Fib symptoms and conditions

I am a 48 year old female with a-fib. I am not overweight...just started falling apart since now I am menopausal. I've been on Warfarin for 6 weeks. My INR has hardly moved. I'm now on 8 mg and have my INR test on Monday. I started at a 0.9. Now I'm at 1.20 and have been there for three weeks in spite of upping the warfarin. I've not changed my diet except to exclude greens and green tea when I began the therapy. Everything else is consistent.
I just started exercising again a week ago. Something I haven't done in five years since I lost my sister. I bought a Total Gym and enjoy it. It has helped me get some energy back, has helped alleviate some of the mental fog, and has lowered the incidence of anxiety attacks. (I've been getting anxiety lately...since the mental fog and memory lapses...that bothers me since I love to read and write and the mental fog seems to be taking the joy out of it now.) The reason I decided to start strength training again is because of the joint pain I have been experiencing lately. I didn't have it before warfarin. I do now. Only one joint, though. The strength training does help, but every once in awhile, that sharp pain comes back to visit. It's just a little less now.
I plan to tell the doctor that I have begun strength training again. Not just because it's good for me and my heart, but it seems to help with the side effects of menopause and warfarin...without adding another drug like an antidepressant.
Warfarin...I believe is a life saving drug. BUT, I have to do my part too.

BTW, if I didn't have triple thick hair, I would complain about hair loss. Right now, it's a non issue for me. Just saves money at the hair dresser.

32 year old male. Admitted to ER with A-Fib. Treated with lovenox and atenolol. Cardioverted 3 days later. The headaches began as soon as I started the coumadin and have persisted everyday since. Worked with doctor to find cause of headaches, tried switching blockers, no avail. The only other med I'm on is warfarin. What else could it be? I love how a quick search shows "coumadin, no known side effects", but here's a room full of people with the same headaches. Now I see, headaches are just the beginning. What kills me, is instead of finding out why I went into A-Fib, and working to fix the real problem, the doctor's would rather thin my blood, so I don't have a stroke when my A-Fib comes back! I refuse to poison myself to death, just to avoid death by stroke. Come get me, I'm done with this qwuap!

Caused my heart to go into atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) and I had to be hospitalized. I used the nasal spray before going to bed and I would wake up with my heart going crazy.

After taking remicade for appx. a year, I started having heart problems, A fib, ending up having heart surgery, a kidney has collapsed, and had a lesion appear which was squamous cell carcinoma. All these problems developed have taking remicade; I do blame it for my problems. My Dr. treated me for ankylosing spondylitis, a form of RA. After so many problems, another Dr. told me that I did NOT have AS. And it did not help my pain at all. This is a troubling experience for me, and has been the worst thing that ever happened to me.

I take 25mg of Toprol XL for mitral valve prolapse. The only thing is I feel tired like I could fall asleep all the time. Is this common with this medicine on such a small dose. My doctor said this small dose shouldn't bother me. Anyone else take this dose and feel tired?

April I started Singulair last Thursday night and felt tired and depressed
29th on Friday but thought it was something going on in my life. On
2009 Saturday, I had severe, throbbing headaches all day but took the
Singulair for the third night. Sunday, I again had throbbing head- aches so looked up this web site and thought, "Aha!" I stopped
the medicine but had dull headaches on Monday and felt tired. On
Tuesday, I woke up and had trouble breathing. I went to the doctor
who ended up putting me on a nebulizer, giving me a shot of
steroids and prescribing an inhaler that I'm to use 3 times a day as
needed until the Singular is out of my system. I was only put on
the Singular in the first place because my doctor thought my
hoarseness might be from an allergy. What a nightmare!
I also suffered from apprehensiveness, and also
sleeplessness, and a fever. Never again!

