Can you get off Drugs after AFIB?

[Rjfrommichigan]

Been on 3 drugs since AFIB for 4 days. Can you ever get off them?

[BenHall1]

I chose to stay on medication for life. 65 when diagnosed, now 80 still goin'.... 😀👍

[BobD Volunteer]

Unlikely. Anticoagulation is normally for life once started as even a successful ablation does not remove stroke risk.

[layla3 in reply to BobD]

Why does it not remove a stroke risk after a successful ablation Bob

[BobD Volunteer in reply to layla3]

It has been said that it is not the AF causing the risk but the company it keeps. Another thought is that the process of ablatng tissue changes the surface in such as way as to make it likely for eddy currents to form and clots build up. I think most of we old lags would rather be on anticoagulants for life than take the risk.

[mjames1]

It depends on your individual situation and your doctor's approach.

In my case, I was never on any of the so-called a fib drugs for the first 40 years after being diagnosed. That's because during that time period, I had a very low afib burden and my cardiologist felt my stroke risk was low.

Others are treated right away with multiple afib drugs, including blood thinners.

I eventually ended up on multiple drugs, including thinners, but after my successful ablation, I was again told I could go off all the drugs.

Anyone who tells you that you must take a particular drug for life just because you have afib is generalizing. Find the best ep (electrophysiologist) and do your own independent research. Then come up with a medication plan that's right for your individual situation.

Like yourself, i'm also from the United States.

Jim

[Karenjaninaz in reply to mjames1]

I had a successful pulse field ablation in April for afib/aflutter in NY. My electrophysiologies told me last week that the current thinking is to remain on Eliquis.

Afib can sneakily come back and be silent- hence recurrent stroke risk. I had palpitations afte the covid vaccine 2 weeks ago. I am 82.

[CDreamer]

Yes, I take no drugs other than anticoagulants. But that’s after 2 ablations + CRT pacemaker. I couldn’t tolerate any of the meds.

[Buzby62]

Have a read of the USA versions of information booklets under Resources on the following link.

heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

You can also navigate that website using the Menu button once in there.

Best wishes

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Which drugs?

Why were they given Irregular anti-arrhythmic med, rapid H/Rate or high BP etc.

Can't comment unless you tell all.

cherio JOY. 75. (NZ)

[7164]

I had an ablation 4 years ago for Afib

Ep toon me off all drugs after 6 months

I’m 66

[AfibSufferer]

Yes, after having Ablation treatment I've been drug free for almost 12 months now. Also in the early years of being diagnosed with PAF I stopped taking daily medication for a few years and took Flecainide as "Pill in Pocket" treatment instead. When an episode of AF occurred (every month or so) I took 200-300mg Flecainide which reverted me back to NSR within a few hours. I still carry Flecainide and Apixaban in case of attack, but haven't needed it for 12 months now.

[Thomas45]

It depends which 3 drugs they are. It's likely that you will have to stay on the anticoagulant for life, to reduce your chances of getting a debilitating stroke. Tell us which drugs they are.

[secondtry]

Afib is a condition that does not have a simple solution off the shelf. If I was you I would research here and elsewhere until you are squinty eyed, find a cardiologist you have confidence in, keep the relationship long term and work it out together.

My cardiologist put me on Flecainide, I decided on the dose and that drug alone coupled with many Lifestyle changes worked for 11 years until I was 70yo. I have now caved into his pressure and take an anticoagulant as well due to some type of Afib & Flutter developing.

It is not an exact science you have to react to circumstances & weigh up the pros and cons of each drug, that's why you need the research and I would talk to Alternative Practitioners as well.

I follow a regime of minimising drugs and procedures whilst maximum Lifestyle changes.

Good Luck!

[Ppiman]

I doubt any of us can ever stop taking DOAC drugs (often called "blood thinners") as the cause of the clotting and the subsequent stroke risk is far from well understood and not proven to be simply related to the AF itself.

As for other drugs, if they are purely to control the arrhythmia itself, and not for other heart issues, then, I think for many people with AF, they are likely only taken to reduce the impact of symptoms.

My elderly friend, now 91, has never taken any drug for his AF except warfarin (coumadin). This can only be because his ventricles cope well with the AF chaos going on above, and continue to beat at a fairly normal rate, even if irregularly. Lucky fellow! Some are less fortunate, and I suspect some others, including yours truly, likely suffer worse AF symptoms owing to the effects of anxiety and the vicious circle this creates.

