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Heart Rhythm Control Medication

Posted by wayne727 @wayne727, Aug 16 10:25am

I was diagnosed with AF five months ago. I have had two AF occurrences. Other than AF, I am active and in decent condition. I’m considering ablation but the doctors think if the medication prevents AF, I should delay ablation. I’m not sure what to think at this point.

I am taking Apixaban, Bisoprolol and Apocard which is the heart rhythm controller. I read mixed messages about the effectiveness of heart rhythm controllers essentially after one year. I think this medication is making me so fatigued. Does anyone have any experience with this medication.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

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the | @the | Aug 18 12:57pm
In reply to @colleenyoung "Reminder about the Community Guidelines https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/ and maintaining respect. @the and @gloaming, I'm confident that you..." + (show)
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Reminder about the Community Guidelines https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/ and maintaining respect.

@the and @gloaming, I'm confident that you both want to help and support members who have questions. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Sometimes our experiences differ and the guidance we receive from our cardiologist may differ. That's why Connect is so valuable to share situations, solutions, and support.

@gloaming, thank you for providing some references.

@the, your're right that not all specialists use the term "prgressive". Some may use different terms like these described on Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atrial-fibrillation/symptoms-causes/syc-20350624

Excerpt:
- Occasional, also called paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
AFib symptoms come and go. The symptoms usually last for a few minutes to hours. Some people have symptoms for as long as a week. The episodes can happen repeatedly. Symptoms might go away on their own. Some people with occasional AFib need treatment.

- Persistent. The irregular heartbeat is constant. The heart rhythm does not reset on its own. If symptoms occur, medical treatment is needed to correct the heart rhythm.

- Long-standing persistent. This type of AFib is constant and lasts longer than 12 months. Medicines or a procedure are needed to correct the irregular heartbeat.

- Permanent. In this type of atrial fibrillation, the irregular heart rhythm can't be reset. Medicines are needed to control the heart rate and to prevent blood clots.

@the, sounds like you're managing your a-fib well with a mix of treatment and lifestyle. Does the Pilates also help with fatigue? What did you learn from your EP and cardiologist about your a-fib?

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Sorry, I didn’t respond to your questions directed at me. I do not have fatigue. I have been doing Pilates for decades. My EP opines after reviewing my Zios report that my Afib which was persistent is gone. I still have PACs and occasional SVEs. Both are asymptomatic. I had an ablation in January. I do rely on my EP for direction in treatment but other people’ s experiences are helpful in assessment of my medical journey.

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Aug 18 1:35pm
In reply to @the "Thank you for your response. I knew from my EP all that you described. I don’t..." + (show)
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Thank you for your response. I knew from my EP all that you described. I don’t think it is valuable to have a member paraphrase from an article from a for profit clinic in Queensland cited in WebMD and quote from it as if it is the medical standard. I believe as I am sure you do that medical professionals are the only ones that should provide medical opinions. I wholeheartedly agree sharing one’s experiences is totally appropriate. Issuing medical opinions is not.

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@the, you're quite right. No one is issuing medical opinions. Providing references can help people learn more. If you wish to report a post as outlined in the Community Guidelines, here's how:
How to report:
1. Click the 3 dots (...) in the lower right corner of the comment.
2. Select "Report comment"
3. Write the reason for the report and SUBMIT.

Also stated in the guidelines:
All information shared by members on the Mayo Clinic Connect is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the community.

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Aug 18 1:41pm
In reply to @marybird "What is Apogard. When I Google it the only thing that comes up is a brand..." + (show)
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What is Apogard. When I Google it the only thing that comes up is a brand name of some Japanese toothpaste.

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@marybird, I believe that may have been a typo.

@wayne727, were you referring to Adenocard (adenosine injection)?

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wayne727 | @wayne727 | Aug 18 1:44pm
In reply to @colleenyoung "@wayne727, it sounds like you're reading a lot and tackling the steep learning curve of living..." + (show)
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@wayne727, it sounds like you're reading a lot and tackling the steep learning curve of living with a-fib. Good for you. The information you read can be confusing or contradictory because one-size does not fit all.

In this patient information from Mayo Clinic regarding treatment, it also says: "If AFib doesn't get better with medicine or other treatments, a procedure called cardiac ablation may be necessary. Sometimes ablation is the first treatment."
Read more here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atrial-fibrillation/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350630

As you mentioned, you are feeling fatigued. I would mention this to your cardiologist to determine when the right time for YOU might be for a change in treatment. At the risk of giving you more to read 😐 I found this article by Mayo Clinic experts that might be helpful. It's pretty new and is written for health professionals. It might help you and your care team decide on what and when.
- When atrial fibrillation (AFib) ablation timing impacts AFib recurrence https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/cardiovascular-diseases/news/when-atrial-fibrillation-afib-ablation-timing-impacts-afib-recurrence/mac-20584500

Wayne, when were you diagnosed with AFib? How long have you been taking medication?

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@collenyoung. I went to the ER four months ago because I felt my pulse was racing. I have never had any issues before. By the time they got me on the ECG, I was in normal sinus rhythm. One month later I was back and this time they confirmed Afib. So I have been on the medications for three months. My Apple Watch I started wearing three months ago, has not detected Afib ‘yet’.

The Cardiologist is thinking as long as the medications are preventing Afib from reoccurring, I do not need an ablation. I am 67 years old for the record.

My question is: Is the DAT time to an ablation critical providing I stay in normal sinus rhythm with the medication?

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wayne727 | @wayne727 | Aug 18 2:19pm
In reply to @colleenyoung "@marybird, I believe that may have been a typo. @wayne727, were you referring to Adenocard (adenosine..." + (show)
Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

@marybird, I believe that may have been a typo.

@wayne727, were you referring to Adenocard (adenosine injection)?

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@collenyoung, no I was not referring to adenosine injection. Are you referring to my medication Apocard?

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wayne727 | @wayne727 | Aug 18 2:22pm
In reply to @wayne727 "@collenyoung, no I was not referring to adenosine injection. Are you referring to my medication Apocard?" + (show)
Profile picture for wayne727 @wayne727

@collenyoung, no I was not referring to adenosine injection. Are you referring to my medication Apocard?

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I see why the question. Sorry for the typo. I meant Apocard.

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marybird | @marybird | Aug 18 2:48pm
In reply to @wayne727 "I see why the question. Sorry for the typo. I meant Apocard." + (show)
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I see why the question. Sorry for the typo. I meant Apocard.

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Ahh, I got it. Apogard is a brand name for Flecainide, an antiarrhythmic drug. Thanks for the clarification!

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marybird | @marybird | Aug 18 5:13pm
In reply to @marybird "Ahh, I got it. Apogard is a brand name for Flecainide, an antiarrhythmic drug. Thanks for..." + (show)
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Ahh, I got it. Apogard is a brand name for Flecainide, an antiarrhythmic drug. Thanks for the clarification!

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O0ps, meant Apocard is a brand name for Flecainide.

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