Stomac issues and shortness of breath from flecainide

[Euve]

I have been of flecainide for about 4 weeks I have acid reflux and ibs,and since i have been taking the flecainide,it has been worse, also I have shortness of breath i am only taking 50 mg twice a day Does anyone else have these issues?

[Tako2009]

Hi Euve. Are you taking Flecainide on an empty stomach? I get acid reflux etc if I take mine on a full or partly full stomach - I try not to eat anything for 2 hours before taking them - first thing in morning and then before eating anything in the evening. I never had shortness of breath with Flecainide but I believe beta blockers can have this affect on some people. Liz

[CDreamer]

Important that Flec is always taken on an empty stomach, I forgot once - I felt SO ill I never repeated the experience.

I agree with Tako that the shortness of breath is normally associated with Beta Blocker or the AF I self.

If acid reflux is a new thing for you and you take Pradaxa, that would be my main suspect as it is a known cause of acid reflux if you take them with the wrong foods, we are often offered PPI’s as ‘precaution’ - beware because taken for more than a week or two, they can give you even more long term problems.

Many of of us AFers tend to have other underlying conditions such as IBS. Do you take any meds for the IBS? I have always managed to control mine with diet and stress management but I get the odd flare which will nearly always trigger AF. Try sipping warm water with a small slice of lemon as soon as acid reflux comes on, that always did worked for me. It is always a good idea to get to the cause of acid reflux and it is often diet related.

Best wishe CD