Posted on 07/21/2011 6:52:00 PM PDT by Focault's Pendulum
I was diagnosed in May this year with A Fib. For those of you who do not know, that is a sometimes rapid and irregular heart beat.
I'm on a beta blocker,and a blood thinner also to control my blood pressure.
If you have it you know the symptoms. Lately I've been getting dizzy and a prickly feeling on my upper back if I get up too fast. (Yeah I know the joke line...get up slowly)
My Doctor has just seen appropriate to up my meds slightly. Most of the time I feel great.
But I've been having days like crap. I sometimes can hardly stand for five minutes at a time without having to sit or lay down. I have actually had to do my morning shower and shave in increments.
I feel OK most of the time. but these episodes seem to becoming more frequent.
The were happening once or twice a year, now they're coming every few weeks.
BTW my beta blocker is supposed to lower my blood pressure and slow the heart beat. It has, but I sometimes experience a rapid beat which quickly subsides.
I’ve known two people with walking AFib. Both of them were control defibbed...as in, they had to make an appointment to go in and get shocked.
Both of them said it was pretty unpleasant but, it fixed the problem.
Yes, numbness in arms and hands, and never stand too long in one place.
It's worth it if not taking them will kill you...
I’m on Metaprolal.
75 mg twice a day.
I’ve been living with it for about ten years now, the last five with it under complete control. My docs tried controlling it with meds for fours years with limited success. Eventually had cardiac catheter ablation with spectacular results. I very rarely get a little wobble or two in my rhythm, but otherwise my heart beats like a metronome now.
They fix that these days on an outpatient basis with ablation.
It's not perfect, but it's better than living with the condition.
First thing they will do is take you off every heart or cardiovascular system related drug. My dad had this procedure at the age of 80.
I was diagnosed with it a couple of years ago, and am on beta blockers and coumadin. I tried Pradaxa but had a bad reaction. I also have sleep apnea, which is apparently commonly associated with Afib. So I’m on the CPAP machine. It’s all livable, but a a definite pain in the ass.
Propranolol 40mg x 2, Calan 180 mg before bed and a Blood Pressure med.
Propranolol is a beta blocker and Calan is a calcium channel blocker.
I’ve been on all the others listed but they made me feel like crap and the combo of the above work great. I’ve been on them for 10 years now.
Diovan, Atenolol, Norvasc, asprin, Trmitrene, Aggrenox....it goes on.
I'm there, Dude...but I'm not so sure about the "worth it" part.
I had the coumadin while I was in the hospital (four days without a laptop...I was in hell).
Now just 350 mg of aspirin once a day.
I have Been in AFib for 20 years now, also Congestive Heart Failure. I take about 10 heart and cholesterol meds. You mentioned you have been seen by your doctor — I hope that he is a cardiologist, if not, get an appointment with one ASAP. Usually AFib is treated with blood thinners, like Warfarin (rat poison) to avoid a stroke. That requires monthly blood tests (PT-time). Your symptoms could be an indicator of serious cardiovascular problems, Good luck.
My dad has it when he eats food containing MSG. Obviously he avoids it like the plague, but sometimes it is added to restaurant prepared food. He has learned to ask for nutritional info from the waiter. If they don’t have it, they don’t get his business.
I had the same thing, but absolutely would not go on RX drugs. The drugs have tons of side effects. I went to my natural guy who knows everything......I started taking Cardio Cocktail, Hawthorn Berry 1000 mg a day and Arjuna 500 mg a day. I feel great and no more flipping heart or rapid heartbeat. I’m not a doctor, just saying natural stuff can be good even better that RX...but good luck finding a dr who will help you since they make so much money off RX drugs.
‘It’s all livable, but a a definite pain in the ass.’
Beats the alternative!
A few years ago the doctor was pushing the "shock" treatment. At my age (61), there was no guarantee that would have solved the problem so I declined.
If the blood thinner you are taking is Coumadin/Warfarin, one of the side affects could be drowsiness so I take it in the evening.
IMO, Afib is not something to panic over. It can be managed.
Had it in 2005. 85 mg Sotatol every night, never had to get shocked: converted back to normal after a day or so of Cardizem in an IV drip. Was a scary couple of days, tho. . .
I'll take 'em as long as I can afford the $8G/year to get them.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.