Inhalers and Atrial Fibrillation

[Patient007]

I have been given an Aero Chamber and Salbutamol ventolin evohaler. My GP suspected asthma although I havent officially been diagnosed with it. Apparently because of the Covid they are not doing lung function tests. I suffer with Atrial Fibrillation for which I take Flecainide. After reading about the side effects of the inhaler I am too scared to use it in case it triggers something off? Should I be worried.

[Troilus]

Hi Patient. If you are worried it is a good idea to check with your GP. If I have a straight forward question like yours, I tell the receptionist that I don’t know if I need an appointment but I need to ask............... She will then ask the GP and ring me back.

However, what I can tell you is that my dad had atrial fibrillation and he took Fostair 200/6 and Salbutomol with no problems. He has had other inhalers prior to this, Serverant (green) a maroon one ( name escapes me) a brown one ( I can’t remember the name of that one either!) Symbicort? And Bricanyl. He also had meds for his Atrial Fibrillation.

[Patient007 in reply to Troilus]

Thank you very much for your useful reply. The Pharmacist will be phoning me in the next day or so because they always do when you have a new medication to see how you are getting on with it and so I will ask her.

[Albertdog in reply to Patient007]

Wow...where do you get to have a Medical Centre like that...ringing you to see if your new medication is all right...!!!

[Patient007 in reply to Albertdog]

I am lucky that I am looked after by the Pharmacy where I get my meds from. They do an annual review of everything I take too and I can ask questions etc.

[Thomas45]

I had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation for about twenty two years and have been in persistent, deemed permanent, atrial fibrillation for just over five years. Throughout that whole period I have taken asthma inhalers, currently DuoResp Spiromax 320/9 which is a strong preventer inhaler and a salbutomol inhaler. When my asthma is bad I also have oral steroids.

I've had asthma for about 46 years, and AF for over 27. I also took Flecainide, but now only take an anticoagulant as my heart rate is only slightly above normal.

I couldn't exist for long without the inhalers. I've never had any side effects from any asthma inhalers, nor from Flecainide. I had side effects from Amiodarone and from beta blockers.

We are all different, but I wouldn't worry.

[Patient007 in reply to Thomas45]

Thanks for your help. You have put my mind at rest. Ive been on 3 x 50mg flecainide a day and 1 x 25mg atenolol a day since 2003.