Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

It has to be really hard! I hate meds. I hate surgery as well, so I feel you.
I've seen many people take dig and thyroid meds. The only way to find out how you personally will be affected is by how you feel and bloodwork. I assume your EP and Endo know you are taking these drugs?

Some people swear that brand name drugs work better for them than the generic and even refuse to take generics. You are right - Lanoxin and Digitec are the same drugs. Digoxin is the generic. I personally tried only one drug which went from brand
name to generic in 2005 and
the only difference I've seen is that I saved 50$ per bottle. Quaility was the same.

As far as Dig itself, as much as I hate surgery, I would do the ablation if they offered me a choice between dig and ablation, only because I am 33 and I can't imagine taking dig safely for 30 years.. Maybe i'm wrong, but this is just my feeling.

Most common problems with dig have to do with toxicity. If your doc monitors the levels, your should be fine.
signs of high dig levels would be visual changes.
See how it goes - may be this is the miracle med for you!
Let me know how it goes!

Thanks. I really appreciate that. Since I'm much older (70 in July) I think my EP feels the risk of ablation is more for me. He also refers to ablation as not yet proven enough. I notice people often have more than one.

Do not hesitate to get a second opinion on the possibility of having an ablation. I am 68 and had the ablation in February and should find out soon if it was effective. The EP that I had been with for several years discouraged me from having the procedure because he could only claim a 50% success rate. I went to a larger city to seek a second opinion. The new EP, at a teaching hospital, claimed a 74% success rate and declared me a good candidate for the ablation. Even if I have to go back for a "touch up," it is better than being in a-fib 90% of the time. Meds just do not work for me or cause unacceptable side effects. My new ep, by the way, had me stop taking digoxin. He said it was ineffective and not worth the risks involved. My only other health issue is asthma.

Thanks for the input. My EP said it's all about statistics - stroke risk is less for me as a CHADS score=0 to stay on rate control than to try procedures or anti-arrhythmic drugs. I am, however, still debating about the digoxin.

When first diagnosed with AF I was on Digoxin for a year. I also take thyroxin. I had the most horrible panic attacks that never went away. They started the day after I began the Digoxin. I called my GP and my cardiologist and begged them to take me off of the Digoxin because I couldn't take anymore. I was taking Xanax for the panic and for a year I couldn't even leave my house. Finally at my lowest point I called all of my doctors and left messages saying that I was taking MYSELF off of Digoxin. Within a day I felt so good that I could go out again and all of the panic attacks stopped. I switched cardiologists and my new one said that there are a million other good medications other than Digoxin. He's so kind and so compassionate that we call him "the heart whisperer". LOL If one thing makes you feel bad then switch to another. When the Metoprolil caused insomnia and nightmares he told me to try cutting it in half and that has worked fine now. Just find a good Dr. and your problems will be solved. I'm 69. I have chronic AF but this Dr. said that high BP is much more serious than AF. I'm learning along the way but its not easy. Goood luck to you. Hidss