Flecainide

Has anyone out there been on Flecainide and stopped it? I do have irregularities, and very occasionally very short a-fib episodes, and don't really think the Flecainide has changed anything, but doc recommends I stay on it. I just don't like what I read about it. I take 50 mg. twice a day. PM seems to be working well, is actually working less and my heart working more on its own now. . . yay!

Jean

4 Comments

Thoughts

by ElectricFrank - 2008-02-16 01:02:26

Jean,
I read some of the literature on Flecainide and see what you mean. A few thoughts:
1. While your doctor is supposed to be the best place to go for advice, doctors seem to have a bias in favor of continuing a med once it is started. My approach is to ask for his reasons and also what the implications are if you stop for a while. Also whether it should be tapered off or can it be stopped suddenly.
2. The literature I read seems to indicate the drug is more for relieving symptoms rather than solving a problem. If so then you are the one who should be making the decision.
3. With most of these drugs a lot depends on your feelings about using them. I tend to be very conservative about taking any of them and have done well. Others feel better about following doctors advice and also do well.

frank

Flecainide

by Nuka - 2008-02-16 03:02:08

Hi Jean,

After taking 900 ml of Rythmol and 0.5 Digoxin daily for many years I became so ill I had to be pushed in a wheel chair if I wanted to go for as little as one city block. I was exhausted all the time, short of breath and felt like I was going to die.

I was finally switched to 250 ml of Flecainide (only) daily.With the other drugs I was pacing @ 97% A. and 63 % V. After about 8 months of adjusting to the Flecainide I am now pacing at 62%A. and 34% V., and feel so great I am doing my own laundry, cooking and painting my own walls and able to walk a fair distance. I have my life back and celebrate every single day.I still have some A Fib. episodes and that will not change but at least I don't hear every heart beat in my ears nor feel them in my back nor feel dizzy. So... for me Flecainide is a wonder drug. However, not everyone reacts the same way. You must feel comfortable with the medication you are taking, otherwide you will worry yourself silly.

I don't believe any medication controls all irregular heart beats but the question is how many a fib episodes would you have without medication. They all have possible nasty and sometimes dangerous side effects. The emphasis of course is on "possible".

I would never discontinue any of these medications on my own and never ever stop them suddenly but if you are uneasy about Flecainide and your doctor has his feet firmly planted why not seek out another opinion or two.

I Hope this helps a little. Take care Jean and keep us posted.

Nuka

ooops

by Nuka - 2008-02-16 03:02:09

Sorry Jean....the dosage I was talking about was mg not ml. Should have read that over "before" I posted. lol That sounded pretty dumb. Sorry for the confusion. Must be too late in the evening.

Nuka

No problems

by Suze - 2008-02-16 08:02:03

Hi,

I take 100mg of flecainide twice daily for afib. I have no side effects and luckily I haven't had any afib episodes for the last 18 months I've been on it. So I'm very happy with it's results.
But I agree that if you have concerns you should get another medical opinion. Or maybe be more emphatic when talking to your doctor. We have to be our own advocates when it comes to our health...and that includes our peace of mind!

I hope this helps,
Suze

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