Needing Help

[Pudge]

I have AFIB I was diagnosed June 1,2018

I was put on Flecainide and boy have I had a terrible time with it

I was admitted to the hospital last night

I’m so tired short of breath lightheadedness

And I fell for the third time

I’m 69 years old and I can’t take these side affect

Any ideas appreciated

[Hidden]

OK. First, you are going to be fine, the medics will need a little time to sort it out. Flecainaide doesn’t suit everybody. I notice you have lost 40 lbs in 3 months, that’s amazing.

If you want to tell us a bit more about your medical history and your current meds, it will inform our advice better.

[Finvola]

I’m sorry you are having such a rough time.

It may be that you need a review of your meds as Flecainide does not suit everyone but you need to talk to your cardiologist asap to get an investigation into the lightheadedness and falls - not pleasant at all.

If you are still in hospital, ask to see your cardiologist or else try ringing his secretary for advice. Best wishes.

[Desanthony in reply to Finvola]

Sounds like you need to have your medication changed. This happened to me frequently after I was first diagnosed. Just under a year after being diagnosed I had a successful cardioversion - 29 May this year. In that time I think I tried about 6 different medications as they all made me lightheaded, dizzy, breathless and feeling like I was about to fall over - in the couple of months just before my cardioversion I was on digoxin - first 125 and then 62.5 as the 125 just didn't agree with me either and had that effect. So glad that the cardioversion was successful as I still wonder how long the 62.5 would have worked as it normally took about 4 - 6 weeks before I was back to feeling poorly again. Speak to your cardio as soon as you can.

[Pudge in reply to Desanthony]

I was at the doctors office and I fainted on Monday and now I’m the hospital

He did my second cardioversion on me yesterday hopefully this will work next step is cardio ablation which scares me

I’m waiting to be discharged so I don’t know what the name of a new medicine he added I will find out in my discharge papers

Also my blood pressure is running really low too

It’s awful bad reactions to AFIB and the medicine we have to take

I hope you continue to stay in rythem

[Desanthony in reply to Pudge]

Yes me too. Thanks Pudge, hope your cv works for a long time too.

Des

[Claer]

I, too, had a similar experience with Flecainide. I was so light-headed (and exhausted) I was afraid to stand for any period of time for fear of passing out. My head felt as though it was detached from my body and floating somewhere above. My heart was pounding and I was short of breath. In other words, it rendered me unable to function even close to normal. The doctor who prescribed this wanted me to stay on it! (I experience PAF occasionally). Said he had never heard of this happening. I thought otherwise and another cardiologist confirmed that it was not a drug I should take. He actually said he did not like it for reasons I have stated. Not everyone, apparently, can take it. I am sorry you have had this similar experience and would advise you to speak with the doctor who prescribed it, or another. I would not think you would want to continue to have falls and/or trips to the hospital. Good luck and stay safe!

[Pudge in reply to Claer]

God bless you I thought I was going crazy

I just got out of the hospital I fainted then fell I had an emergency cardioversion on Wednesday my blood pressure is so low too which is scary

[Pudge]

Thank you so much

[Hidden]

So sorry you are having a rough spot. Don’t get too discouraged as it will get better. 3 yr ago when I was diagnosed, the cardiologist put me on a drug I didn’t tolerate. It took 4 months of complaining and finally another doc(EP) to switch drugs and that made all the difference. Flecainide has been a great drug for me, but it isn’t for you. There are others to try. A fib is scary. Hang in there as it will get sorted out and you will get your life back💜