Dealing with a mix of symptoms: paroxysmal AFib, beta-blocker intolerance, and low body temperature.

Sean Anderson29 said:45 years, 6 months, and 3 days. No, I'm not 75—though I suppose that’s what everyone assumes...

What would happen if I just stopped treating this condition? What are the actual life expectancy prognoses? My diagnosis is Paroxysmal AF with spontaneous conversion to sinus rhythm.

It caught me off guard during a dream—I was high up, and since I have a fear of heights, I woke up abruptly, my heart just thumping... thump... thump-thump-thump... thump... thump... ...thump-thump-thump... thump... thump... It lasted from about 1:00 AM until nearly 6:00 AM, until it finally reverted to sinus. And it wasn't just a self-correction; the medics were actually considering shocking me back into rhythm...

I had a few AF episodes in previous years without even realizing it was AF; they usually lasted 10–15 minutes and then vanished. Both times happened at night, while I was awake. I went to the ER once, but the doctor told me not to bother coming in unless I had chest pain or issues in my shoulder or arm... Anyway, I saw my primary care physician and a specialist, got a referral for a Holter monitor and a stress test, and was supposed to follow up with the specialist... I showed up, but seeing as I was clearly the youngest person there among 20 or 30 patients, I demonstratively walked out of the clinic and tossed the results.

Long story short, after the ER visit, I went to my regular doctor. She gave me a referral to a cardiologist, I got an appointment, and she provided some beta-blockers for free while I bought some calcium supplements. But, knowing—or rather, assuming—what this was, I didn't want to start taking them until I attempted a bit of light physical labor. My body wanted to push, but my heart simply wouldn't allow it—it felt incredibly weak. That was when I realized I had to swallow the pill, metaphorically speaking...

But looking back now, things have changed. In the afternoons, I used to be able to nap for thirty minutes or an hour without any trouble... Now, that's gone. I used to be someone who barely spoke much; now, I ramble at a hundred miles an hour. I'm not myself anymore. I would trade five years of my life just to have those fifteen back. My heart feels better, I can't deny that—the therapy works—but I am "drugged," in the truest sense of the word. And I'm not one of those people who enjoys being that way; others seek out these or similar therapies from their doctors, even buying them elsewhere... Personally, I value a clear head more than anything else. I think... There aren't many things as beautiful as a good book, but how can I read when I'm drugged? I mean, I could, but it isn't the same—it's significantly different. Not to list everything... My life has fallen into a pit. When I was younger, if I wanted to, I could have a drink or something else, and in a day or two, everything would clear up—head sharp and ready. But here, there is no going back. I am condemned to be medicated—something I don't even want anyone to pay me to do—or die sooner. It's a disaster. And I am getting closer to choosing the latter. I want it back! I want to be me again! Or...

Based on what you've shared, it isn't clear why you are taking the BB (specifically, the reason your doctor prescribed them).
BBs aren't meant to prevent a recurrence of paroxysms, nor are they used to maintain sinus rhythm. There are other medications for that—propafenone, dronedarone, amiodarone...

Additionally, if you don't have other comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, thromboembolic incidents...), and you haven't suffered major illnesses in the past, I might suggest aspirin, though maybe not even that. Following current American cardiology guidelines for treating atrial fibrillation, I wouldn't introduce anticoagulant therapy (since, if you have no comorbidities, your CHA2DS2-VASc score is 0; meaning the risk of a thromboembolic event is low).

Have you had an echocardiogram? If your heart structure is healthy, I would opt for propafenone. You could use it as a "pill in the pocket" specifically for when a paroxysm occurs.

I would definitely suggest removing BB from your medication regimen—since there is simply no clinical need for "rate control" when you are already maintaining a normal sinus rhythm.

Kevin Hayes83 said:Look, everyone’s the boss of their own body and all that, but seriously, can someone get an actual doctor in here? I’m looking at you, Body Halleck—please, man, just step up and explain to this guy that there is absolutely no way on God's green earth that two little pills caused side effects as insane as what he's claiming. He's clearly just tripping out or making stuff up at this point.

Look, you’re gonna start feeling those side effects after maybe a week or two of constant use, but they usually clear up within about thirty days. If they don't, then you've got a massive amount of BB on your hands. And honestly, why even bother asking someone else to give you some if this stuff already messed you up like that? Though, I highly doubt anyone would even try...

Man, I guess the more I lie to myself, the more health issues I end up juggling. I’ve been slamming this stuff called Tyrez—took 1.25 ml over just two days—and let me tell you, it absolutely wrecked me. I haven't pulled eight hours of sleep in two nights straight; I'm completely drained, losing weight fast, talking a mile a minute, constantly thirsty, and just totally scattered. I was supposed to take another dose at 8:00 this morning, but honestly? I can't even stand the sight of that stuff anymore. I managed to crash for about half an hour this afternoon, and I can feel the edge finally starting to wear off. Now I’m just counting down the hours until 10 or 11 PM so I can hopefully pass out like a normal human being... fingers crossed. One thing though, my head is actually feeling clear for once. It's such an incredible sensation. I don't know, man, it feels like there won't be a second time around; everything else just feels like a pale imitation.

