Muscle weakness with Flecainide?

[DrewOTB]

Has anyone else experienced muscle weakness and lethargy with Flecainide? I've been on it for almost a month and--while it has stopped my afib completely--it really leaves me feeling very lethargic and weak (especially in my legs). Has anyone else experienced this? If so, did it get better over time?

[booboo73]

Yep I have been on it s month. .100mg x2 and my legs ache like crazy on a night..x

[DrewOTB in reply to booboo73]

Yes! This sounds very familiar. My legs feel so weak and achey--particularly at night. I end up sleeping in installments as I'm usually up 5 times a night since I started the flec. Also feel super lethargic most days since starting. I'm going to meet with my cardiologist tomorrow morning and I'll see what he has to say. I'm very relieved to not be in afib but *hate* feeling so run down all the time!

[PeterWh in reply to DrewOTB]

See my comments below. Many EPs and cardiologists are unaware of combinations of things affecting because it is a multidisciplinary remit / effect so to speak.

[jennydog]

I am interested in your question because there is something wrong with my walking and I wonder if the problem is drug- induced. I was on 2x100 flecainide for about a year pre-ablation but now only use it as a pip, taking 100.

Relim has reported that her feet feel as though they are wrapped in cling film. That is probably as good a description as I can give. My problem is intermittent. The arches of my feet feel as though they are in an iron grip and my walking deteriorates then improves after a 10 minute rest. Despite the reduction in my flecainide intake the problem is not any better.

Flecainide is a sodium channel blocker. I wonder if it blocks the channels permanently.

It would need a chemist to answer that one!!

And, of course, my walking problem could have been caused by something else.

[Gracey23 in reply to jennydog]

I'm so interested in these posts about Flecanaide side effects. I've been on the drug for over ten years and I ve suffered from pain , weakness and pins and needles throughout my lower body. My EP has no exclamation for me so I've been going to chiropractor but still no relief . It would be so wonderful to get an answer. Thanks for posting !

[jennydog in reply to Gracey23]

Thank you too, Gracie. I have been considering going to a chiropractor. I need to get my problem resolved as it is restricting me a great deal. Fortunately my AF has been quiet for several months now.

[Gracey23 in reply to jennydog]

Yes a chiropractor may help but if problems are a side effect of Flecanaide our pain won't resolve. I also have had no episodes of AFib for months but I'm not happy with the way my body feels. Please keep me posted as to how you are feeling, good luck!

[PeterWh in reply to jennydog]

My thought is that in this case going to a good physiotherapist who has say 15 to 20 years experience may be of more benefit. I first used a chiropractor nearly 30 years ago and only had Physio for the first time 18 months ago. The second one I used is really brilliant and did a whole body assessment and questions which took well over an hour. She had experience of treating people with muscle issues and specifically as side effects to medications. She made a big difference and also identified that some of the issues were being caused by issues and restricted movement in the lower back.

[PeterWh in reply to PeterWh]

I meant to add make sure you drink plenty of water apart from that in tea or coffee as that helps.

[PeterWh in reply to jennydog]

I would definitely go to your GP and ask for a referral to an orthopaedic consultant because there could be a number of underlying causes and some could be combining together to make it worse.

I had (and still have some) problems with my ankle and foot but that started about a year before I was on any medications and before AF had been formally diagnosed. At the initial consultation it was found that I only had about 2 to 5 degrees movement. Consultant was very surprised as to how far I was walking each day. I had various tests, MRIs, Physio done, etc and it is now believed that there are multiple things. I like Relim's description and that is what it feels like to me although much better than 2 years ago.

In my case the conclusions are multiple contributions from (1) the AF itself mainly because causing circulation problems; (2) poor gait - now have special insoles; (3) high arches; (4) some metatarsal damage due to playing sports years ago; (5) some age degeneration; (6) varicose veins and two valves failed in legs veins; (7) lower back stiffness and rigidity - Physio largely sorted this; (8) calf muscles compressed and at variance - Physio is helping.

[jennydog in reply to PeterWh]

Thank you, Peter, that is hugely helpful. I have the age and high arches but no varicose veins. Being very tall is always going to mean back trouble.

I do have a referral to the orthopaedic consultant but the waiting time here in North Wales is 11 months.

[PeterWh in reply to jennydog]

Gosh poor you with all that waiting.

Around here we think that we are hard done by waiting 3 or possibly 4 months!!!! Ablations longer than that though.

[Hidden]

Hi Drew, I think it will improve over time as your body adjusts. I have always had poor circulation, sluggish pulse, knackered leg valves due to GP missing a blood clot 15 years ago and am tied to a work computer screen in a coldish converted garage....therefore not ideal!

I have seen no worsening of issues with Flecainide 200mg/day over 22 months. I put this down to counteracting the problem with x2 per day brisk walks for a mile each done religiously every day plus other steady exercise and taking Magnesium.

[cherylbyrd]

My husband has been lethargic and has more dizziness than usual with this drug. His nose drips and he may be having some vision issues too. Now that he is past his ablations about four months, he will be able to come off of it as the ablations were successful in stopping most of his Afib and atrial flutter. Eliquis (apixaban), his anticoagulant has never caused him any problems and he will stay on that the rest of his life.

[Kodaska]

These stories support my belief that flecainide is a dangerous drug. My symptoms while on it were dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, paresthesia (tingling and partial numbness) in hands and feet up to the knees and elbows, some tightness in the chest, bleary eyes, odd vision irregularities (color, peripheral flashes, floaters), and difficulty getting to sleep. Most of these symptoms continue, even after being off the drug for almost 7 months.

Things that help me include yoga, especially stretching of legs and hips, as much activity as I can, meditation, and whatever I can do to raise my frame of mind. I'm finding that a positive "can do, will do, damn it!" attitude can knock out symptoms. I imagine it involves endorphins.

At any rate, welcome, all, to the growing Flecainide Boosters Club.

[momsnsmurf]

I am so glad to find this blog. I've had extreme weakness in the legs and arms and serious fatigue. I have also gotten really bad balance issues which have caused falls. It's just comforting to know I'm not alone and psycho.

[JanisK]

I have been recently diagnosed with A-Fib, was in hospital for 3 days. I have been taking 25 mg in morning and 25 at night alson with high blood pressure medication and blood thinner medication twice a day. Today, as morning passed, and I went on errands, I began to feel really weak, thought if I moved too quickly, I would faint. My pulse is low, ranging from 50 to 58. I had a few days whereby I felt good, normal. I am wondering if this has anything to do with what I have been eating.