1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions

Always tired?

Posted by rcrothers @rcrothers, Aug 26, 2024

I am a 75 year old male recently diagnosed with AFIB. That is after going to the Emergency Dept. because I would get exhausted walking 1/2 a block. I noticed that symptom had been slowly creeping up on me for about 6 - 7 months as indicated by how far I was interested in or able to walk our dog. I suspect his may have been coming for a long time. Now,
I find myself tired after breakfast and quite often have a morning rest if not a nap. Similar pattern in the afternoon after lunch. Normally in bed before 9:00pm.
I had an ECG at Emerg. and was told for the first time I had AFIB and that I must have had it for a long time as my heart rate in AFIB was only 77 bpm. I do not normally feel any rapid heart rates but my monitoring equipment normally says I am in AFIB.
A recent echo cardiogram indicated I am voiding my ventricles at 27% whereas normal is between 30% and 50%. I am on blood thinners (rivaroxiban), a pill to help eliminate fluid around my heart (potassium chloride), blood pressure medicine that is working, a mild anti-depressant (citalopram), vitamin D and Entresto. The next step is an angiogram to determine if I have any constrictions or blockages (I have 3 - 15 year old +/- stents).
Meanwhile, I am waiting (painfully) for an initial assessment by orthopedic surgeon for my second hip replacement. I am a bit worried they will not do the hip if I am in AFIB and that second hip is really hurting.
I have sleep apnia that I have been treating with a dental appliance because I loath the CPAP machine and I have had my fair share of alcohol over the years. Both of those things have no doubt generated the AFIB. I have gout, hemroids and an artifical urinary sphincter for incontinence after having my protrate removed due to cancer.
Generally, I seem to be living a charmed life and without access to the Ontario Health Care system would probably be dead. Still, I wish I understood this AFIB business better as I don't have any idea what happens next. I am reading the AFIB Cure by John Day MD. and hope to gain some clarity soon.
Advice?

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tuckie | @tuckie | Dec 19, 2024

I have AF Rapid and Persistent.
My Heart Rate is controlled by Diltiazem CCB Calcium Channel Blocker.
I twas 1 year 5 months on Metoprolol 23.75 x 3 daily.
The heart specialist had a 24hr heart Monitor on me. It reported 186 avg Day H/Rate 47avg Night.No control Day.
Breathlessness Day and Pauses at Night.
I was changed to bisoprolol 5mg growing to 10mg. The 24hr H/Nonitor reported 156 avg Day 47avg bpm Night. Syill no control H/R. No breathlessness and no pauses.
Bisoprolol is researched as a better BB for Afers.
Time went on 9 mths and nothing The Locum referred me to a private heart soecialist.
He introduced a CCB a Calcium Channel blocker. On 180mg heart rate went down to 51 from 156!
Now controlled. 24hr Heart Monitor showed all good. No breathless or pauses.
Bisoprolol was trduced to 2.5mg taken PM. Diltiazem reduced to 120mg CD AM.
Its been 3 years since this regime used. First 60s h/Rate day rising in late afternoon to 80s.
Before October this year I became dizzy. Close my eyes and I had moving mind.
I cut the 2.5mg in half. 1.25mg. Same of the undesirable continued so I have stopped it.
Monitoring BP as was low. 108/62.
Now 117-135 over 66-80
Reporting fatigue has dropped and energy popped up.
Yet to be on this a week but I said to dr I may need to take Diltiazem to 180mg CD AM.
BBs are known to sap energy and folks are overcome by fatigue.

My persistent AF is constant and I don't feel it.

With me stroke (Embolic) caused by Thyroid Papillary Cancer. and AF.
Here's to reviewing meds when there are worrying changes.
And it also shows that I can reduce my Synthroid (thyroxin) from 125mg to 100mg.

Make sure if you are over 65 that your B12 is 700-800 level. Special blood test.

cheri JOY

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lindy9 | @lindy9 | Dec 19, 2024
In reply to @rcrothers "As I started this email train, I thought I would bring it up to date for..." + (show)
@rcrothers

As I started this email train, I thought I would bring it up to date for those who are interested. I’m still tired most of the time but perhaps less so than when I first wrote.

Yesterday I had an initial appointment with our local Cardiac Function Lab run by a cardiologist and staffed with four nurse practitioners. They took my pulse, blood pressure, electro-cardio gram, blood work and gave me some advice clarifying where I was in the process of assessment and treatment. This was all very helpful and enlightening. Drug therapy first, an angiogram in three weeks then perhaps ablation.

Today, I received a call from a nurse practitioner saying my bloodwork looked good (electrolytes and kidney function) and am now being prescribed Sporonal Acetate (sp?) to help strengthen the heart muscle and Furosemide to help reduce the amount of water I am retaining and help me with my weight and breathing (take it in the morning because it will make me pee a lot and stop it if I feel dizzy).

I have been referred to the Pulmonary Lab to have my lungs checked out as I worked in the construction industry and may have been exposed to asbestos in the past. I have been experiencing difficulty with breathing.

I am to receive a call from the Lab soon to help set my iPhone 9 up with a program called Aetonix that will allow me to send my vitals to the lab digitally. I have an Apple 9 pro and recently purchased a blood pressure cuff that also tells me if I am in AFIB.

I am halfway through the AFIB Cure by John Day MD and trying to follow dietary recommendations. It is a very thorough book..

So all this information is offered simply to tell my story. I would love to hear how others are doing.

Jump to this post

TRYING to follow dietary recommendations, means you DO a little and THINK about doing the rest. DO them. And investigate if he is giving the best info. Many or most people would not have symptoms and doc visits, and be taking meds etc etc if they ate healthy.

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