Look, I’m not even a fan of that kind of stuff, and honestly, I haven't exactly been popping pills left and right my whole life. My body is basically a temple—totally clean from all that junk, and I’m talking zero nicotine, zero alcohol (well, maybe a tiny splash of decent wine or a quick shot of bourbon here and there), and absolutely no drugs either. So, if I'm living this clean, why on earth would my system just completely crash out on me like that? It makes zero sense!

Jose Clark2 said:You’ve totally blown those beta blockers way out of proportion. We're talking about a drug millions of people take every single day that actually has tons of benefits. They often prescribe them to younger folks specifically to rein in the sympathetic nervous system—basically, to stop adrenaline from wrecking your heart. You're just overcomplicating the whole thing because of your mental state, which isn't exactly where it needs to be, even if you won't admit it to yourself. And regarding your heart, if we're talking atrial fibrillation, you really need to consider anticoagulants. Do you seriously want to be dealing with a stroke or some kind of thromboembolism tomorrow or the day after?

Who exactly "drank" the specific pill I swallowed? Seriously, someone tell me... I have no clue, and I've never heard such a ridiculous thing in my entire life; all I know is that I had a damn awful experience with it myself. I'm not saying it didn't help my heart, but everything else about it is just unbearable to deal with.

My mental state is perfectly fine—I just don't want to be drugged up 24/7, regardless of what anyone else thinks about it.

Yeah, okay, it's atrial fibrillation, and anticoagulation seems to be something for thinning the blood. I don't know exactly how it works, but if it were actually acceptable for me, why wouldn't I?

And if something hits me today or tomorrow, what am I supposed to do? These symptoms alone are enough reason for me to want nothing more to happen, so I don't end up having to take stuff... There's a line you just don't cross where life isn't worth living anymore... Look, I love life when life is actually happening, but when it's less than that, I care a lot less... As for me, right here, right now—I've already made my peace with it, and I'm just taking it one day at a time... But I want to be sharp, fully conscious, rested, and well-slept during the day, not wandering around like a zombie, because when I'm a zombie, I might as well be dead already....

It's nothing crazy, just normal occurrences, and evolution has plenty of junk it can just toss aside... It's not like I don't care, far from it, but I'm in an indefensible checkmate position; life can checkmate me whenever it feels like it...

But honestly, I just hope I can keep going like this for another 4 or 5 years, even if I am only halfway there. I'd call that a win...

Kevin Hayes83 said:Man, thanks a damn amount for jumping in here to help, seriously, everything you said hits the nail on the head, because this guy clearly has some psychological stuff going on—to me, given everything that’s happened, he’s dealing with massive anxiety that could easily spiral into full-blown panic attacks, and if we factor in that his heart is obviously giving him hell, it wouldn't take much for him to have a massive heart attack, regardless of any "imaginary" side effects, so having BB at least monitor his pulse could stop it from hitting the ceiling, and once the pulse goes, the blood pressure follows, even if the heart is weak as hell..

What he actually needs is taking beta blockers under strict medical supervision and maybe something for calming down, like Xanax or Ativan or something similar, and then everything would be totally under control..

Now, I won't go too deep into the weeds here, but just based on how things sound, mentally speaking, I think an antidepressant might actually do him good, but those are deeper issues for another time..

Just looking at the way he writes, I get the impression he's in a heavy depression or high-strung anxiety and he's really struggling, which honestly seems stupid and outdated considering how easy these problems are to fix nowadays.. It’s just that people feel they have to act like "real men," thinking it's some rural embarrassment to see a shrink who could pull them out of the ashes with one conversation, and then they refuse to trust doctors..

Look, I admit it, I have mental health struggles—but I don't want to be drugged up for the rest of my life. When I run into these issues, if they even pop up, I deal with them through long, brisk walks, a gripping book, a great movie, hard work, meditation, prayer... Never, ever with chemicals.

"What he actually needs is taking beta blockers under strict medical supervision and maybe something for calming down, like Xanax or Ativan or something similar, and then everything would be totally under control."

I realized that myself today—something like Xanax in the sense that it brings me down from those beta highs and lets me sleep. But there's the catch—and I say this with all due respect to the people who use those combos—since if I ever have to choose between being a zombie or death, I'm choosing....!

If you're using cocaine every single day, you basically need a little heroin just to be able to sleep, relax, and unwind... It’s the exact same thing, I've realized that now...

An antidepressant to make me feel better? If you mean that I'd have to take it for the rest of my life—and let's face it, that's how it works once you start—I'd rather just have a good old-fashioned heart attack. There aren't many people with a stronger aversion to pills that fundamentally change who you are. I don't know why, maybe I'm just completely insane, but I value a clear head and sound judgment more than anything else in this world...

"Just looking at the way he writes, I get the impression he's in a heavy depression or high-strung anxiety and he's really struggling, which honestly seems stupid and outdated considering how easy these problems are to fix nowadays.. It’s just that people feel they have to act like "real men," thinking it's some rural embarrassment to see a shrink who could pull them out of the ashes with one conversation, and then they refuse to trust doctors."

That right there is the whole problem. The only difference is that I have respect and understanding for a stance like yours, while you have zero for mine.

You're just prioritizing quantity over quality, whereas I do the exact opposite. You'll get what you want in the end, and so will I—meaning you'll still be kicking around long after I'm dead and gone.

