Flecanaide

[Marwills20]

Hello all .. Just wanted to share my first time of taking Flecainide today .. I was previously taking 1 x 2.5 mg of Bisoprolol for paroxysmal AF but my heart rate was dropping dangerously low when i was sleeping so It was stopped .. Last Wednesday my EP/Cardiologist told me he could give me Flecainide but I was hesitant to take it and told him I didn’t wast it .. I returned home after the appointment and as fate would have it an episode of AF started, which I still had this morning (6 long days of very high heart rates up to 200bpm) .. so today I called my Cardiologist and he arranged to give me a prescription for 50 mg of Flecanaide to be taken twice a day .. the moment I got home around 5.00pm I took 2 x 50mg and by 7.30 I was in NSR “I couldn’t believe it” .. I feel my Heart rate is slightly higher at around 80 - 86 bpm than it’s been in the past (Kardia readings) but I’ve also noticed in the last 10 readings I’ve taken I haven’t had one skipped or ectopic beats which when I was in NSR previously I had at least 6 plus ectopic beats every reading .. for the last 2 yrs I’ve been in AF at least 3 - 4 days a week and having really bad nights , I didn’t want to take Flecanaide but today I’m glad I did “I hope it keeps my AF at bay” .. i know it’s early days but I’m sitting here smiling and just wanted to share my experience .. As I feel I may have turned a big corner in my battle with AF .

[Hidden]

Good news Marwills, it is a very effective drug for many on the forum. Let’s hope it keeps you in rhythm.......

[Marwills20 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you (fingers crossed hey)

[lovetogarden]

Great news! I felt great when I was taking flecainide also. Long may it last!

[Marwills20 in reply to lovetogarden]

Thank you

[Bagrat]

It works for me, only one episode in 7 years since taking flec ( that was a virus that made my heart kick off).

[jeanjeannie50]

Good to hear the Flecainide has worked for you Marwills. Long may that continue.

For years I resisted taking any pills for my PAF, believing them to be poison! My EP or Cardiologist would prescribe them, I would take them for a brief period and then stop. I was naive and thought I knew best (haven't changed much now). At one stage I was prescribed Flecainide, but stopped taking it after a few weeks.

My PAF grew worse and the attacks became quite debilitating . Then a couple of years ago my attacks became more frequent and I was prescribed flecainide again. This time it was as a pill in the pocket and for me it was a wonder drug, stopping my attacks in hours. Unfortunately, I had more and more attacks and had to start taking the Flec all the time. I still call it my wonder drug.

Jean

[Marwills20 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you for sharing “it’s just what I need to hear right now”

[Clarrie]

I'm glad it works for you. Unfortunately Flecainide made my heart rate dangerously low so had to stop taking it.

[Brizzy5000]

I too thought flecinide was a wonder drug when I first took it, it seemed to settle everything down but unfortunately in my case I think my body got use to it and it became less effective, episodes of AF became more frequent,

Now after an ablation 3 weeks ago fingers crossed my heart has been behaving it's self, hope the flecinide keeps working for you all the best.

[Hidden]

Been on it since March and I must say it's worked like a dream for me not had a single episode since I started it it's even improved my exercise capability which was pretty good anyway ! All the best !

[Mo-ararat]

Personally Flecainide changed my life for the better, each day I took it I would give a quiet thanks to those who discovered/produced it. Now after a 3rd ablation I have stopped it and just use it as a PIP, which I have needed a few times. Although I would much rather be drug free I feel so much more at peace with AF knowing that it is there, it's my AF security blanked. So look forward to a more normal life. Good luck.

[Marwills20 in reply to Mo-ararat]

Thank you

[Finvola]

I felt exactly like you when I started Flecainide nearly four years ago and I’ve had no AF in all that time. Long may it continue to work for you too - enjoy NSR!

[secondtry]

Well done, it's a brave move and you are lucky as you have stabilised on a low dose, leaving room to increase if necessary with a ceiling at 300mgs/day.

I started on 100mgs but still got some AF and so went onto the medium dose 200mgs/day which has stopped it dead for 4 years. I have found although it is not supposed to, it has reduced my heart rate. The drug is old and tried and tested but I understand is not good if you have some other heart issues but i have Lone PAF so OK. Also many here have been prescribed another drug as 'an essential partner' to flecainide but my cardiologist has assured me several times it is not necessary and would do my circumstances no good - principally low HR.

PS Don't be complacent and do work on lifestyle changes, more doctors are now admitting openly this is the most effective 'pill' you can take.

[Marwills20 in reply to secondtry]

Thank you

[Cheriemaria]

I am so pleased that it has worked for you.Good luck.xx

[sealover]

I have been on Flecainide for 2 years, and during that time I have not experienced one incident of Afib. To me it is a "miracle drug" that has restored my peace of mind and freed me up to reclaim my life.

[Horse57]

Have you had an ablation? I am taking flecanaide but my doctor wants me to take 25 mg as needed. I can’t take it on a regular basis. It makes me breathless as well but boy after it settles my heart I feel great and have a lot of energy as well.