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Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: Sep 19, 2020 | Replies (86)
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I am a female, 89 yrs. old in good health except have experienced tachycardia since 37 yrs. old. Now have Afib and have had medications from digitalis to now Metoprolol succinate 50mg. and having horrible time breathing, so have cut dose in half & calling doctor. I have decided to have an AV ( July1, 2019) depending solely on the pacemaker. I am so tired of all the meds and nothing is working especially the Metoprolol. This medicine has not given me quality of life. I hope that the AV will give me back some quality. Anyone have a similar condition?
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hello magsmar, the reason, why the cardiologist gave you digitoxin, was , that the betablocker metoprolol alone didn't reduce the atrium fibrillation enough.. digitoxin inhibits the transport of the electric pulses through the AV-node, apart from other effects. especially for older people, like you, who might have a heart failure. you wrote that you are suffering from difficulties with breathing. this is maybe a symptom of heart failure. digitoxin needs time, the half-time is 6-7 days.
My situation is a bit different, 15 months ago I had AV Block -third degree. therefore I needed a pacemaker. the rate of the A-Fib's increased constantly. My heart deteriorated, most probably due to the influence of the fibrillations on the the right chamber (ventricel).
my cardiologist added digitoxin to the betablocker - bisoprolol. I was very "impressed", after 10 days no heart failure symptoms anymore. I'am 73 years old. a control echo of the heart confirmed. I was surprised to read, that digitoxin is also used in the US. it is very old (1885 painted Vincent v. Gogh his French doctor with a branch of digitalis purpurea) , it seems there is a renaissance. I'm very glad that it worked so well.