It isn't about being stubborn, or putting on an act, or being arrogant... This is just who I am. What am I supposed to do? I can't force myself to change. And I don't want to, because I know I can't... I don't wish this mindset on anyone, and I certainly don't recommend it, I just want people to live...

Sandra Vaughn50 said:Based on what you wrote, it’s totally unclear why you’re even taking BB (like, what was the actual reason your doctor put them on you).
BB aren't the kind of meds that stop another paroxysm from happening, and they definitely aren't used to maintain a sinus rhythm. There are actual drugs for that—stuff like propafenone, dronedarone, or amiodarone...

Also, if you don't have any other health issues going on (like high blood pressure, diabetes, or any history of blood clots...), and you haven't had any major medical scares in the past, I'd probably suggest maybe some aspirin, but honestly, maybe not even that. Following the current American clinical guidelines for treating atrial fibrillation, I wouldn't jump straight into anticoagulant therapy (because if you don't have those comorbidities, your CHA2DS2-VASc score is basically 0, which means your risk of a thromboembolic event is super low).

Have you had an echocardiogram yet? If your heart is structurally healthy, I’d go with propafenone. You could just use it as a "pill in the pocket" whenever a paroxysm kicks in.

I would absolutely ditch the BB from your regimen because there is zero need for "rate control" if your heart rate is staying in a normal sinus rhythm.

Thanks for the post. I'm gonna start gathering all my paperwork and transcribe everything I can onto this forum. If I miss anything important or leave out details, I'll make sure to add them in later.

Sandra Vaughn50 said:Based on what you wrote, it’s totally unclear why you’re even taking BB (I mean, why did your doctor put you on them in the first place?).
BB aren't even drugs that stop another paroxysm from happening, nor are they used to maintain a sinus rhythm. There are actual drugs for that—propafenone, dronedarone, amiodarone... and so on.

Also, if you don't have any other comorbidities (like high blood pressure, diabetes, or some kind of thromboembolic event...) and you haven't had any major health scares in your life, I’d maybe suggest aspirin, though honestly, probably not even that. Following the current American guidelines for treating atrial fibrillation, I wouldn't start anyone on anticoagulants (because if you don't have those other issues, your CHA2DS2-VASc score is 0; which means your risk of a thromboembolic event is tiny).

Have you had an echocardiogram? If your heart is structurally healthy, I'd go with propafenone. You could use it as a "pill in the pocket" whenever a paroxysm hits.

I would definitely ditch the BB from your regimen because there is absolutely no need for "rate control" if you're sitting in a normal sinus rhythm.

Before I transcribe my results—look, I don't have hypertension, my blood pressure is steady, usually within about 10 points of 120/80. But man, my mouth gets all filled with saliva and I can't sleep a wink.
No diabetes either; I can eat as much sweets as I want, mostly just fruit.
And I don't even know what a thromboembolic event is.

I haven't had any serious illnesses, except for this sciatica that I actually handle pretty well. But as for occasional arrhythmias—those "skipped beats"—well, yeah, I’ve had two long ones (about 7 or 8 years ago) lasting 10 to 15 minutes that sent me straight to the ER. Those skipped beats happen here and there otherwise, but nothing too crazy.

I have this weird issue with my body temperature; it drops to around 96.3°F, and if I’m not dressed warmly enough when it's cold outside, my body just won't fight it—my temp will just keep dropping until it matches the outside air unless I bundle up and warm myself back up. But, recent blood work from the lab shows my thyroid is working fine; Free T4 is 15.80 (result) with a range of 11.5-22.7, and TSH is 1.80 (result) with a range of 0.3-5.

I went to see a cardiologist for an echo a few days ago; he spent a few minutes staring at the screen while moving the probe over my chest and down toward my left armpit. I assume that was a proper echocardiogram, but who knows. He did say he saw some enlargement, though. I didn't really grasp what that meant.

Anyway, my resting pulse is usually under 60—sometimes it hits 44, 48, or 52. It hardly ever goes above 60 when I'm just chilling. When I walk fast for 30 minutes and then head up a steep hill, I can push my pulse to 130, but even then, it doesn't skip a single beat.

But get this—the other day, just doing some mindless task like painting, I was getting winded after just a few minutes. My pulse would jump to 80 or 100 and I'd have to stop. That was the first time I really felt it: my body wants to keep going, but my heart just won't let me. I noticed it's worst when I bend over—dip the brush in the paint, pick it up, paint—you know, that constant bend-lift-paint motion. If I could just paint continuously, I think I'd last longer. I don't have problems with walking, or at least I didn't, but I'll test that again tomorrow. Walking is steady, my heart stays in rhythm and doesn't change, so I guess that's why I can handle it. If I were walking fast and doing squats or pushups every 50 yards, I bet it would be a disaster.

Alright, here are the results...

Sandra Vaughn50;

Have you guys actually gotten an echocardiogram done yet? If your heart structure is totally fine, I’d say just go ahead and take the propafenone. Honestly, I used it as a "[I say:
pill in the pocket" whenever those paroxysmal episodes hit.

And seriously, I would definitely ditch the BB from the regimen because there is absolutely zero reason for you to be doing "rate control" if you're already sitting in a normal sinus rhythm.[/I]

EMERGENCY ROOM VISIT

Patient seen and stabilized within 60 mins. Admission time 02:30.

