Well it’s been a while since I posted on here as I’ve been in good shape generally . My AF has been mild , infrequent and short lived but things have changed and there’s a story behind it .
I’d been waiting for an operation to replace my aortic valve for over six months and I was suddenly given a date for the 3rd of September . I had the surgery and went from ITU to the ward in about 12 hours . I was in constant high AF from then on and suffered a lot of stomach and wind issues which I’m pretty sure are down to the medication. I have very little appetite and even drinking has to be done in small amounts as nausea takes over so I have to try and keep every mouthful of sustenance down .
As far as I’m aware during my stay on the ward I was given various medications, lots of anti sickness variations that had no effect sadly , painkillers , antibiotics and potassium infusions along with amiodarone for the constant AF . I was paced for about 4 days , my BP was up and down but not concerning and my oxy levels were fine . I saw my surgeon after a week and she was happy to send me home . I spoke about the stomach issues which she agreed were exacerbated by the meds and said sufferers of IBS are much more affected .
Regarding my now constant AF I was told if you go in with AF you come out with it but in my case it’s much worse than when I went in . I’m to stay on amiodarone until I see her in 6 weeks at my follow up .
I looked up this drug and saw it was pretty toxic and had many side effects so I’m concerned about long term use but also if it affects my digestion so badly I will weaken due to lack of eating and drinking enough to keep me going . I also now take Bisoprolol 1.25 mg once daily .
I guess I’d like to know if my heart , after all the handling , will settle down to the AF I had before which was bearable but the thought that my valve has been cured only to have bigger AF issues than before I went in and having to take drugs that make me feel so ill .
Sorry about the long diatribe it it hopefully gives background to the story
Written by
Hammerboy
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
if anything will help it will be the Amiodarone, yes it’s a toxic drug but taken short term, 6 months or less, will minimize possible nasty affects. My husband was in persistent AF, also had valve issues, Heart Failure and Amiodarone put in back in NSR. Reduced dose and now this has kept him in NSR since 2018. His affects are under active thyroid - controlled with low dose thyroxine and some sun sensitivity but generally quality of life has been much improved.
That’s very good information thank you . I did hear that long term use of amiodarone was not good because of possible liver complications and thyroid issues . My real hope is that I can return to the paroxysmal AF I went into hospital with and after a period of recovery reduce the need for too much medication
You should be having regular blood tests with amiodorone. short term use is usually OK I was on it before and after my second cardioversion and got no side effects but at my last blood test my thyroid count was up - I was due to finish the course anyway and did within 6 weeks the count was back down to normal. I didn't suffer from any sun sensitivity either but may be a good idea in this short spell of warm sunny weather we are having to use a total sunblock when you are outside.
I think i was on for 12 weeks - 6 weeks before and 6 weeks after my cardioversion - though it could have been longer like 8 weeks either side but either way it was OK. Watch out for side effects and if you are worried speak to your GP.
Wishing you a speedy recovery. It is early days for you yet so lots of TLC, Whilst your body is adjusting to all of this, remember that the general anaesthetic can leave some with after effects and can take a while to get over. I am sure as time goes on you will recover and get stronger and things will settle down. It sounds as if you are having good care and if you have been discharged, they must know you are doing well. Hope you soon feel much better.
It must be a bit gutting to get one problem solved and at the same time gain another… Really hope this is just a temporary blip and the meds and the recovery at home will gradually bring your AF back down again to previous levels. And that you’ll be able to wean off the amiodarone. Sorry I have no wisdom to give, but wanted to wish you well. Do keep us posted, won’t you? Jx
I worked on a cardiothoracic ward for six months. Postoperative atrial fibrillation was fairly common after heart surgery. Amiodarone and bisoprolol would often be prescribed to reduce the burden and rate of AF, and apixaban to reduce the risk of stroke. As your heart heals, the likelihood is that your AF burden will decrease. If this does not happen, and your quality of life is poor, then you may have to look at other measures to manage your AF.
Sorry to hear that you have this worry. I've read on the BHF forum on HU that heart ops can quite often trigger AF, even to those who've never had it before. I really hope that your heart rate drops soon, let us know how you get on please.