Hello on the on the 3rd of December 08 I went to the hospital and was told I was in A FIB. After a scope and my heart being shocked back into normal rhythm I was sent home. I am taking Metoprolol ER Succinate and I think it is doing more harm than good. I have a headache all day long, my stomach hurts, my vision seems a little blurred at times, I have some pressure in my chest, I feel really tired and am short of breath. Im sure what to do. Anyone have any advice. E-mail at ******. net

Chest Pain (external), shallow breath, shortness of breath, anxiety, mild depression, lethargy.

I have just started taking Toprol XL 50 MG because of a scary Atrial Fibrillation episode last week.

When I was 30 my Doctor opter to put me on Norvasc to "control" my BP. My BP was 130/73. A couple of years later my new doctor changed me to Lotrel 5/10. My BP stayed in the same range despite me exercising less and gaining weight, and drinking more. Basically, I did all the wrong things. Despite that I never had any side effects from either Norvasc or Lotrel. Only other thing to note is I do have sleep apnea, untreated as of yet.

Well, last week as I stated, I had an episode and went to the ER. They pushed Lopressor and eventually Toprol to get my A-Fib back to level. I was completely freaked out of course. I went to my doctor the next day and he prescribed Toprol XL 50 MG at bedtime, and to stop the Lotrel.

I have been taking this drug now for 4 days. Here is my experience...

I take the pill with dinner at around 9 pm. I then go to bed soon after. While I lie in bed, I feel like I need to consciously breath or I will stop breathing. If I get up this feeling goes away. My breaths are very shallow. I have sleep apnea, so I can visualize myself falling asleep and not breathing. I do have some anxiety surrounding this, but I would not say it is out of ordinary. Right now it is 3:33 am and I cannot sleep due to this issue. Every time I start to fall asleep I jolt back awake because I feel like I am not breathing.

In the past three mornings, I wake up and feel anxious and downright depressed. I feel tired and wrung out. This appears to last until approximately 1 pm and then things start looking up. Then at 9 pm the whole cycle starts again.

My mother and father take this medication. My father takes 2 * 100MG and he does not complain of side effects. My mother takes 2 * 50 MG and she has similar side effects as what I have described.

Hello! After a 3 1/2 day stay in the hospital for atrial Fibb. which has since gone away and was likely cuased by extreme low blood potassium and sodium which has since been brought to all but normal levels.. I was taken off of Plavix a blood thinner which I had been taking since a heart attack in 2003, and put on the Warfarin, that was on June 22nd that I began taking Warfarin/Coumadin!. About 2 weeks ago I began having neck and shoulder pain, then slowly side and back pains deep down in the muscles. It is much worse in laying down position, have a hard time to sleep well, and if I trun or move while lying down the pain is very intense. I am going to assk the Dr. to take me off of the Warfarin and put me back on Plavix so I can see it it is the reason for the pains. I am quite sure it is! Please reply if you have the same symptoms as I do! Thanks, B.E.

I am a 39 year old female and I had an atrial ablation a 2 years ago, then 4 months later the a-fib returned and I went on the flecainide. I have nw been on the flecainide for more that a year 150mg(am) and 100mg(pm) and the shortness of breath and flutter has returned. Has anyone else had anything like this happen to them?

I am a 46 y/o male whom took lipitor 20mg for about 10 days. It was the first medication taken for me aside from occasional antibiotics. Within a week I began to develop severe nausea, weakness, postural dizziness and worst of all, chest pain at rest! I took my last dose last Saturday 8/9/08. Because of the chest pain, I went to the ER on 8/10/08 and discharged the next day after I ruled out for an MI and a negative exercise stress test. My chest pain recurred on 8/12. This AM awoke with nausea, dizziness and chest pain again. I'm going to have an adenosine stress test this PM. I consulted a pharmacologist yesterday about the metabolism of Lipitor and she told me indeed these side effects are not uncommon and in my case, Lipitor will not be eliminated from my body until probably this Sunday or early next week. Anyone experience what I'm feeling?

