Ibs and meds for af

[richard_jw]

I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation 6 months ago. I also suffer from ibs-c. The main symptom of my ibs is pain in the colon. I can cope with it during the day and otc meds like buscopan help at night. I was prescribed anticoagulation in the form of apixaban 5mg bd. This is to reduce risk of stroke when you have af.

In my case taking the anticoagulation was coincidental with the ibs becoming much worse. Currently I only get a few hours of sleep at night. I have tried different anticoagulation (riveroxaban) but the pain is just as bad.

Some years ago I was prescribed amytryptiline for Ibs. It worked for me. Unfortunately it is contra indicated with af and the GP won't prescribe it

Has anyone had this problem and if so how did you cope?

The insomnia is making the af worse and I can't get a gp to take any interest

[meadfoot]

I have both AF and IBS and one affects the other in my case. An upset bowel and stomach gas etc bring on my AF. Its a vicious circle. I have gastric/cardiac Roemheld syndrome. Anticoagulation hasnt made a difference one way or another for me I dont think. Hope you find some relief. So easy to just give a diagnosis of IBS and leave us to it sadly.

[MKG50 in reply to meadfoot]

I have been researching Roemheld Syndrome as I'm sure I have it. My symptoms match exactly those documented for this. Have you actually been diagnosed with it? I am finding it difficult to get GP, Cardiologist or EP to take it seriously. They just look at me as if I'm talking rubbish and treat me purely as a cardiac case. I've only had two episodes of AF, the last one 8 months ago, but all the scary cardiac type symptoms happen soon after eating. I have a cardiac CT angiogram in two weeks to look for causes of my breathlessness but I'm convinced it's gastric not cardiac. I have a hiaitus hernia and have suffered from acid reflux for some years but no-one is willing to consider a connection. Is your GP on board with your Roemheld Syndrome?

[meadfoot in reply to MKG50]

I have an acceptance from my cardiologist that nine out of ten of my afib and svt episodes are triggered by gastric issues. He referred me to a gastroenterologist at their hospital who did copious tests. I have chronic acid reflux, hiatus hernia and my oesophageal motility and stomach emptying is extremely compromised plus IBSC due to bowel motility issues.

So yes they agree but without saying so you have RS which I find annoying. The trouble is how is it all managed. Cardiology want gastro to find a solution and gastro want cardiolgy to come up with something as an answer, meanwhile I, the patient, am stuck in the middle and this has been going on for years. Both depts treat me well but finding solutions escapes them. Which came first the IBS gastric symptoms or cardiac. In my case gastric came first triggering the heart symptoms. Share with us any solutions or help you find I as we journey along. Best wishes.

Ps. My afib and svt are accepted as being vagal nerve stimulated or mediated. The Vagus nerve runs extremely close to cardiac and gastric organs and is known as the wandering nerve. Read Dr Sanjay Gupta articles on RH syndrome. He is a cardiologist based in York UK.

[MKG50 in reply to meadfoot]

Thank you, Meadfoot. Your problems sound a lot like mine. I too have had IBS, acid reflux and hiaitus hernia for many years. The A fib is a fairly recent joy thrown into the mix ! I will indeed share any solutions ( or otherwise ) that my medics come up with. Not holding out a lot of hope though.

[delboy62 in reply to MKG50]

I also have had ibs for approx 15 years together with a hiatus hernia and fundic polyps in the stomach. I have recently been diagnosed with AF this was confirmed by Addenbrooks who implanted a loop in my chest which continually monitors the heart. I was given a blood thinner edoxaban, and bisoprolol to reduce the AF. This has been very successful with the heart problem . I feel less anxious which in turn has I think ? reduced the severity of my IBS. fingers crossed only time will tell. I have the results of a ct scan next week and a gastroscopy the week after see how it goes. good luck to you all.

[Catredkk]

Sorry to hear you are in pain. I also have AF and IBSD. Since being prescribed Apixaban I can’t say it’s made any difference to the IBS symptoms. I know this is of no help to you but I sympathise with you. It seems the GPs just leave us to get on with IBS particularly if you have other issues. I hope you can resolve your problem.

[Edgar77]

I am convinced I have AF but heart monitors have never caught it at the right Time. So doc has given me amitriptyline for fibromyalgia anyway. It has helped a bit and I don't think it has made the AF any worse so far. I am also on amlodipine for BPressure a d bisoprol for fast heart beat. Both of which has gone down, but makes no difference to the IBS.

[Bumpity]

I was diagnosed purely by chance with AF ( 20+ years) and already had IBS. Initially taking Aspirin then Warfarin, when I changed from Warfarin to Edoxaban 4 or 5 years ago the IBS did worsen slightly. I too have colon pain, I can feel everything as it moves along and it's pretty scary sometimes. I was interested to read your comment about Amitriptyline as I have been prescribed with this for over a year to help me relax/sleep due to Tinnitus noise. Whenever I have a new medication I always check with the GP/Nurse with regard to contraindications and I've had a meds check since then with no problems but, I'm taking Edoxaban so it might make things different. I will definitely check again on my next GP/Nurse visit. Take care.

[Orchid99]

Hi, I have slow transit colon and was prescribed Nortriptyline for the constipation/overflow pain I get with this. It helps a lot and also stopped me from being anorexic as I had lost so much weight through not being able to eat as much but I've now learned that it causes qtc prolongation and ectopic beats in my heart, now Im faced with not being able to take it anymore when it helps so much and I too, don't know what other alternatives there are. I have a follow up ecg tomorrow which will determine if I can still take it or not at a lower dose 😕