A fib with Asthma

[Jances13]

My asthma has been acting up lately. I take Flovent a steroid inhaler and Levalbuterol . Recently I asked my Dr. about adding another inhaler. I feel like I need something more. They recommended Spiriva respimat but my insurance won’t cover it. Then they recommended maybe adding Incruse Ellipta which is an ingredient In Trelegy or going with Trelegy. I am kinda hesitant because I don’t want my a fib to trigger. I read that Trelegy can raise your heart rate as a side effect. So I am worried . Those’s of you that have these two conditions have you been able to find a an inhaler that doesn’t trigger your a fib. I appreciate your suggestions . Thank you.

[Buffafly]

You need an inhaler with a combo of either beclamethasone or budesonide with formotorol. I don’t know what the brand name would be for you. There is another discussion about this today. I take an inhaler containing budesonide and formotorol but during an exacerbation I had to take a Ventolin inhaler occasionally as well and of course that does affect your heart. Maybe ask on the asthma forum?

[Jances13 in reply to Buffafly]

Thank you. Budesonide and formotoral is I believe Symbicort here in the US. I tried that many years ago and then was switched to Flovent a steroid inhaler. The manufacturer of Flovent stop making the brand so the generic isn’t working like the brand did. The Dr. mentioned Spiriva Respimat so am going to ck into this one. I truely appreciate your imput. Thank you.

[Thomas45]

I've been asthmatic for 50 years and have had AF for about thirty years. I use DuoResp Spiromax 320/9 inhaler, which is a mix of budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate. Occasionally I will also use a Salamol inhaler.Unlike Buffafly, the Salamol does not knowingly affect my heart. However my AF is no longer paroxysmal. It's permanent and without symptoms. It does not affect me as paroxysmal did. If I have an ECG, or feel my pulse I am always in AF. My heart rate is around 80 which is within the normal range

I would also ask in the Asthma forum.

[Jances13 in reply to Thomas45]

Am so sorry that your AF has turned to permanent. But glad you don’t feel the symptoms. Mine will last around 14 to 17 hours and I do know exactly when I go into AF. Sometimes I don’t even go to work because I am walking a lot at work and it just makes it worse. I appreciate your input I will ck with the asthma forum , thank you.

[108cat]

After PAF was diagnosed a year ago, I switched from the Clenil modulate (preventer) and Salbutimol inhalers to Beclamethasone (Beclu) so far it seems not to have triggered Afib episodes. Salbutimol (the blue puffer) did affect my heart rate because it contains adrenaline.

As you probably know, the converse can happen, Afib medications can affect asthma .. beta blockers are said to be a no no for asthmatics. I was put on Verapamil (calcium blocker) but that didn't work, I was very breathless among other things. I recently switched from Edoxaban because of side effects one of them breathlessness. Now on Apixaban, so far it's working better.

Reactions to medications can be so individual. I find one dose of Flecainide PIP very strong, others can take it every day without any ill effects.

I hope you find a good solution x

[Jances13 in reply to 108cat]

Thnak you. Actually in Sep. I had an episode of very high blood pressure and the Dr. wanted to change my metoprolol to Cardivilol which is also a beta blocker , then the pharmacy flagged it because of my asthma medications. So they upped my metoprolol and I do believe it could be part of the problem . I don’t have an appt. till Feb . I can’t get in sooner but am in the works of maybe changing Drs. So hopefully the metoprolol can be changed . Do you mind sharing which blood pressure they recommended and if it is working for you . Am also on Apixaban. Thank you.

[108cat]

Yes beta blockers are not advised for asthmatics .. all these drugs are very strong and you need to be sure they're working for you.

Can you try to get an appointment with your cardiologist sooner than Feb, it sounds to me like you need to get this sorted. Maybe call the cardiologists secretary to explain your difficulties, and ask for a sooner appt. or a phone consultation.

I tend to have low blood pressure so beta blockers and calcium blockers like verapamil completely counterproductive. Also my asthma is mild.

You have a different set of things going on and so you need medical advice.

All the best x