you doing now, Samazeuilh? X

[Samazeuilh2 in reply to JaneFinn]

I went back into sinus rhythm at about midday after I went for a short walk. I’m hoping this was just a blip possibly contributed to by eating the wrong sort of diet over Christmas. I spoke to a GP and he said they could increase the bisoprolol from 10mg but this would need to be decided by a cardiologist. For the moment I have to wait to see how things play out.

[JaneFinn in reply to Samazeuilh2]

Oh I’m glad you’re back in NSR at least- that must be a relief. Do let us know how things develop and the results of your scan, won’t you? X

[Samazeuilh2 in reply to JaneFinn]

Thanks for the reply. I hope to get the MRI result before too long.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Samazeuilh2]

Because of time difference, I read posts a half-day later than in the UK. Wanting to suggest you contact your GP, I see you did and glad you're back in NSR. I find that walking (or gardening) sometimes would flip me back to normal. Yours could indeed have been caused by eating things over Christmas that you normally wouldn't have. I hope you stay in sinus.

[BobD Volunteer]

Any chest pain requires investigation.

[Samazeuilh2 in reply to BobD]

I spoke to a GP on the phone and he said that as I’d been to A and E in November with similar symptoms and that as the recent symptoms had lasted for more than 24 hours, I need not go there again immediately. I’m still awaiting the result of a cardiac MRI from Barts.

[secondtry]

I like and follow the advice given here when waking up: wait 30 secs then sit up, wait 30 secs then put your legs on the floor and then wait 30 secs before standing up.

As I have stairs to negotiate if I want to go to the bathroom during the night I use a uribag.com....safer and go back to sleep quicker!

[Samazeuilh2 in reply to secondtry]

That means you’d be up and about 2 mins after waking! But, yes, I know what you mean and it’s good advice.

[secondtry in reply to Samazeuilh2]

Supposed to reduce stroke risk 🤔.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

You may have too much Bisoprolol as 10mg is top.

80bpm is good. Over 100 is high and anything down is good. Losing weight my controlled rapid bpm fell from 88-96 to 60s. I feel much better.

cheri jOY. 74. (NZ)

[Samazeuilh2 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Yes, I’m going to tighten up on diet, get more exercise and sleep and generally try to relax more. I’m hoping these things will calm things down.

[Jetcat in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

you can have more than 10 joy.!! My cardiologist just added another 1.5 mg to my 10. So 10 in the morning then 1.5 before bed

He also suggested me trying 5mg morning then 5 mg bedtime. So I’m trialing swapping dosages for the near future.!!!

[Samazeuilh2 in reply to Jetcat]

I’ll discuss the 2x5mg idea with the cardiologist. It would seem to make sense for me as my AF is mostly at night. Or maybe I could take the whole 10mg in the evening. Thanks for the reply and the suggestion.

[Buzby62 in reply to Samazeuilh2]

When I started an 8am small dose of bisoprolol after PAF diagnosis, all my episodes moved to early hours 2-4am. When cardiology decided to double my dose I asked if I could split it and they agreed although not common practice. After a month or two taking 8am and 8pm my episodes were then random times of the day and more or less stopped the nighttime episodes. Nobody will confirm my theory but I’m a big guy and believe it was wearing off.

[Samazeuilh2 in reply to Buzby62]

Interesting. Difficult to know for sure. I don’t know how long the full effects of bisoprolol take to kick in after taking a dose.

[Buzby62 in reply to Samazeuilh2]

I don’t know but I’m sure I’ve read that it’s most effective after about 2-3 hours. You may even be able to reduce your overall dose if you split it but that’s for you to discuss with the medics first, just a thought. 1.25mg took about 10-15% off my heart rate but the extra dose didn’t make a noticeable difference to heart rate but stopped the nighttime episodes.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Jetcat]

Hi

But you can see that your Cardiologist is trying to keep you down to 10mg!

Without control of h/Rate Day Drs just put up the Bisoprolol. This did not do the drastic reduction in H/Rate.

Introducing CCB Calcium Channel Blocker did the trick. In 2 hrs put H/R Day down to 51 (105 drop). Diltiazem.

Reducing Bisoprolol to 2.5mg for controlling B.P.

Its a contraversional discussion but Bisoprolol over 5 years will make the dilation in the atrium disappear! Its worth looking out for that. I am on year 3.

But the enlarged heart itself has disappeared.

Interesting.

What does your echo read? Are you BP and H/R controlled.

cheri JOY

HAPPY NEW YEAR THERE!

[Jackiesmith7777 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

My husband was on 15mg of biso but terrible side effects so down to 5mg . His pulse is 80s 90s ecg 100/125. He has AF

[Chasemenow]

I have not had a fib since being put on my meds. But I have had occurrences of lightheadedness. It could last for a few hours or even a day I didn’t realize that I might be in a fib when that happens are.. Can anyone tell me if this is true?

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Chasemenow]

Hi

Meds too high can make you lightheaded.

Introduction to a new med CCB diltiazem due to uncontrolled H/R Day. 180mg to much and Bisoprolol was on its alone med was reduced down to 2.5 and I ended up over 2 years now Diltiazem 120mg AM and BB Bisoprolol 2.5 PM. These a CCB and BB need to be separated.

CCB for control H/Rate

BB for control BP

cheri jOY. 74. (NZ)

[DiyChas]

I don't understand how a GP can be the knowledge export on bisoprolol and AFib.Especially at a rate of 10mg.

IMO, you should request a referral to a cardiologist now.