I have had A-Fib for approx. 6 years. I am a 61 yr old male, and have taken Flecainide for approx. 2 years, along with Diltiazam. I have loud ringing in my ears. I often wake up in the night with a very rapid heart beat (in normal rythnm). During the day I'm not bothered much by a "pounding" heart beat, but am at night. I still go into A-Fib periodically with this medication, and it usually last 6 to 8 hours before going back on its own. A-fib attacks vary--I may go several weeks, then have problems 2 or 3 times a week.

I recently posted on July 20th under Toprol XL side effects (45-yr old Male, USAF) and at the time was scheduled for a Cardio-version procedure for Chronic Atrial Fibrillation.
The procedure was successful and I am now on Betapace 160mg twice a day to maintain sinus rhythm. The drug took a little getting used to for the first few doses, but now has settled into my system pretty well. I did experience extreme fatigue, some light-headedness, a little blurry vision (Not bad, just when trying to read really small print in magazines and stuff) and general "weak" feeling for about two days. Now (4-days after Cardio-version) I am feeling very decent and have my energy level back.
I have one of those, Homedics Wrist based Heart/B.P. monitor cuffs and I've been crusing in normal beats with great B.P. on the Betapace. In my previous posting I explained that I'm pretty drug intolerant, but so far the Betapace has been amazing! I am not on Betapace AF, just Betapace Regular. Hopefully, I can stay in normal rhythm for a long time, but we'll see I guess.
I would recommend folks with Heart Rhythm issues like A-fib try Betapace, if their Doctor says it is an option. Oh, I have also been sleeping like a baby on this stuff, which is wonderful.

Hello all,
I'm a 45-yr old Air Force Major (Male) recently diagnosed with asymptomatic chronic Atrial Fibrillation (As in I have it and was walking around not knowing it). When I went to see the cardiologist, my B.P. was only 120 / 74 (Which, until they changed the rules, used to be normal)and he puts me on Diovan 80mg once a day plus Coumadin 5mg. Well the Diovan almost made me faint and I had numbness in both arms, plus a funky rash, kind of like chicken pox showing up on my arms and thighs.
I went online and read horror stories of Diovan so I stopped taking it immediately (I had only taken four doses and never had any horrible symptoms until after I took the meds!). Then the Dr. put me on an Event Monitor and it showed I was indeed in A-fib all the time, plus at night, my heart was racing briefly to 200 a minute while I was sound asleep. So he puts me on Toprol XL 100mg once a day.
Immediately I had trouble sleeping (Which I never had before, ever!) with crazy dreams and tossing/turning. My B.P. dropped to 88/65 and my fibrillating heart rate was 64!!! I was so mad because I actually felt better before the meds. I found this site and saw what everyone was posting and immediately took myself off the Toprol XL.
The day after stopping the Toprol I had slight chest pains (Like angina or gas bubble) but they went away on their own. I slept fine the next night.
I'm having an Electro-Cardiversion done on the 21st July to see if I can stop the A-fib and get in normal rhythm. I know the Dr. is going to be mad at me for stopping the Diovan and Toprol, but I'm sorry, I'm convinced there is a better way to beat all this (Namely exercise and eating right). Being in the service means you have to be Mr. Physical and Mental "perfect" all the time. I cannot afford to be diagnosed with depression in my line of work! Thanks to all on this website and I wish you the best.
PS. for those who think I'm being ignorant of my medication, I have a nice fat insurance policy and Power of attorney for my wife and kid in the event I keel over!!! I may be medication intolerant but at least I took care of my family.

My father is currently in the hospital for his second internal bleeding from coumadin. He had a GI bleed and was discharged a month ago, put on coumadin AGAIN , supposedly monitored and wound up in ICU again, this time he had trouble breathing and was intubated and sedated for two days. I really thought Coumadin killed my father and in reality it almost did.....Now the hematologists are saying he is extremely sensitive to it, and his only other option is heperin shots which he refuses to do (that also has risk of bleeding). he is going to live with the chance of stroke rather than take coumadin a thrid time which is what they are suggesting. (idiots) . he has atrial fib and needs to be on blood thinner but at this point he would rather take his chances or take aspirin even though the doctors are saying it won't work as well. Hopefully there will be new anticoagulants out in the market soon like there are in Canada and Europe.

