Hi
After almost a year with severe AF ( my resting heart rate is now over 126 avge) the main symptoms are still tiredness, shortness of breath, stomach pains and asthma. What I don’t understand is why my weight goes up steadily, and all of it fluid . I shall be on a diuretic next week, along with dronedarone to add to Apixaban and bisoprolol, then on the list for cardioversion. Is it the drugs or AF that causes the fluid retention?
Thank you, Jo. You’re right , it’s not really asthma. In fact, the lungs are clear during the day, but fluid builds up at night making it nigh on impossible to sleep through the sound of my own gurgles !No fun, but I shall keep up the pressure to get things sorted. As you say, it’s been too long , and the old ticker can only take so much..
All the best
Tommo
As i understand it, fluid retention can be caused by other medical problems but when the heart isn't functioning normally, it is fairly common. I take diuretics and also have to weigh myself every day to keep a check on any fluid build up but i would always advise speaking to your gp or a medical adviser if you concerned. People give great advice on here and are so supportive.... some are also very knowledgeable but yr go should direct you with regard to meds or advice incase anything additional might be also causing the fluid. Hope it gets sorted.
Thanks for that. I had a phone session with consultant last week, and she starts me on a diuretic this week. She's also put me on the waiting list for cardioversion, none of which can come soon enough.
That's good to hear. ...hope the diuretics sort the fluid out....i was so relieved as my breathlessness got so much better after starting them. Good luck with your waitlist too!! I'm on one as a priority surgery as mine was cancelled the evening before op....I have severe mitral valve problems....still waiting 3 months on so I hope your wait isn't too long. Keeping a record every morning of your weight is a good indication that fluid might be building up.....good luck with everything
Good advice - thanks. All the best with your surgery ; hope it's soon.
You must go and see your GP. I started with weird breathing at night waking me up and thought nothing if it. It can be the heart struggling to pump blood out effectively as it has been at a high HR and in AF for some time. I thought it was me being weird but the GP told me off and sent me to A and E where I saw a cardiologist; had an ultrasound to check blood flow through heart and got medication changes.
I don’t wish to frighten you but I urge you to seek medical attention. Better to be safe.
Take care
Thanks for that. As you know, it's disturbing, and I've been to hospital A & E twice over the last year to control the shortage of breath and fluid build up. That works for a week or so but, in spite of Apixaban and Bisoprolol, the symptons return. I'm on the cardioversion waiting list now...but I'm not holding my breath ( even if I could !)
I was put on furosemide at 20 Mg x2 a day
You can have this as IV in hospital to make inroads.
Then other medications for HR like Dilatizem and Digioxin to try and get that to behave
I have started Furosemide today ( like you, 40 mg/day)...here's hoping it works. ; I'm desperate for a wheeze/coughing free night's sleep !
Two other things that I have found help is a low carb diet and watching salt. Just a couple of crisps made a big difference. Was totally amazing that so few made me retain so much fluid.
Now I am more stable, when I have low carb days, I don’t need Furosemide so there is something to aspire to!!
Also at night sleep propped up on a wedge ( cheap from Amazon) or pillows. That helps too.
By coincidence, my ( new) GP recommended a low carb diet today. Pity, I love crisps, but will give it go. I started the diuretic 3 hours ago, and the effect has been pretty dramatic!
I’ve tried every combination of pillows and positions but frequently end up on the recliner chair with a blanket …
You can do versions of crisps that are low carb. Never tried it myself and may not quite be the same! I am doing the Michael Moseley Fast800 to shift some weight and then transition onto 5:2.
When I came out of hospital and had my pacemaker switched on, I lost a stone and a half in a week! That’s a lot of weight to carry around.
Hope you get success with the diuretics and you begin to feel more normal. It should ease the nighttime breathing too
Success ! Took first, just one ,40 mg Furosemide pill yesterday and got my first decent night’s sleep in weeks. OK I’ve been to the loo countless times, as expected, but the lungs have started to clear and I’ve lost 3 lbs overnight. Next job is to control the AF itself…
I need the toilet every 10 minutes after taking that!
I don't think it's the Apixaban. I've been on5mg twice a day for a several years now (much more user friendly than Warfarin as far as I'm concerned) with no problems - but then I'm not a doctor!
Hi Tommo, I have the opposite of fluid retention, fluid expulsion. Every time I have an AF episode it ends up with me needing to pass urine in volume anything up to 5 hours duration at 5 to 15 minute intervals. Episodes usually occur when in bed so spend most of night visiting toilet. The best offered by GP is a smart shrug of shoulders accompanied by blank expression. Episodes occur three out of five nights average.
I’ve been on Apixaban for five years and it seems to work for me I’m also on verapamil for no and to slow my heart rate
I have chronic AF and a Heart Failure diagnosis 8 years ago (after 3 heart attacks). I was beginning to experience breathlessness, weight gain, swollen ankles, etc. and was put on diuretics with dramatic improvements in a few weeks so good luck with that! I also take Apixaban which reduces the risk of stroke with AF, and bisoprolol which keeps my HR and AF under control. I lead a pretty normal retired life so I hope it all works for you.
Fluid retention.
Fluid retention after CABG
Does one AF episode warrant medication
