Feeling low

I would be grateful if anyone could let me know why I may be feeling so bad at the moment. I experienced a sustained period of AF in early August, which corrected after 48 hrs.  Over the past three weeks, I have been feeling generally unwell, with periodic bouts of light-headedness, chest discomfort and chest tremor (particularly when I wake up in the morning). I have also completely lost my appetite. But I am not short of breath. If anything the symptoms ease when I exercise. I am on meds for hypertension - including large doses of amlodopine and bisoprolol - and my blood pressure has recently fallen from around 130/80 to 110/65. I have seen my consultant and he says there have been no further episodes of arrythmia and suspects anxiety but I am convinced it's not that. Something is not right. 

Appreciate knowing if anyone else has experienced the same. 

2 Comments

likely

by The real Patch - 2017-09-11 19:30:32

I think it quite likely it's the Amlodipine + Bisoprolol. Since I was put on a high doseage of Metoprolol and the Amlodipine was added, my sparkling personality has gone and I've struggled with the blues and DGAS (don't give a...) attitude.

Then again could be something totally unrelated too. Hang in

Atrial fibrillation.(AF)

by Selwyn - 2017-09-12 13:48:11

Symptoms of AF vary from person to person. My present episode has not settled since onset ( dancing quickstep) this last Sunday.  Symptoms include light-headedness, anxiety, palpitations, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, tiredness  etc.

Sometimes the low pulse rate associated with beta blockers causes problems. Betablockers are certainly associated with depression,  and that with loss of appetite, as is just about any medication- for the loss of appetite. I have found that if I exercise with AF I either get worse palpitations, or I can forget about it. I am taking Nebivolol- this seems to have less side effects than the sotolol and bisoprolol I have tried in the past.

Your consultant may well be correct : there are standard anxiety/depression questionnaires you can fill out to try to take some of the guess work out of diagnosing mood changes. Palpitations, light headedness, chest pain, loss of appetite etc. are all associated with mood changes.  The diagnosis should not be based on opinion, only on suspicion. 

The use of my Kardia phone ECG has helped me keep  an eye on my AF  ( I am waiting for an ablation procedure). It is particularly useful to have something in writing. Nobody wants to be thought of as neurotic. I intend to present my sheaf of print outs to my cardiologist when I see them tomorrow!  

Best of luck,

Selwyn

 

 

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