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Hi I need advice regarding atrial fibrillation and some symptoms I'm experiencing

Posted , 13 users are following.

michael2705
michael2705

Hi there, I had an episode of atrial fibrillation on 30th April 2011.  I woke up to feel my heart pounding.  My wife checked my heart rate and we went straight to hospital because it was racing rapidly.  To get to the point, my heart rate was very high and was given IV flecanide to bring the beat back to a normal rhythm.  

I was then put on Bisoprolol and Aspirin as regular medication.  Unfortunatley, I wasn't put on Omeprazole to counter the effects of the aspirin and had a gastric bleed later that year that was treated.

I have not been referred to a heart specialist ever as was told I didn't need to.  My gp has seen me for every day problems but doesn't monitor my condition.  From what I understand, is it right that I have paroxysymal atrial fibrillation as have not had a severe occurence since the one in April 2011 ?  I do get times when my heart will skip out of beat for a  number of seconds and then goes back to normal.  I also get twinges in my chest at times but wouldn't class it as chest pain.

For the last number of years, I have suffered with extreme fatigue and sleep for at least 10-12 hours a night if I can and can be sometimes up to 14 hours.  I have also had some lightheadedness and dizziness.  I went to see a different GP last week and told her of my fatigue, lightheadedness and dizziness.  She has done blood tests yesterday and I see her again next week.  However, I saw the receptionist at the surgery about something else and she said a doctor had checked the blood tests back as normal.  

Is it possible that even though I'm not in AF at the moment could the AF be causing me to be so tired and lightheaded. I'm not asking for a diagnosis here but just wondered if it was or if the medication could cause it.  My gp doesn't review me at all about my heart and AF and wonder if this should be the case or if I should have seen a specialist.  Thanks for your help.

0 likes, 28 replies

28 Replies

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  • kate07761
    kate07761 michael2705

    Posted

    As I am someone who knows very well when I am in AF and when it is brewing I cannot comment on whether you might be in AF but not know it.         If you thought you could be in AF and not aware then a 24 hour ecg might help. although also might not catch it if doesn't happen in that 24 hour.          What I can say as I am now only on Bisoprolol post Ablation Number 2 and having dropped off Apixaban and Flecanide is that I have  now got progressively fatigued.    I sleep all night but 7 hours and then 2 hours each day pm - utterley gone.   This is new and different for me.    I hope to dicuss this soon with my consultant but  reading that you are only on bisoprolol I wonder if it is the Bisoprolol?         I've not answer and all the tests for me say 'normal' !!!        Perhaps like me you are worn out and weary with the endlessness of it but also if you feel it is progressive I would press to have your BP and pulse checked out. 

  • babybrowns
    babybrowns michael2705

    Posted

    hello my name is julie i was born with ALCAPA a rear heart condition i had AF as well all the symptons you have i had and still do i am on Omeprazole and bisoprol and many other tablets. You can ask me any questions if you like .
  • CDM2
    CDM2 michael2705

    Posted

    Yes Michael. This is typical of "silent" afib.  Often we are in afib although are heartbeats appear normal to us.  Here the cardio puts you on a Holter monitor which is a device that you wear for 24 hours and you also record you impressions of when you think you are in afib.. Turns out I missed a lot of them.. I couldn't tell but the monitor could. It's like a portable EEG.  Another way of checking is to get a Blood Pressure monitor that also indicates irregular heartbeat and to use that to check yourself periodically so you will know if you are in afib or not.  You should be seeing a specialst is afib.. they are called electro-cardiologists... 

  • pauline31919
    pauline31919 michael2705

    Posted

    In my experience bisoprolol causes great fatigue, depending on your dosage.  Maybe you could enquire about changing to a different betablocker.   I wish you all the best. 
  • XoMonkey
    XoMonkey michael2705

    Posted

    Agreed with above ^^ I was on bisoprolol for a few months and had awful side effects (headache, fatigue, sickness, stuffy nose) whenever I forgot to take a dose. That also meant my heart rate went up, and down. Sometimes it would drop to 30. I got switched onto a different, and less known, beta blocker called nadolol. It's a long term beta blocker and its good. I'm 17. I'd say, if it continues then you may want to ask them about being referred to a cardiologist. They should review your bisoprolol at some point too.

    • djlovell
      djlovell XoMonkey

      Posted

      Hi xoMonkey, Are you still getting the skipped beats/ thumping since youve been on nadolol
    • XoMonkey
      XoMonkey djlovell

      Posted

      Hello. Yes I am getting them but on and off. I had gotten 15 the other day, a few yesterday and a few today. There's so many factors that contribute to it happening so not sure what it is lol. 

  • michael2705
    michael2705

    Posted

    Thank you all for your comments.  It is so good of you to reply.  Your replies are very interesting and have made me realise I need to see a specialist and have further tests done.  I am going to follow this up with my gp when I see her next week.
    • XoMonkey
      XoMonkey michael2705

      Posted

      No problem, it can be very frightening. The route would probably be through GP to cardiologist, more specifically electrophysiologist who specialises in rhythm. However, you could go private. They will probably perform longer ECG recordings, echocardiograms etc.
  • sarah88339
    sarah88339 michael2705

    Posted

    What strength bisoprolol? It makes you tired and dizzy. Get refered to a cardiologist,it is your right. If it is AF it will come back. How old are you and where are you living? All these are relevant factors.

  • LuckyPenny1
    LuckyPenny1 michael2705

    Posted

    What dosage of Bisoprolol are you taking?  
    • LuckyPenny1
      LuckyPenny1 michael2705

      Posted

      I take 10mg Bisoprolol and 6mg of Warfarin.  I take my meds at night because they make me so tired.  I was diagnosed with AFib in 2011 and was given a low dose to begin with but, had it increased to 10mg over the years because I kept getting episodes of AFib.  Certain foods that make me bloat such as wheat and dairy products seem to aggravate the condition.  
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