AF and knee arthritis

[Notsurewhattoexpect]

Hi all,I was diagnosed with AF last April '22, taken of meds for knee Arthritis and prescribed Bisoprolol and Apixaban. My life has gone downhill ever since!

Basically I've eventully had to stop working as a nurse as I couldn't cope with the demand of the 12 hour shifts on my feet and the stress of the job. I took on Homecare working thinking the hours wouldn't be as long and less stress, how wrong was I.

Anyway I'm now off sick, been advised I need a total knee replacement and appear to be having more episodes of AF.

I've only just had a follow up in Oct '23 from my initial diagnosis of AF, The doctor I saw did apologise about the long wait and has referred me to an EP regarding a possible Ablation procedure. I was also presribed Flecainide 150mg PRN, the first time I needed it was a few weeks ago and my HR was down within 20 minutes, yesterday however, my HR was rising, I took the PIP and it didn't go down at all, I rang 111 after 2 hours as advised by the doctor at the follow up and ended up in A&E from 6pm and got home at 1am. The receptionist said I was lucky as last night it was an 11 hour wait!

I've woken up this morning and HR is fine, however the past 18 months has left me feeling quite depressed and anxious, I thought posting on here might get things off my chest, sorry for the rant, take care all.

[Gumbie_Cat]

it sounds like you’re having a horrible time with this. I hope that you get the referral soon, and that hopefully you can have that ablation.

I was lucky that mine didn’t get this bad until I was older. Though I’m now in permanent AFib at 69. I can imagine that having to stop the arthritis meds will have been really bad for you.

I can really recommend the AF Association web pages - heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

Also their page on Health Unlocked - healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

Plus there is this one too, though most people post in the one above healthunlocked.com/heartrhy...

Good luck with all this. You’re protected from stroke now - that was a big relief for me. Yet it brings those problems with pain relief too.

[Notsurewhattoexpect in reply to Gumbie_Cat]

Thanks for the reply Gumbie_Cat. I will definitely be taking a look at the pages you have suggested, it's good to see how others cope with AF and other health conditions alongside.I don't post very often however yesterday I felt very down about it all, so it was helpful to be able to vent my thoughts and feelings on here to people who do actually understand what it's like living with AF. Take care.

[Gumbie_Cat in reply to Notsurewhattoexpect]

I think it can really bring you down when you go into A Fib. I’ve had to accept that it’s permanent over the last year - there was a lot of crying.

I had been given amytriptiline for back pain, just before the AFib all kicked off - so that was out. Along with any NSAIDs. Paracetamol just doesn’t cut it sometimes!

Luckily I’m retired and can just pace myself - then there is the good old hot water bottle for an aching back. Not as easy for a working knee. Good luck - I know there are long waits so crossing fingers for you.

[Notsurewhattoexpect in reply to Gumbie_Cat]

Yes it certainly affects what pain relief you can take. Sorry to hear you are in permanent AF now, the doctor in A&E the other night said that PAF usually leads to permanent later on. I remember my late mother also having AF but think she was in her 70's when diagnosed. Life's certainly unpredictable at times!

[MountainGoat52]

My brother has AF and he's had all sorts of issues since it started. Initially he was put on Bisoprolol, but it made him feel worse and that was changed to Apixaban. He copes okay with that, but has had all sorts of issues with oedema, leg pains and now dizziness. He takes Prochlorperazine for the dizziness, but recently came off that to go on Indapamide for the oedema which didn't suit him. He's now back on the Prochlorperazine. Pain control is another issue entirely. It's one thing after another and I feel really sorry for him as my situation (HA, stents and bypass) might be considered to be more onerous, but I'm settled with my medication... 7 pills in the morning and I get on with my day. You have my sympathy!

[Notsurewhattoexpect in reply to MountainGoat52]

Awe thanks for that. Sorry to hear your brother is having problems with AF and other conditions, it's difficult knowing what's going to happen next!You sound like you've had your fair share of problems too, but at least you're settled on your meds, which is a good thing.

[MountainGoat52 in reply to Notsurewhattoexpect]

Yes, I'm fiercely protective of my medication... when the annual review time comes around my GP practice now know not to try to revise it. I am proactive as to my needs, so have had changes and additions made at my request over the past couple of years. Thankfully the pharmacist at the practice is on my wavelength.

I hope that you get sorted out and your heart rate settles down. 😀

[Notsurewhattoexpect in reply to MountainGoat52]

I know what you mean, if it's working well for you, leave well alone 😊

[Dondito]

I had AF and was prescribed flecanide. When I had episodes it took the PIP up to three hours to take effect but eventually HR went back to normal. I had ablation in January this year and have been AF free since so there is light at the end of a tunnel. Go for a catheter ablation asap. I had to wait 15 months for mine

[Notsurewhattoexpect in reply to Dondito]

Hi, next time I would leave it a bit longer, the doctor said ring 111 after 2 hours however it took around 6 hours for HR to go down. That's the thing, with PAF it's not consistent so never quite sure when to ring. You've done well to be AF free since Jan, hopefully I'll be put on the list if they think it's suitable for me.