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AFib and Medication

Posted , 11 users are following.

Guest
Guest

Hi All

I was diagnosed in 2010 with Paroxymal AF and had just a few attacks of palpitations..was told to take no meds by GP ( he did ring a week later and say it might be worth taking a child aspirin daily which i did (bought over the counter) and took this right up to last October when he said stop taking it they probably do no good!!!!

Earlier this year I had a couple of weeks where I had a few more palpitations than normal and was put on Bisoprolol 2.5 mgs by GP who then informed me that as i was 65 in August 2016..i would be going on warfarin!!

I have had at least 3 kgs weight gain from this Bisoprolol since March and I feel tired so I asked the GP last week if i could reduce the dose to 1.25 mgs and he said yes and if i get palpitations anywhen then take the other half of the pill!

I cannot see that why as a 64 year old and taking no blood thinners/Meds since October..why this has to change and go on them just because I am 65..I do NOT want to take warfarin at all because of the side effects..and worrying about getting cut etc/scratched by my pets..they do this all the time... is going toi make my AF WORSE!Any suggestions..I have been told that I have to see GP re this Warfarin thing in 3 weeks!

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  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    I forgot to add the Bisoprolol also has given me achy legs and it is a struggle to walk any distance..but if I have to take it I will monitor it at the lower dose.
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  • macas02
    macas02 Guest

    Posted

    Hi Shelley, I also have PAF and have a few attacks (nothing too worrying)

    I saw a Cardiologist about 2 years ago and have had scans and 24 hour monitors.

    I was also given Bisoprolol 1.25mg twice a day. plus Felcainide, and blood thinners , I take the new type blood thinner Eliquis with ths you don't have to have regular checks and I have been fine on this. The reason for the blood thinners is that we could have a stroke!!!!! along with all he other medication he has now added perindopril which makes me feel very poorly so I have decided to take it on alternative days to see if that works....

     

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    • Guest
      Guest macas02

      Posted

      Thanks smile ..I will read up about that blood thinner..I am sure aspirin is ok tho and I am happy taking that...  many people in the USA take it...fortunately  GP has given me no more pills other than the Bisoprolol..I will try and keep the dose at the low one as I do not want any more weight gain!

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    • macas02
      macas02 robynfromOz

      Posted

      Hi, Thank you for checking but I only take 1mg as my blood pressure is normal, Cardiologist presribed it to support the heart I checked this out and it helps the blood flow thru the heart.

      I believe thats why I felt so poorly because it was lowery my blood pressure , the pharmacist said its ok for me to take alternate days.

      Any more  problems and I will contact my Cardiologist.

      Thank you again.

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    • afiblady
      afiblady macas02

      Posted

      I hate to sound mean, but your pharmacist isn't a cardiologist. Your doctor wants u to take these things for a reason. If u r going to go to him for advice, please take it.

      A blood thinner you need-scratches from your dogs can be remedied.

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  • Okapis
    Okapis Guest

    Posted

    I think what your doctor is getting at is that your risk of stroke because of AF goes up with age. 65 yrs is the point at which the doc's guidelines kick in. He would be doing you a disservice if he did not suggest the addition of an anticoagulant! 

    I did not want to take AC's for a long time. But as the episodes became more frequent I liked the idea of a stroke even less. I'm now on one of the new ACs Dabigatran. Warfarin is real pain. I agree.. keeping it level meant I felt I was attached to the GPs surgery with a giant elastic band, very disruptive to a working life. Eventually they took pity on me - maybe themselves too as I seemed to be a constant visitor taking up time and put me on the new stuff. I dont think you really need to worry about scratches and the like unless the levels are wrong.

    And if Bisoprolol does not agree ask to try another beta blocker and if this route does not work then ask whether there is an alternative. Rather think there is. I came off a beta blocker as it has been known to exercabate Psoriatic arthritis...I used Flecainide alone with a PIP for episodes along with other hypertension drugs.

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  • suzanne48640
    suzanne48640 Guest

    Posted

    Shelly, as I've mentioned many times, although eliquis is good, Pradaxa is the ONLY one of the newer blood thinners that has a reversal factor (like coumadin does) but needs no monitoring and has no dietary requirements.  I was on elequis but switched because of the reveral availability on Pradaxa. 

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    • Guest
      Guest suzanne48640

      Posted

      Yes I have just been reading about that one..still worry about the side effects of blood thinners..i was not worried about the baby size aspirin in any way and would much rather just take aspirin again to thin blood and the beta blockers if I have to still take them.
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    • Okapis
      Okapis Guest

      Posted

      What in particular is your worry about anticoagulant - you say above you worry about scratches from animals and so on.  Why? You wont bleed out from a scratch
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    • Guest
      Guest Okapis

      Posted

      In NHS guide for Warfarin it said cover arms up if gardening..dont get bitten if outside.watch scratches....i dont like all the testing with that either back and forth to Drs ..hate the places..so would if I have to go on ACs use one of the newer ones so I can eat and drink what I want!
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    • bea28340
      bea28340 suzanne48640

      Posted

      Hi Suzanne I was on rivaroxan but came off them when I discovered no reversal I'm on warfarin but it takes over your whole life with other meds food etc I'd like to try this Pradaxa I'm in the uk is it here

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