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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DBinIL 09/14/2014

Hello.....I've been reading a lot lately about people who take a rate control drug and/or an anti arrhythemic drug just when they need it. They take it when an episode of A-fib begins, and it slows down the heart and stops the A-fib.

I take both Atenolol and Multaq (along with xarelto) on a daily basis.....everyday. So far, I haven't had problems with the drugs (knock on wood!), but I absolutely hate having to take them everyday. I've been on both for a couple of years now. I'd love to be able to carry them and use only as needed. I only have an episode of A-fib every 6 or 7 months right now, so I guess the med is working but if I didn't have to take the drugs daily, I'd sure be happy!

Does anyone know the criteria for deciding if this is a possibility? I see my cardiologist in November, but I just thought maybe someone here had some insight.

Thanks so much for any thoughts you can offer on this!

Surfrat 09/14/2014

Talk to you EP/Cardiologist. PIP is a supplemental strategy above whatever med. regime you are on.

DBinIL 09/14/2014

AAhhhhh.......so most take the daily drug and use additional medication for a PIP???

yogacat 09/14/2014

Hi DBinlL, I have Paroxysmal Afib....average once a month ( but I have had episodes as close as every other day..because of triggers and 2x I have gone longer than 3 mos) I have not had ablation and I have Bradycardia. I self convert w/i 24 hrs. I am sensitive to most meds.

I take Pradaxa as my only daily afib med. When I get an episode...I am symptomatic...I take a Metoprolol to slow my HR. 25mg. slows my rate to 100 w/i 20 min. I stay in afib with a low HR for an average of 7 hrs.

I also have Rythmol 300 mg. to take when I get an episode if I choose to. It will convert me within 2 hrs. but I don't feel well for the rest of the day.

So, I choose the Metoprolol, even tho I am sleepy for the day. I am retired, so I can goof off when I want to.

This has worked for me for 3 years.

I had to ask my Dr. about using this method. My first Cardio Dr. said no. He said I needed a pace maker so I could tolerate Metoprolol..even tho, I was still getting episodes. I got a 2nd opinion, and this Dr. said OK. I kept the second opinion dr.

yogacat 09/14/2014

PS....About 8 mos. ago, I found I could cut my tiny front yard, soon after my HR had dropped to 100. I would come in after 20 min. of yard work and be sweating and Converted! I have done this about 5x. Also, I go for a fast walk and do a little jog. I stay at this for 20 min. and have converted. Several of us have found that elevating the HR a bit will convert us.

So, with a Metoprolol, and a little sweat...I am out of afib in 2-3 hrs. (I usually wake up in afib at 3 AM...so I have to wait for day light.) I am also not as lethargic as usual. Only once the increased HR did not convert me...and that was when my afib was triggered by a very frightening emotional event.

deleted_user 09/21/2014

Hi, I use the PIP approach. I do not take any other meds daily. I have afib episodes on average only twice a year.

God Bless.

Heather

keepumping 09/22/2014

I did PIP with Flecainide until it stopped working. I recently tried a time release calcium channell blocker, Taxtia, instead of beta blocker that was making my afib worse. The Taxtia has made my afib episodes more often but the symptoms are less severe and itt did bring my heart rate down a little when I am in afib so I am staying on it. for now.

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