Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.

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SeanOpositive 08/27/2014

I got to spend last Thursday morning at the E.R. I had a funnier-than-usual a-fib rhythm and could barely feel my pulse. I thought my feet were going numb, too, plus some chest tightness, so I called it a night and drove to the E.R. at 230am. The E.R. doc transferred me to the Family Medicine wing to prepare me for cardioversion. I guess I passed a threshold of sorts. My first cardioversion prep. While still in the E.R. about 5am, I asked the nurse for 0.5 mg Klonopin. It has converted me on a number of occasions. At 6am, I got my Klonopin and soon went up to the Family Med wing for my heparin IV. At about noon, I converted. The EP consult arrived at 3pm and I got some useful information regarding the possibility of using Xeralto pill out of pocket on a second day of continuous a-fib. Since Flec and Rythmol have failed, he suggested I try Tikosyn. Since i am not a candidate for catheter ablation due to a kinked IVC vein, he encouraged me to reconsider the 5-box thoracoscopy mini-maze. Well I'm rambling, but the point of my story is that the Family Med docs were really concerned that I was using Klonopin. We had a great conversation about alternative. They suggested I use hydroxyzine (Vistaril) for acute anxiety and Bispurone for chronic treatment. Since my a-fib is often related to anxiety and stress, I'm wondering if these might help. Also because Klonopin converts me. Anybody here ever try Vistaril or Bispurone?

DeTalentedOne 08/27/2014

I am sorry u are still having issues. Have u doctor thought about putting u on multaq? After my 2nd ablation multaq and metaprolo seems to be my magic pill combination. I will say while I was on zoloft and celexa ( different times) it did keep things calm. Zoloft was the best for me but the down fall was it caused me not to concentrate on one thing too long so alot things did suffer. I know afib causes a lot of anxiety because u think each episode is the big one and it won't ever stop. I think maybe u should look into the mini max procedure since u can't have an ablation. Having a quality of life is very important. Good luck!

yogacat 08/27/2014

Goodness Sean, what a freight those symptoms must have been. Was there any explanation for them? Guess the ER Doc thought it was All caused by the irregular HR.

Do you have apt with your own Heart Doctor or can you make one to talk to him. To me, that would be important.

I've not taken any of the meds you mentioned, but I have huge compassion for the anxiety and offer a gentle supportive cyber hug~

Maymitut 08/27/2014

WOW! That is scary. I take 0.05 Ativan PRN when I get an
anxiety attack that puts me into AFIB .. they gave it to me
in the hospital.
I think I would be better served if I could work on the anxiety
itself and get it under control.
This past winter my anxiety level was so high I was in ER 6 times.
When the problem passed .. my heart rate went back to normal.
I have never heard of the drug you mentioned but do know that
kolonopin is prescribed to my cousin for seizures.
Hope to hear better news from you soon! Marilyn

duder 08/27/2014

I've taken buspirone in the past. From my understanding it's a drug that a lot of dr's try first when treating anxiety because it's well-tolerated and doesn't have a lot of side effects. Only problem is, most people say (myself included) that it doesn't work worth a damn.

daisy0808 08/27/2014

Oh my what a terrible experience and I m so sorry to hear you are having such a bad time!I think it would be worth a try with the buspirone, it may be the one that works for you, meds seem to effect us all differently. Unless you try it you will never know. It takes time for them to see if they work so give it chance if you decide to try it. I myself took Zoloft when first diagnosed with this beast and it worked well for me, I was on a low dose and it was enough to keep me calm for the most part and if it really got bad i could take a small dose of xanax. I no longer take the Zoloft and the xanax is just my safety net if I really need it which is pretty much never anymore.

I was on Tikosyn for 2 years and it worked well for awhile but started having breakthrus so opted for ablation. Since you are not a candidate for ablation the mini maze sounds like it may be your ticket but if you can get the anxiety thing under control you may be able to do without for now.

Are you sure the Klonopin converts you or is it just coincidence that it helps settle you down and you convert on your own? I know for me that if I took a xanax and got settled down i would convert shortly after but I never thought it was the Xanax that converted me, It calmed me down and the afib seemed to have run it course. Now I use deep breathing and try to tough it out depending how severe it is.

SeanOpositive 08/27/2014

Thanks all. Yeah, I really need to get back to my breath-based meditation practice. I was steadfast with it in June -- I was following a method called the The Presence Process, described in a book of the same title written by Michael Brown. The Process involves 15 minutes of breath-based meditation in the morning, and the same at night. It's so tough to make that time, or dedicate that time, but I had so little anxiety and afib back in June. Thanks for the reminder. --Sean

yogacat 08/28/2014

Me too Sean. I have slacked off on my Meditation Practice....it makes a huge difference for me....but it does take time and dedication. Crazy Me for neglecting to do something that I know makes my life better.

Things to do today.....15 min. Meditation

And take Magnesium!!!! Another thing I have been neglecting.

May Today be a Blessing for All of us!!!!

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