Erratic heartbeat : was wondering if... - British Heart Fou...

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Erratic heartbeat

Ssuegos profile image
14 Replies

was wondering if anyone here has been prescribed digoxin for AF ,and what is your experiences with it,I'm really not happy with it at mo .

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Ssuegos profile image
Ssuegos
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14 Replies
jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

Hi Sue, when I tried digoxin it made me feel as if I were in a daze and going mad. Didn't work in helping my heart rate either. I have a friend whose AF has really been helped by her taking it.

Jean

Ssuegos profile image
Ssuegos in reply to jeanjeannie50

Thanks for reply Jean ,do hope you've found a med that suits you ,awful isn't it, but good to read it helped your friend,think it is giving me an upset stomach, only started it 2wks ago so maybe have to stick with it awhile, take care,sue .

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Ssuegos

I was on Metoprolol and Flecainide for years, now just on Bisoprolol.

Ssuegos profile image
Ssuegos

Hi Jean, good to have come off some meds ,is the bisoprolol working well at keeping heart rate steady,I also take 250meg bisoprolol but when they gave me max dose in hosp couple of wks ago it would not right the AF,so that's when they gave me digoxin +now 62.5mg daily,really hate all the tablets and at mo not feeling much better,so glad yours under control, sue .

Tommo1947 profile image
Tommo1947

We’re all different, aren’t we ?! I found Digoxin excellent at controlling my AF heart rate, with no side effects, but a blood test showed low platelet levels, so the doc took me off it. Up went the palpitations , and I feel generally lousy now. Waiting for results of second blood test, but I need something ( alongside the Bisoprolol) to calm things down…

Ssuegos profile image
Ssuegos in reply to Tommo1947

Hi Tommo thanks for reply ,do hope they sort you and get meds that suit and help you it's a minefield, I was told my doctor should do blood tests every so often whilst on digoxin, but doctor said no don't need ,so really don't know what to believe, had first blood test after load dose in hosp but that was all ,we're you regularly tested for toxicity take care sue .

Still_Breathing profile image
Still_Breathing

I am on the same dosage of Digoxin and have been for a good while now aswell as the rest of the cocktail of heart meds.If I remember correctly the info sheet says it can take 3 or 4 weeks for the stuff to kick in.....

I still have afib but I only know this if I check with my watch, as I don't feel it.

Hope they kick in for you too.

Ssuegos profile image
Ssuegos in reply to Still_Breathing

Thanks for reply,still_breathing,good to read about others taking digoxin ,ect and are getting positive results from,yes I think 3/4 weeks to reach potential, but I hope this will be in a good way ,do you get blood tested periodically for toxicity from digoxin, take care sue

Still_Breathing profile image
Still_Breathing in reply to Ssuegos

I get blood tests every 6m I think, but it's never been mentioned about any specific toxicity

Yellow26 profile image
Yellow26

I must agree with the comments, it took me a couple of months to get used to digoxin and other meds for AF, but touch wood I’ve been fine and had no issues. Good luck with it !!!

Ssuegos profile image
Ssuegos in reply to Yellow26

Thankyou,yellow26, good to read you're getting positive results from med,how long have you taken it? Hopefully I get the same good results,I think I sometime read Dr Google far too much!!! ,take care sue .

Yellow26 profile image
Yellow26 in reply to Ssuegos

Hello

I’ve been on digoxin for 5yrs, It did take a while to get used to it but it works for me, but I know some can’t take it. My opinion is to try it for a while and take it from there, but if it’s side effects are terrible come off it. Good luck and take care !

Lhasaone profile image
Lhasaone

Hi Sue, I've been taking Digoxin for 22 years along with warfarin for AF. I haven't had any side affects. My GP is trying to get me on bisopropol but when I asked her why she seemed to think it would be better for me than the warfarin as after so long on it, it could be damaging... I replied that the warfarin has already done the damage after 22 years on it! Besides my INR can be quite variable whereas on Bisopropol you're INR is not tested. If your digoxin side effects persist I would be inclined to ask for the dose to be either increased or decreased.

Ssuegos profile image
Ssuegos

Thankyou everyone for your invaluable information on AF + taking digoxin it's all been very helpful for me reading other people's experiences, I'm sure I will be asking for more advice in the future, until then do all take care ,sue.

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