Recurrence of aFib after a 10-month break

[Emoryrich]

Hi folks -- first posting for me here; so happy to find this community! I hope that my evolving story is helpful to others with this condition and its management. I live in Canada.

My first episode was detected by a Fitbit band that I have worn for years. I was reading in bed on July 18 2023. My band started buzzing -- to tell me that I had a heart rate holding at about 150. Drugs did not work to stop the "attack" so I received a cardioversion "zap."

This did the trick and I was symptom free -- no racing heart, no palpitations, no flutters -- for almost 10 months. I was put on apixaban blood thinner (5 mg, twice daily) to prevent stroke.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago -- May 4, on vacation in a foreign land -- Savannah, Georgia, USA.

Again, palpitations started in the late evening followed by 160 BPM.

Drugs did not stop the aFib so I was cardioverted twice. The second one worked -- but only for 36 hours. I was able to finish my vacation and am now under treatment back home. I was prescribed a low dose of beta blocker metropolol (12.5 mg, which didn't work, so increased to 25 mg twice daily, which worked, sort of.)

Now home, family doc prescribed continued used of the apixaban and switched to new beta blocker -- bisoprolol, which is longer acting -- 2.5 mg / day.

My cardiologist today increased bisoprolol to 5 mg / day. Re-evaluating in 6 weeks, using a 72-hour Holter monitor session.

On 2.5 mg I have had almost no fatigue. This may change at the higher dose of 5 mg. I hope that it a)doesn't cause fatigue, or, b) that the fatigue dissipates. (Any experience from anybody out there? Any similarities with your treatment? Any results to share? Much appreciated!)

About me -- fit walker and light weight lifter, 71-year-old active man.

In the hope of helping others, and getting back healthy stories from others, I will occasionally post updates on the current a-Fib experiment of which I am subject.

Wishing you all well in your treatment. I commented to my cardiologist today a-Fib may well be a non-fatal condition -- just feels that way sometimes!

[Smitty1956]

Hi, Emoryrich,

I’m sorry that you have been having these rough patches with your A-fib. A rapid heart rate is truly scary. For me, that was the first sign that I was having a HA.

I had been lying on my couch during the evening watching some television. Around 10 pm, I noticed that my heart rate was climbing—kept climbing with time—and wouldn’t come down. I began to panic and finally called paramedics. They took my BP and those numbers were extremely scary and prompted me to go to the hospital emergency room. There I learned that I was having a heart attack.

I now take 75 mg daily of Metropolol, and I believe that it really helps to control my heart rate. I like to say that I wake up each morning with a specific amount of energy for that day. When I use my daily reserve of energy (which varies day by day), then I am done with chores, etc. of course, I am just joking (sort of). 😊

I have never tried Bisoprolol, but I imagine that it is similar to Metoprolol. My dosage does seem to be much larger than your initial dosage of that drug. Overall, I would not say that I feel especially tired everyday.

Well, i apologize that my comments can not be more helpful for you. I hope that you can get the rapid heart rate and your medications sorted quickly. Best wishes! ❤️

[Emoryrich in reply to Smitty1956]

Hi Smitty -- what a frightening and dreadful experience you had! It feels like an ambush of sorts, yes?

Your info about your beta blocker is reassuring and comforting -- that it is possible to take these drugs and still function.

I am a busy, active guy who enjoys exercise, the gym and endless fixing and puttering around the house. The second word after "beta-blocker" out the mouths of my docs is "fatigue" which sets a tone that disheartens me. We shall see.

I the meantime, your shared experience and observations resonate with me. Thanks!