Atrial fibrillation (AFib) and medication side effects

Hi @braves04. I'm responding to the invitation from @colleenyoung to join in discussing your concerns about hair loss and other side effects from medication for treatment of Atrial fibrillation. My a-fib was diagnosed four years ago, after 15 years of medicinal treatment for hypertension with more than a dozen different medications -- among them Minoxidil to treat high blood pressure and Finasteride to treat enlarged prostate. The a-fib diagnosis raised the issue of hair loss from anticoagulant meds, which are recommended to prevent small blood clots from forming when a-fib slows movement of blood through the upper heart chamber. In my case, I have not taken any of the three anticoagulants mentioned by Colleen (Xarelto, Pradaxa, or Eliquis) but am on Coumadin, which requires periodic lab tests to assure its coagulation power stays within a safe range. I have not noticed hair loss from any of my medications.

Am I correct in assuming that your Diltiazem is for high blood pressure, Flecainide is to relieve your a-fib symptoms, and Eliquis is your anticoagulant? Did you notice on the web sites Colleen recommended that anticoagulants are known to cause hair loss in some patients? With that in mind, are you inclined to talk to your doctor about whether your own hair loss is aggravated by your prescribed medications? Martin

Just entered this discussion and I wish you best. My husband has AFib and has a pacemaker since 2004 and been on Coumadin also. Hopefully you will find a solution to your anemia since that can drain your energy, appetite, and cause heart palpitations. They never found the reason for my sisters chronic anemia but a blood transfusion got her back on track almost immediately and it has been almost 10 years without further transfusions . Having a pacemaker is not a picnic and blood thinners is poison for your body and skin. If you do get a pacemaker ask that they place it under your pectoral muscle especially as small as you are. My husbands broke thru his skin due to blood thinners making your skin thin and fragile plus the fact he is thin and small framed. Now that it under his pectoral muscle no one can see or feel it. Good luck on your journey.

Knowing everyone's situation is different re heart, I am taking doletilide and it keeps me in rhythm most of the time. They say it's normal to go out now and then, but adding the CBD cream seems to make things better. You know, CBD cream is now FDA approved for children with epilepsy, and just a thought, epilepsy is an electrical problem. And so is afib....hum??? Also, keeping the salt way low in your food really is important in managing afib.

I've had stiffness and mild joint pain since taking the blood thinner Eliquis. I find 1000-1500mg vit c helps lesson this problem. I remind myself that issues from blood thinners is far better than a stroke! Also, I find beautiful music a real boost for mood and also yoga stretches from the youtube. Just do things that make you feel better. That's all any of us can do. Hugs.

Very interesting. I’m in Afib all the time and we are managing the rate. CBD is proving to be helpful for a variety of illnesses. My sister takes the oil to help with Parkinson’s. Never heard of it in cream form. Good to know.

Here's a bread recipe my husband came up with due to salt restrictions. (Regular bread is loaded with salt)...A bread maker with dual kneading blades.
1C H2O, 1/2C unsweetened almond milk, 1C dry oatmeal, 3TBS olive oil, 1TBS sugar, 3C unbleached white flour, 2TBS flax seed meal,5TBS chia seeds, 2 tsp yeast. (NO SALT). Cook "light crust", Quick. Each machine will vary you can play with the recipe changing this and that. It's really good. Low fat margarine or the like is good too.

There are also herbal salt subs on the market (online).

Also, non processed foods really help. For the sweet tooth, several raw apples cut up, put in blender, add some blueberries, strawberries etc, blend. Makes an apple sauce. Heat in microwave, when in bowl, add cinnamon, nutmeg etc. and some dark choc chips. Yummmmmm. Lowww salt and sugar. Natural sugars.

I'm curious what dosage you take. I take 100 mg twice a day, and have had no side effects.

I take 5mg twice a day. I'm small and we are all different.