Vital signs: BP 135/90, HR 83. SpO2 100%, Respiration 18/min.
Administered Cordarone 300 mg in 250 ml of 5% dextrose at 03:00, followed by the same dose at 04:30.

History: Woke up from sleep due to heart palpitations (it was like... thud... thud... thud-thud-thud-thud... thud... thud... etc.), accompanied by a panic attack (like, a legit fear of heights—dreamed I was on a ledge, specifically the edge of a cliff). No chest pain or shortness of breath reported, just that feeling of the heart skipping beats. Has had arrhythmia over the last couple of years that usually just resets itself back to normal after about 10 minutes.

Medical History: Denies any chronic illnesses or ongoing medications.

Allergies: None reported.

Physical Exam: General condition is good; patient is conscious, oriented, and mobile. Pink, healthy complexion while resting, clinically compensated cardiac status, skin and mucous membranes look fine. Lungs: Breath sounds are clear bilaterally. Heart: Rhythm is arrhythmic, heart tones are clear, no murmurs detected. Abdomen🙏is level with the chest, soft, elastic, and non-tender. Liver and spleen are not palpable, no lumbar tenderness on either side, bowel sounds are present. Extremities🙏are symmetrical, no edema, pulses are palpable and symmetrical.

Diagnostic Tests😈 ECG I - AFib 85/min, normal electrical axis.
ECG II - HR 52/min, normal electrical axis.
WBC 5.01 (x10^12/L), Hgb 147 (g/L), Hct 0.451 (L/L), MCV 90.0 (fL), MCH 29.3 (pg), MCHC 326 (g/L), RDW 13.7 (%), Platelets 308 (x10^9/L), MPV 8.3 (f/L), WBC 7.7 (x10^9/L), Glucose 6.4 (mmol/L), Urea 6.1 (mmol/L), Creatinine 67 (umol/L), eGFR 110 (mL/min/1.73m2), Na 135 (mmol/L), K 4.6 (mmol/L), Cl 103 (mmol/L), TnT < 3 (ng/L)

Working Diagnosis: NEW-ONSET ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Summary: Following the administered medication, the patient successfully underwent pharmacological conversion back to sinus rhythm.

Treatment and Recommendations: Current vitals and full physical exam don't show a need for further treatment at the ER. I recommend scheduling an outpatient cardiology workup and getting thyroid hormone levels checked. Follow up with a primary care physician regarding further diagnosis and management. If symptoms recur, head back to the ER immediately.

.....

So, I’ve got these two EKGs from the ER, but honestly, I don't think there's anything worth actually writing down from them. Or maybe there is something in there that actually matters?

And another thing...

So, I had this quick EKG done a couple of days ago—just a routine thing the nurse did right before I finally sat down with the cardiologist:
Pulse 126 / Blood Pressure 176... man, those numbers are absolutely insane. Seriously, you need to get your head in the game and check in with a doctor immediately. That kind of pressure isn't something you just sit around and ignore while scrolling through forums. Get to a clinic right now and get this sorted before things go south. This is serious stuff.
So I was looking at my latest results, and we’re talking about a QRS of 90ms. Honestly, if you're staring at numbers like this wondering if you should be freaking out, just take a breath, but let me tell you what I think. It's right there in that normal range, sitting pretty, so unless your doctor is telling you otherwise, there's really no reason to lose sleep over it. Just one of those things where you see a number and your brain immediately goes to the worst-case scenario, but in this case, everything looks solid.
So I just got my latest labs back and looking at these numbers—QT/QTc sitting at 388/410 ms—and honestly, I’m just sitting here wondering if anyone actually knows what they're doing anymore. My doctor was acting all calm and casual about it, but you know how it is, one minute you're fine and the next you're staring at a printout thinking your heart rhythm is basically a ticking time bomb. It’s just one of those things where you see the numbers, you see them sitting right there on the page, and you can't help but feel like you're being brushed off by some medic who's seen a thousand people just like you today. I mean, 410 ms sounds totally normal to most people, right? But when you're the one staring at it, waiting to see if everything is actually okay, it feels like a lot more than just a number on a sheet of paper. Just one of those days, I guess.
So I just got my EKG results back and looking at these numbers, the P/QRS/T axis is sitting at 56/25/26 degrees. Honestly, it’s just one of those things where you stare at the readout and wonder if everything is actually fine or if you should be freaking out, but according to what I've gathered, it looks pretty standard. Just wanted to throw this out there for anyone else obsessing over their cardiac readings!
So I just checked my stats and my heart rate is sitting right at 67 bpm. Honestly, if you aren't seeing numbers in that range, you probably need to get your life together and start hitting the gym like everyone else. It’s basically the gold standard, period.

So I was looking at these results, and apparently, we’re talking about sinus rhythm. Honestly, if you don't know what that means, don't sweat it too much, but let me break it down for you because people love to freak out over nothing. It basically just means your heart is doing exactly what it's supposed to do—following its own natural, steady beat like it was designed to. It’s the baseline, the normal, the "everything is fine" signal from your internal electrical system. Unless your doctor is standing there looking like they just saw a ghost, hearing "sinus rhythm" should be the most boring news you get all week. It's literally just the standard operating procedure for a healthy heart. Relax!
So, I just got my ECG back and everything looks totally normal. Honestly, after all that stress and worrying about my heart, seeing those clean lines was such a massive relief. It’s crazy how much you can spiral thinking something is wrong when the doctors tell you you're perfectly fine!