Coumadin KILLS....8,000 people a year bleed to death from coumadin......yes, it helps people too but judging from this site the side effects are awful...if you can avoid coumadin you should...

OMG. Started taking Avelox and a cough pill at the same time. Thought the shakes were from being tired from not sleeping since I've had a sinus infection and coughing all night. Wondered if it was just in my mind. Went to the doctor. Told me to stop taking the cough pill. Sent me to the hospital for EKG. Called back and wants me to go to a heart specialist a.s.a.p for changes noticed since last EKG. Scared me badly. I'm only 42. Looked this up on the internet. Told pharmacist about problems. He said he never had anyone have any of my symptoms. Said to stop taking Avelox and drink a lot of water to help flush it out. Won't get out of my body for over 24 hours. Don't think our emergency room would have any clue how to help me since it isn't an allergic reaction just a side effect. Evidently most people who had trouble with this horrible drug have survived to write about it which gives me hope that I will too.

I got nauseous and my heart stopped soon after being given a nitro tablet under my tongue. I was revived with oxygen after about 20-25 seconds. I had entered the ER with a fever and chest pains which turned out to be pneumonia. My heart was completely check out with the plumbing and electrical found to be perfect. They even gave me more nitro during the electrical test with no effect. After waking up from from the elect/nitro test my heart went into a-fib on it's own. The only previous heart problems I have had were a few short a-fib episodes over the last few years.Here is what I think: My skin is always very flushed and with the fever my capillaries may have already been open when given the nitro causing extra low blood pressure. The latter negative nitro test was done in a cold room but when taken up to my regular warm room lying on a plastic mattress my capillaries opened and the residual nitro from the test kicked my heart to a-fib.

Hello,

I have just gone through a series of tests and a heart cath over the holidays. I have MVP and two other leaky valves. I have known about these since I was 28, I am now 62. I have had problems with the valves, skipped beats, faster beats early on in diagnosis. Just this Nov., I started with problems again, thus the tests were completed. They found Ven. Fib, fast and skipped beats, therefore putting me on the Toprol XL Tab SA. I have only been on this 7 days. New Year's Day, 4 days after the heart cath, I started with fever and chills, only to find out 2 days ago I have full blown strep throat. This makes me wonder if I had this before the heart cath was performed, as I had complete exhaustion,.... anyhow, I took myself to my family doc and she is taking me off of the Toprol and after reading all of your reports I am very glad. She treats me with herbs and has for years, until this episode, I have been very well, I am actually an energizer bunny due to her efforts! So I am working with her on herbs to build my system back up and support for the heart. I hope the rest of you can find a way to wellness that works for you. I know many people don't believe in herbs but I firmly do! Don't be afraid to try herbs if you can afford it! I am 62 and don't look it or act it, like I said until this episode and it truly makes me wonder if it wasn't the infection playing the biggest part. What concerns me is why that was not caught in the first place? Anyhow, take heed to your own body warnings, other people do not know what is transpiring inside of you, only you can know this. Thank you Doctor ** for keeping me well!

Switched to Metoprolol Succinate ER from Toprol XL at 50 mg dose once daily. For control of heart rate in A-FIB in combination with quinidine gluconate. For several years, side effect of Toprol XL was the suppression of my cluster headaches. After switching to the generic ER, the headaches are back. Very clear association with the change in medication.

