Afib & PVC's

In my case @crashnam, my A-Fib was diagnosed a little over three years ago, and I have no symptoms to speak of. Even so, my first and second cardiologists recommended an anticoagulant to help prevent blood clots from forming in my heart. Both recommended Coumadin (active ingredient Warfarin), because there is an antidote for it that's been on the market for years, while antidotes are not available for other popular anticoagulant drugs. I took their advice and am on 7.5 mg Coumadin pills daily. My HMO keeps a close watch on my anticoagulant index, using results of a blood test that I take every two months. In addition, I am on 50mg Coreg (Carvedilol) daily to control my blood pressure and soften my heart beats.

A few years ago, I had a prostate resection, and since going on Coumadin, I have had periodic episodes of blood in my urine. The episodes last a few days and the bleeding is not heavy. My urologist says that, in my unique circumstances, the bleeding is not worrisome. At the same time, my doctors all warn me to be very careful about taking any physical risks that could lead to severe bleeding from injuries, because the Coumadin medication slows blood clotting that is essential to closing and healing open wounds.

Your hemorrhoids and "leaky valve" deserve to be discussed with your medical team in detail, because as I have learned, conditions differ from patient to patient, and my experiences may not be reliable indicators of what you can expect. So I hope you can speak to your doctors soon about whether to take the Eliquis and whether it is a good medication for your unique symptoms. Martin

Hi, Larry. @crashnam Are you sure you wrote this? And not me? First, I quit metroprolol succinate and went to tartrate. eased up my AFib, and saved me a few hundred dollars per year. Hard on the MD's paycheck, though. Now, after ten years or so, I am learning that I have some form of Cardiac AL Amyloidosis, which does cause the AFib, tachy and all. In mine, the Amy gets into the sensori-motor nerves, shorts them out (electro-mechanically) and causes these problems. You can read all about in things like ALNYLAM Pharmaceuticals Red Flag Warnings for hATTR and other Amyloidoses. The tests and treatments currently available are listed there. It is always fatal soon if not treated by about your 50-60 ages. Of course, we all die eventually, but I would like to put it off for a bit. But when those Amyloid Fibrillars get into those sensori-motor cardiac nerves, don't top off your gas tank. Just make sure you remember those you love. The diagnosis is really a prognosis/lifespan.

Another note. Those periodic haematuria episodes are a by-product of AL Amyloidosis. And it is very worrisome. I bleed almost every urination now, whether the hematologist and urologist say I should or not. The only treatment is to make sure you get enough fluids. And your hematologist should take you off Coumadin as quickly as possible.

Thanks so much for sharing @texas7777. Glad to know that the metoprolol is working for you.
Please do keep sharing and posting – knowing more about our health journeys always helps others going through similar trials and challenges.

I am 67 years old. Have had PVCs for 40 years off an on. Three years ago developed Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation. First episode 12 hours, then several months before the next one, then became more frequent anywhere from 10 days to 2 weeks in between. Been registered as high as 200 bmp. PVCs got worse and more frequent at the same time. In fact PVCs are more uncomfortable for me than the AFIB. I do have cardiologist(s) and we have gone round and round on what to do. Taking just 50 mg of metropolol succinate and an aspirin. Don't like the other meds they have recommended (too scary). Recently, the AFIB has become more infrequent (20-30 days), but the PVCs have increased. Through it all I have still been able to do anything physical I want without to many problems. Recently, the last two or three weeks, I noticed that during or after mild physical exertion my palps will hit me hard in the upper stomach and middle of chest. Sometimes they go away quickly, other times they last for a couple of hours. Was scheduled for a stress test two weeks ago, but I didn't think I could get through it with the palps starting in so bad after physical activity, and the treadmill is physical activity since I have done them before. I cancelled the test. Not sure what my next move should be.

Hi Larry, @crashnam,

Welcome back! I can imagine you're worried, and moved your most recent message to this discussion so that it will be more convenient for fellow Connect members to join us with some more information.

@predictable, @hopeful33250, do you have any insights that might help Larry?

