Digoxin use.. Just beginning to use this drug to regulate heart rate.

I have had two (2) Cardioversions, three cauterizations, two (2) Ablations ( to eliminate my AF) and on July 2025, one (1) Cardiac Cauterization to determine if any blockage on my heart veins and arteries. The results were I had about a 20 to 30% blockage which my Cardiologist stated it was insignificant and nothing to be concerned about.

However, I was to continue to take my two (2) 5mg of Eliquis daily and continue to monitor my EKG with a Kardia apparatus that I purchased online. After my 2nd Ablation, the Cardiologist informed me that he felt that he was able to get my heart rhythm back to normal without AF. My Kardia apparatus was reading my EKG as normal for about 2 months; however, as of August 1st, 2025, it started to give me readings of "possible AF" or "Unclassified". I have not had a normal sinus reading since 8/1/2025. In addition, my heart rate has dropped down to the low 40s during the day when I am resting because I get winded, tired, exhausted and short of breath when I take a few steps around the house. I can imagine what my heart rate is when I am sleeping because I just may not wake up one day if my heart rate goes too low.

My Cardiologists are aware of my low heart rate but neither Cardiologist has prescribed any medication to boost my heart rate. So I really don't know but I am so disappointed that neither of these procedures I went through have helped me any.

I have been diagnosed to have severe congestive heart failure and severe pulmonary hypertension and that's all they tell me. I guess there is not much else the Cardiologists can do for me. I am taking two (2) diuretic medications, Spironolactone (25mg) and Furosemide (40 mg) but these meds have affected my kidneys and I am now in stage 3 of chronic kidney disease.

So I am in a "catch 22" of heart and kidney disease. I am not in a very healthy situation. I have been this way since 2018 but I am still hanging in there and for how much longer, only God knows.

Anyway, enough of me but I just wanted to share my health situation with you and the rest of our support group on the Mayo Clinic.

God Bless you and everyone else on this support group.

Hi. I really feel very sorry for your situation as my story is very similar. I have had 2 ablations also for AF and they hold my heart in rhythm for a while but then I start having turns again. Just recently I had another turn and they said I had SVT (supraventrical tachycardia) it is a bit different to AF, I’m still learning about it at the moment. Before I had the first ablation, I was like you, as I could only walk a couple of steps and would get so breathless. The ablations and medications have helped for me to get going a bit better when I am in sinus rhythm but when my rhythm goes wrong it stops me in my tracks immediately and I find it very hard to move at all now when I am in AF. The only drug that enables me to function more how I like to lead my life is Amiodarone, but it also comes with its own set of problems.
I hope you are able to get more help. Unless you are going through it no one knows how hard it can be. Keep on praying and being optimistic .

I appreciate your comments and communicating with me in our situation with AF after 2 Ablations. What really surprises me that neither of my Cardiologists have suggested on my taking any type of meds to regulate my heartbeats. It could be that they feel that no medications would help me so I guess they just don't prescribe anything for me.

I have my good days where I feel good with no problems but then I have my bad days where I just feel miserable and feel exhausted and winded and short of breath and that's when I just need to sit down and recline my legs for a while. However, I still feel miserable the rest of the day.

I have a telemedicine call with my Cardiologist on August 19th who performed my Cardiac Cauterization on July 15th of this year and I will see what he has to tell me on my results. I have already reviewed my results via my test results on my portal from the doctor's office and it does not look very good from what I can understand about it. What also really hurts me as well is my severe pulmonary hypertension which affects my lungs and of course my breathing. That also plays a major role in my shortness of breath and being winded and tired.

Oh well, at my age, 79, it's an ever ending battle but I will not give up and just keep working with the doctors on what other alternatives can be taken.

With God's help and intervention and my faith, I hope to live a few more years but it is in the Hands of God. I have just left everything to Him, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Take care and God Bless!