So, I just got back from seeing the specialist about my heart, and man, let me tell you, it was quite the experience. Here’s the rundown on what the cardiologist had to say:

So, I just got my diagnosis back and it’s a total mess: Atrial fibrillation and undulation at 148 bpm. Seriously, what even is that? My heart is basically doing a freaking drum solo in my chest right now.

Medical history.😁So, this patient is coming in for a checkup because they had an episode of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation that just decided to flip itself back into a normal sinus rhythm on its own. They've actually been through this whole routine a few times now, just getting poked and prodded for the exact same thing, and honestly, nothing has even been prescribed yet—no meds, nothing, just zero. On top of that, there’s definitely some cardiovascular stuff running in the family. My dad, for instance, ended up needing a pacemaker, but he didn't get that until he was like 68 or 70, so he wasn't dealing with any major heart issues before then.

So, what’s the actual status on this whole situation? I feel like everyone is just sitting around waiting for something to happen while nothing is actually getting done, and honestly, it’s driving me absolutely insane. I’m looking for some real updates here, not just more vague nonsense or people dancing around the issue. Give it to me straight—what is actually going on right now?🙂So, I’m totally fine, completely lucid, and feeling pretty upbeat right now, though my blood pressure was hitting a crazy 195/95 mmHg at the time—but look, I was under massive stress and freaking out back then, which is the exact opposite of how I'm feeling this second—and my pulse was sitting steady at 72 beats per minute.

Here’s the breakdown from my latest medical results:

So, I was looking at this EKG report, right? And honestly, I’ve got some thoughts. It's one of those things where you look at the data and just think, "Are we even doing this right?" Because from where I'm sitting, there's a lot to unpack here regarding how people interpret these readings versus what's actually happening with the heart. You can't just glance at a squiggle on a screen and call it a day—you've gotta understand the rhythm, the intervals, the whole nine yards. If you aren't paying attention to the fine details, you're basically just guessing, and that's exactly how mistakes happen. It's frustrating because people act like it's black and white, but it's way more nuanced than that. Anyway, that's my two cents.🙏So, I just got my latest EKG results back, and honestly, it’s just one more thing to deal with. It shows some reduced electrical axis and a sinus rhythm sitting at 67 beats per minute, which isn't nothing, but the real kicker is that weak R-wave progression in V2 and V3. Just when you think everything is cruising along smoothly, your own body decides to throw a curveball at you.
So I just got my TSH results back and it’s sitting at 1.80. Honestly, looking at these numbers can be such a massive headache because everyone has a different opinion on what "normal" actually means, but if you ask me, this feels like it's right where it needs to be. I'm not one to sit around and wait for some doctor to tell me how to feel about my own body, you know? If you're staring at a lab report wondering if you should be panicking, take a breath. A 1.80 is solid. It's steady. I've spent way too much time digging through forums and talking to people who swear by specific levels, and personally, I think this is a pretty sweet spot. Don't let anyone try to gaslight you into thinking you need to jump through hoops or start some crazy new supplement regimen just because they want to run more tests. Just stay the course.
So, I just got my preliminary heart ultrasound results back, and honestly, looking at these numbers is stressing me out big time. They’re showing a LA of 44 mm and some MR at 1-2+. Just a heads up for anyone else staring at stuff like this—it feels like a lot to process when you're just trying to figure out if you're actually okay or if things are heading south.

Therapy:

I'm taking 1.25 mg of Tyrez first thing in the morning.
I’m telling you guys, if you aren't taking 450 mg of Magnesium Citrate every single day, you are seriously missing out on life. I don't care what anyone says, it's an absolute game-changer. I've been on this regimen and honestly, my body feels completely different—it's like everything finally clicked into place. People love to overcomplicate things with a million different supplements, but sometimes you just need to get back to the basics that actually work. Just take the damn thing and stop overthinking it!

Dijagn. lat.:
So, I just found out I've got paroxysmal atrial fibrillation that basically decides to fix itself and flip back into a normal sinus rhythm whenever it feels like it. It’s honestly such a trip how the heart can just go totally rogue and then suddenly act like nothing happened. One minute you're feeling that chaotic, fluttering mess in your chest, and the next, it's like your heart just decided to get its act together and settle down on its own. It’s wild, man. You're sitting there wondering if you're about to pass out, and then—boom—back to regular programming. It’s unpredictable, it’s annoying as hell, and it definitely keeps you on edge because you never know when the rhythm is going to throw another tantrum.

I've got my follow-up appointment coming up in two months.

End of story.

That’s literally everything I’ve got—all my test results and medical reports. That’s it.

Sandra Vaughn50

Look, I need some real talk here—give me your rough estimate based on the test results I just typed out. And I mean totally honest, no sugarcoating, and obviously, this isn't medical advice or anything binding, I get that. But if I decide *not* to treat my condition with meds that mess with my head and change my actual personality, what are my realistic odds? I’m talking about survival, how long I can hold it together, or how fast things might go downhill over the next 4 or 5 years.

