Is there anyone who takes PROPAFENONE rythmol for irregular heart rhythm ? I have tried FLECAINIDE but heart rate was dropping to 40

[rosailor]

[rosailor]

I have been diagnosed as having permanent heart flutter and intermittent A.F.

My heart rate at rest or light activity varies between 65 to 100bpm but irregular. which is OK

Sometimes walking at a fast pace or walking up steps heart rate can suddenly "take off" and reach over 200bpm. and very, irregular especially when I am tired,or when the Ucerative Colitis flares up. ( am on a maintenance dose of 1mg mesalazine, which is an anti inflammatory drug)

At present I take 8.5mg of warfarin to achieve an INR around 2.5.

To help control my heart rate I take 10mg of Bisopolo

On occasions i was taken to A/E resuscitation because high and irregular heart rate.

I underwent carioversion but unfortunately went back into A.F. after 3weeks.

Due to a defect in the configuration of the veins entering my heart (known as persistent left superior vena cava)

In my case it is very difficult or impossible to guide a catheter into the heart to carry out an ablation so at present hoping drugs can control the problem.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to rosailor]

Hi Rosie, Yes I take propafanone . Was switched form Flecainide when I first saw my EP in 2005. Stopped for four+ years after successful ablation but back on it to control ectopics which have become troublesome. Works well for me with a few side effects like bitter taste in mouth sometimes. We all need to try different drugs till we find the one that best suits us.

As a point of interest you mention your warfarin dose. Don't bother. It is not the amount you take that is important rather the resulting INR. Because we all metabolise it at different rates actual dosage is not relevant. I know people with INR 2.5 with dose of from 3mg up to 18 mgs.

[Hidden]

Yes I take Propafenone as well. I tried Flecainide rcently and 10 years ago and on both occasions I got palpitations. Propafenone works for me, not completely, but it helps a great deal. When I took Prop 10 years ago it worked 100% but gave me a dreadful memory (dose 150 morning, 300 night I think), so had an ablation to get off drugs altogether and that worked.

I have now gone back onto Prop and it has worked but not 100%, I'm on a lower dose (150 twice daily). But now I'm getting really quite depressed over the last week and feel a bit weird. We think it's the Prop as I don't get depressed normally. Just bought myself my dream car and I'm not even interested!

Just out of interest, the first time I was on Propafenone (when I didn't get depressed) it was Arythmol, but this time it's Accord. Whether there can be a difference between two makes of the same thing I don't know?

Anyhow, EP has just emailed me and put on another one to try which is called Disopyramide. So I'll give that one a go, fingers crossed.

I think all the drugs are very personal and you've just got to be aware of side-effects and be ready to make a change quickly if possible.

All the best

Koll

[dedeottie in reply to Hidden]

Hope you get your meds sorted out soon. You are usually so cheery and down to earth so to feel fed up is definitely unusual for you. Hope the new year will bring some luck for you. X

[Hidden in reply to dedeottie]

Thanks dedeottie, that's very kind of you to say that. I haven't taken a pill now for 24 hours, apart from Warfarin, and I think I can feel the drugs working out of me, so fingers crossed. I'm certain it's just drug induced.

[rosailor in reply to Hidden]

Koll/bobD

Thanks very much for your reply and the information on taking Prop.

I have not started taking Prop. yet but became concerned after reading the possible side effects and the cardiologist's insistence I have an ECG exactly 7 days after starting prop.as there can be dangers

My GP had never even heard of prop.before

Have a good 2014

[Hidden in reply to rosailor]

Hi Rosailor, All drugs have side-effects listed, some as long as your arm, scare the life out of you reading them. The ones I'll be taking soon include sudden death in the list !!! Also a lot/some of drugs for arrhythmia have the side effect of irregular heart beat. Propafenone may work for you, it may not. Flecainide is used by a huge amount of people successfully, but it gives me palpitations !!!

Best wishes

Koll

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

O K Koll what is your dream car. Don't keep me in suspense! You know I am a petrolhead.

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

Ah ah....I wondered who would take the bait . It's a limited edition Land Rover Defender LXV. Only 65 built for LR's 65th birthday, and basically looks just like a normal Land Rover van, but with abs, heated racing seats and that sort of thing. When I go to the market now, I'll be the envy of all the farmers, on the other hand they may say something else !

static.autoexpress.co.uk/si...

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Not my cup of tea but since they have now stopped making Defenders I understand, it will be a classic one day.

[Mamamarilyn]

After trying out a variety of medication which didn't work that well, my cardio suggested I try Arythmol. I have to say it seems the ideal drug for me. It causes me no tiredness, unlike any other drug I've tried and my heart rate is stable most of the time. If I'm very busy or moving around a lot, I sometimes get a feeling of some tightness in the chest but no dizziness, nausea or....oh, what's the word???..........amnesia.

[rosailor in reply to Mamamarilyn]

Thanks everyone for your replies,

all the very best for 2014