Hi, in persistent AF (cardioversion in 2 weeks) on meds for HF and suffer from Raynaud's.So cold presently and find it really difficult to keep warm, hands and feet suffer mainly and are cold as ice but feel it throughout my body, think the meds are making things worse (bisoprolol, dapagaflozin, ramipril, apixaban)
The only way I find I can get heat in my body is by having a warm bath which is often twice a day.
Just ordered a new electric blanket, heated socks and rechargeable hand warmers.
Anyone else suffering? Any tips? Anyone know if there is any meds to treat?
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Nomis21
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I’ve in the same position, it’s a nightmare having to deal with the cold hands and feet, I’m very altletic in build so don’t carry a lot of body fat to insulate my body from the cold, like you I think that the Apixiban is making this worse especially at this time of year but have no opinion than to continue taking them.
TBH There’s not really much more than your doing, but the heated socks and gloves make a real difference, maybe try a thermal base layer.
I’ve been on Amiedrone for almost 2 weeks now and it appears that it has been successful in returning me to sinus rhythm just hope it doesn’t come back once I stop taking it!
yeah going through a hard time at the minute, affecting my sleep (been up since 2:30am) with being cold and in persistent AF which is really knocking chunks out of me.Was at the docs yesterday and he said that the bisoprolol has side effects that make extremities cold which isn't helping having Raynaud's but said there is medication that could help but was reluctant to prescribe any at the minute due to me having a cardioversion soon being in heart failure and having a recent pacemaker upgrade 7 weeks ago.
I was taking Amiodarone for a while but it affected my thyroid, it's since has been mentioned again as an option for the AF but reluctant to start it again, hopefully the upcoming cardioversion will help/resolve the AF.
I find once I'm cold I can't get warm even in the summer months or when the house is warm, hands, feet, nose are like ice and I shiver, warm bath helps but this often makes my AF worse for some reason, maybe a change in body temperature?
Off work at present but find it really hard to support my role with the health issues and being so cold, not easy!
Took the plunge this morning and ordered the electric blanket, hand warmers and heated socks hoping it will ease the burden.
Everything you mentioned I can relate to with the broken sleep, I have no problem going to sleep at bedtime but sometimes I wake up like you at 2.30am and lie for ages trying to get back to sleep getting myself worked up cause I’m not able to.
Thankfully I’m also off work, so manage to get some hours mid afternoon to recharge.
I had a heart attack 2 years ago, so I’ve been on bisporol and rampril since then along with a statin and always been bothered by the cold, think I might have been born in the wrong country as I’m more suited to sunnier climates rather than Scotland!
Maybe possible that you could be prescribed Dronedaron instead of the ameiderone which is a less toxic drug but suppose your Dr maybe have considered that option?
I’m also booked in for a cardio version but now I’m back into sinus I won’t need it, I’m just concerned that the Af may return if I stop the Ameiderone as it’s not a long term solution, but I’ll ask about the Dronedaron to see if that could be considered as a long term alternative.
Sleep deprivation is my nemesis, like you fall asleep within 10 minutes of head hitting pillow but I'm a light sleeper and always wake up very early morning either cold or needing the loo, never do I get the opportunity to sleep past 4am, once I'm awake I find it impossible to get back to sleep so I just get up rather than fighting against it, while I'm off work I will go back at 7-8am and sleep for another HR.I'm in the north lake District, (Cumbria) so like you probably not the best place to live for dry hotter weather, I only need to come into contact with cold air and that's me done, freezing until I get a warm bath.
Going to mention dronedarone to my Ep if in the future I needed to take more meds if the cardioversion is unsuccessful, thanks for letting me know there's an alternative to Amiodarone.
I find that if I listen to some music it distracts my mind from not sleeping, I have from Amazon a blue-tooth eye mask that has speakers built into it and I listen to some calming music, see if that helps you nod off again as it does help me.
My daughter bought me an electric throw one Christmas. Using that when I'm sitting I know I'll never ever feel cold again, have to turn it down once I'm warmed through. Now that my central heating is on I haven't used it quite as much, but like everyone else I'm cautious with how much the heating is going to cost this winter. I also bought myself a lovely super thick fleecy dressing gown in an M&S sale a few years ago - hate the cold. Oh yes I have some fleecy night wear too and some bed socks.
It sounds like you're doing the right thing. Is your electric blanket for your bed or is it a throw for use when out of bed?
Hi Jean I have an electric blanket but it's old so just treated myself to a dual controller and zoned areas which can heat top body half or lower feet half independently as my partner prefers a cold bed on her side most of the time.Have two log burners which helps to lower the usage of central heating again like many others conscious of gas price costs.
In addition to the rechargeable hand warmers and socks I've invested in a couple of thermal base layers.
Obviously having to take the meds for HF and AF isn't helping me keep warm, but I'm fighting back to beat the cold with the help of Amazon even if my wallet is getting lighter 😕
Is your thyroid issue being treated? I know it will be the last thing you feel like but are you moving about regularly? The BHF has two sets of chair exercises which I do because my hip doesn’t want to take my (light) weight any more. In the exercise class I attend we do hand and foot exercises to improve circulation.
In theory you should not be affected by your AF as you have had an AV node ablation but I guess you are one of the unlucky few still conscious of what your atria are doing. I hope the cardioversion is successful.
Hi I was referred to Endocrinology last year due to my thyroid tests showing over active thyroid, had to have a thyroid scan then got tested again the results were still showing it was over active, eventually on third test it came close to being back in range, the consultant said it was probably the Amiodarone that I had previously been taking that caused the issue, never had an appointment to go back Endocrinology since so guessing there's no problem now 🤷♂️
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