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.
Hey Guys, Robert here
Although I havent posted lately, I still drop by here about several times a week
Most know my history AFIB hit in JAN 2011, on all sorts of meds, last of 3 ablations at DUKE was in SEP13; hospitalized ~ 15 times in the last 5 years. Got the Medtronic LINQ implanted monitor Dec14.
That data shows that I had two significant events: 36 hours in DEC14, 48 hours in MAY15 (after prostate cancer surgery) which was expected. Dont get me started, but the 36 hour was due to kayaking in open-ocean for hours. My HR went up and didnt go down until days later. Discounting those two events, I only had 3 incidences of AFIB or anomaly that lasted a total of less than 2 minutes.
Fast forward to today: I have asked my doctors to review my case to determine theyd recommend me stopping all AFIB meds. After their internal review with my EP, Cardiologist, etc. they supported me stopping the meds. We discussed risks, benefits, etc. I was cautioned to be sure to _always_ have my diltiazem with me at all times, and get a pill-in-the-pocket anti-coagulant drug. I am very symptomatic, thus know when Im in AFIB or out of rhythm and need to take the pills-in-my-pocket.
So here we are today: should I stop the meds or continue? As far as I see it, the down side is that if AFIB returns, then I have to go into the hospital for the 72 hour drug load again. Upside is that Im NSR and w/o meds which would be my goal.
Anything else that I have not considered?
Thanks In Advance,
Robert
Although I havent posted lately, I still drop by here about several times a week
Most know my history AFIB hit in JAN 2011, on all sorts of meds, last of 3 ablations at DUKE was in SEP13; hospitalized ~ 15 times in the last 5 years. Got the Medtronic LINQ implanted monitor Dec14.
That data shows that I had two significant events: 36 hours in DEC14, 48 hours in MAY15 (after prostate cancer surgery) which was expected. Dont get me started, but the 36 hour was due to kayaking in open-ocean for hours. My HR went up and didnt go down until days later. Discounting those two events, I only had 3 incidences of AFIB or anomaly that lasted a total of less than 2 minutes.
Fast forward to today: I have asked my doctors to review my case to determine theyd recommend me stopping all AFIB meds. After their internal review with my EP, Cardiologist, etc. they supported me stopping the meds. We discussed risks, benefits, etc. I was cautioned to be sure to _always_ have my diltiazem with me at all times, and get a pill-in-the-pocket anti-coagulant drug. I am very symptomatic, thus know when Im in AFIB or out of rhythm and need to take the pills-in-my-pocket.
So here we are today: should I stop the meds or continue? As far as I see it, the down side is that if AFIB returns, then I have to go into the hospital for the 72 hour drug load again. Upside is that Im NSR and w/o meds which would be my goal.
Anything else that I have not considered?
Thanks In Advance,
Robert
I've only gone to the hospital once because of my AFIB. When the ER doc called my cardiologist, my cardiologist said, well Paul goes in and out of AFIB all the time, send him home, he'll convert on his own. She was right. Oh yet, then I went to the ER when I had the stroke ... guess we can count that also.
If you feel your AFIB is under reasonable control, my opinion is get off as many meds as possible, and try the pill-in-the-pocket. However, DO NOT stop the anti-coagulant. AFIB may be annoying, but brains don't heal well ... or at all.
Eliquis.. maybe I'm naive, but not too concerned about being coagulated... My Chads score is like zero.
Robert
I go see my regular cardio-dr in a couple of weeks...
I asked about taking a daily aspirin, and if i remember correctly, the DR indicated that latest research shows that taking an aspirin a day vs. nothing, there was no statistical difference in stroke prevention.
Maybe I'll take a 325 mg aspirin daily until I see the DOC on FEB 12.
Finally if my implanted monitor captures something, it will automatically upload the strips to the DR office, and they'll review and call me. I know it works, as we've done it before. So even if I don't feel it (which would be highly unusual), I'd be no more than 24 hours from reporting the event.
Robert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YdDehVw_AM
What is significant is that the stroke risk with aspirin is more than twice what it is with an anti coagulant. However, the bleeding risk is the same. So with aspirin you have minimal benefit with higher risk.
The FDA no longer recommends aspirin no stroke prevention:
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm390574.htm
Hello everyone. I'm 5 weeks post-no-meds and seem to be doing great. No AFIB, and only occasionally a few skipped beats.
For me, I seem to be 'better' off the meds. But it could just be me. The down side is... I've gained 6#. Not sure of was the topolol or other stuff, or maybe it's just my winter coat.
I saw my maintenance cardiologist. We talked about the +'s and 's of it all. In fact I brought up the aspirin study up to him first. If I call correctly, the study was based on Japanese men which have other factors w.r.t to American males.
He also said the stroke risk is higher than the bleed risk for people below (as I am) 65. After 65 the higher risk is bleed.
Again, he computed my CHADS score as 0 as well as some other score (sorry I can't recall) was 'normal'.
To sum it up, I have my diltiazem and Eliquist in my pocket. So far I have not had to pull them out.
I had been on the warfarin for the last 5.5 years. I was worried about the long term use of the drug.
Finally he did say that when I get to 65, it is likely that I will need anti-coagulation therapy. I'm hoping to be off of anti-coag meds until them.
Robert
Glad to hear you're off the other meds!
It was definitely good to get off the metoprolol. My mind seems much clearer now.
I assume the PIP anticoagulant is so you can start on it before the 48 hour window where they think blood clots start to form.
Since I am very symptomatic, if I get AFIB, I should pop an Eliquist along with the diltazem.
My understand is that "E" anti-coagulates you in a matter of hours, not about a week for the warfarin.
Robert