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What Causes Fatigue, Lightheadedness, Dizziness And Nausea When Diagnosed With Atrial Fibrillation?
Question: I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation 3 years ago, but had an ischemic stroke before treatment was started. I recovered with only minimal right sided weakness and the a-fib was treated with Tikosyn 0.25 mg. bid (it worked) but in the past 6 months have gotten worse with symptoms of profound fatigue, lightheadedness, dizziness, and nausea. I also had a Pacemaker so it's difficult to know when I'm in a-fib. The last Pacemaker check showed that I am having a-fib. episodes over 50% of the time. Could this be the cause of my symptoms? Neurologist doesnt think the symptoms are related to neurological problems. If the a-fib episodes are not being controlled with Tikosyn 0.25 mg bid, what other treatments are available?
Brief Answer:
Yes these symptoms are probably due to Atrial fibrillation
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Current symptoms are probably due to atrial fibrillation. This occurs mainly due to increased heart rate due to A-fib. Also, similar symptoms can occur with very slow heart rate.
The first and foremost thing to be done is you need to check your blood pressure and pulse rate during the symptoms. Also, you should get one ECG done or pacemaker interrogated to confirm the fast heart rate. If you have recently done it then just need to ask regarding the average heart rate you had. This will also help to rule out slow heart rate.
Pacemaker interrogation should clear all doubts regarding cause.
After confirming the high heart rate, we need to start you medicine called as beta blockers like tab Metoprolol XR 25 to 50 mg once a day depending upon the heart rate and blood pressure, which will keep heart rate and symptoms under control. This is called as rate control strategy.
We can also start you on another medicine which will maintain in regular sinus rhythm like tab Amiodarone or Flecainide or Propafenone, but these are less likely to work now. Your Tikosyn also needs to be stopped as it is not working after starting beta blockers.
Hope this helps you and please get back if you have any doubts.
Regards
Yes these symptoms are probably due to Atrial fibrillation
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Current symptoms are probably due to atrial fibrillation. This occurs mainly due to increased heart rate due to A-fib. Also, similar symptoms can occur with very slow heart rate.
The first and foremost thing to be done is you need to check your blood pressure and pulse rate during the symptoms. Also, you should get one ECG done or pacemaker interrogated to confirm the fast heart rate. If you have recently done it then just need to ask regarding the average heart rate you had. This will also help to rule out slow heart rate.
Pacemaker interrogation should clear all doubts regarding cause.
After confirming the high heart rate, we need to start you medicine called as beta blockers like tab Metoprolol XR 25 to 50 mg once a day depending upon the heart rate and blood pressure, which will keep heart rate and symptoms under control. This is called as rate control strategy.
We can also start you on another medicine which will maintain in regular sinus rhythm like tab Amiodarone or Flecainide or Propafenone, but these are less likely to work now. Your Tikosyn also needs to be stopped as it is not working after starting beta blockers.
Hope this helps you and please get back if you have any doubts.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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