AF can be more after heart surgery but is usually temporary as the heart heals. Good the doctor could assess the need for Amiodarone at the 6-week follow-up especially if it's causing digestive issues. AF is common post-surgery and there is a possibility it can stabilize with time especially if your AF may have been driven by the underlying valve disease. Inflammation takes time to decrease and your heart also needs to stabilize and this can take time. Also watch your fluid balance and electrolytes as best as possible.
Thanks , I’m trying to eat more and I’m drinking fluids but not as much as I should I guess. AF causes me to pee much more than usual so hard to replace the losses .
Was your surgery keyhole? I know that for abdominal surgery they pump you full of air ( or maybe carbon dioxide) but don't know if they do this for aortic repair. I had terrible bloating after a keyhole colectomy because of this. I could not drink as much as I needed to once off the drip and I went into afib - probably dehydration was a factor. It takes days for the bloating to gradually decrease. Hope things start to improve soon and your afib returns to "normal".
Now I remember CHARCOAL pills for bloating. Back in 1987 - years ago after 2 operations done at the same time. Before gall bladder removal.
I have a very safe anti-arrhymnic med CCB Calcium Channel Blocker Diltiazem 120 CD mg AM. Separate BB Bisoprolol from it so take at night for BP 2.5mg. High systolic.
The one you are on good for short time and less safe.
Chicken broth soup. Yummy. Include soups, courgettes, celery, cucumber as watery liquid content.
My friend had first a pig's valve replacement and then Auckland hospital made up one with her tissue. Marvellous what they can do today.
Managing fluid intake can be challenging right now and especially with the increased urination. It sounds like you're already sipping fluids throughout the day and that's good maybe some broths might also help?
This sounds grim but I guess the valve repair was needed. Focus on healing even though the AF is currently worse. I don't have further advice - others more knowledgeable here but - consider Complan or a more commercial protein and nutrient replacement such as Huel to try and keep your strength up during this time. Are you OK with chicken bone broth? That can help digestion.
Hi , yes I can eat that . I ate better yesterday but my fluid intake is still not as good as it should be . It doesn’t help that I’m not moving around as much as usual due to the chronic weakness following surgery . Going into hospital fit and well then coming out feeling ten years older is hard for my brain to take on . I know it’s small steps and I can’t rush anything but I’m sure I’d feel better if I could get around more
I understand. But you've had heart surgery- it's a big deal! Can you tolerate ginger tea or grated ginger steeped in hot water with a bit of honey? I do think as we get older (I see you've got a couple of years on me) it takes longer to recover. We used to have convalescence homes, now we have to learn to do that in our own homes, and often for ourselves. It's not easy, but that might be what you need!
Well thankfully my wife has been brilliant and as good as any carer . I think it’s just time , resilience on my part and patience which is my biggest weakness 😩
my husband is on permanent AF thst caused his stroke . Trouble is he doesn’t feel any different until Jist before his stroke when his heart rate elevated ton164+ cardio version failed last November , after ten days , he had an ablation in 2017 which had stopped working somewhere along the line causing his stroke last year , he wasn’t out on blood thinners . So if you don’t have any symptoms with it hooefully you’ll be ok . Hubby is on a mixture of meds to help him . He had to give up driving because of his right sided vision loss and he also has aphasia . His ejection fraction was 33% last year and he s due another echo soon we’re hoping the meds have improved this . Take care and hope you have a speedy recovery x
I’m sorry to hear of your husband’s health issues, it must be very worrying. I have been on anticoagulants since my original diagnosis and after my angiogram I was told I had very trivial plaque in one coronary artery that wasn’t troubling. If my AF burden stays as is I guess I’ll just have to adapt to it but I’m hoping it will settle down and I can stop taking amiodarone as it’s a nasty drug
all the best with your recovery - I have paroxysmal AF and understand your feelings about returning to something that was manageable and familiar. My father suffered with the stomach issues you describe after his heart bypass surgery and even after several months was struggling with digestion. It did settle eventually so I guess the message is take it easy and fingers crossed it will right itself. My father had his bypass when he was 57 and is now 91 so there is plenty of life left to live. Good luck and best wishes
hello I’m so sorry you have this problem, but your operation which was no small thing was only a short time ago.
