Update on my Afib

Hi All,

Well, my rhythm is finally normal. I got my PM on June 6th and it's working fine but my heart's been out of rhythm. I thought the Dr was going to shock the heart to reset it, but has been giving me tons of meds. The PM Clinic says my heart has been in rhythm for over a month but the Cardio says it's still out of rhythm...until last Monday.

The Meds he gave me are making me really sick. I have uncontrollable diarrhea (20 to 30 min or less after I eat ), nauseous, loss of appetite, loosing weight and I can't stay awake. Constantly taking 1 to 2 hour naps. Go to bed at 10 usually, and up between 6 & 7.

Monday he took me off one of the pills twice a day and put me on another...3 times a day to control the diarrhea. It's even worse than the one he took me off of. He also ordered tests, Echocardiogram (had it today), then
Regadenoscan Stress Test on Friday.
Monday I will have another Rhythm Strip.

Just wondering if this is normal procedure or any of you have had the same problem? If they don't shock the heart am I going to have to stay on these meds forever? Thanks, Connie

7 Comments

Meds

by Acin - 2013-08-07 08:08:52

Hi Connie,

What are the medications that you are taking that are making you so sick? I'm just curious. When I was first diagnosed, the medications that I was taking (and still am) made me so tired! I could barely stay awake during the day at work. It took 3 months before my body got use to the medications. However, I never experienced any diarrhea or nausea. The one drug, Bidil did cause me headaches about 30 minutes after taking it. AND I certainly have not lost any weight! LOL! I hope you feel better and I'm sorry that the meds are causing you so much trouble...try to hang in there.

Drugs?

by golden_snitch - 2013-08-07 10:08:40

Hi Connie!

There are some treatment schemes in Afib patients, and those usually suggest that the patient ought to try a betablocker and at least one antiarrhythmic drug (Flecainide, Propafenone, Dronedarone, Amiodarone), before one starts considering a catheter ablation (called "pulmonary vein isolation"). Not sure about where the cardioversion comes in, but I know that some patients receive a cardioversion BEFORE they are started on a medication, and some do when a medication alone doesn't work; shock the heart back into rhythm, then give a drug to make it stay in that rhythm. So, even if your heart is being shocked back into rhythm, your cardio might want you to take an antiarrhythmic drug.

What are you getting? I have been on all antiarrhythmic drugs that are available here (Germany), some with many side effects, others with none. What I didn't tolerate at all was Sotalol and also Verapamil. However, I have never had diarrhea from any of those drugs.

Best wishes
Inga

Difficult

by golden_snitch - 2013-08-07 11:08:40

Hi again!

If you have started all those drugs at the same time, it's very hard to tell which one of them is causing all the side effects or if it's the combination of them.

Diarrhea is definitely not a common side effect of Xarelto, I am on that, too (says "incidence not known", while other side effects are listed under "common", "less common" and "rare"). I looked up Furosemide and there it is listed as a side effect, also for Digoxin. For Metoprolol it's a common side effect, also for Propafenone. So, either just one of them is causing it or the combination of the four of them together.

The only idea I have how one could find out what's causing the diarrhea is to take you off the meds again, and then start them one by one and not all at the same time. But I'm not sure if that is an option in your case. You should discuss this with your doctor.

Best wishes
Inga

Drugs, Meds & Afib

by ms.shalimar - 2013-08-07 11:08:52

Kmom...I don't know if I was Afib. Went to Dr's not feeling good..pulse was 28, put me in the hospital and had PM put in 3 hrs later. Was Afib after the PM when I left the hospital or shortly thereafter. Went into PM Center when I was so out of breath from walking from kitchen to bathroom. Out of rhythm was discovered then.

It was then 10 days after my PM was put in the Dr put me on all these pills.

Furosemide 20 mg...2 a day...forgot to mention fluid retention
Digoxin 0.25 1 a day
Xarelto 20 mg 1 a day
Metoprolol Tartrate 25 mg 1 1/2 twice a day

I had been taking Atacand for 15 years but BP went up after PM

Multaq 400 mg 1 twice a day
Stop Multaq and start Propafenone 150 mg 3 times a day

And I take Tylenol Extra Strength 2 once or twice a day for arthritis. My Anti-inflammatory or Excedrin Extra was stopped. Can't take with meds.

Even Bottled water makes me nauseous.

Meds all at the same time

by ms.shalimar - 2013-08-07 12:08:26

Thanks Inga, The Cardio Nurse believes it is the Multaq that is the problem and just yesterday started the Propafenone in place of it. It too has the same side effects so not sure what the Dr will do.

Have taken Furosemide for some time when needed, know that isn't the sole problem...but in combination? Cannot live this way...have a cruise booked for Nov 30th and will cancel if it doesn't change. Booked long before I had the PM implant. Thanks for your comments tho.

afib

by kmom - 2013-08-07 12:08:49

Connie Did you have the afib before your PM?? just curious I'm sorry you're have so much trouble and I do hope you get to feeling better soon. I"m on meds as well to control my a-fib/flutter but don't have a PM as yet although there is talk that I might need one. fortunately the meds aren't making me sick but they are giving me other issues. I was to have a cardioversion the next day (last time I saw the dr) but when I got to the hospital i'd gone back into rhythm. My understanding is that even with the shock you'll probably need meds (at least that's what my EP told me.) the shock will get it back into sync but the meds will help it stay in sync. My EP was actually very surprised that the meds he gave me got my heart back into sync without having to have the cardioversion after only 1 day! i kind of was too but not complaining one bit! Wishing you the best of luck! keep us updated.

Stem cell therapy

by mikeski - 2013-08-14 11:08:17

Hi Everyone

Was wonder if anyone is involved in stem cell therapy? I read its been done in in trial test. I'm 63 with all kinds of heart disease. I guess I would like to get involved in it.

Thanks
Mikeski

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