Atrial fibrillation (AFib) and medication side effects

I don't tolerate any meds well at all so managing Afib has been a challenge. I can tolerate apixaban (generic Eliquis) 5mg twice daily. After playing around with dosages to avoid fatigue side effects, especially, I can tolerate 12.5mg of metoprolol daily and I take it at night because it can cause me fatigue and low blood pressure. But Flecainide, which I tried 4 times, was absolutely toxic to me.

Not being able to tolerate a rhythm med, I decided to go the ablation route after months of consideration. I just had it 10 days ago. I am told it went well. I am hoping it works for me! I have an out of country trip planned so I am hoping all goes well then.

I have made the decision to stay on a blood thinner for the rest of my life. Oh, I am almost 74 with my Afib happening last Christmas. I plan to discuss the daily need for metoprolol with both the 'electrician' and 'plumber' cardiologists in early August. I would love to get off it and just carry it 'in case'. If I ever need a rhythm med, I don't know what I will do. Cross that bridge if I come to it.

I don't know whether apixaban is causing my hair thinning and/or loss. Looking into it.

I still have caffeine - dark and light chocolate and iced tea. I try not to have caffeine after 4 pm, not always successful. I am trying, as also suggested above, to note when I don't feel well, what foods I ate and what I was doing.

But mostly, I am hoping the ablation will manage my Afib.

Is anyone having issues with Eliquis? I am about to start that medication and just wondered what to expect.

Daily headaches for me, some migraines. Hope to have the Watchman procedure to be done with blood thinners!

Almost same story here. I’m 75 soon. Had Paroxysmal Afib for several years controlled well with Sotalol, then January started a monthly symptomatic SVT with several visits to ER all while waiting to be scheduled for an Ablation. Had the procedure (pulmonary vein isolation) July 3 and Sotalol was discontinued. Was good until started having episodes of Afib and some symptomatic SVT with exertion. Eventually put on Metoprolol Succinate which is long acting BUT here’s the rub: feel so weak on that medication. My question is: are my symptoms and runs of Afib and SVT just part of the 3 month healing process after procedure? I almost feel worse than before procedure.
If you are traveling (we traveled to Europe for 5 weeks this past winter during these episodes be sure to have travel (Geo Blue) insurance and ofc bring your metoprolol.

I don't tolerate any meds well at all so managing Afib has been a challenge. I can tolerate apixaban (generic Eliquis) 5mg twice daily. After playing around with dosages to avoid fatigue side effects, especially, I can tolerate 12.5mg of metoprolol daily and I take it at night because it can cause me fatigue and low blood pressure. But Flecainide, which I tried 4 times, was absolutely toxic to me.

Not being able to tolerate a rhythm med, I decided to go the ablation route after months of consideration. I just had it 10 days ago. I am told it went well. I am hoping it works for me! I have an out of country trip planned so I am hoping all goes well then.

I have made the decision to stay on a blood thinner for the rest of my life. Oh, I am almost 74 with my Afib happening last Christmas. I plan to discuss the daily need for metoprolol with both the 'electrician' and 'plumber' cardiologists in early August. I would love to get off it and just carry it 'in case'. If I ever need a rhythm med, I don't know what I will do. Cross that bridge if I come to it.

I don't know whether apixaban is causing my hair thinning and/or loss. Looking into it.

I still have caffeine - dark and light chocolate and iced tea. I try not to have caffeine after 4 pm, not always successful. I am trying, as also suggested above, to note when I don't feel well, what foods I ate and what I was doing.

But mostly, I am hoping the ablation will manage my Afib.

That's important about the type of Metoprolol. I was on Metoprolol Tartrate but down to 6.25mg twice a day. But I felt so fatigued and my blood pressure went so low aty cardiologist's appointment that he immediately put me on Metoprolol Succinate but only 12.5 mg and taken at night. That change has really helped me feel less fatigued during the day.

And immediately after the ablation I did feel better but as soon as I started the Pantoprazole 40 mg and Sucralfate 1gm, started feeling terrible. After 4 days, I came off it. I am slowly feeling better. I will know more in about 2 weeks when I am back to taking only apixaban and metoprolol.

I plan to keep taking metoprolol succinate until after my vacation. But if both cardiologists say I csn stop, sort of as a test, I will still carry it with me, as you suggest.

78 years old now . Progressed to persistent Afib . Had several electro conversions and finally had first ablation Jan 2022 then second Sept 2022. No afib events since. Still on Eliquis 2x @ 5mg) and Metoprolol (50mg x2) but also have HCM ,CHF and CAD. . Also have Hypothyroidism and on Synthroid. Since adding Synthroid some side effects have worsened ( easily fatigued, dyspnea, and newly thinning hair. ) Other than that all is fine.Have been told to expect to be on these meds till I am on my way to the crematory.

I assume pantoprazole is against acid reflux, is there a connection between how effective the metoprolol is if there is no stomach acid? Personally, I am long a time Pantoprazole user and could not handle the metoprolol or any of the others. I fainted and fell, broke several ribs, and punctured my right lung. So, after 3 cardioversions, several ablations I now have a pacemaker since this March. It is going reasonably well, no more afib but still have this tiredness. I was also put on Bisoprolol after my last ablation around my sinus node. Next appointment middle of August.