Atrial fibrilation

[Sawny15]

I was diagnosed with atrial fibrilation . Which was a shock .After an ecg at my doctors on 9th dec 2023 . I was prescribed Edoxaban 60mg x 1 a day and bisoprolol 5mg 1 twice a day . Still getting odd flutters .They dont last long . But i keep getting waves of anxiety wash over me will this pass . I had to stop taking propanalol for migraines. Thank you

[Engineer46]

Hi Sawny15,

You'll get more responses about your AF on the AF Association forum than here, but it would also help members to share their experiences if you gave some information about your condition in your bio.

For example, what symptoms do you experience, how often do you experience them, what other medications are you taking?

Do you know what type of AF you have? Paroxysmal, persistent or permanent?

The Edoxaban is an anticoagulant for stroke risk reduction and 60mg/day is the standard dose.

Bisoprolol is a beta blocker designed to keep your resting heart rate in the 60-100 range. 10mg/day is a high dose (I take 1.25mg/day) which suggests that your HR was quite high (very much higher than 100bpm) when the doctor took the ECG that showed AF.

The issue you may experience with Bisoprolol is a lower HR than necessary, which can lead to tiredness and shortness of breath. If this becomes a problem for you please see your GP about the dose of Bisoprolol.

In general, many people with AF who have no debilitating symptoms and whose HR is under control carry on full lives with no restrictions.

It's a very common condition and, with an anticoagulant and HR control, should not give rise to anxiety. Other than taking the same medication as you every day, I never give it another thought.

Best wishes

Paul

[Sawny15 in reply to Engineer46]

Thank you for your reply . Gp never said which AF it was . I didnt know till i read about it. Im going to make an app to see gp . Thank you once again

[Engineer46 in reply to Sawny15]

Paroxysmal AF comes and goes and may only last a few minutes and, if it never occurs at the doctor's, it's hard to diagnose without the patient wearing a portable ECG/heart rate monitor for a day or a week - or using a smart watch or similar device.

Persistent AF lasts longer and is more frequent.

Permanent AF is when your heart is always beating irregularly and, if you have symptoms, can be very debilitating. I have permanent AF but without symptoms.

Since your doctor picked up AF on a visit to the surgery, you probably have persistent or permanent AF. If you have no symptoms, you can check for yourself by taking your pulse - it's very easy to tell whether your heartbeat is regular (in normal "sinus rhythm") or is very irregular with no pattern to it (the principal sign of AF).

Best wishes,

Paul

[Sawny15 in reply to Engineer46]

Thank you its in normal rythm now . Blood pressure ok . Just this bit of anxiousness wondering if it is with stopping propanolol x changing tablet i will ask doctor when i see him or chemist . Thank you once again . Take care

[Hidden]

That's what I was prescribed too, only 2.5 Bisoprolol. If your migraines are frequent and debilitating, there is anew drug licensed, this year, Rimagepant, which my daughter is now taking after YEARS of suffering, 2,3,4 times a week, and wonder of wonders-it works!! I think you have to have tried several other things, including triptans, so its worth asking!

[Sawny15 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you . I will look into that.

[Andyb7612]

Hi sawny , the medication will take a while to fully get the into your system and work to full effect .when i was put on flecanide it took a full 3 weeks to take full effect..the anxiety you are feeling is quite normal as the diagnosis will have been an unpleasant shock to you and takes time to come to terms with but this will pass especially as your treatment starts to work fully.. Paul is right there are many people that have a f and lead normal and full lives whilst on treatment for the condition, so try not to worry to much , just give your body time to adjust to the meds and your anxiety should fade away , I was exactly the same 18 months ago when I started my meds ..all the best andy.

[Sawny15 in reply to Andyb7612]

Thank you for your reply . Think i replied to myself further down . Instead of you .. take care

[Sawny15]

Thank you for your reply . Yes it was a shock . I have times i feel like me again . X times a wave of anxiety comes . I do some relaxation which helps . X try to plan things . Take care