Thyroid or AFib Symptom

[Loafinabout]

I’ve been reading Greygoose advice to another member re discomfort in the neck possibly being Thyroid related. I have had discomfort - not pain as such - in the hollow in the front of my neck just above the clavicle. It feels like I’ve swallowed a golf ball! No swelling. I am in continuous AFib and taking 2.5mg Nebivolol and 2 Apixaban daily. This doesn’t relieve my AFib and I’m regularly getting BPM readings in mid to late 40’s (mostly during the night when I think my sleep apnea is causing me to wake up). My breathing is somewhat laboured all of the time. I am assuming my throat symptoms are as a result of the AFib. Reading your comments, however, I wonder if it could be thyroid related?

[helvella Administrator]

It would appear obvious that you should have some sort of imaging - probably ultrasound, at least as the initial first (and probably least expensive) choice.

Nothing else - not doctor's fingers, not blood tests, etc. - can possibly answer the question.

[Loafinabout in reply to helvella]

Thankyou for that advice.

[Loafinabout in reply to Loafinabout]

The ‘asking’ is simple, it’s getting a reaction! Getting worse at my surgery every day🥹

[helvella Administrator in reply to Loafinabout]

Yes, I so agree. Which was why I worded my reply as "should have" rather than asserting you should ask with expectation of that being done.

[Loafinabout in reply to helvella]

One has to fight one battle at a time. I’ve been prescribed Amiodarone by a cardiologist and my GP was sent a letter informing him and to review my file. I read up on NICE that this drug can have a severe effect when taken with Nebivolol and a medium effect with Thyroxine both of which I’m prescribed. It can also affect the liver. Of course I heard nothing from the GP and could only communicate through Ask My GP. I asked for both thyroid and liver tests on starting and completing the course of drugs (from a recent ultrasound for persistent UTI I appear to have multiple hematomas on my liver). 6 days after starting Amiodarone I got a call from the doctor who clearly hadn’t seen the Cardiologist’s letter or read my notes. It was left that he would leave ‘tests’ on reception the next day (?) Well they weren’t there the next day and they couldn’t get hold of the doctor. They would ring me. 2 days ago and still waiting. It’s just a shambles! I’m paying privately for Cardiologist consultations and ultrasound so who knows where I would be if I relied on the NHS as I used to do. It’s very easy to lose all respect.

[Aurealis]

I’ve read it’s important to treat sleep apnea as it’s a cause of a fib?

[Loafinabout in reply to Aurealis]

quite right but I get claustrophobia and the NHS face masks were so cumbersome I pulled them off in my sleep.