I know I could try to manage things through diet—which I've already been pretty strict about—plus meditation, prayer, walking, staying healthy, getting enough sleep, dodging stress, keeping my emotions in check, and completely cutting out that daily glass of wine or single shot of liquor. I'm even avoiding any kind of physical strain and maybe even other stuff too...

If I actually qualify for it, and if Medicare would even cover it, I’d be down for that surgery—I can't remember the specific name right now—where they cut the connection between the heart and the pulmonary veins so there's no more arrhythmia for years to come, assuming I understood that correctly. Most importantly, I wouldn't have to stay on heavy pills afterward. I know these surgeries aren't a guaranteed 100% fix, maybe like a 50 to 80 percent success rate, but honestly, I'd jump at the chance even if it doesn't work perfectly...

Thanks in advance, TY

Sandra Vaughn50 said:Based on what you wrote, it’s totally unclear why you’re even taking BB (like, what was the actual reason the doctor put them on you).
BB aren't even the kind of meds that stop another paroxysm from happening, and they definitely aren't used to maintain sinus rhythm. There are totally different drugs for that—stuff like propafenone, dronedarone, or amiodarone...

.

Look, I took those BB (Tyrez) for two mornings at half dose—so basically just one full pill total—and then I just went ahead and quit on my own, along with ditching the doctor who prescribed them to me.

Sandra Vaughn50, if you happen to work in the public health system over in Seattle, I’d be seriously grateful if there was any way I could come see you for some testing or a checkup...

And yeah, can someone tell me if it's a bad idea for me to have like an ounce of red wine a day, or maybe a shot of hard liquor? Or would that stuff just be neutral—like, it doesn't help but it doesn't hurt either? Because honestly, I feel like my heart starts acting up whenever I have that ounce of red wine, but it doesn't happen with the hard liquor. It's not like I'm an alcoholic or anything, I just enjoy it, kept it super moderate until now, and since yesterday I haven't even done that, though I'd really love to get back to it...

Jose Clark2 said:Well, look, if you really want to, you can just dump all those test results and doctor's opinions right here for us.

Look, Farrah, I am doing it, okay? Every single damn detail... Don't you dare miss anything...

Sandra Vaughn50 said:Has anyone here actually done a heart ultrasound? Look, if the heart structure is totally healthy, I’d personally go with propafenone. I used to treat it like a "pill in the pocket" whenever those paroxysmal episodes hit.

And honestly, I would ditch the BB from the regimen entirely because there's zero reason for "rate control" if you're sitting in a normal sinus rhythm.

Since I stopped the BB, I crashed out around midnight last night and woke up just before 6:45 AM feeling totally fine—blood pressure was 123/82 and my pulse was 55. I feel refreshed and completely rested. My heart isn't skipping a beat at all, and it actually feels way more steady than when I was on the BB; no palpitations whatsoever.

When I was on the BB, I’d just toss and turn in bed—my brain would be racing at a hundred miles an hour until like 2:00 AM—and then I’d wake up at 6:45 feeling absolutely trashed, with a slow pulse and this weird, unnatural heartbeat.

The only thing is this body temp issue—it’s been like this for years, showing 95.2 under my left arm and 96.6 under my right—which just isn't right.

Besides, my heart never really hammers or skips in the mornings, so it doesn't even feel like it's acting up much.

So... what gives? It’s not like my condition is so dire that I need to go ham with heavy-duty BBs, right, Sandra Vaughn50? Why kill a bull just to get a tiny steak?

PP
If anyone else here is using propafenone, could you please shoot me a DM?

Sean Anderson29 said:>>I took those BB (Tyrez) pills for two mornings, half a dose each time—so one full pill total—and then I just quit on my own. Quit taking them and stopped seeing the doctor who prescribed them, too.

Sandra Vaughn50, if you happen to work in the public health system in Seattle, I’d be super grateful if there was any way I could come see you for some testing...

Also, if you guys could tell me—do you think it’s bad for someone in my situation to have like an ounce of red wine a day, or maybe a shot of hard liquor? Or would that be totally neutral—like, wouldn't really help or hurt? I mean, I feel like my heart starts racing whenever I have an ounce of red wine, but it doesn't happen with the hard stuff. It’s not even like I’m an alcoholic or anything, just enjoying life, keeping it very moderate. Actually, I haven't even had any since yesterday, but I'd really like to keep doing it...

Look, don't overthink it. You can't handle this BB stuff. Just go back to the doctor, tell them straight up, and they'll give you something else..

Kevin Hayes83,

I just shot you a DM, go check it out...

Kevin Hayes83 said:Look, I'm not gonna beat around the bush here—if you can't stand this BB, just go tell your doctor straight up and they'll switch you over to something else...

Well, then why don't you actually tell me what that other one is? Since you're acting like such an expert, why don't you actually help me out for once... We already found that other option if you've even bothered to read the latest posts...

Kevin Hayes83 said:Look, stop overthinking this whole thing, man. If you can't stand this doctor, just tell him straight up and go find someone else...

Man, I've already done all of that, don't you get it? I told my doctor exactly how I felt and they switched me over to a different treatment plan.

The only thing is, I canceled on the first guy before I could even get set up with the new one.

Look, I don't even know what to tell you. I'm not a doctor, obviously. It sounds like you're having some kind of reaction to your meds or therapy, and honestly? I doubt anyone on this forum is going to give you any answer that actually makes sense..

