How about corticosteroids?

[Cabot]

So the rush to corticosteroids seems to accompany many diagnostic journeys. I would be glad to know of any experience or opinion or data in this realm regarding Afib...Thank you!

[CDreamer]

REALLY? In short - the long list of serious affects such as weight gain, cataracts, glaucoma, skin fragility, muscle weakness, osteoporosis, diabetes etc etc. Frankly, I am stunned at the suggestion.

I am given steroid sparing immune suppressant drugs for chronic autoimmune condition which is often treated with prednisone because I have AF and osteopenia.

Given that their general benefit is as an inflammatory suppressor in serious, life threatening disease and because AF may have numerous root causes only a few of which could be inflammatory, how do you think they would help?

[Cabot in reply to CDreamer]

Dear CDreamer,

I apologize if I was not clearer, I certainly was not advocating corticosteroids, only acknowledging that they are often suggested for many ailments.

I am in the process of possibly being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune condition, in addition to the more common one I already have a diagnosis for (and for which I don't take medication.)

At any rate I am just trying to get the lay of the land. I am very interested in the steroid sparing medication you mentioned, as I can almost guarantee that steroids and I won't get along.

Thank you so much for posting.

[Cabot in reply to CDreamer]

Ah! Now I see what you are saying, that it would be daft to prescribe steroids for Afib. Indeed! I meant that they are prescribed for many other reasons and wanted to see how those with Afib had made out with them, if they had.

Thanks for your response and I wish you the best.

[CDreamer in reply to Cabot]

You got it!

[Thomas45]

As well as AF, which I've had for about thirty years, I've been asthmatic for at least fifty years, and prior to the pandemic I had on average 3 exacerbations of asthma every year. Since the pandemic I've only had one. (I've not knowingly had covid but have had every 'covid' jab offered.). Each asthma exacerbation has been treated with Prednisolone. In trying a new anticoagulant, my body rejected Rivaroxaban. I had the auto immune condition of Polymyalgia Rheumatica. I was treated with a very slowly reducing dose of prednisolone. Subsequently a Dexa scan showed I had osteopoenia. It was treated initially with one bisphosphinate, Risedronate, which caused excruciating pain in my knees. I was given Alendronic acid instead, but it had the same effect, and was stopped. Since the dexa scan I take a prescribed vitamin C and D3 supplement twice daily.

For prevention of asthma I take an inhaled corticosteroid, and have been issued with a Steroid Emergency Card, emphasising the need to have my corticosteroid inhaler twice a day, to avoid adrenal insufficiency.

Healthwise my AF is asymptomatic and my heart rate is within normal rates. I take only Warfarin, because of AF. My asthma is generally controlled by regular use of my inhalers. I'm as tall, 6'6.5", as when I was 18, that was 61 years ago.

I just get on with life, but probably sit too much. I compile my village website and work on it daily, and do online research of the benevolent local textile mill owners since the 1820s. I don't walk as often as I used to, as I have foot drop of my right foot, but I no longer drive and rely on public transport.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Thomas45]

Thank you Thomas. I always find your replies so helpful and positive. 😄

[Cabot in reply to Thomas45]

I so appreciate your response, it was indeed so kind and helpful. Best wishes --(and I agree about the walking as medicine. Although it is a challenge with drop foot for sure). I am trying hard to avoid it myself.

[ozziebob]

I was prescribed a 10 day course of the corticosteroid dexamethasone as the only treatment after chronic bilateral subdural haematomas, presumably to suppress my immune response and allow the start of the healing/absorption of the extensive pooled blood that had developed. I found those 10 days particularly uncomfortable (both physically and psychologically) and not something I want to repeat. My paroxysmal AF started about 4 years later. I'm aware of research that links longer term used of corticosteroids with various arrhythmias, but, hopefully, 10 days of a corticosteroid wasn't decisive in the aetiology of my AF. Of course, I will never know.

[Cabot in reply to ozziebob]

Thank you so much! And yes, there are many effects we will never know for sure. Although the combined weight of many stories can, we hope, help us as a group find our way through.

[ian16527]

I have had alot of Prednisolone in years gone by for Crohn's Disease (mid 1990's) and Imuran which I have been on twice -neither nice but necessary at the time. Had had either for many years.

Since my Af started the Crohns has behaved

[Cabot]

Thank you so much for your reply. I am so glad your outcomes have been so good, may it continue!

[doodle68]

Hi Cabot I developed temporal arteritis last august and was prescribed 40mg prednisolone daily and suspect taking it increased my heart rate and episodes of P-AF which eventually became persistant . My EP agreed the steroids could be affecting my AF .

I had numerous unpleasant side effects too from the steroids but had to accept them to protect my eye sight . Thankfully I have been allowed to reduce the dose of steroids slowly and now take just 4mg daily . I had an ablation in October which was partially successful and with the help of flecainide I have managed to maintain normal sinus rhythm since january . I take apixaban and nebivolol for AF as well as flecainide .

Sometimes we have no choice but to take unplesent drugs because the alternative can be even more harmful .I am relieved to say most of the unpleasant side effects have disappeared now the dose of steroids has been reduced .

[Cabot in reply to doodle68]

So true. I am glad you found a way through, and appreciate hearing your story. They are powerful, those medications, for the good and for the bad. Wishing you the best.