Having said that do you think you could get in touch with your surgeon/EP/cardiologist and ask to change to flecainide rather than amiodrone then you will be covered for rate control (bisoprolol), rhythm control (flecainide) and hopefully you are already on anticoagulants
Again hopefully you’re eating snd drinking will settle down
Thank you , I was surprised that they put me on amiodarone and with no real explanation as to its suitability. Before I went into hospital I spoke with my arrhythmia team about still having short episodes of AF two years after my last ablation . They suggested they may try Flecanide before considering another ablation in the future . The dose I’m on is being reduced over six weeks from 3 times a day to two times daily for the next seven days then one a day till the clinic in 6 weeks time
Hope all goes well. I have to say I’ve been on flecainide since 2017 and found it a miracle drug. Because my heart rate (through another reason) was so low I kept fainting so had a pacemaker and was doing fine no pills except anticoagulants, but then go covid and all went wrong again. So back on flecainide and bisoprolol and 🤞🤞🤞
If you’re ok with milk you can order a food supplement online - Aymes Shake. It comes in various flavours but I like ‘Neutral’ which can be mixed with Cup Soup or stock instead as I don’t digest milk well. I have also used ‘veg’ milk such as Soya or Oat, Soya being the most nutritious. Horrible not being able to enjoy eating.
You have had so many replies that there’s little I can add (except bad luck). I thought it worth mentioning that low dose amiodarone has been shown to be safe. If you search “low dose amiodarone safety”, the study comes up as number one. Of course, like all anti-arryhthmic drugs, it can be toxic, and regular health surveillance is vital, but it is apparently a very effective drug and safer than others in important ways.
I would put money on a complete recovery. Valve surgery is said to cause a “wide QRS” on the ECG trace, often, it seems, from a left bundle branch block (LBBB). I have this and feel it is symptomatic, so that’s worth keeping in mind. If you have a Kardia or similar, it shows well.
I have gastric issues and occasionally get nausea, sometimes lasting for months. No drug touches mine, just time eventually clears it up. It’s a horrible condition to suffer so you have my sympathy.
Thanks Steve , we seem to have a lot in common , hopefully no valve issues though . It’s been a very stressful time considering I was so fit and healthy two weeks ago . I have lost over a stone in weight in the last 2 weeks and the muscle decline is really apparent . I just hope I can get back to how I was so I can deal with the longer term effects of continuing AF
I always ask for Special Anaesthetic because I have had influx and gall bladder out in the past and can get influx now sometimes.
I wake up hungry! But the constipation is for up to 6 weeks later. I have learnt how to manage that.
I had 3 operations in 2020, 2022 and 2023. None, which were heart related.
I'm sure yours was more serious in treatment.
Maybe you have some gall bladder problems going on. Pain circulating from stomach around the back up to the shoulders. Influx too on foods such as coffee and particularly coffee at night.
I remember you from previousposts and glad then AF wasn't so bad.
A girlfriend had Aorta problems and it was replaced twice. 13 years ago and last year. She had no problems but she did with PRADAZA 110mg twice a day. She had an anti-stomach med. Just the normal.
I also takr PRADAZA 110mg now which I take away from other pills with fruit juice or put lime into my water when I gulp it down.
Without a gall bladder the system drips bile into the stomach throughout the day and night.
Here's hoping that you "smooth out" after 6 weeks.
Gentle exercise. Drink UP and Go or similar carton of drink to assist 'getting your strength back." I've had the hospital drink full of vitamins and elements of nutrition and it's already prepared. A meal in a box.
Many thanks for all the good advice , my gall bladder was removed 8 years ago and I believe my stomach has not been the same since. Whether it’s the anaesthetic or current medication causing the nausea it makes really difficult to recover how I’d like to
Sorry to hear all that you are going through. I know nothing about valve replacement or IBS but after my ablation I had a lot of rhythm problems and was put on Amiodarone for 6 weeks. I had no problems on it and it did the trick. Hopefully it will help you. Perhaps they tweaked the vagus nerve which may be part way responsible for your stomach issues?
Wishing you all the best and a speedy resolution .
