Atrial fibrillation (AFib) and medication side effects

Hum, vivid dreams are a benefit. Your unconscious is talking to you.

Magnesium very good.

Hi I was diagnosed afib in Feb 2017 since then I went through a number of medicines including dilatarem, Eliquis etc. had my cardio version in Nov 2017 but it did not work. Now for almost a year I was taking Eliquis 5 mg and metoprolol ( first it was tartrate then metaprolol sucinate. I was lethargic and dull also had excessive hair loss. So the dose was reduced to 50 mg. But it did not help,much. Last month I was given Tikosyn ( dofelitide) first 0.5 mg then 0.25 mg in the hospital ( 3 days I was in hospital) it had immediate effect. After two dose I was in normal sinus rhythm and now after three weeks my ECG is normal. I was very much scared to go through this treatment as it can have a severe reaction and can be fatal. But I am pleased it is working with my fibrillation. Now I do not take metaprolol. Just Eliquis twice a day and Tikosyn twice a day. It is wonderful.

I take those also. And doing well most of the time.

I have been taking Flecainide every day, since my diagnosis of Afib back in 2009. I originally was started in the Hospital on 50mg which stopped my afib immediately. In May of 2017 I was experiencing occasional afib episodes, so my doctor upped my dosage from 50mg twice a day, to 100mg a day. It not only stopped my afib episodes but my PVC's ( which I have had since a teenager ) as well. When I moved to another state, my new doctor said I was taking too many pills. I had also been taking Metoprolol 25 mg daily, to lower my blood pressure. My new doc said I didn't need to be taking the Met. so took me off of it. The only side affect I had was when I weaned off of the Met. Had a lot of PVC's as well as PAC's but both stopped soon afterwards. My blood pressure has been normal without it. Honestly I have not noticed any side affects. I do occasionally get depressed, but I blame that on my condition, not on the meds. I would really like to be free of this, but I realize once you have it, you have it for life. I lead a relatively normal active life otherwise. My new doc really seems to think I dont' have afib, because he has never detected a single PAC. Had me wear a holter for a month, said not single one. Yet afterwards I had several short episodes of afib ( I know because I feel them, it's like my heart just jumps all over the place ) PVC's on the other hand feel much stronger to me, and feel like my heart pauses. Sorry for giving too much information. I take only aspirin 325mg daily as a blood thinner. This doc had suggested Elequis, but said since I haven't had any real episodes, it is not needed at this time.

I am 69 have had 3 ablutions. Have had some reoccurrence of a fib but for most part in normal sinus. I don’t want to take flecanite or other meds with side effects. I’m careful not to have caffeine and bo alcohol. I think some of the meds have too many side effects. Had ablation at Mayo Clinic and they were wonderful.

I have somewhat controlled Afib also hypertension. This all started when I was 55. I’m 71 now. My Dr tried beta blockers & calcium channel blockers, none of these really helped. Mostly they just wiped me out to the point that just walking through my home made me short of breath & my heart rate went way up.
My Dr didn’t want to put me on an antiahymic until he was sure I didn’t have heart disease ( clogged arteries ). He did a Stress test & I passed out at just a few steps. My rate went very high & I had lots of PCS’s & ischemia in my LAD. I had to have arteriogram. I was clear for blockage. He then put me on Rhythmol (propafenone ). I have done great on it. I still have to take BP meds. He didn’t want to use beta or calcium channel blockers since I was taking the Propafenone. I’m on vasotec. I have to take extra at times but it’s good for the most part. I’m really tiny (90#) so it’s hard to understand why I have all this. I have to be careful with anything I take. No decongestants at all & no steroids. They really affect my heart rate. This is just my experience. I stay anxious all the time that I’ll get sick & can’t take things.

Hi @sandyabbey you may have noticed I moved your post to this existing discussion on medications for atrial fibrillation. Click VIEW & REPLY in your email to see what others have said about atrial fibrillation medication.

I wanted to introduce you to fellow Connect members @kenny48 @healthytoday and @kancha as they may be able to offer suggestions and share their stories with medications to treat atrial fibrillation.

Back to you @sandyabbey you mentioned you are anxious all they time, how are you feeling right now both physically and emotionally?

I wondered where my post was. I just so happened to go,to number 2 & saw it. I’m doing ok right now with my Afib. I do have chronic nausea. I had it all the time for a while. It had slipped & I Feldman good except that my BP would shoot up for no reason , or it seemed like no reason. My cardiologist let’s me take an extra enalapril if it gets up to much & doesn’t come down. He also gave me clonidine 0.1 for systolic over 170. I haven’t taken that yet. I have knowledge of cardiac because I worked in a cardiac care u it for 14 years. That’s been 20 years ago, but I’ve kept up with things. It’s hard to understand why mu Bp jumps up like that. I’m only 90 pounds I was 105 & dropped to 85 for a while due to a difficult case of Cdiff softer taking clindamycin for a bad sinus infection. I’m still not out of the woods on that yet. I failed Flagyl twice, then vancomycin & just finished Dificid. I’m 13 days off of that. I’m anxious about that too. I was taken to the hospital by ambulance after the relapse after 10 days off vancomycin. My Afib didn’t act up during all that & my Bp was low due the dehydration. Yes I’m nervous. I’m very tiny & with these heart & Bp problems & also with all my medical knowledge it doesn’t help. I’ve been in sinus rhythm for a long time now. As soon as I got on propafenone it has been ok mostly. It has taken a toll on my quality of life because I don’t feel well lots. I have a great cardiologist though. I’m just wondering if maybe a propafenone on,y once a day instead of Am & Pm might still hold me. We tried it once a couple of years ago & my rate got up more than he liked ( around 90 ). Any input appreciated. Where do I find my post from now on ? I just happened to find it after it was moved.

I’m not so good at the moment. I got a bad case of Cdiff after taking clindamycin. I e relapsed 3 times. Right now I’m better I think. I failed Flagyl & vancomycin. They have me Dificid & I’m 16 days off of it. I’m hoping I’m ok. If not I’ll ha d to have the FMT. That has had an impact on my emotional health. Mo far my heart & meds have been mostly ok I’m just happy to have good DRs.