newly diagnosed

[Lellibet]

hi I’ve just been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and like everyone else I guess it has really scared me. I’ve been taking Bisoprolol for years so worried about why that hasn’t been working. Will have to wait and see if they will increase dose now that I’ve been diagnosed to see if that works. I am changing my lifestyle to lose some weight and giving up alcohol. Didn’t drink hugely but best stop altogether I reckon.

[jayjay10000]

Hi ther. Thanks for posting, what you have said is the best thing you can do for yourself, try lose a little weight and try and reduce alcohol or give it up altogether. The medication you are taking reduces heart rate, I could not take that medication because my resting HR is 50-55 most days, heart fluttering heart palpitations is the norm for most people with an heart issues, you can always go back to your GP to discuss more options about what kind of medication you could take to help with heart fluttering. Slow deep breathing does help for most people, but the method I use is a cold cloth over the face and on the back of the neck, take good care of yourself

[Lellibet in reply to jayjay10000]

Thank you for comments. I will speak to my doctor and see what they come up with. It so helps being on here knowing you not alone 😊

[BobD Volunteer]

Bisoprolol doesn't stop AF happening it merely keeps your heart rate down when it does.

[secondtry]

I am a Flecainide fan to stop the AF, only if your cardiologist agrees.

[Vonnegut]

Bisoprolol reduces the heart rate but not the irregularity, which is part of our hearts’ intermittent electrical problem. Flecainide controls both very well for me and might work for you too. At first I was prescribed it as a PiP to take when episodes occurred but as they became more frequent I was prescribed it regularly and now I am virtually AF free and have managed well with a reduced dose and my heart even remained in NSR when I forgot to renew my prescription in time so was without it for two and a half days! I have never been overweight in my life but also gave up the small glass of wine with evening meals etc and had fortunately already given up coffee in favour of herbal teas. Most importantly, “Don’t panic!” Gentle breathing, meditation and resting will get you through.

[Lellibet in reply to Vonnegut]

Thank you for your comments really helpful. You say keep calm when I have episodes, I am trying and getting better but I used to be terrified when they started and have anxiety episodes. I know you are right so something to work on. I also read today that migraines with aura are also connected and I had a day a few weeks ago when I had several episodes one after another. Very strange what happens to us eh .

[Vonnegut in reply to Lellibet]

Poor you! I’ve never had migraines - do you get any drugs that help with them? I couldn’t possibly manage without my husband who does most of the stuff I can no longer do- do you have family or friends who can help you?

[Lellibet in reply to Vonnegut]

Yes I still have my husband who is wonderful helping me. I’ve only had the migraine once before but this time it was very worrying flashing lights etc. I just rested then when it kept happening was told by 111 to go to a &e but they checked me out and thought it was just migraine and said to rest if it happened again. Which is like it’s been when I’ve seen doctors with horrible lengthy palpitations just told they are harmless and ignore. Luckily last doctor took it more seriously and had me fitted with heart monitor and then the rest followed. I think feeling anxious is what gets me down most but I do try and stay positive . It really helps talking to like people so thank you

[Vonnegut in reply to Lellibet]

Remember things you enjoy and all of us here to give you a virtual hug and advice and there’s no need for anxiety!

[Lellibet in reply to Vonnegut]

Just wondered do you have trouble sleeping. I only seem to have a couple of hours most nights. I can lay for a long time awake. I do sit up most times and read but oh how I long for a long nights sleep like I used to .

[Vonnegut in reply to Lellibet]

No I don’t have trouble sleeping fortunately, but sleep always gets broken several times during the night when I need to urinate/ my husband is the same! We must have small or extra sensitive bladders!

Adding later that last night I did have trouble getting back to sleep again after one of these waking up to wee occasions!

[Ppiman]

I still drink very moderately and find it has no effect on my AF at all. Being overweight is said to be not a good combination with AF and getting down to a lower weight will surely help. If you were already taking bisoprolol for another purpose, you might be asked to increase the dose, but its purpose is only to hold down the rate of the racing heart that can be a part of AF, so it will depend what rate yours reaches when you're having it.

I take 1.25mg of it and my AF tends now to max at 130-150bpm unless I exert myself.

Steve

[Lellibet in reply to Ppiman]

Thank you for your reply. I started taking Bisoprolol when I first diagnosed with high blood pressure and had a reaction to ramapril. Since then I’ve been on felodipine and Bisoprolol. When they diagnosed fb the consultant recommended I take 2.5 mg going up to 5mg. Unfortunately he obviously didn’t read my medical history as I already take the 5mg. I have let them know so maybe they will increase dosage, have to wait and see.

[Ppiman in reply to Lellibet]

There’s little more annoying than having a specialist not seem to care enough to be bothered to check important things. Bad luck.

Blood pressure and AF are frequent partners, I gather, as the former can affect the heart in many ways. I would do whatever I could to keep my BP well down as that, in general, seems to be the cause of many widespread ageing ills.

The purpose of bisoprolol is, I believe, to stop the AF taking the heart rate so high that it becomes inefficient at pumping and causes symptoms from that, such as dizziness and similar. Also, some AF can be spurred by a high rate, so the drug can reduce the frequency of the AF. The AF itself seems not often to be a major health concern once any coagulation issues are covered. It’s the effect it can have on heart rate and output that can be a problem.

Steve

[Vonnegut in reply to Ppiman]

I was told to rest during an episode by the EP who prescribed Flecainide for me to take as a PiP. Now that I take it regularly it has put an end to episodes but as I acquired chronic fatigue at around the same time as the PAF following a virus, I rest most of the time!

[Ppiman in reply to Vonnegut]

Bad luck. A friend's son has that, but it comes and goes. He's spent a small fortune on treatments, to no avail.

Steve

[Vonnegut in reply to Ppiman]

Well I have reached 81 and enjoyed 75 years of fairly healthy active life before both problems arrived following a virus. Most importantly, my brain still functions pretty well!

[Ppiman in reply to Vonnegut]

Thank goodness - that's probably the biggest fear for most of us!

Steve

[Lellibet in reply to Ppiman]

Just a little update, my doctor has just rung to say I am to take apixaban twice daily to thin the blood. She feels it’s the safest of thinners and asked me not to bang my head or fall over. Last bit made me laugh I told her I would try my best not to .

[Lellibet in reply to Vonnegut]

I have fibromyalgia which causes me from time to time so I know how debilitating it can feel. This aging certainly doesn’t come alone does it ? It made me smile as reading your profile we seem very similar as had gall stones and gall bladder removed a few years ago fans have hiatus hernia diagnosed abfasodut 10 years ago.

[Ppiman in reply to Lellibet]

Perhaps, like me, too, if you made a list of the bits that aren't woking the way they were designed..., it would be quite a list. I managed quite well till my mid sixties!!

Steve

[Lellibet in reply to Ppiman]

Yep think you right.

[Lellibet]

just had a really nasty episode that made me feel quite lightheaded and poorly, guess I should get used to this. I just wish I could relax when this happens hopefully once I get on this apixaban I might feel more relaxed in the knowledge that it’s thinning the blood and lowering risks. I’m sure I’m not alone in this