QuoteMeganMN Have you tried muscle relaxers? They are actually usually more effective than pain medication. If you cannot get a prescription, there is a natural alternative (Valerian) but most likely Flexeril or Tizanidine would be better. I have not recently, but I will ask about it at my next appointment. It seems I don't complain enough about the pains I have and need to start expressiby kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteDaisy Gabapentin seems to be a "try it and see" medication. I had to start with a very low dose and slowly increase it as it made me groggy at first. And CBD seems to be regulated differently in different states. That is the opinion I get from reading and talk to a couple of people I know here. One individual swears by it and the says it is just ok for him. CBDs are legalby kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey My doctor specializes in pain management. Florida still has a big problem with opioids, and most doctors here try to avoid prescribing them as a result, at least where I live currently. Not really complaining about it, but I would still like to have something that would help. Considering, at my last appointment we were at either ablating my sciatic nerve or looking at fusing the spinby kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteDaisy How about Gabapentin? I take it and it is helpful for some types of pain. It doesn't seem to affect my heart. A couple other ideas: oral CBD oil--my EP gave that a green light. I take it for sleep but it does help many with pain. It is also helpful as a cream. And here is a far out one (not really as there is a lot of research on it) Low dose Naltrexone. I take 3 mg when theby kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteCarey Find a pain management specialist and book an appointment with them. You'll find the attitude toward narcotics vastly different, and they may have other options they can offer that other docs don't. My doctor specializes in pain management. Florida still has a big problem with opioids, and most doctors here try to avoid prescribing them as a result, at least where I live cuby kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have taken tramadol in the past, and it does affect my heart rate some. The doctors here are even hesitant to prescribe that, it seems. I may have to break down and ask him to prescribe something to help. It seems to make it worse, when I tell them I only need a few tablets a month. The pain is bad most of the time but getting up and moving around every hour helps to keep it at bay during the dby kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
In addition to AFIB I also have problems with my back, hip, and suffer from some sciatic pain. We had planned a minor procedure, but my insurance decided it hasn't been proven to work enough for them to cover it. I used to take Motrin and an extra strength Tylenol to take the edge off the pain enough to allow me to get to sleep. As with many here, Motrin is not recommended while taking anticby kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have taken both metoprolol and diltiazem with apixaban over the years. My experience is that I bled more with metoprolol than taking diltiazem. I still bleed more than not taking it, but it did seem worse with metoprolol to me. I find this interesting, I will add it to my list of things to search for. Thanks!by kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
I had a lot of brain fog when I was on metoprolol. My BP at the time was in the high range of normal. After stopping metoprolol, every time it went away. I was on metoprolol 3 different times and is one of the reasons I will never take it again. Most BB don't agree with me and I try to avoid them. I do take carvedilol but at a very low dose, 3.125 mg and that is because it helps keep my BP iby kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
That is pretty much what my ECG looked like before my ablation. Hopefully you will find something that works for you!by kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
It is good to have options available, hopeful something in the mix will work for you. Just keep positive and fighting for the end goal.by kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteMeganMN I think that my biggest frustration with the meds has been the general lack of efficacy. This was my problem for the longest time. Most of the medications didn't really work well for me, or the side effects were so bad that AFIB was almost better. Some worked to lower heart rate, some would lower BP, some seemingly made it all worse and that is how it wound up on the regime tby kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
The best advice is to listen to your body. Try not to do too much before you get a feel of what you can really do. It took me a few days to get back to feeling good about moving around. I know others that are up and moving right away. For me, I felt good sitting or laying down in bed. But I had vertigo to the extreme when I got up and first started moving. After I was up for a bit, I was generallby kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
From my experience and talking with many doctors over the last 4 years. The approach for managing arrhythmias has been to control heart rate and then work on rhythm. With ultimate GOAL of increasing quality of life. After my first trip to the ER in 2020 started with a medication drip to get my heart rate down, starting on Metoprolol, and Eliquis. To get me to a point, they could do a cardioveby kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
Megan keep fighting the good fight. I think the majority here have been through some phase like you are in. It is alright to question yourself but follow the facts and how you feel. This will lead to an acceptable place for you to be in. Currently, I am taking a bit of a break and letting things play out a bit. But I have already started making plans to continue on when I am ready.by kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
I know when mine get into a good run, each double beat gets seen a single beat and I can get ~35bpm on my pulse ox or my watch. When I run an ECG, it shows my pulse much closer to 75-80bpm. It really is a grab bag on how I'm going to feel.by kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
I take meclizine for vertigo, but it also helps with other forms of dizziness and some medication side effects. Not always perfect, but it has helped me when my PACs last for days. Give it a read, you can get it over the counter to try it. My prescription with insurance is about $1 for 60 tablets. Not sure, it will help, but it does give me some relief. My doctor prescribed when I was taking Metoby kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
Quotegloaming I now people who haven't a clue they're in arrhythmia. I miss these days, prior to a cardioversion in 2020 I didn't really feel much of it. While it is truly miserable, this is better than my AFIB before my ablation. I can still function and do the things I need to get done. Before the ablation, it was a chore to answer the door before they left. Who knows what gooby kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you for the post, it is helpful for me, even if it is just to see someone else is going through similar events. Hopefully you can get some relief soon. I know when this happens to me, it is miserable. I have an appointment coming up in May to reevaluate what is going on. Until then, I just keep on going.by kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
I don't know what my BNP level was, but when I was in persistent AFIB I could literally use the restroom and have to turn around and go back. Now, when I get a couple of hours of PACs going, it's almost as bad.by kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
Check your BP and make sure it is not dropping too low. What do you mean by heart rate is low? Is it staying around 60? If so, you are still good. There are a couple of things you can do, if your other vitals are good you ask for meclizine from your doctor. Or you could try Dramamine non-drowsy formula (has to be non-drowsy) to see if it helps.by kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
I would go through with the earlier date, but that's just me. I didn't have a CT 48 hours before, they did all my stuff the day of the procedure. Just get as much rest as you can beforehand and try to organize things so you won't have to do as much when you get back.by kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have been there, and still am to a degree. Just set smaller daily goals and when you exceed them, it is a good day. If you don't get up the next day and keep going. I spent a couple of years playing with doctors and cardiologists that only wanted to prescribe Metoprolol and leave me in a corner. I finally put together a team that did something useful for me. It's still not a success,by kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
The chemical will increase your heart rate to simulate you exercising. It last about 2 minutes maybe 3, caffeine will counteract the chemical. They will run an EKG during the medication and then either ultrasound or some sort of MRI. I had one done last year because of my back and hip not tolerating the treadmill run.by kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
QuoteMeganMN Could be my rhythm exactly. Looks like PACs with compensatory pause and a bit of Atrial Bigeminy. It doesn't feel great. The best thing I can right now about mine is even though the ablation was a failure, at least my heart rate is no longer 110 to 120 during this.by kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
It looks like a solid plan, I hope you can find some relief! It truly sucks when your heart is acting up and nothing seems to work for it.by kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
It went on for about 3 hours, with between 12 and 14 PACs a minute. Finally laid down for about 45 minutes and it cleared up for now. Hopefully it stays away for a while.by kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
Thank you, sure doesn't feel good. Been going on for a couple of hours now. I guess I'll wait it out a bit.by kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
I'm not found of posting these things, but I would like to know what others think. Thank you for your patience.by kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM
I have been taking Multaq for about 5 and half months. I have never had it increase my heart rate. It does take a few days to get into your system and really start working. Hopefully things will calm down and you can get some relief.by kliving - AFIBBERS FORUM