Digoxin

[bluepuddy1]

I have atrial fibrillation with a fast heartbeat and have been asked to consider taking Digoxin. I would like to know if anybody is taking this and if it makes them feel better. Thank you.

[Gillybean123]

hi there took Digoxin when I was first diagnosed in 2010. I was fine on it. The only side affect I had which wasn’t very nice was that I got yellow halos round my eyes they would start underneath then go round the eye and when halo complete they disappeared. It was just an irritation more than anything. But other than that I was fine. Hope you will be fine.

[bluepuddy1 in reply to Gillybean123]

Thank you Gillybean. Yellow halos sound strange. I notice that you are speaking in the past tense, does this mean that you had some alternative treatment afterwards ? I hope you don’t mind me asking.

[Cavalierrubie]

Hi Bluepuddy1,

I wasn’t able to take Digoxin as it gave me very bad diarrhea . I believe it is a good drug, so hope it works for you.

Chris.

[bluepuddy1 in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Dear Chris,

I had stomach problems, rashes, with various anti coagulants, so I don’t know if Digoxin, as an anti arrhythmic would be suitable. Thank you for this.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to bluepuddy1]

Hi bluepuddy1. Yes, l am very sensitive to drugs so know how you feel. I get on better with pill in the pocket. Why not just try it and see. You never know it might work. Anything is worth a try. Good wishes for that.

[bluepuddy1 in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Hello,

Excuse my ignorance, but what is pill in the pocket ? Occasional use might be good. Thank you.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to bluepuddy1]

I take 1.25 mg Bisoprolol when l have an episode of AF. I can’t take it regularly as l have low blood pressure and Bisoprolol lowers HR and blood pressure. I always have fast AF. I have low blood pressure so it’s a no no for me to take regularly, You cannot do that with your anticoagulant by the way! You really need to discuss this with a medic as we are all different and we are not medically trained on here, just our own experiences. Hope you get sorted out soon. It’s a mine field ! Take care.

[bluepuddy1 in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Thank you, I think I’m going to have a word with my doctor.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to bluepuddy1]

Good idea. Xxx

[bluepuddy1 in reply to Cavalierrubie]

👍

[Borderterriorist]

Hi, I take it because 10mg of bisoprolol just wasn't keeping my atrial flutter controlled, it made a huge difference (in a good way) and I don't have any side effects from it.

[bluepuddy1 in reply to Borderterriorist]

Thank you Borderterriorist, I might try it.

[AmberandIvy in reply to Borderterriorist]

Hello there...I am interested in your comment as I am now suffering from A Flutter and its a new challenge for me.....I find Bisoprolol at 7.5mg not enough too....might I ask what your dose of Digoxin is daily? Do you cope with the Flutter ok ? My hrs can get stuck at 160 and really worries me...thank you...

[Mumursa in reply to AmberandIvy]

Hi. I’m on 10mg bisop and 187.5 digoxin. I was in flutter on top of my usual AF. 125 digoxin didn’t work for me and my GP advised raising the digoxin rather than the bisop.

I’ve been on this for about 18 months. My heart beat is permanently slightly irregular, I feel better than I have for years, and my heart hasn’t deteriorated at all, so I’m happy with this.

[AmberandIvy in reply to Mumursa]

Thank you for responding...its such an awful condition. Really happy for you that it's under control....

[Borderterriorist in reply to AmberandIvy]

I'm on 125 micrograms of digoxin and 5mg of bisoprolol twice daily. I have a pacemaker and the print out before adding the digoxin showed I had over 300 episodes of flutter in 4 weeks, the longest lasted nearly 48 hours and I was reaching 190bpm at times. I felt really ill most of the time. The digoxin made a huge difference but my EP/cardiologist thinks I could feel better. I'm not suitable for an ablation for the flutter, partly because I have atypical flutter but also because I've had some episodes of fib so I'm hoping to have an AV Node ablation very soon. I've not got a date yet but I had my cardiac pre-assessment this week. Good luck, give digoxin a try it's not as scary as some people seem to think.

[AmberandIvy in reply to Borderterriorist]

Thank you for taking the time to write back....I'm new to A Flutter so trying to see what works for me. When I get an episode it just comes out of the blue and my heart rate zooms to the 160's and stays there and starts to readjust over 24 or 48 hours after I take more Bisoprolol ....so trying Digoxin aswell now to see if it helps....not sure what each one does ! I do hope you get your operation soon...its such an unpleasant and scary condition....

