Change from Paroxysmal to Persistent Arrythmia

[rupes5]

I've had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation for about 10 years and it was reasonably under control with Ramipril for high bp and Bisoprolol betablocker. Then just before lockdown episodes started being more frequent. Had a phone conversation with a consultant who put me on Flecainide. This last week I have been in af every day and my meds are not having any effect. Wondering if my af is changing from paroxymal to persistent and do I need to see someone to decide what further action should be taken. Getting worried as it's never gone on for so long before.

[Grannypat65]

Hi.ive had the same experience. I started A/F 13 years ago. Only had it once a year all that time. Sometimes, my gaps were longer. I had A/F in December and my meds didnt work, i was in and out alot more. so l had a cardioversion in February this year..unfortunately that didn't work and seemed to make my A/F worse. As I've been in A/F since February. I am now waiting for a cardio ablation. Still on the waiting list. I'm taking blood thinners and bisoprolol every day. Trying to be positive. 🙂

[rupes5 in reply to Grannypat65]

Thanks Grannypat65. I find it hard to be positive, worrying all the time which probably doesn't help| Trying to get a referral to a consultant, but goodness knows how long that will be.

[Grannypat65 in reply to rupes5]

Hopefully that won't take to long. I've had two this year so far. It's the procedures that take weeks to get. 🙁 I hope your OK in A/F I am just find going up stairs and hills tricky but I guess that the Bisoprolol.

[rupes5 in reply to Grannypat65]

Yes agreed re stairs and hills, try to avoid both as much as I can. 😆

[scentedgardener]

I went from paroxysmal to persistent in January this year. I think the reason for my change is a medication I needed to take for a different illness. I have just stopped that medication as it wasn't working anyway and I had other side effects with it.I'm on the list for a cardioversion, hopefully that will do the job.

If you aren't under the care of a cardiologist ask your GP for a referral. If you are ring or email his/her secretary explaining the change and that your meds aren't helping, and telling them you would like an appointment.

It's my understanding that it's better to deal with this sort of change sooner rather than later, but I'n no expert.

[rupes5 in reply to scentedgardener]

Thanks Scentedgardener. I have an appointment this week with a gp to request a referral to a cardiologist so finger crossed it isn't too long before I get an appointment. Can I just ask, how do you feel with persistent af? I feel tired quickly and so it stops me doing everything I want to do.

[scentedgardener]

To be totally honest it was something of a relief. I had really nasty symptomatic paroxysmal that was always accompanied by many symptoms which are all red flags for a heart attack. That wiped me out, and took days to recover from. Persistent was nowhere near as bad to start with, and I still don't get the same level of pain with it but everything else is nearly as bad.I'm on the list for a cardioversion and I don't know if that's a good idea or not

I have a few other things wrong with me so it's pretty impossible to be definite about things, but if I've had to do something like extra housework it flattens me.

Sorry, can't be much help

[rupes5]

Thanks, I know what you mean about housework, I keep having to stop, have a little rest then start again.

[Cazza1953]

hi rupes5 , I took my first AF attack May 2018 and took a further 8 attacks that year until they go my medication sorted . I am on 50mg Flecainide tablets twice daily bisoprolol 1.25 once daily and was on Edoxaban 30mg once a day which has now just been changed to Apixaban 5 mg twice a day , I have taken further attacks but know how to deal with it

[rupes5 in reply to Cazza1953]

Hi Cazza I take Ramipril for high bp, bisoprolol twice daily but a higher dose than you and Flecainide twice daily. Also Warfarin. When I'm having an attack these meds don't seem to be having the same effect as they did. Hoping a consultant can look at the whole picture and order tests or different meds as appropriate. Thanks for answering.