Paraxysmal af

[Jodiedebs55]

Hey it's me again, just been told by gp iv got paraxysmal atrial fibrillation and prescribed Bisoprolol and told to use as a " pill in pocket " .... in other words take 1 tablet at onset of episode, my concern is how do these effect my thyroid meds ? She was unsure , which worried me , I'm not happy about taking a beta blocker and would prefer not to but my afib attacks are becoming worse and more often, iv been referred to a cardiologist for tests but in the meantime could anyone tell me if they have done the "pill in pocket " ?? Iv heard bad things about these beta blockers and how they cause fatigue and nausea I'm desperate to get well but it seems to be 1 step forward 5 steps back ... thanks in advance

[diogenes Remembering]

My wife took T4 for many years and then started on bisoprolol for the same kind of AF. Hasn't affected needs for T4 dosage or blood results at all. Takes 10 mg 2x per day morn and eve.

[Jodiedebs55 in reply to diogenes]

Hi thanks for your reply, I take T4 and T3 as I don't convert well , but shes prescribed 1.25mg Bisoprolol only on onset of an afib episode and I thought beta blockers only worked if taken every day ? iv not even seen a cardiologist yet so I'm wondering should I hold off on the "pill in pocket " thing until seen by a cardiologist.. but thanks for your reply

[diogenes Remembering in reply to Jodiedebs55]

Sorry I should have said 2.5 mg bisoprolol - didn't read the packet properly. My wife was advised to take the drug as a preventative and not as a response to an acute attack. She now gets AF very very rarely and not as severe as without the drug.

[Jodiedebs55 in reply to diogenes]

I am worried about taking it as a PIP and worry it won't have any effect just taking it at start of an afib episode but thanks , I'm going to have to wait for my appointment with the cardiologist I guess as I'm not fully trusting of a gp 😳

[bantam12]

I took Bisoprolol daily for some years with no problems other than it caused more tiredness, I have PAF but have Verapamil as a pip. My husband is also on Bisoprolol daily along with T4 and T3.

[Jodiedebs55 in reply to bantam12]

Thankyou for your reply this is what I'm worried about everyone seems to be taking it long term not on start of an afib episode, I just don't know what to do, but good to know it works with thyroid meds as this is my biggest concern

[greygoose in reply to Jodiedebs55]

Why don't you just try taking one next time you have an attack, and see what happens. If it helps, then all well and good. If it doesn't, then go back to your doctor and tell her so.

However, I would think the first thing to do would be to make sure you're not under-medicated. Do you have a copy of your last blood test results? If so, post here with the ranges, and let's have a look.

[Jodiedebs55 in reply to greygoose]

Thankyou grey goose, I had my bloods done in hospital on the weekend but they refused to test T3 Ft3 and only tested my Ft4 which gp said was 14.02 and she said that's normal and as you know I don't have a clue about levels so that probably means it's not normal, I will have to find the money for a private test il get it done next week cos it's a nightmare in Cornwall trying to get T3 and Ft3 tested as labs refuse , I'm currently taking 75mcg T4 and 12mcg T3 for 3 days and 100mcg T4 and 12 mcg T3 for the 4 remaining days and I feel ill

[greygoose in reply to Jodiedebs55]

No-one can have a clue without the range. Just telling you it was 14.02 is meaningless. But, of course, he just means in-range. He has no idea what 'normal' is. In fact, it doesn't really exist where thyroid is concerned.

I think it's a nightmare everywhere getting an FT3 tested. It used to be done automatically here in France. Now, doctors will tell you openly that they wouldn't understand the results even if they did test it. I'm pretty sure they don't understand the FT4, either! lol But the advantage here is that if a doctor says 'do it', the lab obeys. The lab doesn't have the last word on what tests are done.

Your dose sounds good, but only you can tell if it's high enough. And, if you feel ill, it probably isn't.

[Jodiedebs55 in reply to greygoose]

Yes it used to be that if a consultant asked for a specific test it was done but nope not any more they only do the T4 and Ft4 which as you say is totally useless and tells me diddly squat , I will get my bloods drawn at surgery and send off to medichecks thanks greygoose always the best advice 😁

[greygoose in reply to Jodiedebs55]

You're welcome.