Further to my question about visual problems on flecanide.

[dedeottie]

Thanks for your answers everyone. I have been to my doctor and my optician, had drops in so they could look behind the eye. No apparent problems and neither doctor or optician knew about this problem with flecanide until they looked it up. As there are no changes in the eye they haven't expressed any concern. However the problem is still there and is very disconcerting. I guess it will be up to me to decide what to do. Reduce the dose or put up with it. X

[Rellim296]

I didn't respond to your original question as I haven't had exactly your problem, but I do feel my eyes have acquired more floaters than they used to have since I've been on flecainide. I've also aged three years, of course. I was pleased when my optician called me in recently for a routine check as I was bothered about my eyes, but like you there was nothing found that caused any concern - just a different prescription and an opportunity to buy new glasses.

I am more and more inclined towards keeping down my regular dose of flecainide so that I can zap AF if it occurs with an extra 100mgs - I'm on 50mgs twice a day now. I started on 100mgs x2 and the cardio put the dose up to 150mgs a year ago. It didn't seem to improve the AF control much and left me with little scope to top up as there's only 100mgs to go to the maximum dose in 24 hours which I believe to be 400mgs.

[Bagrat]

Pleased they couldn't find anything wrong with your eyes Dedeottie but I agree it does leave you with a dilemma.

I have more floaters too Rellim and am also on the horns of a dilemma with flec dosage. Saw lovely GP yesterday who was happy for me to have an ECG at my request but had to look up flec in the BNF and said 100mg twice a day was the lowest dose ( which it is for some arrhythmias but not AF!)

[dedeottie]

Bag rat, my doctor and optician also had to look it up and said they had no idea. It doesn't fill me with confidence. I have just emailed my E.P. so when I get a reply will let you know.x

[pip_pip]

Hi. I have to say that my Cardiologist, when I was put on Flecainide told me that if I had probs with my eyes I should stop the drug. Which I did.

Wish you well.

[Loo53]

I had a worrying episode last night with my eyes too but like you I have a dilemma I have to take flecanide. If I find my post I will copy and paste it.

[Loo53]

My copied post on another thread..

I have noticed my eyes being a bit strange. If I look to the left or the right of me I cant focus properly and last night as I was walking down my hallway I thought the light was seriously flickering ...I cant fully describe what my eyes were doing but it seemed like a delayed lens reaction like a shutter slipping up and down (like the horizontal TV screen problems we used to get years back) and sliding from left to right over my eye to the light, when I realised no light was actually flickering at all I got worried and thought what the hell??

I guess you've done what I would have done. I'm seeing my EP on Tuesday so will mention it to him. But what choice do I have? I'm on 150 x 2 a day.

[Rellim296 in reply to Loo53]

As I said above, I'm thinking a low dose with the option to deal with AF when it occurs with a good top up might be my preferred way forward for myself. I'm regretting months of meekly taking 300mgs of flecainide a day, as dictated by my cardiologist, with the numbness in my feet creeping up to my shins. ! am relieved to be on 100mgs a day currently. I have an appointment with my EP later this month - 3 months post ablation - and will see what he says.

[Loo53 in reply to Rellim296]

Yes good point... I had a funny turn again earlier I suddenly felt like I'd taken an overdose and had to lie down once again with the disturbing eye syndrome. Thats it! I'm reducing the dose of my own volition and as you say keeping the pill in the pocket on standby until I see my EP on Tuesday...cant be doing with this I've got a driving lesson today..;((

[Rellim296 in reply to Loo53]

I'm merely saying what might work for me! Flecainide worked a treat for me for 2 years, but the finger has been pointed at it by a GP for lack of sensation in my feet and by an ENT specialist for a diminished sense of taste.

[dedeottie in reply to Loo53]

Hi. Interesting as you are having an almost identical experience to me and I am on the same dose as you. I am waiting for my E.P. to phone me and would also be interested to hear what yours says. At least if we are each having it it means I have not got a brain tumour as I was starting to think!! My instinct is for it to be reduced but neither do I want A.F. and I was having breakthrough episodes on 250mg a day. On no meds I have A.F. for around 75 percent of the time. X

[Loo53 in reply to dedeottie]

Well thats a relief but bad for us both dedeottie there is no way I want to keep taking this drug if thats what it does to my eyes...my dose was upped to 150 x2 because I had breakthrough AF too. Yes will deffo post on here with my EP's answer. No brain tumour...definitely this drug is the culprit. I thought something had gone wrong with the retinas in my eyes...be interesting to see if it happens again tonight when it goes dark and you go into light. I am only taking 100mgs tonight and trying to reduce but not suggesting you do the same of course. I have never taken any drugs and I hate taking this one but now I'm backed into a corner and have to take it....

[Loo53]

Yes Relim and at first I was happy with Flecanide - thought it was a great drug - now I'm not so sure but see the EP next week.