[jeanjeannie50]

I have a friend who takes it and it's done wonders for her.

[bluepuddy1 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you jeanjeannie, this is encouraging.

[Izzle]

I have fast AF. I took Digoxin for about 6 months along after being classed as pesistant. I also take metoprolol. The only side effect was mild aura migraines which became frequent. The combination of meds worked well. Mr GP tells me Digoxin is an old well tried medication.

I now take Diltiazan instead of Digoxin which is an improvement regarding migraines but gives your face a reddish hew.

[bluepuddy1 in reply to Izzle]

Thank you Izzle. Diltiazan seems worth considering. I’m rather pale so the reddish hue might be OK 😀.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to bluepuddy1]

Hi

You need your ECHO checked before Diltiazem. If you have Ventricle problem apparently you can't have that CCB but there are others.

cheri JOY. 76 (NZ)

[bluepuddy1 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Thank you Joy.

[AmandaLouise77]

It helped me, came off it when I had ablation

[bluepuddy1 in reply to AmandaLouise77]

Thank you AmandaLouise.

[jd2004]

wasn’t for me. Upset stomach and feeling hellish. Had to be put on Amiodarone.

[bluepuddy1 in reply to jd2004]

Thank you jd2004. My stomach seems to react badly to medicine so I might avoid it if possible.

[AmberandIvy]

Hi there, I have had AF in the past but now have A Flutter but I've been on Digoxin for both for years....I think it depends on the dosage as to how effective it is. I have had no side effects though and would definitely use it if I were you. I am also on Bisoprolol which can be amazing when the AF is in full flow...but remember both take a few days to build up in your bloodstream...its not immediate relief...P

[Silvasava]

Been on it for about 4 years, not had any issues with it.

[bluepuddy1]

Thank you Silvasava, this is encouraging.

[Aesculus]

Been on it (62.5 micrograms) since September 2024. no issues with side effects from the Digoxin - but the packaging is really awkward! A tiny tablet in a blister pack is very easy to lose!

[Broseley]

My mum was on digoxin for at least 40 years. Along with warfarin and diuretics. It suited her fine and she never had any problems until she was 93 when some young doctor decided to switch her to bisoprolol. She had heart failure as well as Afib and I don't think her body could cope.

[bluepuddy1 in reply to Broseley]

Thank you Broseley. Sorry to hear about your mother.

[bluepuddy1]

Thank you Aesculus. My heart beat occasionally goes up to 125 bpm. Last time it was stress related. The doctor has previously suggested Digoxin as an anti arrhythmic and though I was not eager to take it I have started to change my mind since the stress incident (sudden Illness in the family) as feel that I should have some kind of safeguard. I have had problems with side effects from anti coagulants and beta blockers though, hence my enquiry.

[Puzzled8]

I was prescribed Digoxin last year. I have permanent afib - ablation not an option. Diltiazem didn’t work for me and I can only tolerate low doze (2.5mg) Bisoprolol , which I still take alongside the Digoxin. It has definitely been a positive for me. I have more energy and am less breathless. No side effects that I am aware of. I did have a spell of insomnia which may or may not have been due to Digoxin but all settled down now.

[bluepuddy1 in reply to Puzzled8]

Hello Puzzled,

To be absolutely awkward I don’t tolerate Bisoprolol as it causes diarrhoea. I will have a word with the doctor to find a good alternative. Thank you.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Digoxin is an old med.

It is well tolerated.

I take CCB Diltiazem CD a wonder med for me as BBs did not control my High H/Rate. I've been on it 3 years. CCB.

cheri JOY. 76. (NZ)

[bluepuddy1]

Thank you Cheri Joy.

[Snowgirl65]

I had taken it for a while -- first having to stay in the hospital for a few days to assess its effects on me -- and had no problems with it. It kept my a-fib at bay for quite some time, until it finally didn't.

[bluepuddy1 in reply to Snowgirl65]

Thank you Snowgirl, I hope you are alright now.

[JudyMarieC]

I've been on Digoxin, 0.125 mg., since July, 2021. I've had no problems with it. I also have a pacemaker and take metropolol ER, 50 mg, at bedtime. I've been in permanent afib since March, 2021. Good luck to you in whatever you decide to do.