Atrial Fibrillation

[Mark Senter]

I am a 69-year-old male. I have occasional bouts with Atrial Fibrillation. For a couple of years now I have been taking Digitek (Lanoxin). A cardiologist has now recommended that I consider Toprol (which I have started taking), and Coumedin and Amiodrone (which I have not started taking). I would like to communicate with persons who are taking either Coumedin or Amiodrone, or both, for this problem. The possible side effects of both are a bit frightening to me.

[Kathy C]

With Atrial Fib you should be on some type of blood thinner. The risk of throwing clots with atrial fib are greater than not having fib.

My suggestion with the Amiodarone (having been on it and had serious side effects) I would at least try the Toprol first and see if that works if not the consider the Amiodarone.

But definately start the blood thinners now.

Kathy

[Lindsay:-)]

Hi Mark,

I have atrial fibrillation and used ot take sotalol for it which worked fine, then developed ventricular tachycardia and the sotalol didn't work so I was put on amiodarone which I absolutely hate taking and want to come off it ASAP. I would try the other drug first (I don't know that one).
I would try the amiodarone only if the other drugs don't work. It is a fantastic drug for the arrhythmias and it keeps mine under control and if it didn't come with millions of side effects it would be great. :-(

Hi Kathy,
Just a quick question about the amiodarone, did it make your eyes more sensitive to light? I can look at lights ok but when I look away I get loads of coloured dots for a few seconds then it goes away, also things seem brighter. I know people get coloured dots in front of their eyes but I seem to be getting then more that I used to.

Lindsay

[Laura B]

How long do your occasional bouts usually last? I found out that if an episode lasts less than 48 hours there is no problems with blood clots.

[boethos]

Mark,
I am a 53 y/o male that has had 20 years of problems with headaches and irregular rhythms. The couple of times I went to the ER, they said they were A-fib, but didn't do squat for me about them.

I've has issues for those 20 years with hormone imbalances, briefly, my body doesn't make enough testo. I was on shots for most of those years and recently went to gels, patches, etc.

What I have patterned that when it's time for more testo (on either a three-week shot rotation, or when on gels, after not taking any for a day or so) I get the irreg heartbeats. I have patterned it way too many times for it to be just coincidence. I have a medical background so I know what I'm doing. The 20-30 docs I've been to over the years won't recognize that pattern, and wont' link low hormones (via thyroid involvement) with the headaches or heartbeats.
I have proven both of these are related to the fluctuating hormone levels.
If you find a doc that will listen when you present this correlation to him, let me know, I'll fly to wherever and visit him myself.
As men get older their hormone levels change (T decreases) naturally, and that is when the incidence of irreg HB increase. Do the research, you'll see the correlation (or some say coincidence).

Ken