There are tons of beta blockers out there, and it's totally normal for some of them to just not sit right with you. Which BB would be best for your specific situation? I have no clue, because again, I'm not a doctor. I don't know where you're located, but if you happen to be near Washington, D.C., I'd suggest checking out the heart clinic. I went there myself to get all my tests done and sorted out my treatment..

Kevin Hayes83 said:Look, I don't even know what to tell you. I'm not a doctor, and clearly, you're having some kind of issue with your meds or your treatment plan, so I highly doubt anyone on this forum is going to give you a response that actually makes sense..

There are tons of beta blockers out there, and honestly, it’s totally normal for one to not sit right with someone. As for which BB would be best for your specific situation? I can't tell you because, again, I'm not a doctor. I don't even know where you're located, but if you happen to be near Washington, D.C., I’d suggest heading over to the "Heart Center." I went there myself to get all my tests done and sorted out my therapy..

I'm from Seattle.

I don't know if you actually read what was posted earlier, but it was stated that my therapy involves acetylsalicylic acid—basically Aspirin—and potentially propafenone as a "pill on demand," something I'd take if I hit another episode, you know, a paroxysm.

-paroxysm (Greek), med term: 1. a sudden, violent attack, especially a seizure; 2. a sudden worsening of symptoms or a sudden relapse; 3. a peak of excitement or a powerful surge of emotion (like anger or despair).

Bottom line: I feel like I've finally cracked the code regarding my issues, my diagnoses, and my treatment.

I am extremely happy with this therapy, and I'm taking it with my eyes wide open, of my own free will, and fully accepting any risks that might come with the outcome.

As for those expensive private clinics? Yeah, I don't have the cash, though God knows I would go if I did. I could maybe swing a Holter monitor or something similar, maybe up to $400 $167, but that's my limit; anything beyond that is just way too much...

Personally, I'm more about making lifestyle shifts—cutting out junk food, ditching the processed meat, getting rid of cookies from Hershey's and stuff like that. That's what I've done, and now I'm waiting to see what actually improves...
Maybe there's something in those (partial) poisons that triggers these palpitations and skipped beats... And honestly, compared to being on linden tea, I'm actually coming out ahead since I don't have to buy that anymore...
You've gotta experiment a little; you're a human being, you should try things and see how your body reacts.
The heart is its own entity. You have to treat it like something living, something with its own individuality and intelligence. You should look for ways to make it easier on itself, rather than just prescribing Tyrez and relentlessly hammering it 24/7, 365 days a year, which just drags down your quality of life big time because of the side effects...

Sometimes a person just needs to take a certain amount of risk, listen to their gut, and refuse to follow a path laid out by someone who has 500 people just like me. They're just working on autopilot, so even if they want to help, they can't provide a truly personalized approach to every single patient...

Here's the reality right now: my blood pressure is perfectly fine, my pulse is 52, my heart isn't racing, it's beating happily without skipping a beat. I feel great—well-rested, refreshed, totally clear-headed, and mentally at peace. Everything interests me again; I can actually focus on reading books, newspapers, or scrolling through news sites. I can even take a nap in the afternoon. I've got an appetite and I can actually taste my food. The diarrhea (which was from the magnesium supplement I also ditched) will pass, and I won't wake up with a mouth full of blood from bleeding gums...
Compared to living on Tyrez, which turns life into a total nightmare—and I'm just speaking for myself here, not listing everything I already mentioned—this current state is the complete opposite of what I described before.

I'm not saying I'm perfectly healthy, but I think I can find a small middle ground within my illness that allows me to not jeopardize my life while also not losing myself, preventing my quality of life from tanking more than I'm willing to accept...

So, if some blow comes my way and it literally kills me, I won't regret it. I fought as hard as I could, and I gave everything I had to preserve my mental, emotional, and physical health...

Look, I just can't do it—I refuse to wreck my mental and emotional health just to fix up my physical shape. My headspace is everything to me, and honestly, I’m willing to gamble with my life if it means protecting my sanity. It’s my right, too. It’s just plain wrong to let your mind suffer or get permanently trashed just because you're dealing with physical issues.
To actually stay sane, you need solid sleep, you need your brain to stop redlining at a hundred miles an hour all day long, and you need total clarity. You need a brain that isn't constantly overloaded so you can actually sit down, focus, and enjoy a good book, a movie, or a show on TV without feeling totally burnt out. You have to protect that inner peace, period.

That’s the whole deal.

I don't know, maybe I've got this completely backwards. Maybe I actually need to go see a psychiatrist just so they can try to convince me that my way of thinking is wrong.

And seriously, huge thanks to Sandra Vaughn50—honestly, I’d be thrilled if she never typed another single word in response to my posts again, or if I just vanished tomorrow. I really mean it when I say I'm thankful; those few sentences of hers meant absolutely everything to me...

Sean Anderson29 said:Without BB, I crashed out around midnight last night and woke up just before 6:45 AM with my BP at 123/82 and a pulse of 55. Honestly, I felt totally refreshed and rested. My heart isn't pounding at all—in fact, it’s beating way better than when I was on BB, without any of those skips.

