12 months post VR and experiencing AF
Posted , 7 users are following.
I had a Aortic Valve Replacement 12 months ago, after 10 weeks PO I was diagnosed with an episode of AF, but was told by A&E that it was usual for my heart to experience AF due to the trauma it had been put through, and not to worry as I was already taking asprin, they also told me it was anxiety and to stop looking on the internet!
I am still experiencing symptoms but each time I have it checked out by my GP or at my appointments with the Cardiologist there is no sign. I am off all medication apart from daily 75mg asprin but at times I feel so unwell, some of the symptoms are difficult to articulate and I wondered if other sufferers of AF could list their personal symptoms.
0 likes, 21 replies
derek76 maisiejane
Posted
The surgeon said that I could stop the drugs three months after being in sinus rhythm but the cardiologist said otherwise, I stopped them both after the three months due to the side effects of them and went back to aspirin.
During that time I was in AF I did not really notice it or feel unwell. I'm very surprised at the attitude of you GP and cardiologist. You are the patient and know how your heart is functioning. You should ask for a seven day ECG monitor to be fitted as aspirin is not enough protection when you are in AF. If you went to cardio rehab were you all right during the exercises?
I had follow two up consultations with my surgeon in the first year when they did echo cardiograms before being referred back to the care of cardiology who now do an annual echocardiogram
maisiejane derek76
Posted
Thank you for your reply.
I was on Bisoprolol at the lowest dose as I didnt tolerate it too well for 6 months the Cardiologist took me off it as she felt it was affecting my mood!( I felt my mood was normal for someone who had gone through OHS, but apparently this kind of surgery and medication can cause depression!!!!!) She told me to stop my beta blocker that day and in 6 weeks I wouldhave a 48 hour monitor, following the monitor she then wrote to my GP and copied me into the letter and stated that my heart rythm during the monitor period was in good range between 60 bpm and 130 bpm so advised that the beta blocker should be removed permantly from my prescription. so I am now only on asprin. I saw my surgeon 12 weeks PO but didnt have an echo until 16 wks PO, all was fine. It could be anxiety related as symptoms of both conditions are similar. I will ask for a 7 day monitor if for nothing else but peace of mind.
Take care
derek76 maisiejane
Posted
Do you have a BP monitor? My one indicates irregular beats. My previous one also sounded the beats of the heart and it was easy to know how irregular the beat was.
I still have irregular beats but they are ectopic beats that I have had for years.
Let us know how you get on
maisiejane derek76
Posted
I have a BP monitor and my regular readings are 110/68 with HR of 68 - 75 it will show irregular beats but has only shown it twice and that was just after surgery.
I felt very fit prior to surgery - no symptoms,
Will keep you informed
derek76 maisiejane
Posted
derek76 maisiejane
Posted
It was only about nine months later while waiting for surgery that any symptoms became noticeable.
maisiejane derek76
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derek76 maisiejane
Posted
maisiejane derek76
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hugh52255 maisiejane
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robynfromOz maisiejane
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marco robynfromOz
Posted
maisiejane robynfromOz
Posted
Thanks for your reply,
When I feel I am in AF, I am aware of my strong heart beat, but it never seems to go too fast, I can feel dizzy and feel like I dont have enough oxygen getting to my brain ! I get problems with my neck and experience occasional tingling in my face and arm, My Cardio did mention Sotolol to take as and when but she never prescribed it as there was no sign on my 48 hr monitor.
Take Care
Carneuny maisiejane
Posted
I am assuming you are in UK and my comments are based on that.
I'm not a Dr so my comments are based only on experience and knowledge gained with this mongrel condition over the last 5 years. So, AF can be and often is all things to all people which makes it hard to treat. If you haven't already done I would download and print off AF NICE Guidelines CG180. Also DG14, both were published in mid 2014.
CG180 I feel will answer many of your questions.
The spin off from AF is that it can lead to a stroke however the risk of this is dependant on a number of factors and can be calculated with the formula CHADSVASC2. If you get onto the Atrial Fibrillation website I think there is a calculator there (you can do it yourself) which will give you a value for your risk - it is safe to say the higher the value the higher the risk and the higher the risk the greater the need for proper anticoagulation. Asprin is no longer considered the correct anti stroke treatment for persons with AF. See DG14.
Personally I would scrap these two medical advisors and ask your GP for a referral to an EP (an Electrophysiologist) - a Cardiologist who specialises in the treatment of heart arrythmias. If he refuses go to your local CCG and make a formal complaint and ask them to do it. The Atrial fibrillation website will also provide you with a list of EP's near to wherever you live. You do have a right to request your own consultant of your choice. Anticoagulation, well the normally accepted is Warfarin or one of the newer drugs known as NOAC's such a Dabigitran. Warfarin is cheaper than NOAC's and has an antidote, the NOAC's have no known antidote at this stage. However, not all people can handle Warfarin so they would or should be offered NOAC's.
Also some people can be in AF and not know it ! I'm one and it is written in my Cardio consultants report to my GP when I was discharged from hospital. However, the times that I was in AF Iand did feel it it felt like a mob of octupuses wriggling away their tenticles in my chest or a squadron of butterflies in a dogfight, sometimes several squadrons ! Also no energy it would take me 30 to 40 minutes to walk a distance I can now walk in 10 minutes.
Hope my ramblings here help, any queries just get back to me on here. And ignore your Dr who said stop looking on the internet - used wisely its the only way of keeping the b******s honest
The only reason forums like this exist is because the so called medical professionals aren't doing their job, its not just about diagnosis and treatment but about support to.
Good luck -
John
derek76 Carneuny
Posted
Sadly not all cardiologists are aware of that.
maisiejane Carneuny
Posted
Thank you for your reply.
I will down load the AF NICE Guidelines and take a look
Deb