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AFIB (Strangely) Hasn't Returned

Posted , 3 users are following.

andrew95119
andrew95119

A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with AFIB (all the tests and monitors) and went on flecinaide which halted it in its tracks. (Symptoms were short bursts of racing heart coming and going in several bunches and resolving only to go through similar cycles every few days). After being on the drug for 18 months, in July my Doc and I decided (at my insistence) to go I off the drug cold turkey and I continue to be episode free.  I do have bouts of pvcs but I have had those for years. Is this unusual or was I mis-diagnosed in the first place?  (I was going through a stressful time when the AFIB symptoms began) 

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3 Replies

  • joiner
    joiner andrew95119

    Posted

    Hi Andrew -  Im going through similar stages to you. I ended up in A&E last September with blood pressure nearly off the scale with a pulse of 180. I was stabalised over a couple of days and ended up on Bisoprolol, Warfarin and later Ramipril. I went through various stages of discomfort as experienced by many contributers on these forums. Over this last year I have only had one episode similar to my original experience and that was January 4 this year but I didnt end up in A&E on this occation. It came and went!  So I decided to experiment with my medication sometimes without the knowledge of my GP. I reduced Bisoprolol from 5mg to 2.5 mg, the Ramipril from 5mg to 2.5mg then to 1.25 mg and finally zero. I attend an Anti-Coagulation clinic every so often to maintain my INR at 2.5 although I sometimes wonder if I need to continue with this. Not having had any AF problems so far I am wondering as you are about misdiagnosis. I have been on a waiting list for over 12 months for a catheter ablation but not having had any AF problems since last September I am thinking of going 'cold turkey' myself. I get the odd palpitation every now and again but it doesn't worry me. Being 78 years old and seeing the problems that have arisen with Ablations I am beginning to have doubts about going ahead with it. Anyway I am feeling ok at the moment and am keeping my fingers crossed hoping that my wellbeing continues to improve. I should add that I am not recommending others to do what I have done. I am seeing my GP tomorrow and will be telling him - I think!!
    • andrew95119
      andrew95119 joiner

      Posted

      Hi Joiner

      In my case I did have a psychiatrist (who was also a GP) counselling me regarding my stress issues (General Anxiety Disorder) After telling her my AFIB disappeared and my anxiety issues were resolving she suggested that although I wasn't having full on panic attacks  (feeling like you are going to die) that I may have been experiencing the symptoms of panic attack which includes a racing heart.  Once I got my anxiety under control my heart has calmed.  I recall now that my Cardiologist wasn't initially convinced it was AFIB but he also didn't think it was a stress problem and didn't want to discuss that possibilty.  Is it possible that you also had stress issues around the time of your first episode?

  • andrew22534
    andrew22534 andrew95119

    Posted

    Hi Andrew, the gap between my first set of attacks / Afibs and my current ongoing heart problems was 7 years. Currently my situation hasworsened but yes both stes of events were initiated by very stressful times. Had support for that but as i have other conditions with my heart as well my health has gone down a lot. Stress can be a powerful initiator and once it has had an impact it leaves a problem behind. But well done you (both) for also being able to explore your conditions and do some work yourselves to see how you really are. Great for "confident" people those less so should do it with Medical support. I say always be wiling to challenge your doctors and make sure about what can be done nd what is being done - i coahc at an elite level and expect my athletes to question my coaching, shows their understanding of what they are doing and what i am trying to do wit hthem. As patients we are the same, being blindly treated doesnt help - for example not so long ago my GP prescribed vaso constrictors to help with my migraines nealry killed me because i also have a condition where the blood vessels on my heart constrict... i went back and queried the medication (after a very painful day) and had it changed pronto with apology- i like and admire my GP he works very hard for us patients but he treated one illness and hadnt checked out the other and we know each other well etc. I still trust him, but as then i will challenge treatments with my own research. After all how can either treatment or cure be found if people dont try things out?   
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