Steve

[pusillanimous in reply to Ppiman]

I have to wonder about the general rules where points are scored, sex, age etc. I know that my sister whose Afib was diagnosed when she was 60, was not given anti coagulants until she was 65. My son who is among the many extreme athletes who develop the condition, had an ablation at 36 - he is now 54 and has never had any drugs or further episodes of AF, although he still canoes, mountain bikes and runs and effectively thinks of his ablation in similar terms as to when he had his appendix removed. Should I talk him into consulting a Cardio?, EPs are thin on the ground in our area - he had to go to Cape Town for his ablation, about taking an anti-coagulant. With this in mind I wonder what the point of the point scoring is - '0's not needing the drug.

[Ppiman in reply to pusillanimous]

I can't advise, except to check with a trusted GP. Our friend's daughter, an avid cyclist in her 30s who, like your son, also pushes herself very hard, has had two worrying events with her own heart in this lat year or so but has checked out okay and isn't being treated. I am guessing it was AF.

I don't know why there is this modern urge to push the body to the limit and further. One only has to look at the overly-pumped up biceps and neck muscles of many young men on TV these days - fearful looking to me and surely unnatural? I gather it affects professional sports people including footballers, too, some of whom suffer cardiac consequences.

Steve

[Fullofheart]

I no longer take any meds for AF following successful ablation, 19 years after AF started. I previously had period of approx 14 years without meds and in AF.All folliwing advice of the cardiologist.

I think it really depends on many factors. I was only 29 when first diagnosed.

[Nugger]

Don't forget that as you age,the risk of a brain bleed, starts to outweigh the risk of a blood clot!

[Finvola]

There isn't a straightforward answer to your question. It depends on your health circumstances, your cardiologist, your age, your choices and the drugs you have been prescribed. Anticoagulation is generally recommended for patients over 64 and many of us use beta blockers and anti-arrhythmics.

My choice, advised by my cardiologist, was to take Flecainide and a beta blocker nearly 12 years ago. I'm still taking them and Apixaban and am happy that my AF is controlled.

[bluepuddy1]

Hello,

I’d love to go without medication. I have only had AFib a short time and just take the blood thinner Apixaban. That is causing problems so I’m asking to go on to Edoxaban instead. The doctor said I didn’t have to take beta blockers any more, due to the side effects I was getting.

[Hartingdon in reply to bluepuddy1]

I take 1.25mg Bisoprolol as I cannot tolerate a higher dose. Also take at bedtime so that side affects do not ruin my mornings.

[BorzoiGalgo]

I had 2 incidences of afib with rapid heartbeat, 18 months ago. It was determined my thyroid hormone dose was too high. We stepped it down, I had no recurrence, I had a 30 day holter that was perfect, and my cardiologist took me off the drugs. I had been taking metoprolol and Eliquis and both made me so sick I felt I was dying. I was 70 at the time, almost 72 now. There is an American study of using an iPhone to monitor for afib and having a PIP, Pill In Pocket, approach. Results are a ways away, it just started a year ago. It was designed by a doctor after s patient of his hsd not had an afib event for years but was still on anticoagulants and developed a brain bleed. I forget the name of the doctor but someone here might know about him and his study. Afib patients are very varied in their exact circumstances, and it would depend very much on your exact case and your cardiologist's advice.

[Blearyeyed]

It really does depend on the individual, the type of aFib you have , if you need or have some other type of intervention.4 days is very early days and you will probably need more professional advice and checks and support before any decisions are made about that.

The best thing at the moment is to take the medication , look after yourself , reduce your stress and look at the advice about how to make changes to stay healthy and reduce the chance of aFib events.

If you need long term medications , you need them, It doesn't mean that you aren't You , or strong and capable, it just means you need a little medical support to live you best life.

[Jetcat]

Hi. What drugs are you referring to.?

[Yoursonice]

My medication did not work on me so I had to get an ablation procedure done twice and now I feel great. The only meds I take is ASA (baby aspirin) once a day. I know my dad had to be on medication all his life, but it worked for him and he did not have to go through an ablation procedure.

You either have an ablation procedure done or stay on medication for the rest of your life. Sorry.

[plopper]

I don't know your circumstances, but I know you don't want a stroke. I had one and was diagnosed with afib.

[opal11uk]

Short answer, no. The condition in the early stages for me meant I could take one drug for approximately 12 months then the condition over rode the drug so changed on to another. This has been my history since I was in my mid 50's, now 80 and still on drugs so, in my case anyway, the answer is no. I guess it all depends on the severity of your individual condition, I did try in the past couple of years to self medicate.....big mistake, I ended up in permanent A/F and in heart failure so not very clever lol