I've been on amiodarone for 6-7 years now, 200mg once daily and I still get stomach issues but my afib is once every 7-10 days now instead of every 2-3 days and it last anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours. Other than a scare I had about one year ago no problems on amiodarone. I tried to cut it in half to 100mg daily and I went into permanent afib for about a week until I upped the dosage again to 200mg and it still took about 3-4 days for it to go back to NSR. All of this was done with my EPs approval and the outcome was exactly as he said it would be. I hope the Drs. get your medication sorted to where it works for you and remember blood work and ultrasound and x-rays should be done every 6 months while on amiodarone. Hoping your afib settles down soon, Best Wishes. One thing to note that amiodarone taken 200mg or lower is considered fairly safe to take but we are all different.
Thanks and good news you are managing your AF . I think if my nausea and lack of appetite were more normal I’d manage my own AF better . I have no idea how it is at the moment as I’m not on a monitor and two weeks from surgery so still at the very early stages of OHS recovery . I’m taking two 200 mg daily for the next four days then down to one a day . My next ECG and blood tests are in about ten days so hopefully I’ll have a better picture .
With the usual disclaimer that I am not medically qualified, I’d say that it’s quite common to experience postoperative AF after heart surgery, and in many cases, it resolves over time. This happens because the heart tissue, especially in and around the atria, can become irritated during surgery, leading to rhythm disturbances. The 6-week follow-up will be key in determining whether your heart has stabilised and whether amiodarone can be stopped. They have other options, of course, for treating the AF including different medications. Overall, I’d say it’s still early days- a case of wait and see.
I have a similar history to you, AF in my 40's, successful PVI ablation at age 48, 15 good years with a few ectopics and the odd tachy run, plus one or two short AF episodes, then bang, an aortic dissection at age 63. A 14 hr op including a new AV, lots of aortic graft, 6 weeks in ICU, back into AF and onto Amiodarone. Everyone including me was surprised when it converted me in 2 weeks. I then spent 5-1/2 years on Amiodarone, no AF but lots of heavy ectopics and what I now recognise to be a slow deterioration of my general health over that time. I stopped last July and it took 6 months before I suddenly went into atrial flutter. Another ablation due for that - tomorrow!
I had all the blood tests regularly and was ok, thyroid-wise etc., but I never really felt well. My cardiologist couldn't say my symptoms were definitely the amiodarone, but he did say the patients he sees do often report "strange" sets of symptoms. In the end I felt my problems were probably the amiodarone, so I decided to quit and then deal with whatever happened. Whilst I'm in AFL, my muscular strength is returning, so I feel it was the right decision.
As to advice, what I will say is that everyone is different and you have to work out what's right for you. Based on a history of AF, my feeling is that the usual post-operative AF approach (of amiodarone for 6 months then stop and the AF will have gone) is unlikely to work, as anyone with previous AF doesn't have the good basic heart condition needed for this approach to work - exactly as my situation was.
One issue with staying on amiodarone is its long half life (months!) which means you'd have a long delay before they could do an ablation. In my case I wish I'd stopped earlier. It's been a long nearly 7 years of feeling rubbish.
Thanks for your very informative post . First of all good luck for your ablation tomorrow , fingers crossed it helps you feel better. My AF has always been paroxysmal and never too much of a burden once I got used to the random nature of it . I stopped drinking , even socially , I’ve never smoked and kept fit from lots of walking and a couple of sessions at the gym each weak . Before going in for the valve replacement I had various tests on my heart and was told apart from the valve it was healthy with very little coronary disease . I had an ejection fraction of 67% and good lung function . It was only on my last echo review my cardiologist said that as I had some difficulty with endurance such as hills etc it would be better to replace the valve now while still fit and healthy .
I have no idea wether its the amiodarone that makes me feel so bad or the cocktail of drugs given during my stay in hospital but for some reason my appetite disappeared , also any need or wish to drink added to a loss of proper sleep which made me feel weak and very unwell . I’m at home now , sleeping better , eating small portions and sipping fluids so just hope it’s the start of a proper recovery .
I’m to stay on Bisoprolol, Amiodarone and some water tablets till I see the surgeon in 5 weeks so will see what happens from then onwards
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
AF
Amiodarone and AF
Unexpected Fast AF 
Told have to live with AF
AF, Anti-Depressants and Magnesium