But then, right around 11:00 AM, my heart just starts racing for absolutely no reason, my pulse climbs, and now my blood pressure is lower at 111/73 while my resting pulse is higher at 60; then, the second I stand up to walk a few steps to check it, it jumps to 72—and this is happening under the exact same conditions as this morning.

The only thing is, the pounding feels different than before—it's like it's thumping behind closed doors, you know? It's pounding, but it's a bit muffled, almost like BB hasn't fully left my system yet. And there are no skips.

So basically, I never have these palpitations in the morning, but they kick in around 11:00, and if I have even a tiny splash of red wine, it just makes everything worse... definitely skipping the wine today...

Still, it's all pretty manageable; I can live with this.
BB definitely slowed my heart down for those two days while I was taking it and stopped the palpitations, but even while on it, you could tell my heart was acting unnatural, both with the rhythm and the beats themselves.

Actually, something else just popped into my head. Years ago, I had these same palpitations that eventually just went away on their own. I’d take a sip of water and my heart would start racing wildly, or I’d roll over in bed from my right side to my left and it would start thumping again—just out of nowhere, totally unprovoked.

Sean Anderson29 said:My pulse is—well, let me just say—it’s been acting up lately. My resting heart rate—even when I'm just sitting still—tends to hover below 60; sometimes it even dips down to 44, 48, or 52.When I’m just sitting around—completely at rest—my heart rate occasionally climbs above 60. However, after a brisk 30-minute walk followed by a steep incline—which pushes my pulse up to about 130—it stays perfectly steady—not a single skip.

At this point—given how incredibly low your resting heart rate has dropped—you are no longer a viable candidate for BB.

Sean Anderson29 said:The cardiologist's report—it’s finally here.
Medical history—the foundational narrative of a patient's health journey.😁He is coming in for a checkup—specifically regarding an episode of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation—which... It happened quite spontaneously—almost like an unscripted shift in direction. Sinus rhythm—it’s steady, just like a clock ticking away in an empty room.
The EKG results show a normal electrical axis—it's essentially like a steady stream flowing through a well-maintained pipe—with a sinus rhythm sitting at 67 beats per minute. There is, however, some slightly diminished R-wave progression in leads V2 and V3—think of it as a minor dip in momentum rather than a total stop.
TSH levels at 1.80—within the expected range, much like a steady heartbeat in a calm room.
Preliminary heart ultrasound results—LA at 44 mm, with MR graded at 1-2+—suggesting some minor mitral regurgitation.

From what I have gathered—and I mean this with all sincerity—we weren't actually talking about a spontaneous return to a sinus rhythm, but rather a medication-induced conversion via amiodarone.

The left atrium appears slightly dilated—a condition frequently observed in patients dealing with AFib—as the epicenter of the irregular pulse is located right where the pulmonary veins enter the left atrium.

Sean Anderson29 said:Sandra Vaughn50
I am curious to know if you could provide a rough estimate—based strictly on the findings I have transcribed here—if I were to forgo medical treatments that carry side effects affecting my personality or mental state. Please be completely honest and candid; naturally, your opinion carries no obligation whatsoever.What are my actual prospects—in terms of long-term survival, overall stability, or potential decline—over the next four to five years?

Paroxysmal AFib tends to progress toward a chronic or permanent state—so, quite likely, those episodes will continue to recur—especially if you aren't staying consistent with your medication (like propafenone, for instance).

Four to five years of life? I truly don't grasp where this level of unfounded pessimism comes from—it's quite overwhelming. Where are you even getting these statistics? People living with FA lead nearly normal lives—I see no reason why you couldn't as well.
Do not allow drama or self-pity to become your primary mode of discourse—it serves no one.

If I eventually qualify as a candidate—assuming Medicare approves my coverage—I would be willing to undergo that procedure where they sever the connection between the heart and the pulmonary veins—to prevent future arrhythmias, if I’ve understood the process correctly—and most importantly, to avoid being tethered to heavy medication afterward. These procedures aren't a guaranteed fix—success rates likely hover somewhere between 50% and 80%, I assume—but I would gladly take that chance, even if it doesn't work out perfectly.

Radiofrequency ablation of the pulmonary veins.

Sean Anderson29 said:Sandra Vaughn50, if you happen to practice in Seattle—within the public healthcare system—I would be truly grateful if I could come to you for an evaluation, provided that is even an option.

I don't practice in Seattle.

And also, if you could tell me—do you think it might be unwise in my situation to have about half a glass of red wine daily, or perhaps 1.2 ounces of spirits? Or would that be somewhat neutral—neither helping nor hindering?

I am always an advocate for good wine! It has proven benefits for the heart—though, mind you, that applies to moderate amounts (about one glass a day).

Sean Anderson29 said:And Sandra Vaughn50—thank you from the bottom of my heart. Even if you never write another word in response to my posts, or if I were to vanish tomorrow, I simply felt the need to express my gratitude; those few sentences meant the world to me...

You are most welcome, though your long-winded posts certainly kept me busy. In the future, try to be more concise—it is quite difficult to follow you this way.

Finally, as a friendly and well-meaning suggestion, I would advise you to perhaps seek some psychological support to help manage the irrational anxieties that seem to radiate from your messages.

Pull yourself together and take charge of your life; do not be the person who skips a Holter monitor test just because the waiting room was full of elderly people. If you act that way, no one will be able to help you.

Best of luck and regards.