One month ago I went into CHF, I have cardiomyopathy and A-fib. They put in an ICD that paces. I was sent home on Toprol 50 2x/day .Lisinopril 5 1x/day, Digoxin 125 1x/day & Coumadin. I weigh 86 lbs. These heart meds zapped all the life I had remaining out of me. Even at half doses I was in a fog with severe anxiety. I felt so bad I was readmitted 2x/ in a month. I have tried to take them at night, I have tried spacing them and nothing works other than being drug free. (Coumadin is not a problem) The Dr said there are some folks who just can't tolerate them, and that my real protection comes from my ICD. I worry about not taking the meds, but I have no quality of life with them so what can I do?

I have had AF for about three years. A year ago, I was in A Fib for about 3 months and decided to try flecainide. In four days my heart went into rhythm and stayed there for 8 months. A few days ago I awoke to a racing but regular heart beat of about 100-105 BPM. This has continued for 3 days and my doctor has recommended that I continue at an increased dosage. I seriously wonder if this is a side effect of this medicine.

I am a 54 year old male who has a chronic a-fib. My cholesterol was a wee bit high so my now retired MD put me on Zetia, which just about killed me- constant stomach pains and associated GI problems-we all can guess. So I went to see my cardiologist- he took me off Zetia and put me on Lipitor. It dropped my cholesterol levels significantly but the side effects are horrendous. My new MD was gooing to look into it because I was on 80 mg a day- but never did and never lowered the dose-229 is not all that high to warrant 80 mg a day.
I am now experiencing severe pain in my right rib-cage area, making sleep an event every night. Also have severe leg cramps the size of golf balls constanlty at night while sleeping. Pain in both elbows, and in the right foot, which when I can sleep wakes me up with a severe pounding pain. I am also experiencing severe neck and shoulder pain and am generally fatigued all the time- So I quit taking the stuff as of today on my own, I am seeing my MD in two week and I want to see what the difference is pain wise being off of the med for two weeks. I have always been a strong physical guy, played football all the way through college and am in pretty good shape for my age, but this stuff is killing me!! Hope this helps someone else also-Thanks for listening-John in Napa, CA.

I am a 72 year old male,who like every one posting here, has HBP, and
was prescribed,Lisinopril. I have been on this medication for 5 years but
just now found this web site. I have had all of the symptoms described by
every one but just thought I was getting ready to die. My problem is that I
have been on the drug for so long I'm afraid to quit taking it. My blood
pressure is very good. Does any one have any solutions.

Hello. I started taking lisinopril 20 mg about 1.5 months ago because of hbp and I also started taking toprol for rapid heart beat 1/2 a month before that. Although it did lower my hbp it made me feel lousy. I started getting anxiety all the time, aches in my body (stomach etc), nausea, dizziness, spaced out, and numbness in my hands. My father passed away about 2.5 months ago and so I figured that the anxiety was something normal given the circumstances. I thought that the other side effects were part of the anxiety. I felt as thought I was going to go crazy or die. I also started to become a hypocondriac thinking that if I had a pain in my stomach it might be stomach cancer etc. It was not until I found this site that I see that lisinopril and/or the toprol might be the thing that is causing me to feel lousy. I was always healthy and I never had anxiety. I understand that I shoud feel a little anxiety and sadness because of my father, but I don't feel a little anxiety, I get intense panic attacks. I feel as thought I can't get back to normal, I just feel as though I'm not myself. I want to stop this meds as soon as possible before I, too, get worse side effects. Please let me know if you all think that it is the medications or is this just part of the griving process. All I know is that I started taking this pills and all this started to happen.

I have been on Toporal XL 50 mg daily for 3.5 years. I have SVT & A-fib. I had ablation 2 years ago & it was not successful. Now I also take flecanaide 200 mg daily.
Since I started this drug I have gained 15+ pounds and have been working out harder than ever before...so frustrated. I experience all the same symptoms: fatigue, tiredness, especially walking up stairs, IBS, lethargy, on and on. I've tried to ween off but keep going back because my heart starts racing.
I'm going to try again.
Alcohol really triggers the rapid heart rate so I'll have to give that up too. I enjoy a little red wine and now that's gone!
This is such a drag.