Hello Larry, @crashnam

I'm glad that you have joined Mayo Connect and have posted about your heart difficulties. I have had heart valve problems since age 11, and now have aortic insufficiency, as well as diastolic dysfunction and left bundle branch block. I know how it can all seem overwhelming at times.

As I've read your post, I feel led to suggest that you seek a second opinion from another cardiologist.

However, self-care is very, very, very, very important with any sort of heart problem and so I would encourage you to work a little harder at some lifestyle changes. Sometimes meeting with a counselor can help with behavior modification techniques. As the functioning of your heart is an important health issue it might be to your advantage to seek out some professional help in order to understand yourself better and seek out more healthy habits.

Have you sought a second opinion for your heart issues, yet? If so, what was the result? If you live near a Mayo facility (MN, AZ and FL) that would be a good place to start.

Will you keep in touch with us and let us know how you are doing?

Teresa

Hi @crashnam. Hope I can add a small point or two to help you think through your next steps. You and I have some things in common, but perhaps the most important of your symptoms -- PVC -- is not something I have dealt with. A-fib? You bet, for the last three years, but pretty mild overall. Were it not for a regular electrocardiogram (EKG) during my annual physical, I'd be oblivious to my A-fib. My medication, like yours, involves a beta blocker (Carvedilol in my case). I also have to treat my high blood pressure -- with a diuretic and Lisinopril (an ACE inhibitor). I once took Diltiazem (a calcium channel blocker) but had to quit because my feet and legs swelled.

My A-fib therapy also includes a "blood thinner" -- in my case, Coumadin -- to prevent blood clots from forming in blood that pools up in my heart between beats. A good friend had to go much further: His A-fib proved uncontrollable with drugs and even cardioversion, but eventually, he underwent an ablation procedure that pinned down wayward electrical impulses in his heart, so his A-fib is a thing of the past. He and I have some lifestyle changes in common: We no longer smoke, we drink black coffee in moderation in the morning, and we share a beer a few times every month. Perhaps most important, we sing pop songs as soloists at a half-dozen piano bars.

As a final word today, take my word for it, Teresa (@hopeful33250) has given you an uplifting set of comments. She's right about the value of a second opinion and of a few lifestyle changes. With her help, you'll be able to join me and my friend at our next musical outing!
Martin

Thank you Kanaaz. I'll take advantage of it. You're very kind.

Hi Teresa. Have you ever cried wolf for all the right reasons, and nobody will listen to you? Well, that's kind of the mode I have been in for awhile. I am a very self-conscious person. I tend to hide problems from people, whether it be fellow workers, relatives, casual conversations with people, etc. I spent a year in Vietnam which probably toughened me up. I have had diverticulosis for forty years, and I went to work hundreds of times in pain over the years. Same with the PVC's, I wouldn't let anyone know even when they were bothering me. Family physicians over the years just told me I would have to live with the PVC's like a lot of people, so nothing has really been done until the last 4 years or so. First AFIB 12 hours, let up, felt fine. The pattern (4-10 hours) became more frequent and was getting to the point of every 10-14 days. PVC's got worse and more alarming along with it to the point that I would rather have AFIB than the PVC's. Only take the beta blocker (metropolol succinate, 50 mg), and a baby aspirin. Also take magnesium, potassium, Vitamin D, Vitamin C and an occasional multi-vitamin. Don't trust other medications they have prescribed for me (diltiazem, eliquis). I have hemorrhoids with slight bleeding on occasion so I thought the eliquis might enhance it. I have read literally thousands of testimonials of people with PVC's, AFIB, all kinds of heart conditions to try and narrow things down, but have failed. I am the type that tries to work things out on my own. I have only been to emergency once, three years ago. With some of the palps and AFIB episodes I have had, I would imagine many people would have been a couple hundred times by now. I have considered ablation with one of my cardiologists, but just don't know. I have gotten to the point of giving up and let happen what's going to happen. In defense of my heart, I have first stage emphysema (no problems breathing), I still smoke, drink strong black coffee (for forty years). Thank you for your concern.