COPD and Afib

[Susannz]

Tried to send this to the afib site but ended up here.

Does anyone have any suggestions for an alternative to diltiazem to control afib that does not affect the lungs? I am on 360mg and am getting breakthrough episodes quite regularly.

Thankyou, Sue

[Frequentshocker]

Hi, I cant answer your question unfortunately but had awful problems with side effects from Diltiazem when I started on it recently. Id be interested to see what responses you get about it. I had to stop after perservering for a month. I was in such a state I didn't know what day it was any more and missed all my meds, not sure if one or two days, but realised I was feeling far too drugged to stop sleeping off the headaches etc and felt totally poisoned. It took a week to get my head back but the vertigo hadnt gone a month later and some of the other effects took much longer to go. I havent felt healthy since but theres no way I will go back on them again. Are you on anything else for your AFs? I couldnt cope with the allergies and side effects of the beta blockers tried so one cardiologist put me on Quinedine. It was an overnight success with feeling less drained but that has returned physically although without the brain fog and rashes. My VTs seem worse recently and getting 12 'episodes' of VF a month means more treatment was required. I thought theyd overdosed me with 120mg of diltiazem, I don't know how you cope with a larger dose! I felt so weak and couldn't get enough oxygen in to my lungs to even leave the house for a short walk! The swollen ankles then bloating while suffering from extreme thirst, not to mention the bowel issues caused made me feel so poorly and the constant headache and tinnitis drove me mad. It was a worse reaction than the beta blockers but Quinedine seems to suit me well and have stayed on it. Maybe Ive just got used to it and its not as effective any more, yet Im still so tired all the time. Did you get any of the side effects on diltiazem too?

[Susannz in reply to Frequentshocker]

My feet, ankles and lower legs became really swollen and there was only one pair of shoes that I could get on. I recently split the dose with 240 in the morning and 120 at night. That reduced the swelling but can still only wear one pair of shoes (and I am a shoe fanatic and have a couple of dozen ). Also have the bloating, thirst and bowel issues. From what I have read, beta blockers will impact my impaired lung function. Thank you for your reply.

[Frequentshocker in reply to Susannz]

Lets hope someone can throw some light on this subject. We all seem to differ between meds, what suits one won't suit another and some are perfectly ok with meds that cause allergic reactions for me. I totally sympathise with your shoe predicament! I too was restricted to only one pair of sandals but then my feet got too swollen for them. I ended up going online to find sandals with velcro straps for both foot width and ankles! Not so fashionable being flat but it was a relief to have something to wear that I can adjust according to fluid retention. No more heels or nice dressy shoes, sadly.

I started off with the 120mg dose of diltiazem in the mornings and the Quinedine at night but with being so drugged all day I tried switching it to night too. I was already quite drugged by then.and it didn't make any difference as I just slept around the clock. The headaches were so bad Id end up taking paracetemol too so sleeping it off whenever needed (all the time) was the only possibility. I have a rare appointment with my consultant this week and will discuss the issues. Not sure what will be available to try as calcium channel blockers were recommended as my last available option. Id certainly pursue your meds with your consultant too. It seems we have to pester to get seen but I wonder if these meds make us worse desoite showing a good heart rate.